Passing The Baton: A Divine Relay of Faith
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Moses
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (NLT) – Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, ‘Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. 8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.’
Numbers 27:18-20 (NLT) – The LORD replied, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. 20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.’
Joshua
Joshua 1:1-3 (NLT) – After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 ‘Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you.’
Joshua 21:43-45 (NLT) – So the LORD gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD helped them conquer all their enemies. 45 Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had promised came true.
Joshua 24:31 (NLT) The people of Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him—those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel.
Elijah
1 Kings 19:4 (NLT) – Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’
1 Kings 19:19-21 (NLT) – So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, ‘First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!’ Elijah replied, ‘Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.’ 21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.
Elisha
2 Kings 2:9 (NLT) – When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.’ And Elisha replied, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.’
2 Kings 2:14 (NLT) – He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, ‘Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?’ Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.
2 Kings 13:14 (NLT) – When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. ‘My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!’ he cried.
John The Baptist
John 1:26-27 (NLT) – John told them, ‘I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. 27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.’
John 3:30 (NLT) – He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
John 3:28-29 (NLT) – You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.
Jesus
Matthew 11:11 (NLT) – I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
Luke 4:18-19, 21 (NLT) – The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come… 21 Then he began to speak to them. ‘The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!’
The Disciples
John 14:12 (NLT) – I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) – Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’
Sent Ones
Acts 2:41 (NLT) – Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
Acts 17:6 (NLT) – Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too.
Acts 4:13 (NLT) – The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
Hebrews 13:7-8 (NLT) – Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) – And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
John 20:19-23 (NLT) – 19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.