Title: The Final Conquest
Text: Joshua 11
Introduction
As we study the book of Joshua, the conquest of Canaan was accomplished through three campaigns. Chapter 6 – 10 covers the central campaign, where the key battles fought were in Jericho and Ai, and the Southern Campaign, where Joshua defeated the Southern Alliance.
Joshua chapter 11 described the final conquest of Joshua as the Northern Kings came together with a vast army to fight against Joshua.
Though by this time Joshua should be a battle harden war veteran, this will be the most difficult battle he had ever fought.
Not only the army coming against Joshua is huge, there were horses and chariots, which Joshua had never encountered in the earlier fights. Historian estimate the Northern Alliance to be consisting of, 300 000 foot soldiers, 100 000 cavalry and 20 000 chariots. This Northern Alliance is a far superior army as compared to the Israelites. Yet in the midst of such great difficulty, Joshua and his army triumph and fulfilled the purpose of God for that hour.
I believe that Revival Center as a church, and every single one of us God has called us to fulfill his purpose here on earth. How can we fulfill his purpose? As I study the book of Joshua and Chapter eleven, there are three very important qualities in Joshua life, which enable him to complete the final conquest. I believe that as we apply these qualities into our own lives and into our church, we too as a people of God can fulfill his purpose for our hour.
Firstly, Joshua had an:
1.Unceasing dependence on God (verse 6)
Even though Joshua had fought so many battles, he was continuously dependent on God.
In a similar way, if we want to fulfill God’s purpose for our church, we must be like Joshua, having an unceasing dependence upon God.
How can we be unceasingly dependent upon God?
- Through Prayer
- Listening to his guidance
- Asking for the power of the Holy Spirit.
God’s task can only be fulfilled with His wisdom, guidance and power. Why do we fail? When we become self-reliant instead of God reliant.
Joshua not only had an unceasing dependence on God, he demonstrated an:
2.Uncompromising Obedience unto God (verse 7-15)
- Joshua obeyed God’s strategy in battle.
- Joshua obeyed God by destroying the horses and chariots.
- He obeyed everything which God commanded Moses.
God promised Joshua in Chapter one, success if he would remain obedient to the word of God. In similar way, as a church we must be obedient to the guidance of God and the word of God if we desire to be successful in fulfilling God’s purpose.
What do I mean by Uncompromising Obedience?
It is to do all that God has called us to do at all cost.
- Apostle Paul (Acts 20:22-24, 21:10-13)
- Spurgeon / Duck Tales
- Obey God by not only abstaining from sinful habits, we must begin to do the very thing He has called us to do.
- Church Redevelopment Plans
- Evangelism
Finally, Joshua endured with:
3.Unfaltering perseverance (verse 18, Hebrews 12:11)
Joshua fought for a long time with the kings. As we read the accounts of the war it may seem short, but in reality, it took Joshua 7 years to complete the final conquest. There must have been times during these seven years of fighting that Joshua felt like quitting. He clinged on to God and endured with unfaltering perseverance.
The spiritual battle here on earth is long and can be tiring. We have to persevere and keep fighting till the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
By perseverance the snail reached the ark. - C. H. Spurgeon
We must persevere because there is a prize awaiting us at the end of the race.
We can persevere because: God has given us His power through the Holy Spirit.
God has given us companions in this race.
Conclusion
God has given us a promise land and we each can complete the final conquest by:
1. Having an unceasing dependence upon God
2. Demonstrating Uncompromising obedience to God
3. Enduring with unfaltering perseverance
