RESURRECTION POWER
JOSHUA 7:1 10
The greatest event to take place in the history of the world is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If not for the resurrection we would have no hope...no hope of help, protection, provision...no hope of eternal life. Jesus rose from the dead...Hallelujah...and because he is risen, all who put their faith and trust in Him will one day be raised up to be with Him.
And that very hope...that promise of a personal relationship with Christ...the promise of abundant life here on earth...and the promise of spending eternity with Him that should be such a force in our lives that we would not only live for Him but that we'd shout it from the rooftops He's alive! He's defeated death, hell, and the grave. And now we can be free...we can be victorious...we will rule and reign with Him in heaven. Glory to God!
But let's get real for a minute. We all know the truth of what took place on that first Easter morning. And we know what it is supposed to mean in our lives. But the sad fact is that, for the most part, we are anything but living examples of what the resurrection power of Christ can do in a person who claims to know and love our Savior.
Just what does Easter mean to us? Has it become just another faded tradition...a time for colored eggs and Easter bunnies? This morning I want to preach a very non traditional Easter sermon, not just to be different, but in the hopes that it will help you experience the true, resurrection power of the Easter story. Read Joshua 7:1 5
God told Israel that as long as their ways pleased Him no land could ever stand before them. They would be the dread of all nations. He told them they were a holy people and if they would just keep His commands he would prosper them...protect them...multiply them....He would bless them above all others in the world!
And He said they would not be afraid of any of their enemies. In fact, God said their enemies would be put to confusion before them, and that they'd go out before them one way and the enemy would flee seven ways.
Now, those are great promises...but those are the very same promises God has made the church in these last days. God never intended for any of His children to be beaten down and to have our faces in the dirt. He intended for us to stand against all of our enemies...and never to show our backs to the devil.
We've been given great and precious promises if we just believe them. We're taught that we are more than conquerors...victorious over all our enemies...we're able to withstand in any evil day. We are able to withstand the fiery darts of the enemy...we're to rejoice evermore.
God said we're to experience joy unspeakable and full of glory. And we're to live more and more in the image of Jesus. God never intended us to flee from any enemy! We're not to be "cast down" ...we're not to live in defeat...We're to live a life of victory!
But sadly, Israel did not abide by the word of God...and they didn't live in the privileges of those promises. Unbelief brought Israel very low. Satan got the upper hand in Israel. Their enemies began to prevail over them. And before long instead of their enemies fleeing before them...they had to flee. And they became the laughingstock of their enemies. They became a pitiful spectacle to the heathen.
And today we find Christians in that very same pitiful condition. But today I want to put a fire in your bones...give you a new lease on your hope with God. I want you to begin to experience the real resurrection power that is available to each of us today!
Achan and Joshua have much to do with everyone here this morning. Background...
Chapter 6 records one of the greatest victories that any army on the face of the earth ever experienced...the downfall of the walled city of Jericho.
Now this was an impregnable city that was humanly impossible to attack. And I want to tell you that every king in this area...and there were at least seven of them, had their spies out, watching every move that these Israelites made.
They had heard of all the miracles God had performed for them as they left Egypt...the word had spread...and they wondered what would happen when they got to this great city of Jericho. Because the people of this city lived behind these great massive walls...and they had at least a two year supply of food and water. They were set. There was no way for this city to be taken.
Imagine the reports the spies sent in during the seven days they marched around...with no weapons...just carry around a box...........What are they going to do...huff and puff and blow the walls down? 7th day...blow trumpets and shout walls fell!!!!!
After this victory God really put the fear into all the neighboring armies. Who could stand against this kind of power? I mean how do you plan a strategy against an army that knocked down those walls with trumpets. There was panic everywhere.
And the Israelites soldiers...wow...were they psyched or what? They were probably all running around shouting..."We're number 1...." And now they figured they would go right through Canaan...there's not an enemy that has a chance....
But lesson number 1...Our great victories do not scare off the devil. He simply changes his tactic. I believe the devil knew those walls were going to come down...because he heard God say so. Since the very beginning the devil has been hearing God say things and they always happen.
But I don't think the devil is too much impressed by our great victories. Because he's too busy strategizing. In fact, he probably never left the battle scene. The walls had come down...Israel was busy destroying every evil thing in sight and I believe that right away the devil held a war council. He began right away to plan his next strategy.
The devil calls all of his lords of darkness together and said, "Look, the dread of Israel is on all the nations around here...and we can't look to any of the armies of these kings around here because they are scared to death of these people.
So we're going to change our strategy. We're going to attack them from within. We'll hit them in their own family...in their own households. And I believe that Satan asked the question..."Who do we know...who do we have in the house of Israel that's vulnerable?
Who do we have that's got some deep seated root of anger...or bitterness...or resentment? Who do we have that's heart is not set fully on God...one we can work on...and take that thought and blow it into a full fledged spirit that we can work through. And one of his imps spoke up and said, "I've got just the man. In fact, his name means "trouble" ...his name is Achan. And his father's name is Carmi...which means "household of vineyards."
And what this demon was saying was that this man Achan wasn't really with this move out of Israel because he and his family were businessmen, they had vineyards that supplied Israel with wine, which was quite profitable. And his main concern was getting to Canaan and getting into business.
The devil knew he could get to Achan because his mind was not set on God. He was only interested in getting settled in the land so he could get his business going...getting a big spread...and making lots of money.
And just about that time Achan looked down and there was some gold, silver and a beautiful Babylonian robe. And what thought do you think the devil put immediately in his mind? "Vineyards.....big spread...there it is ...pick it up...the answer to your dreams." So he grabbed it and took it inside his tent and buried it.
And the devil said, "Now we've done it. We have moved inside the camp. We've got them where we want them." Now, I don't want to dwell a lot on Achan...but there is something very important to see from this. Don't let any root of bitterness...or resentment...or lust for either physical or material things rest in your heart.
Because the devil can take that root...that little spark, and fan into a flame that will quickly control you. And just like Achan whose name means trouble...you'll become a troubler to your household...to your church...you'll become a troublesome personality.
Satan is out to destroy God's people...he's out to destroy the church...and just as he did with Jesus, his best tactic is to try to destroy from within. He wants to bring chaos to the family of God to destroy it. That why he comes...to steal, kill and destroy.
And it's usually not the "big" sins we think of...so often it's the things we hide deep in our hearts. Satan will get you down...he'll get you discouraged...he'll get you angry or jealous or upset...he'll get you to dwell on some wrong thought or desire...and fan that into a flame that will bring spiritual death and destruction all around.
This happens so often in marriages... especially when one is saved and the other either isn't saved or is barely walking with God at all. And at times that person can be kind, considerate, loving...but then all of a sudden trouble breaks out. And you don't understand what happens to that person.
You don't understand the look in their eyes...or the things they say. You don't understand how they could be so hurtful in their words and actions. And you cry out, "What did I do to make them so vicious...how could things get so bad...how can they be so horrible?
Well let me tell you its supernatural...its from hell itself! Satan has seen a root of bitterness or hatred or lust of some sort...and because its not been dealt with the devil has been able to use that...he's blown it up to where its an absolute evil thing that will bring nothing but death and destruction.
And that is what's happening here in the house of Israel. Achan's sin brought death to his whole house and everything that pertained to him. This is what happens when Satan is at work and he's undiscerned. This is how he works.
And the Scripture says the hearts of all the people melted and became like water. They lost their gumption...they lost their spirit...they were all depressed and down in the mouth and they fled before their enemies. They became weak and the devil began to prevail.
Look at Joshua 5:1 (Read) ...Now that's the way it's supposed to be. But because the devil is at work...and he's working undiscerned, and not being dealt with...it is the Israelites whose hearts are melted with fear....and they are the ones on the run.
And this brings us to another truth that I really want to show you...one that I believe is very important for us today...especially on this day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And that truth is simply this...
Satan's desire is to send you to the prayer closet a defeated, groveling spiritual wimp. (Repeat!!) That's exactly what he did to Joshua. Satan knew better than to think he could keep Joshua from praying. This was a holy man...one of the most fearless men in all of Israel. He was an example of faith and holiness.
But you see...the devil has moved inside the camp now. And Joshua is no longer concerned with the Canaanites or any of the other cities or people. There's something wrong here...and he doesn't know what...he doesn't know why things have suddenly turned around.
They went up against Ai with just a handful of soldiers. There were only about 12,000 people in this town, which meant they probably had only about 3,000 soldiers in the whole army. So they only sent a few of their seasoned soldiers.
But they were routed by the men of Ai and 36 of them were killed. They come back beaten and discouraged. And Joshua went in to his prayer closet and laid down in defeat.
Read 7:6 9
Now, can you imagine this man Joshua talking like that...this great man of faith? Do you know what the devil is doing? He's saying, "Go ahead Joshua, go to God...and when you go to prayer, lay down flat...put your face in the dirt...and grovel. And you tell God you don't understand....
You tell God you're innocent...you haven't done anything wrong. You tell God that He's let you down...tell Him that you just can't go on...and that you just don't have any more strength, you have no more gumption....just go there and tell God what you think.
You know, nothing pleases the devil more...instead of keeping you from prayer, he'd rather you go in there like Joshua groveling in the dust....like a wimp...accusing God of abandoning you...of leaving you to your own devices.
Joshua was defeated...he felt they were going down...that they weren't going to make it. And he's saying to God, "What happened? ...what went wrong?" Ever feel like this?.... ready to throw in the towel? That's just what the devil wants.
This is right where the devil wanted Joshua. He wanted him to go to his God as though His God was dead. Like He had suddenly abandoned His throne...and abandoned him. But look closely at this situation. Who's been at fault? Well, we know that Achan is the one who was vulnerable and opened himself up to Satan.
But what about Joshua? Joshua had now become guilty...just as guilty before God. Why? Because of unbelief. And unbelief is something God doesn't take kindly to. That was the very reason He cut off the nation of Israel...In the desert not a single Israelite got into the promised land because of this same sin. God hates unbelief.
And he hates mourners in His presence who don't believe that He can bring them out of their problems. And at this time, God is not taking to kindly to Joshua. We know His wrath is against Achan...but look at Joshua.
Of all the people in the whole nation of Israel, Joshua should have been the last one to doubt God. He knew better...he had more experience with God...he saw God's power and faithfulness...he had intimate communion with God. But here he is...doubting God's faithfulness. And this is the place God finds many of His people today.
But then, in verse 10, God spoke very strongly to Joshua. And He said, "Get Up! What are you doing down on your face?" Joshua, what are you doing groveling in my presence...get up!
He was saying to him..."Since when did I give up my throne? When did I abandon you? Get up on your feet, I want to talk to you!" And I bet Joshua got up in a heartbeat. "What's all this talk about my giving you up to the enemy...What kind of a Father do you think I am?
I've done this. I've gone through times that were tough. And I felt so hurt and innocent. But what I was doing was worse than anything anyone had ever done to me. And that's why I'm preaching this today! But God told me what I think He's saying to some of you...Get Up!
Since when did I cease to be Almighty God...when did I leave my throne? When did I start allowing the devil to walk all over my beloved children? You forgot something...and it's the same thing Joshua forgot. God is still on the throne. Jesus Christ is alive!
By your groveling you are saying that you don't believe that I am at work...you don't believe that I am on the throne with resurrection power. God is saying to me and to you, "You don't run, the devil runs...you don't grovel, the demons grovel...you don't flee, the devil flees. That same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you...so you have resurrection life and power. Hallelujah!
Folks, its time we got up and repented...its time we got up and wiped the tears from our eyes and stopped groveling and doubting a holy, righteous God. That's what Joshua did...and when he did get up he received a holy backbone...a spiritual power came on him and immediately God began to tell him how to deal with his problem. And it all happened because once again he had a spirit of faith...and he believed that God was going to deliver, and work out the whole situation.
Hebrews 4:14 16 (Read)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just an old, worn out fable...it is not just an historical event that has no relevance to our lives today...and it's not just a premium for a fire insurance policy that will keep us from going to hell.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a testimony that He is alive...and He's seated at the right hand of the Father in glory...but even more than that He's opened the gates wide, that we can come boldly...that we can come freely and we can come with the assurance that He will be there to help us in our time of need!
The message this morning is clear...God doesn't take kindly to your griping...or our complaining...or our unbelief. If you are down...if you are discouraged...if you are in doubt...if you are in need...then stand up. Jesus is alive! He is still on the throne!
We can come boldly into His presence of the God of the universe and receive help in our time of need. Easter is about the power of God...a God who created you to have life in its fullness...a God who sent His Son as a promise that He can redeem your life from whatever it is that keeps you from that fulfillment...
The resurrection of Christ is a sign that there isn't anything in all creation...not even death itself...that can stop God from keeping His promises. There is resurrection life and resurrection power awaiting you...only believe!
