Series: Learning Victory From Joshua Dr. Elmer Towns
Lesson 3: Preparation For A New Step Of Faith July 29, 2012
A. YOUR ATTITUDE BEFORE ACTIONS
1. Act on what God has told you. “Arise, go over this Jordan . . . to the land which I am giving them” (1:2).
a. God sends us. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:5).
b. God wants to use us. “Yield ye your members” (Rom. 6:13, KJV).
c. God expects victory. “Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory (2 Cor. 2:14).
2. Last commands are standing orders.
a. Don’t quit until God gives new orders.
b. Be faithful with the job God gave you to do.
3. The same principles for spiritual warfare as physical war.
B. PREPARATION
“Now Joshua . . . sent out two men . . . to spy secretly, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho’” (2:1).
1. Don’t make the same mistake twice. Forty years earlier sent 12 spies. Ten grumbled and made Israel doubt. Two brought a faithful report.
2. What did they look for?
a. The fortification of Jericho.
b. The customs of the land, “lodged there” (v. 1).
c. The people, some were good; Rahab.
d. There is always risk in obeying God.
C. LOOK FOR THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
“They went to the house of Rahab the harlot and lodged. The king of Jericho was told they were there . . . the woman took the two men and hid them . . . the woman lied, ‘I do not know where they were from . . . before the gate was shut, they went out . . . I don’t know where they went. Go quickly and catch them. She brought them to the roof and hid them in the stalks of flax” (2:1a-6, ELT).
1. God uses unsaved people in the ministry of Christians.
2. You will get help from amazing places, not always spiritual people.
3. Don’t be surprised when unsaved people lie, i.e., “All men are liars” (Ps. 116:11).
4. Two kinds of miracles, direct and indirect providence.
a. Providence from French, “provide.”
b. Take more energy for indirect miracles because of (1) laws, (2) freewill, (3) time, (4) changing circumstances, and (5) believers don’t always obey God.
D. FINDING FAITH IN AN ENEMY
“Rahab said to the spies, ‘I know the LORD has given you the land and everyone is scared to death of your people . . . we heard how the Lord led you through the Red Sea on dry land, and you defeated two kingdoms on the other side of the Jordan . . . your God is the LORD of Heaven above and the earth beneath . . . spare my life and all my family’” (2:3-13, ELT).
1. The testimony of God’s victory prepares the unsaved heart.
2. Every unsaved person has an inborn knowledge of God the Creator. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).
3. When Rahab chose God, she rejected her culture and way of life.
4. Don’t foolishly fight when you can’t win; hide. “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another” (Matt. 10:23).
5. Don’t become a martyr when it’s not necessary. “Hide in the flax.”
6. No one likes deception, but it’s necessary in war in an evil world.
“The spies answered, ‘Our life for your life, if you don’t reveal us to our enemies, then when the Lord gives us victory, we will deal kindly and truthfully with you . . . she let them down by a rope through a window . . .’ they said, ‘you must tie this scarlet rope in the window through which you let us down’” (2:14-20, ELT).
E. CONCLUSION
1. Symbols are an important reflection of our commitment, i.e., scarlet rope, tithe, communion, baptism, church attendance.
2. Punishment follows broken symbols: Samson’s hair, Moses struck the rock, and Uzziah touched the Ark.
3. Verbal commitment is imperative. “Whoever goes out the doors of your house . . . his blood should be on his own head” (2:19, LB).
4. To protect a part was commitment to the whole. Rahab protected two Jewish spies and made a commitment to all Israel and the LORD.
5. Decision-making and decision-keeping are the essence of Christianity. “I have decided to follow Jesus . . . no turning back.”
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns .
