Sermon by: Dr. Todd Morris
Text: Joshua 6:1 - 21
Title: How to Make Your Walls Fall Down
Date: January 11, 2004
Introduction: Israel has finally crossed Jordan. They have prepared themselves spiritually and they have, thus far, followed God’s orders to the letter. Now they are ready to begin the conquest of the Promised Land. They are ready to claim for themselves the land that flowed with milk and honey. However, as it is with most things in life worth having, it wouldn’t come cheap.
For Israel Jericho would be a benchmark. It was at Jericho that they would flex their muscles and experience military victory and conquest. Now, for just a moment, try to put yourself in the shoes of the average Israelite soldier. For most of these men, Jericho was the first city they had ever seen with fortified walls all the way around it. It must have looked like an impossible city to conquer to many. However, they listened to the instructions they were given by the Lord and they saw those massive walls come tumbling down flat.
There may be those who question why I would choose to preach through an Old Testament book that is all about battles and wars. As I se it, there is no more relevant book for today’s Christian than the book of Joshua. We live today in a day of battles and struggles. We need to know how to fight. We need to know that our God is able to give us the victory. We need to know how to follow Him and claim the victory that He has to offer. Joshua teaches us those lessons.
Just as Israel faced the formidable walls of Jericho, you and I face walls and obstacles in our lives as well. We need to know how to overcome them as we march toward our victory. This passage holds the answer for us today, just as it did them in that day. Lets watch Israel conquer Jericho, and as we do, let’s let the Lord teach us, “How To Make Our Walls Fall Down Flat.”
I ISRAEL HAD A PROBLEM (1)
A. Israel Had a City to Conquer
1. It had two walls surrounding it.
a. The outer wall was 6ft thick and 20 ft high.
b. The inner wall was 12ft thick and 30ft high.
c. Between the walls was a15ft wide guarded walkway.
B. As we go through life, we too have obstacles to face that seem impossible to overcome.
1. The loss of a loved one.
2. The salvation of one who seems totally unconcerned.
3. A ministry the Lord has given us for which we feel inadequate.
4. Family problems, financial problems.
5. A besetting sin that constantly crops up in our lives.
C. We must learn not to look upon the obstacles as dead-ends, but as opportunities for the Lord to work in our lives.
II ISRAEL HAD A PROMISE (2)
A. God promises the victory before the battle is ever fought.
B. We have the Lord’s promises as our banners to march under as we do battle with our enemy.
1. We have a promise that our weapons are powerful – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God, for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
2. We have a promise that our battles have been arranged by the Lord – 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
3. We have the promise of power in the day of battle – Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
4. We have the promise of ongoing victory – I Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
5. We have the promise that we will never fight alone – Matthew 28:20 says, “…..I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.”
6. We have the promise that when the battles are ended we will celebrate the victory in His presence – John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me, in my father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will doubtless come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I ma you may be also.”
D. As we face the walled cities of our lives we need to learn to take God at His word and trust Him for our victories.
III ISRAEL HAD A PARTNER (3-5)
A. Israel’s partner was none other than God Himself.
1. Remember that when the captain of the hosts came to see Joshua in chapter 5 verses 13 – 15, he said he didn’t come to take sides, but to take over.
B. Neither do we face our obstacles alone.
C. No obstacle is insurmountable as long as we face it in the Lord, with the Lord’s weapons.
1. The Word of God.
2. Prayer
IV ISRAEL PRVAILED (6-21)
A. Why did they prevail?
1. They had a Word form the Lord (2-6)
2. They believed God (8-20)
3. They acted in faith
4. They did it God’s way
5. God gave them the victory
B. God’s people will prevail!
Conclusion: What kind of walled city are you facing right now? Does it appear to be unconquerable? Do the walls look too high, and do they appear to be too thick? Does it seem that victory is absolutely impossible in your case? I want to remind you that your walls can fall down flat! They can fall at this very moment. Just take a lesson form Israel and start handling your Jericho God’s way instead of your way.
