TC2FC
To Claim This Community For Christ
Joshua 5:13-6:7
INTRODUCTION: As a church we are about to embark in a process tat I believe will radically affect the way we act, operate, and prioritize ourselves as a church. Beginning in September, we will, as a body, seek out the purposes that God established for our existence. Yet, as we prepare, we need to take a moment and deal with one truth. You have seen it displayed in our announcements, and it is illuminated behind me this morning -- TC2FC. What looks at first glance like a chemical formula, is in reality a simple truth, recorded in simple fashion – “To Claim This Community For Christ”. I believe that the fall of the city of Jericho gives us valuable insight regarding this truth.
I TO CLAIM– Joshua 5:13-15
A From the very onset of Joshua’s mission he had a desire to overthrow the city of Jericho
B The formidable sight of the city
1 One of the oldest cities in the world at that time
a Jericho had been there for a long while
b Jericho had withstood many battles before
c Jericho had NO reason to fear now
2 One of the most defendable cities of its time
a Walls 25 feet high
b Walls 20 feet thick
c Soldiers on guard could see for miles
d Was considered INVINCIBLE by the Canaanites
C Joshua’s desire was sure
1 His confrontation with the “man” said he would not be dissuaded
2 His conversation with the man revealed the victory was his
3 As Joshua would move forward, God would give him the victory
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
§ We need to understand that as we move forward
o Discovering our purpose
o Redefining ourselves based on God’s desire for us
o Moving forward based on God’s purposes for us
§ We move into a world that looks indestructible
o Make no doubt about it – Satan has a tight grip on this world
§ William Bennett writes, “Since 1960, the U.S. population has increased 41%; the gross domestic product has nearly tripled; and total social spending by all levels of government (measured in constant 1990 dollars) has risen from $143.73 billion to $787 billion--more than a fivefold increase. Inflation-adjusted spending on welfare has increased by 630%, spending on education by 225%.
But during the same 30-year period there has been a 560% increase in violent crime, a 419% increase in illegitimate births; a quadrupling in divorce rates; a tripling of the percentage of children living in single-parent homes; more than a 200% increase in the teenage suicide rate; and a drop of almost 80 points in SAT scores.
Clearly many modern-day social pathologies have gotten worse. More important, they seem impervious to government’s attempts to cure them. Although the Great Society and its many social programs have had some good effects, there is a vast body of evidence suggesting that these ``remedies’’ have reached the limits of their success. “
§ Sean Hannity, in a speech to United Families International said this, “And if you don’t think groups like United Families International are important, go back several decades. Sometimes you’ve got to stand back and look at the big picture. It is mind-boggling to me that in the 1940s and 1950s the top problems in American schools were talking in class, chewing gum, and running in the halls. What are the top problems today? Teenage pregnancy, violence, drug abuse, and suicide. Something has shifted, something has altered, something has changed.”
o Biblically, this world is Satan’ realm
§ Ephes. 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
§ Job 1:6-7 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
o Yet at the same time God has declared our victory over the world
§ Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
§ John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO ACHIEVE THE VICTORY GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN US!
40 DAYS OF PURPOSE PREPARES US TO ACHIEVE THE VICTORY GOD HAS FOR US!
II THIS COMMUNITY – Joshua 6:1-5
A Joshua understood that the promised land was through Jericho
B Joshua understood God’s Promise
1 God’s ultimate promise – the land of Israel
2 With God’s incremental promise – Jericho
C Joshua moved based on the promise
1 Joshua understood the order by which God’s ultimate promise was achieved.
2 Joshua understood the way in which God’s promise would be achieved.
a Our obedience is crucial
b God’s holiness is supreme
Joshua 7:1-12 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’S anger burned against Israel.
2Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai.
3When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there." 4So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
6Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?"
10The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
1) The issue here is obedience to God’s prescribed manner
2) Ignorance and disobedience both brought defeat.
a) Achan was disobedient
b) The men were ignorant
Joshua 7:19-26 Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me."
20Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath."
22So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. 23They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the LORD.
24Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. 25Joshua said, "Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today."
Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. 26Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.
3) Joshua recognized the importance of “resetting” the people
a) Disobedience was dealt with (albeit, permanently)
b) Ignorance was dealt with
4) The result is the ability to continue
Joshua 8:1-2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. 2You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city."
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
§ God has given us a plan to follow
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
§ God has given us a direction to keep
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
§ God has also given us an order to achieve
Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
o First the church grows up – it matures – it understands its purpose
o Second the church grows together – it moves as one
o Third the church grows out – it interacts with the people around it
o Fourth the church grows more – God then adds to the church
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER THE RIGHT WAY TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO ACHIEVE THE VICTORY GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN US!
40 DAYS OF PURPOSE PREPARES US THE RIGHT WAY FOR THE VICTORY GOD HAS FOR US
III FOR CHRIST – Joshua 6:6-7
A Joshua knew who he was doing this for
1 He was doing this for God who had promised the land
2 He was doing this for the people who were to be the recipients of God’s promises
B The people moved out prepared by God, not by Joshua
C The people were successful because of God, not Joshua
1 Victory came at the price of preparation
2 Victory came at the price of obedience
3 Victory came at the price of purpose
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
§ We will never realize our true potential apart from knowing our true purpose
§ We will never know our true purpose without moving towards it
§ We will never know our victory apart from God’s plan and timing
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER THE RIGHT WAY AND AT THE RIGHT TIME TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO ACHIEVE THE VICTORY GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN US!
40 DAYS OF PURPOSE PREPARES US THE RIGHT WAY AND AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE VICTORY GOD HAS FOR US
SO WHEN THE TIME COMES TO COMMIT – BE READY TO COMMIT
40 DAYS THAT WILL RADICALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
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