Resurrection Power

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.