Sermons on Achan:

What's Buried Under Your Tent?

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 24, 2017

Like Achan we may think our sin will not be uncovered--even by God. But we need to remember that nothing can be hidden from God and the guilt of our sins still stands. This account leads us to confess our sins and turn in faith to Christ forgiveness!

Soon after they fell into sin Adam and Eve tried to hide their guilt behind coverings made of fig leaves. Later because of their sin they also vainly attempted to hide themselves from God. Adam and Eve’s son Cain thought he could hide the guilt of shedding his brother’s innocent blood by claiming ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:16-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Rising To The Next Level

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 30, 2023

This sermon looks at how little things can keep us from moving to a higher level in life and in God. It looks at Achan and his actions at Jericho. Selfishness and greed will hurt those we love.

Rising To The Next Level---At Bridge City Church. Joshua 6:15-7:1 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Text Read Joshua 6:1-5 What if I told you that a baby by the name Jaleth in Lowand, which is an island off the coast of Norway in the Norwegian Sea, started talking two days after he was born, was walking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sin In The Camp

Contributed by George Stadler on Feb 5, 2012

The Church has become Anemic in these days of winking at sin. The story of Achan's sin calls us to respond to sin in our congregations and our personal lives to again have the blessing of God and his power to defeat the enemy.

Sin in the Camp Joshua 7:1-26 I don’t know you, other than perhaps a casual meeting at one time or another. I am not your pastor so I do not have to worry about what you may think. I’m not a DS or GS so politics are the least of my worries. • I am a sinner saved by ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Methodist

No Hiding Place

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 18, 2010

Achan discovered the reality that sin has no hiding place and carries with it dire consequences not only for the offender but that are widespread. One man’s sin can destroy a family, a church, and even a nation.

No Hiding Place – Joshua 7:1-12 Introduction: The actions of a few can have positive or negative consequences for hundreds. This is powerfully illustrated in the life of a man named Achan. His attitude may have been the same as many today: what I do is nobody’s business but mine. Achan ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Troubler Of Israel: When Secret Sin Leads To Public Defeat

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 13, 2025

This sermon from the sobering account of Achan in Joshua 7 exposes how one person's secret sin can cause corporate spiritual defeat, charting the painful but necessary path from the Valley of Trouble to the door of hope.

Introduction: The Anatomy of a Defeat Imagine the spirit in the camp of Israel. They are standing on the smoking ruins of Jericho, a city whose walls were built to defy armies. They have not just won a battle; they have witnessed a miracle. They are God's chosen people, marching under His ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sin In The Camp Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 21, 2016

God's punishment upon Achan (and his family and possessions) seems severe...and it was, because sin is a serious matter. Sin is rebellion. Sin is covenant-breaking. Sin is choosing to go our way and reject God's way. And sin has consequences.

Hamlet famously complained that “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” Joshua found that something was rotten in Canaan, within his own people. After devoting himself to God, and after a miraculous victory at Jericho, Joshua's army suffered a defeat in Ai. Israel was enjoying ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-13

Denomination: Congregational

Being A Clog In The Pipe

Contributed by Dean Morgan on Sep 8, 2004

Have you ever had a clog in your pipes that stops up all the water from draining out into the septic tank? If you have then you know the problems of stopped up pipes. Achan was a clog in the pipes that stopped the blessing of God from not only flowing o

TEXT: Joshua 7:10-12; 16-26 TITLE: BEING A CLOG IN THE PIPE Have you ever had a clog in your pipes that stops up all the water from draining out into the septic tank? If you have then you know the problems of stopped up pipes. Achan was a clog in the pipes that stopped the blessing of God from ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:10-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Repentance Brings The Victory

Contributed by James May on Apr 10, 2005

Achan had sinned, Israel had been defeated, but now confession and repentance had come. God’s blessings came back and a great victory was won. Let’s learn a lesson in the church today.

REPENTANCE BRINGS THE VICTORY By Pastor Jim May In the last message titled “The Accursed Thing”, we left Israel licking it’s wounds after having been soundly defeated by the army of Ai. Because Achan had taken the “accursed thing” into the camp of Israel, God’s judgment feel upon all the people. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:1-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Elisha’s Ministry - The Wolf At The Door - Lust When It Has Conceived Brings Forth Sin - Gehazi 2kings 5:20-27 Part 1 Of 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 19, 2022

Naaman was healed by God but Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, coverted the gifts Naaman brought which Elisha refused. This sad story is what happens when lust has conceived and it had tragic results for Gehazi.

ELISHA’S MINISTRY - THE WOLF AT THE DOOR - LUST WHEN IT HAS CONCEIVED BRINGS FORTH SIN - GEHAZI 2Kings 5:20-27 PART 1 of 2 SERIES – MESSAGES ON ELISHA – HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY Number 15 Just a touch of revision from the last Elisha message. We need to recall 2Kings 5 v 15. Open at that verse ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6, 2 Kings 5:20-27, 1 John 2:16, Luke 4:1-12, James 1:13-16, Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:11, Joshua 7:18-21, Acts 5:1-6, Joshua 7:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pagtaas Sa Susunod Na Antas

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 30, 2023

Ang sermon na ito ay tumitingin sa kung gaano kaliliit na bagay ang makakapigil sa atin na umakyat sa mas mataas na antas sa buhay at sa Diyos. Tinitingnan nito si Achan at ang kanyang mga kilos sa Jerico

Pagtaas sa Susunod na Antas---Sa Bridge City Church. Joshua 6:15-7:1 1 Timoteo 6:6-10 Text Basahin Joshua 6:1-5 Paano kung sabihin ko sa iyo na ang isang sanggol na may pangalang Jaleth sa Lowand, na isang isla sa baybayin ng Norway sa Dagat ng Norwegian, ay nagsimulang magsalita dalawang ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Love That Gives Hope Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 10, 2023

God loves us so much that he gives us a doorway of hope. What kind of hope is that, and where do we find it?

In Europe, there’s something called “Lock Bridges”. They are bridges where young lovers will take padlocks, engrave their initials or messages on them, and then lock them onto a bridge in the city, throwing the keys in the river. There are 20 “Lock Bridges” all across the world, and in 2015 there ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Measure Upon Measure – Cursed – The Restoration Of God - Part 6 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 28, 2025

The ground was cursed because sin destroyed the harmony in God’s creation. In Part 1 we began the subject, and in this Part 2 we continue with the way Christ identified with the curse and now has restored to us acceptance and spiritual blessings. God has restored more than Adam knew.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – CURSED – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 6 We continue the third consequence of sin which is CURSE, for sin produced cursing in the earth – the ground, and on creation. Last time we had covered the ruined serenity of Eden, then the results of sin (the curse this time) and we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13, Joshua 6:18, Joshua 7:20-21, Romans 15:7, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 1:3-14, Genesis 12:1-3, Isaiah 5:20-22, Isaiah 11:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is No Such Thing As A Secret Sin Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Feb 18, 2002

This story has much to teach us about the devastating effects of sin.

A Study of Joshua Sermon # 6 “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SECRET SIN” Joshua 7:1-26 The seventh chapter of Joshua opens with the ominous word “but.” The use of the little conjunction of contrast is designed to drive ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Missing God's Best Series

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Jun 26, 2005

This sermon shares common mistakes that cause us to miss God’s best.

Achan was in the promised land but missed the blessings of the land because of the mistakes he made. He missed God’s best. What would cause us to miss God’s best? I. We miss God’s best when we are Disobedient. A. Achan was told to stay away from the banned substance. He disobeyed and paid ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Progressive Nature Of Sin

Contributed by Lee Henry on Nov 15, 2006

James teaches us that big sins begin with small temptations.

The Progressive Nature of Sin James 1:13-15 “Great oaks from little acorns grow.” The mustard seed “is smaller that all other seeds, but when it is full grown...becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” (Matt. 13:31) In this life we can all think of many ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ