It’s time to lead. Be strong and courageous.
Joshua
First lesson to Accept Your Leadership Role and as you do, submit to God’s authority and direction.
Second lesson to Be Confident in God's Power and to lead from a position of confidence in God.
In this week's lesson we learn that leaders who...
Stick to God’s Plan
...keep doing what God tells them to do.
When have you seen persistence pay off in a big way?
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Wax on. Wax off.
The Karate Kid was a popular movie in the 80s. It was about a teenager named Daniel LaRusso who moves to a new city with his mother, only to be bullied and beaten up repeatedly. After Daniel meets a karate teacher named Mr. Miyagi, he becomes enthusiastic about learning how to fight his way toward respect.
Daniel comes to Mr. Miyagi's home ready to kick and punch, but Mr. Miyagi only hands him a water bucket and a rag. He tells Daniel to wash and wax his car. Later, he hands Daniel a paintbrush and instructs him to paint his fence using very specific up-and-down motions. Daniel becomes frustrated, but he obeys. Only later does Daniel realize the motions he learned from waxing the car and painting the fence have taught him the fundamentals of karate.
God calls us to a life of persistent trust and obedience and sometimes that obedience may be displayed In unconventional ways. God desires to accomplish His mission through us and build our faith in the process - just as He did with Joshua.
The text for the message this morning is one that is quite familiar to all of us. As children we used to sing songs about “Joshua and the battle of Jericho,” and how those walls came “a tumblin’ down.” This is, without question, one of the most exciting stories in the Bible in which the mighty, supernatural power of God is displayed in response to the obedience and faith of His people.
In the classic movie Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus utters what much of the world thinks faith is. He said: “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” In other words, faith is irrational, contrary to experience, logic, and knowledge. If we cannot see it, explain it through simple logic and reasoning, we have a tendency not to trust it.
Solomon, in his great wisdom, declared in Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The word vision is defined as simply a dream, or a revelation. Dr. Martin Luther King who often proclaimed: “I have a dream!” His dream, or vision was for equality for men and women of all races. Well, long before God appointed Joshua to succeed Moses and lead the nation Israel into the Promised Land, Joshua had a dream! His dream was to possess the land of Canaan. His dream was to receive and enjoy the promise of God. His dream was to live in a land of plenty in peace. It was something that he longed for so badly that he could taste it. He lived and breathed the dream.
I am afraid that we are sometimes like the man who was walking down a long, narrow path one night, not paying much attention to where he was going. Suddenly he slipped over the edge of a cliff. As he fell he managed to grab hold of a branch growing out of the side of the cliff. Not being able to see because of the darkness of night, he had no idea that he was just two feet from the bottom where he could safely drop without injury. Believing that he could lose his grasp and plummet to his death, he began to cry out for help.
Daniel comes to Mr. Miyagi's home ready to kick and punch, but Mr. Miyagi only hands him a water bucket and a rag. He tells Daniel to wash and wax his car. Later, he hands Daniel a paintbrush and instructs him to paint his fence using very specific up-and-down motions. Daniel becomes frustrated, but he obeys. Only later does Daniel realize the motions he learned from waxing the car and painting the fence have taught him the fundamentals of karate.
God calls us to a life of persistent trust and obedience and sometimes that obedience may be displayed In unconventional ways. God desires to accomplish His mission through us and build our faith in the process - just as He did with Joshua.
Vision + Faith + Action =Victory
The text for the message this morning is one that is quite familiar to all of us. As children we used to sing songs about “Joshua and the battle of Jericho,” and how those walls came “a tumblin’ down.” This is, without question, one of the most exciting stories in the Bible in which the mighty, supernatural power of God is displayed in response to the obedience and faith of His people.
In the classic movie Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus utters what much of the world thinks faith is. He said: “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” In other words, faith is irrational, contrary to experience, logic, and knowledge. If we cannot see it, explain it through simple logic and reasoning, we have a tendency not to trust it.
Solomon, in his great wisdom, declared in Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The word vision is defined as simply a dream, or a revelation. Dr. Martin Luther King who often proclaimed: “I have a dream!” His dream, or vision was for equality for men and women of all races. Well, long before God appointed Joshua to succeed Moses and lead the nation Israel into the Promised Land, Joshua had a dream! His dream was to possess the land of Canaan. His dream was to receive and enjoy the promise of God. His dream was to live in a land of plenty in peace. It was something that he longed for so badly that he could taste it. He lived and breathed the dream.
I am afraid that we are sometimes like the man who was walking down a long, narrow path one night, not paying much attention to where he was going. Suddenly he slipped over the edge of a cliff. As he fell he managed to grab hold of a branch growing out of the side of the cliff. Not being able to see because of the darkness of night, he had no idea that he was just two feet from the bottom where he could safely drop without injury. Believing that he could lose his grasp and plummet to his death, he began to cry out for help.
He yelled…“Is anybody up there?”
A voice was heard, “Yes! I am here.”
Who’s that?” the man asked.
“It’s the Lord!”
“O, Lord! I am glad you’re here. Please help me!”
“Do you trust me?” asked the Lord.
“ I trust You completely, Lord.”
“Good. Let go of the branch.” “What???”
“I said, Let go of the branch.”
“Help!!! Is anybody else up there?”
I. Do What God Says
Joshua 6:1-5
1 Now Jericho was strongly fortified because of the Israelites—no one leaving or entering. 2 The LORD said to Joshua, “Look, I have handed Jericho, its king, and its fighting men over to you. 3 March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry seven ram’s-horn trumpets in front of the ark. But on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the trumpets. 5 When there is a prolonged blast of the horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the city wall will collapse, and the people will advance, each man straight ahead.”
Joshua was stationed near Jericho when he had a divine encounter. God told him, “Look, I have handed Jericho, its king, and it’s fighting men over to you” (6:2). This proclamation highlights a truth we need to remember: God sees situations far differently than we do. He sees the hardships in our relationships, the struggles in our workplaces, and the obstacles in our plans – but He sees so much more. God has a panoramic perspective; He sees the “big picture” of circumstances ahead. Thankfully, God is no passive observer. He works on our behalf to skillfully orchestrate our circumstances at just the right time.
Notice God gave no great battle plans to the Israelites. In fact, He essentially told them to strap on their sandals and walk! The soldiers were to march around the city once a day for six days while seven priests carried seven rams’ horn trumpets. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city walls seven times as the priests blew the trumpets. After the seventh lap, the priests would give a blast on the horns and the marchers were to give a mighty shout. Then the walls would crumble and the city would be theirs for the taking.
What was at the heart of God’s unconventional strategy? His presence. As the soldiers marched, they were to lead a convoy of priests who carried trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant. More soldiers would form the rear guard. Right in the middle of the marching was the unmistakable symbol of God’s presence. In your own leadership journey, step back and take a look right in the middle of what you perceive to be challenges – you’ll see God at work. He’s doing something deeper and greater than just getting you through. He’s calling you to trust Him and obey because He’s marching around the walls with you.
Notice God gave no great battle plans to the Israelites. In fact, He essentially told them to strap on their sandals and walk! The soldiers were to march around the city once a day for six days while seven priests carried seven rams’ horn trumpets. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city walls seven times as the priests blew the trumpets. After the seventh lap, the priests would give a blast on the horns and the marchers were to give a mighty shout. Then the walls would crumble and the city would be theirs for the taking.
What was at the heart of God’s unconventional strategy? His presence. As the soldiers marched, they were to lead a convoy of priests who carried trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant. More soldiers would form the rear guard. Right in the middle of the marching was the unmistakable symbol of God’s presence. In your own leadership journey, step back and take a look right in the middle of what you perceive to be challenges – you’ll see God at work. He’s doing something deeper and greater than just getting you through. He’s calling you to trust Him and obey because He’s marching around the walls with you.
Personal Assessment: Obedience
You may not be required to march around a city, but God has given us several commands through His Word. Record your level of obedience to each of these Scriptures.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:44-45).
“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19-20).
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).
"To be a follower of the crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the cross." - Elisabeth Elliot
Which of God’s commands in Scripture seem unconventional in today’s culture?
Instead of trusting in their own abilities, God wanted His people to trust Him and obey, even if His instructions seemed unconventional.
Not only must we do what God says, we must also keep on doing it.
Points:
- The Lord gives His people words of Instruction that If obeyed will lead to victory.
- The Lord sometimes accomplishes His purpose through unusual ways.
II. Be Persistent
Joshua 6:12-16
12 Joshua got up early the next morning. The priests took the ark of the LORD, 13 and the seven priests carrying seven trumpets marched in front of the ark of the LORD. While the trumpets were blowing, the armed troops went in front of them, and the rear guard went behind the ark of the LORD. 14 On the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. 15 Early on the seventh day, they started at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same way. That was the only day they marched around the city seven times. 16 After the seventh time, the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua said to the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city.”
We may never know why God sometimes calls us to walk in obedience to unconventional commands, but I do see some benefits.
For example, obeying God’s unconventional commands:
- Trains our hearts to see things differently. It helps us look away from the fear of any obstacles that stand in our way.
- Shapes our hearts to trust God in the face of any inadequacy or doubt we might feel.
- Releases us from relying on our own strength and encourages us to rely on God.
When viewed from this perspective, we no longer see God’s commands as strange or a waste of time. Instead, God’s commands are a means of shaping us into the leaders He wants us to be in our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities. Obeying God’s commands is a means of changing our hearts so that our hands can accomplish what He desires.
Jesus was the perfect model of humble obedience. Philippians 2:5-11 was a hymn the early church sang about Christ. It begins with this line: “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.” Verses 6-11 show the attitude Jesus had on earth. He exercised perfect obedience to His Father by taking the position of a slave, even to the point of dying to save all people.
Do you see the connection between Jesus and Jericho? Unconventional obedience is under girded by an attitude of trusting and wanting to please the Father so that His work is done. You have the chance to demonstrate that attitude each day. To see the task in front of you differently, simply believe that the outcome is already in God’s hands and know He desires to shape you into the likeness of Jesus in the process of obeying Him.
When have you felt self-conscious about obeying God?
What’s the worst that can happen when you take a leap of faith?
Is partial obedience to God really obedience at all?
- God’s commands are a means of shaping us into the leaders He wants us to be in our homes, churches, and communities.
- Humbly obeying God’s commands completely, not just partially, is a means of changing our hearts so that our hands can accomplish what He desires.
Points:
1. Faith in the Lord's Word Is expressed by acting according to the Lord's Word.
2. The Lord honors persistent obedience to His Word.
The Walls of Jericho
III. Claim the Victory
Joshua 6:20
20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets sounded. When they heard the blast of the trumpet, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. The people advanced into the city, each man straight ahead, and they captured the city.
The big moment had finally arrived. On the seventh day, it was time for the Israelites to circle the city seven times. They were about to reap the rewards of their persistent obedience. They would see the hand of God move not because of their might and fighting ability, but because of their submission to God and faith in Him.
As the Israelites began the seventh lap, the priests gave a mighty blast on their trumpets. That was the cue. At that moment, all the Israelites shouted, the walls of Jericho crumbled, and God’s people ran in to take the city for Him.
Hebrews 11 has been called the Hall of Faith because the people mentioned there exercised great faith in God – a faith that ignited into action. Included in this long list of biblical heroes are these simple words: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days” (Heb. 11:30). Here, in this majestic passage of Scripture, stands a roaming people who marched unconventionally, day after day, until the fortified walls of an enemy city came crashing down without a whiff of opposition.
God is pleased with our faith and rewards those who exercise it diligently under His leading and direction (v. 6). When we obey God – both conventionally and unconventionally – He helps us grow and guides us as we continue to march forward in our leadership journey.
What steps can we take to make the most of our victories in life?
What about us?
Points:
As the Israelites began the seventh lap, the priests gave a mighty blast on their trumpets. That was the cue. At that moment, all the Israelites shouted, the walls of Jericho crumbled, and God’s people ran in to take the city for Him.
Hebrews 11 has been called the Hall of Faith because the people mentioned there exercised great faith in God – a faith that ignited into action. Included in this long list of biblical heroes are these simple words: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days” (Heb. 11:30). Here, in this majestic passage of Scripture, stands a roaming people who marched unconventionally, day after day, until the fortified walls of an enemy city came crashing down without a whiff of opposition.
God is pleased with our faith and rewards those who exercise it diligently under His leading and direction (v. 6). When we obey God – both conventionally and unconventionally – He helps us grow and guides us as we continue to march forward in our leadership journey.
What steps can we take to make the most of our victories in life?
What about us?
- Do we have the kind of “stick to God’s plan” determination the Israelites exhibited on the plains of Jericho?
- Do we obey the Lord in both important and trivial matters, even when we do not fully understand where He is leading us or how our obedience will accomplish His plans?
- The defeat of Jericho serves as a biblical reminder to every believer that the Lord will keep His promises.
- Our job is to obey God’s instructions and stick to His plan.
- We can rest assured that eventually we will reap the victory each and every time we demonstrate persistent obedience by doing what God tells us to do, whether we experience that full victory in this life or in heaven.
Points:
- The Lord's plan, purpose, and will can be counted on.
- With confidence in Him, God's people can march straight forward to claim the victory.
LIVE IT OUT
What steps will you take to walk in obedience?
Consider the following options for intentionally and persistently obeying God in the days to come:
Break the routine. Practice doing simple things in an unconventional way. Take a different route to work or skip one of your favorite shows. That may not sound spiritual, but it’s good practice for making unconventional decisions.
Walk and pray. Select an area in your community or workplace, and then spend time walking and praying for the people in that area. Repeat for several days.
Talk about your walls. Identify any obstacles blocking your ability to lead well. Seek solutions by initiating a conversation with someone you trust.
What steps will you take to walk in obedience?
Consider the following options for intentionally and persistently obeying God in the days to come:
Break the routine. Practice doing simple things in an unconventional way. Take a different route to work or skip one of your favorite shows. That may not sound spiritual, but it’s good practice for making unconventional decisions.
Walk and pray. Select an area in your community or workplace, and then spend time walking and praying for the people in that area. Repeat for several days.
Talk about your walls. Identify any obstacles blocking your ability to lead well. Seek solutions by initiating a conversation with someone you trust.
Mr. Miyagi handed Daniel a rag and a paintbrush, and Daniel learned obedience and trust. Joyfully accept what God hands you, walk in obedience, and anticipate what God is going to do through you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, No matter the situation, help me demonstrate persistent obedience and faith that I may claim the victories that I know in truth only You could make possible. Amen
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
