Talking about sin is hard. But we need to because the Scripture does. If we claim to love Jesus Christ then we are told directly by HIM that we must obey HIS words, all of Scripture and all principals that agree with the scriptures.

Let us clearly define sin based on the Bible / Scripture. Sin is doing, thinking or believing the opposite of what God wants. Many things are spelled out explicitly, others things less clear but still important.

To avoid sin…

1^st we have to know what God would have us do, who He would have us be…And THEN we have to honestly, intentionally and transparently pursue such a life. Disobedience to God’s desires is sin. Ignoring God’s commands, precepts and principals is sin. Taking away a part of what God says, interpreting His Word out of context, is sin. Adding to what God prescribes for HIS people is sin.

God’s Word is meant to convey multiple meanings and have multiple uses. Everything from the big picture to personal application. The centuries long story of how God takes a group of people and HE walks with them to reveal himself and HIS desires for all people. Through these people, HIS people HE demonstrates how no human being can live in a way acceptable to HIS Perfect Triune Holiness. From that nation HE comes in person to make a way for our lives to be acceptable to HIM. By HIS perfect sacrifice for us we can embrace our dependency for a ‘Father’ we need.

There is also a massive amount of human relational information given to guide us in how we live. The characters are all there for a reason: to teach us how we are and are not to relate to our Creator. Every interaction can be mined for application to our lives as Christ followers. This information is only revealed by God’s Spirit in us and our yielding to to HIS tutelage.

As we join the story today, Jericho has been dedicated to the Lord, His desire was for everything thing to be destroyed except Rahab’s family and the metal objects.

Joshua 7

1 But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah.

• It doesn’t say ‘Achan’ violated God’s instructions, it say ‘Israel’ violated
• The object of God’s righteous anger is the entire nation (His Body)
• God knows every little thing, it’s declared throughout Scripture…and life!

2 Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. 3 When they returned, they told Joshua, “There’s no need for all of us to go up there; it won’t take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don’t make all our people struggle to go up there.”

• Map shows the proximity, spies were sent the next day
• They are confident that it will only take a portion of their fighting men

4 So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, 5 and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope.

• God is the One who decides who wins or loses every battle
• Soundly defeated, aka ‘routed’; it implies being turned back, retreating
• Outside the town they had quarries to hold water, the Israelites were trapped
• 36 soldiers did not return from the battle

The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away. 6 Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the Lord until evening.

• The loss of 36 soldiers totally unnerves the whole nation
• The removal of God’s favor is noticeable to the spiritually sensitive
• They know something is wrong

7 Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side!

• Communal mourning & humbling themselves before God
• Joshua is dramatic, but he is feeling the weigh of leadership
• He is talking to God without knowing the whole situation (Every Human Prayer)

8 Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies? 9 For when the Canaanites and all the other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe our name off the face of the earth. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name?”

• Joshua can’t explain his army losing, he thought God was doing his bidding…
• He is jumping ahead to what he thinks is going to happen
• Joshua, like us, is only able to see from his perspective in the situation
• He is concerned about God’s reputation (learned that from Moses)

10 But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings.”

• Why does God tell Joshua and the Elders to get up?
• God charges the leadership with lack of supervision and ultimately being lax
• God addresses them as a singular thing: Israel
• God says: you did it, you lied about doing it and then you made it your own
• This is a pattern of how sin is multiplied instead of repented of
• Without repentance sin only multiplies

The word ‘repent’ has two aspects: one is to admit the wrong, and the second is a intentional move away from that particular behavior / attitude / words / lifestyle. ‘Come Clean and then Change’

12 “That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.”

• The spiritual impact is a lack of connection / separation from God
• The sin that is not repented of has multiplied and is defeating an entire nation
• In current state of un-repentance, the nation of Israel is under God’s judgement
• God will withdraw HIS presence unless the situation is rectified

13 “Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.”

• Get to work…tell everyone to prepare spiritually
• HE instructs Joshua to tell all the people:
• God says there is someone who has hidden things meant to be devoted to God
• God says this sin will hold back the nation from their promised destiny
• It must be dealt with, as a community

14 “In the morning you must present yourselves by tribes, and the Lord will point out the tribe to which the guilty man belongs. That tribe must come forward with its clans, and the Lord will point out the guilty clan. That clan will then come forward, and the Lord will point out the guilty family. Finally, each member of the guilty family must come forward one by one.”

• Everyone will be examined, all 12 tribes worth. Millions down to one person
• God will point out exactly who the guilty party is

15 “The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the Lord and has done a horrible thing in Israel.”

• When the guilty party is identified all that is his will be devoted to the Lord
• The price is high because of what it cost (God’s disdain & 36 men)

16 Early the next morning Joshua brought the tribes of Israel before the Lord, and the tribe of Judah was singled out. 17 Then the clans of Judah came forward, and the clan of Zerah was singled out. Then the families of Zerah came forward, and the family of Zimri was singled out. 18 Every member of Zimri’s family was brought forward person by person, and Achan was singled out.

• At each point of the process Achan could have come forward
• He is given multiple chances but not an infinite number of chances…

19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me.” 20 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel.

• Only now when Achan has no other choice does he repent (Too Late)

One day every knee will bow to Jesus Christ! We, HIS followers, joyfully do it now!When Christ returns and MAKES every knee bow, it will be too late for that supplication to save anyone.

21 Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”

• His confession: Beauty from Babylon, Heavy Gold & Spendable Silver
• He took three things that express pride (the root of all sin)
• He wanted to feel special / have security / gratify any urge

22 So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. 23 They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the Lord.

• Twice it says the silver is buried beneath the other stuff, deeper in the ground
• Why is the silver buried deeper? $100,000

24 Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor. 25 Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.”

• God gave specific instruction, Joshua made sure he followed them
• Notice: ALL the Israelites did it together, demonstrating the pattern God wants
• Together we establish & maintain ‘Biblical Culture’ regarding dealing with sin
• It is THE LORD who brings the trouble (Your sin will find you out)

And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. 26 They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the Lord was no longer angry.

• Judgement was enacted. The Justice of God
• Valley of Trouble
• The desires of pride always lead to trouble

SUMMARY

The explicit instruction of God regarding the devotion of the entire city of Jericho are disobeyed by only one man amongst the whole army of Israel. This act of disobedience is not seen by God as an individual act but instead HE charges the whole nation with the guilt of it.

In the corporate sharing of the cost of one man’s disobedience, thirty six men die without need: husbands, fathers, brothers, friends…because of a robe, a gold bar and 20 pieces of silver! When we live in God given community we share a communal responsibility to deal with the sin of our community.

The whole nation participates in the exposure, denouncement and punishment of the sin. The cost is great, and everyone has to deal with the up-close reality of God’s judgement. In the end there is grace extended by Yahweh to the people, but it is costly grace! God’s people are to live based on these principals.

Questions:

What would have happened if Achen had admitted his sin prior to the failed attack on Ai?

What if Ananias and Sapphira would have admitted their sin when Peter asked them?

APPLICATION:

Why does God make the whole nation pay for the sin of one man?

How might you live differently if you were to acknowledge the effects of your sin on others you share life with?

How well do you repent? (based on the scriptural definition: confession & change) What does that look like?

Why do the Israelite lose their courage a few days after watching God act so miraculously on their behalf, in the destruction of Jericho?

What are some regular practices we can embrace as a community in order to promote transparency regarding sin here at Midtown?

VISION & PRACTICE:

In the Body of Christ we acknowledge our interdependence and communal responsibility to deal with sin as a group, culture that reflects scriptural principals. We intentionally work to establish relationships among The Body that are strong enough to carry the weight of transparency and confession of sin, entrusting our forgiveness and peace to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have been encouraged by people telling me about how they are enjoying studying the book of Joshua. They are connecting with a part of the O.T. that often gets overlooked. They are connecting with the big story of God’s people. One of the great things that happens when we study the O.T. is we gain perspective on how God’s people find meaning and purpose in this life. Meaning and Purpose for God’s People comes from connection to God. THE GOSPEL IS ALL ABOUT CONNECTION.

We need to connect to God, and HE shows us how in HIS Word, in HIS story is were we find the meaning and pupose of OUR story.

God’s people, after spending 40 years in the wilderness have now entered the Promised Land…and before they begin the conquest God strengthens their connection to him to prepare for what is to come. Led by Joshua (a human ‘Type’ of Christ) the people of God do five things that connect them to purpose and meaning that flow from God.

Connection with the real state of opposition to God’s people.

Connection with the Identity God has given HIS people.

Connection with the freedom God has given HIS people.

Connection with God’s provision yesterday, today and in the future.

Connection with ‘The Person’ of God; aka Jesus Christ

These are foundational aspects of how God’s people live connected to HIM. These principles enable Christ’s people to live a life of discipleship. Today’s text shows us that God desires HIS people to connect to HIS purposes and that is were HIS people find meaning in this world.

The process of inhabiting the promised land begins with the building and strengthening of a connection with HIS people.

Joshua 5 – 6:7

5:1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

• The stories at first would be dismissed, but now there is too much confirmation
• They felt safe with the Jordan river between them and the Israelites
• Two factors: Physical barrier gone & that barrier was supernaturally overcome
• If the Israelites crossed the normal way, the Kings would have attacked
• After seeing what God did they no longer had the will to fight (lost fighting spirit)
• They are a defeated enemy!
• Our connection to God is enhanced by knowing the situation of the enemy
• Our enemy is already defeated; death has been defeated for those ‘In Christ’

2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.

• They had metal tool, why use flint blades?
• Easy to make multiple very sharp, smooth blades, makes for faster healing
• Stone less likely to transmit bacteria as metal… better for this situation
• Gibeath Haaraloth means: ‘The Hill of Foreskins’
• Circumcision was a mark to identify God’s chosen people
• Symbolic and Physical proof of their identity as a ‘Son of Abraham’

4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not.

• Why didn’t they follow the law and circumcise all male children on the 8^th day?
• While in the wilderness they were ‘disconnected’ from their identity as God’s people

6 The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.

• The previous generation had been circumcised but broke the covenant
• Because their fathers had broken the covenant the children did not get the sign
• Rejection of that generation was shared by their children until they were gone
• They were going to reconnect with their identity as God’s People

7 So He raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.

• This generation replaces their fathers and now receive the covenant sign
• To keep from bleeding it was necessary to be still for 3 days
• Reproach is disgrace, the opposite of unmerited favor (Grace)
• The previous generation was tainted by being enslaved in Egypt
• Physical circumcision was a foreshadowing of our spiritual circumcision
• Gilgal sounds like the Hebrew word for roll
• He rolled away the reproach, He rolled away the stone
• ‘Therefore there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ!’
• God reconnected them through the recognition of their true identity

In Christ, you were circumcised, not by any physical act, but by being set free from the sins of the flesh by virtue of Christ’s circumcision. You, so to speak, shared in that, just as in baptism you shared in his death, and in him are sharing the miracle of rising again to new life—and all this because you have faith in the tremendous power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You, who were spiritually dead because of your sins and your uncircumcision, God has now made to share in the very life of Christ! He has forgiven you all your sins. ~ Colossians 2:11-13 (PHILLIPS)

10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

• Finished crossing the Jordan the 10^th day, circumcision happens on 11^th day
• After 3 days they celebrate the passover on Nissan the 14th
• Then it is the festival of unleavened bread for 7 days Nissan the 15^th – 21^st
• Except the 1^st one, previous festivals featured only mana (God made it kosher)
• The provision of God is now coming from ‘The Land’, so mana was not needed
• They connected to the reality of God’s provision
• Connecting with how God provides strengthens the faith of God’s people

13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

• The assumption is that the festival is now over, Joshua goes for a scouting trip
• Looking at the most fortified city in all the land he must have been dismayed
• The man is in a battle ready stance
• He asks if he is for Israel or it’s foes…he thinks this is a battle of humans
• The ‘Man’ tells him it’s not about you or them, it is HIS battle, not theirs
• He proclaims: I am the Prince of the Lord’s Host…Who would that be?
• I have come now as Army Commander, will HE come later as something else?

Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my lord have for his servant?” 15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

• Is this an angel? If so he would tell Joshua not to worship him…
• Joshua is told to remove his shoes, it’s holy ground…as in ‘burning bush’
• At this point Joshua realizes he is face to face with ‘The God Man’
• This is the incarnadined Christ / Yahweh in the form of a man; a ‘Christophany’
• Joshua on behalf of the nation, is personally connecting with the Person of Christ / Yahweh

6:1 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.”

• The city was impregnable to the Israelites, they had no siege works
• Only God himself would say: ‘I have delivered’ (He is outside of linear time)
• He has already done it all, knows exactly how it will go down (He predestined it)
• The all powerful Creator of The Universe condescends to connect with Joshua

3 “March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

• The plan will give Joshua all the confidence he needs, God does all the work
• Yahweh is going to surround the city with His presence
• Then He is going to defy natural reality, making the city wall collapse
• It is going to be a situation that invites ridicule…(veggie tales ‘French Peas’)
• This would sound crazy, unless God said it to you!
• Unless you had seen God part the red sea, seen God part the Jordan…
• Unless you have a personal connection to HIM by HIS spirit
• Joshua’s connection was unique at the time
• Post resurrection and Spirit indwelling, we all can have a personal connection

6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” 7 And he ordered the army, “Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord.”

• Joshua doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t run it by anyone, He enacts the plan NOW
• When we are connected to God in every way He wants us to be we are ONE!

SUMMARY:

God’s people find meaning and purpose in their lives by being connected to God in the ways HE prescribes for us.

In terms of eternity, we have a defeated enemy. The only thing he can do is mess with our minds. We can connect with the reality of that and live without fear.

Our identity as God’s chosen is a key element of being a Christian, we can connect to that identity and let it shape our lives. The nation of Israel’s physical circumcision is a parallel to our spiritual circumcision.

It is vital for God’s people to be connected to their heritage of God’s grace. Scripture is God gift to us that we would live in light of HIS Story.

The celebration of and thanksgiving for the provision God has provided and will provide, is a humbling connection that enables grace to flow through us.

The cultivation and maintenance of our personal connection with Christ will power us through the mundane and the miraculous.

CONNECTION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

The Connection of knowing the condition of our enemy

The Connection of renewing our identity

The Connection of remembering our past

The Connection of acknowledging God’s provision

The Connection of personal a relationship with God

APPLICATION:

How can you grow in the level of connectivity you have concerning your eternal fate?

What is the source of your identity as one of God’s people and how well are you connected to that source?

What is your plan to become more connected with the history & heritage of God’s people?

How does your connection to how God provides for you impact the financial and career decisions you make?

How can you improve your day to day personal connection to Christ?

VISION & PRACTICE

As God’s chosen people let us recognize Scripture’s guidance as to how we are to intentionally connect with Christ. And may our lifestyle choices reflect the cultivation of that connectivity.

What is the place in the cannon of Scripture for the Book of Joshua? What place do we give it in out lives? We read it as the story of God building a people to birth His Messiah out of. But also it can be guidance for how we are to live as His people, drawing on principals and ways we can relate to our Lord. Today’s passage shows us a a continuing pattern of God leading His people. He makes it clear what He is going to do and then He does it. As part of that He calls His people to purity and obedience as they follow where He leads.

Before when God took His people OUT of Egypt He took them through water. When He brings His people INTO The Promised Land, it is through water also. He does what we can’t… which is the basis for our relationship with Him.

We cannot remove the guilt of our rebellion against our creator, yet we all long for that barrier to be removed between us and God. Christ removed that barrier by doing what only God could do: paying the price for our sin and then rising to show HE is the master of life and death and so He can give us eternal life. So we follow by faith, in obedience and without fear: because we have given Jesus Christ our lives!

Today we see an example of God doing what only He can do and He people doing what they have been called to do

Joshua Chapter 3

1 Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing.

• God placed the people so that everyone could see the obstacle
• What did they know of water? Could any of them swim?

2 Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, 3 giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them.

• They do another three days (time of preparation)
• For the last 40 years they have moved when the Ark moved

4 Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”

• Only Joshua & Caleb had been this way… walking thru bodies of water
• Why were they told to keep such a distance?

5 Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”

• ‘Consecrate’ or ‘Set Apart’ (obedience to what God has made very clear: Law)
• Purify yourselves had some very specific practices involved for them
• We don’t do it by prescription of ‘The Law’ (Ritual that played a role)
• We ‘set ourselves apart’ by being obedient to Christ, empowered by HIS Spirit

6 In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people.

• The Ark was going to take them through the water…sound familiar?
• Ark means ‘vessel of safe keeping’
• Noah’s Ark kept people and creatures safe, now it is God’s written Words
• The Ark of The Covenant was the carrier of the manifestation of God on earth
• Mercy Seat / Mana / Bidding Staff / The Five Books of Moses: Pentateuch

7 The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. 8 Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’”

• God uses leaders; geographically local and relationally available leaders
• Joshua is a unique leader, but he represents a pattern of how God works
• God is just beginning to make Joshua a great leader (in the eyes of people)
• God’s leadership training program is ‘Learn to Lead by Following HIM’
• God is recreating a miracle HE 1^st did through Moses (repetition of HIS ways)

9 So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. 10 Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you.11 Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River!”

• Joshua takes the focus off of himself, God’s Word is what we listen to
• On this day, more so than yesterday, you will experience God personally
• That experience is going to make you confident about where you are headed
• The opposition will be dealt with by The Living God Himself!
• His personal presence embodied in HIS Written Word is going to take you thru
• We can apply these principals to our lives (it begins and ends with God’s Word)

12 “Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.”

• Choose for what? Each tribe is going to volunteer a guy but the job is unknown
• Are you willing to volunteer without knowing the assignment or being credited?

13 “The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.” 14 So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them.

• The Lord of all the earth…
• HIS power will flow through their feet, instead of making the Ark touch the water
• God has always wanted to involve people in the display of HIS Glory
• They are told to do it and they just do it

15 It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, 16 the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry.

• They had been looking at the swollen river for three days, but God said…
• It happens: God gave the vision, the people did what God told them to do: BAM
• The supernatural aspect of this must have been overwhelming

Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.

• It was in sight of people on the walls of the city
• Close to two million people, plus animals…how long would that take?

17 Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.

• All the while the priest stand there with the Ark
• What were their names? Did they have any idea what they had signed up for?

Title: When Led By God…We have nothing to fear

SUMMARY:

God’s uses HIS servants to lead HIS people by HIS Presence & HIS Word to places they have not been, in ways they have not traveled. This is part of what makes us HIS Community.

As HIS people, our obedience is crucial, how we set ourselves apart to God as we follow HIM has always mattered. If we want to see HIS wonders, we have to do things HIS way!

The Jordan river is symbolic of frightening challenges we must trust God to lead us through as we follow HIM. The same God who made a way then can make a way now!

Those who serve God’s Word & God’s Community must be willing to do whatever, whenever and not get much attention.

APPLICATION:

What are some specific things you could change that would help to purify yourself / set yourself apart to God?

What is an example of something you have not tried to do because you don’t think you can do it?

What is an example of something you have done that you didn’t think you could do until you trusted God for it?

What is your contribution to the Midtown culture of humble, faithful service?

How might you better prepare for your role as a member of God’s people based on Scripture and Church History?

VISION & PRACTICE

Vision: Our world is not a ‘brave new world’… it is a world dominated by fear!

As God’s people / Jesus’ Body we can live without fear when we let God lead us!

Practice: Our lives can be set apart to God, not taken up with self fulfillment and consumerism. Our day to day can be full of God’s presence by obeying scripture.

How we are going to be reading the book of Joshua: They were God’s people then… WE are God’s people now. The principles God is wanting us to live by are the same now as they were then

Today’s passage is about God’s people preparing to take the land they have been promised. It is also about committing to do it together (physical presence) Is there spiritual ground that you know is yours and yet you have not taken possession of it? Have you fallen short of your growth expectations and have not matured in your disciple walk like you thought you were going to? Have you considered that you have not grown as much as you can because you have not not been consistently, physically present with your fellow Spirit indwelt Christ followers? Perhaps what is holding you back is that you have not been present with your brothers & sisters as they face challenges.

I learned early on in my walk the value of ‘Showing Up’. Prior to coming to christ I was fine not going to church or small group… I could always find reasons to miss. Once Christ made me His I was drawn to gatherings of God’s people.

God’s word teaches that as Christ’s Body our lives must be connected, physically. Can you be part of a body and not ever be physically in the same place as all the other members of that body?

Your possessing of the Spiritual ground God is giving you is tied to the community He has placed you into. That ground has to be covered together with the rest of the body, physically together! Being there ‘In Spirit’ won’t cut it! 90% of discipleship is SHOWING UP! The devil’s favorite trick on you is to get you to not show up.

The people of Israel are now being commanded to take the rest of the land God has promised them. Three tribes have already been given their land. The leader God has appointed tells the people what they are to do. For some of them it means leaving the land they have been given to help their brothers & sisters possess THEIR promised land.

Today’s text has a clear lesson about following God’s appointed leaders. A lesson about being physically with your ‘tribe’ / church family / Body of Christ, and a lesson about how our eternities are connected thru Christ.

WE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS BY GOD’S SPIRIT, WE STICK TOGETHER!

BIG Themes of the Book of Joshua:

• Our obedience can fuel the miraculous
• We are to take possession of what God promises us
• Trusting God’s sovereignty enables us to be strong and courageous
• The exercise of true faith requires us to act
• Our disobedience can lead to disaster
• Leadership matters to all of us
• God always fulfills His Promises

How did last week end? “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ God @ Joshua 1:9

Pt. 2: Unity of Physical Presence 1:10-18

10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

• Torch passed, marching orders given, time to get ready…3 days until GO TIME!
• They are not going to ‘take’ the land, they are going to possess what God gives
• There’s no spiritual ground you can ‘take’ on your own, God has to give it to you

12 Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, 13 “Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.’”

• Joshua reminds them of what has been agreed to back in Deuteronomy 3
• These three tribes already received their land, they are on it as they speak

14 “Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory.”

• Your families and herds can stay here but you need to physically go with us
• They will actually be the ‘Vanguard’, the guys in front
• They helped you possess your land, you are going to help them possess theirs
• We are to play a role in the spiritual growth of others, to show up for them

15 “Stay with them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has given you rest, and until they, too, possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. Only then may you return and settle here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, assigned to you.”

• You can’t leave until the job is done! You got your land (rest), they get theirs
• Once your brothers have possessed their land you can go back home
• Physical presence is required…

16 They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. 17 We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses.”

• Absolute submission to Joshua; because of God
• God appointed Moses, we obey! God appointed Joshua, we obey!
• They are praying that God is with Joshua as He leads (The Lord YOUR God)

18 “Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”

• Not only will they obey Joshua’s authority but they will kill anyone who doesn’t
• Because we are behind you: be strong & courageous
• Leaders need people to follow them well for them to lead well
• When people respect the authority God has placed them under, leaders do well

SUMMARY:

You (Christian) may need to prepare in order to possess new spiritual ground by following the leaders God has placed you under. All spiritual growth is God Given, your job is to make the most of what HE gives you!

Life as a part of God’s people involves sacrifice and a large part of that is showing up for others and being with people. You are not a functioning part of the body of Christ if you are not physically present when they gather.

Our spiritual destinies are tied together by the Spirit Christ puts in His followers, that means we stay together in hard times and we receive what God has for us together, in person.

God places each of us under spiritual leadership and He expects us to honor that leadership. We are to unite behind and be protective of the leadership God puts us under, this glorifies God.

APPLICATION:

Are you ready to cover some new spiritual ground? How would you determine that?

As a member of this church body, what can you give to others with your physical presence and care? Is this a priority in your life?

Are you convinced that God desires each of us to be in regular physical contact with the rest of the church body He has placed us in? If not, why? If so, how consistent are you about showing up?

How well do you support the leadership of the body God has placed you in? How might you do a better job of that? (be specific)

THE CHALLENGE: SHOW UP!

This letter is addressed to those defined as ‘The Saints’. This scripture assumes a faith in Christ as Lord. Throughout this letter The Holy Spirit uses Paul to communicate to His Church in Ephesus and His Church Universal, a number of key truths. These truths shape our Biblical Culture here at Midtown Church. Here is a relatively comprehensive overview of this letter’s ‘Big Ideas’ for us as individuals and as Christ’s Body:

• We don’t in any way deserve to be rescued from eternal separation from God, what we call HELL. But in His amazing love the Triune God of Scripture predestined those who surrender their lives to the Biblical Jesus Christ to an eternity WITH HIM, based on HIS grace alone.
• We are all rescued by the same God, by means of the same sacrifice and resurrection, indwelt by the same Spirit and given the same eternal destiny based on the same Word of God that has been understood by HIS people the same way since MOSES!!!
• We have been illuminated by God’s sovereign agency to saving faith, moving us from a state of spiritual darkness to one of Spiritual enlightenment.
• Being ‘enlightened’ by Christ informs and governs all of our conduct and relationships, aligning our standards and values with scripture.
• We are no longer separate ethnicities but are together one people’ in Christ.
• We have been birthed into His body so we can grow and mature in Christ-likeness.
• We actively, not theoretically, devote our lives & lifestyles to the Biblical Jesus Christ.
• As members of Christ’s Body we are part of a supernatural war, so we must rely on His power to hold our own in the battle between Good & Evil.

This letter is chocked full of Gospel Truth but the truth that each of us must personally embrace before any of this letter matters is what Jesus The Christ said:

Then Jesus said to his disciples,“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

~ Jesus Christ @ Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

You can do it today: cry out to God, repent of your sin and lay down your life. To quote Jim Elliot: “”He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

OUR TEXT TODAY:

The last party of chapter 6, verses 10-24, is the conclusion to this letter. We want to view this text together with the passage last week, as examples of lifestyle, disciplines and habits that move us towards the relational and conduct standards for Christ’s follower. As His Body it is how we live in honor of HIM! In other words this is some of how we fashion a Biblical lifestyle that God will use to make us more like Christ Jesus and bring His presence to our world.

The beginning of this final passage sets the tone for how we lead this lifestyle we have been called to (Ephesians 4:1)

6:10 So in all things, be continuously invigorated by our Lord and His all surpassing power.

…be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. ~ The Passion Translation

…draw your strength and might from God. ~ The Voice Translation

…be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. ~ The JB Phillips Translation

This is the call to be in intimate relationship with God the Father, because of what Jesus the Son did, connected by the Spirit He places in us. Keeping that in our sights, let us look at the end of Ephesians:

Ephesians 6:18-24

18 And at all times, use all methods of prayer, always communicating with God thru His Spirit. To make this happen remain attentive, fully dedicated to always seeking God’s favor for all of His people.

• This is not the idea of saying prayers…this is constantly connection with God
• ‘All’ 4 times in the sentence is not bad grammar…repetition always has a point
• God’s Spirit in us is the connectivity
• One of our key purposes in pray is to seek God’s favor for other believers

19 And pray for me that when I speak God will speak through me and I will be without fear to declare the mystery that is the Gospel message.

• We are to ask other members of Christ’s body to pray for us
• We should remember those on the front lines and uphold them in prayer
• Every month I send a donation for the church to D.R., for me & Barbie to Israel
• The focus is on God using people to declare HIS message
• In this case Paul is asking that that the Ephesians pray for him to be fearless

20 Being an ambassador of that message has landed me in prison. Ask God that I keep declaring the message faithfully when given the opportunity to speak.

• Paul sets for us an example of going wherever God leads
• Paul understands his role and that he needs God to empower him to fulfill it
• Behind every person sent to do God’s will there are always people praying
• Ultimately the focus is not on Paul’s wellbeing but on getting the message out

21 To get you up to speed on what my situation is and how I am holding up, Tychicus, a dear brother and servant leader of the Lord is going to share all the details with you. 22 I sent him to let you know what has transpired, and to bless your hearts.

• Part of what hold people together in Christ is knowing about the other people
• Communication of information regarding ministry and what God is doing
• Those who pray need to know what is going on so they will be encouraged
• The body is blessed through prayer and the sharing of information and feelings

23 God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ gives peace, generous love and faith to the members of His body. His grace is with all who truly and devotedly love our Lord Jesus Christ.

• A promise from God to give His people what they truly need
• A statement of fact about God’s grace being upon those devoted to Christ

SUMMARY:

Members of Christ’s Body are meant to have a different orientation towards prayer. It should be marked with constancy, creativity, Spirit-connectivity, and a focus on asking God to bless other members of ‘His Body’.

We are called to pray for those God has raised up to declare the Gospel in hostile and dangerous places. Our prayers spiritually and emotionally sustain kingdom work on ‘The Front Lines’.

Our prayers for those on the front lines should always be more concerned with the message getting out rather than the circumstances of the Ambassador we are praying for.

Staying in touch and having accurate information regarding kingdom work and the kingdom workers strengthens the relational bonds that keep the body together. The blessings of intertwined care flow both ways.

All members of Christ’s Body are ultimately sustained by His gifts of peace, love and faith, we access those gift through prayer. Our loving surrender of our lives to Christ releases all of these gifts to us ‘In Christ’!

APPLICATION:

How much have you intentionally developed your prayer life? What are the methods of prayer you need to grow in?

Intercessory / Worship / Listening / Imaginative / Scripture / Presence / Prayer Lists Thanksgiving / Non-verbal H.S. / Consecration / Corporate / Confession / Tongues

Increase or begin cultivating relationships to prayerfully support Kingdom Workers in hostile territory! (Carlos & Manuel in The D.R.)

In the Body God has placed you in currently, how can you play a more active and informed role in prayer concerning that Body?

Then Jesus said to his disciples,“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” ~ Jesus Christ @ Matthew 16:24-26 NLT