“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance.
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“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given
among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their
abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave
according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their
own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of
the saints-- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God
to us.” (2 Cor. 8:1-5)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wagtheir heads; "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!" Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Many bulls encompass me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet-- I can count all my bones-- they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! (Psalm 22)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
A testimony to the power and salvation of the Lord• The salvation of Rahab and family (Josh 6:21-22, 25)• An unexpected
twist. Spies stay in home of a harlot. Protected. Sure of God’s victory. Asks to join Israel.• God rewards her
courage, service, and faith.• In lineage of
Jesus (Matt. 1:5)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
A testimony to the power and salvation of the Lord• The salvation of Rahab and family (Josh 6:21-22, 25)• Total change in
focus & purpose of life. Now in the “hall of faith” (Heb 11:30-31)• Encouragement
and motivation. God’s grace is greater than all our sin! He will save us! (Ti 3:4-7)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
A testimony to the power and salvation of the Lord• When God’s people follow Him in faith, the word of victory spreads (Josh 2:8-11, 6:27)• Spies didn’t have
to tell Rahab about God or His people. She already knew!• Everyone had
been impacted… Hearts melted, spirits failed them.
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
A testimony to the power and salvation of the Lord• When God’s people follow Him in faith, the word of victory spreads (Josh 2:8-11, 6:27)• These godless
unbelievers knew about God’s power & had some faith.• Greatest sermon is
a life of trusting faith. People see and hear what God is doing in our lives (2 Cor 2:14; 1 Pet 2:11-12)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
A testimony to the power and salvation of the Lord• Before blessings, walls must come down (Josh. 6:20)• Those high
massive walls stood between them and their “milk and honey”• God tore them
down, but they had to do their part. What if they walked away w/o following His plan?
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
A testimony to the power and salvation of the Lord• Before blessings, walls must come down (Josh. 6:20)• Our promised
land… Heaven, salvation, sins forgiven, hope, fellowship, family• But walls stand in
the way: Pride, sin, worldliness, bitterness, etc. • God still tears
down walls, if welet him… Follow His plan! (I Cor. 15:56-58)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Respecting And Obeying God’s Authority Matters! • God gave specific marching orders. It was God’s battle plan (6:3-5, 6-8)• Pattern – Times
around wall, who marches where, instrument blown, type of material
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Respecting And Obeying God’s Authority Matters! • God gave specific marching orders. It was God’s battle plan (6:3-5, 6-8)• Pattern – Times
around wall, who marches where, instrument blown, type of material• Joshua was careful
to relay exactly what God commanded• What if Israel
changed it? Remember Nadab & Abihu! (Lev. 10:1-2)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Respecting And Obeying God’s Authority Matters! • Joshua and all the people had a strong appreciation for authority: • Joshua didn’t have
to explain it away. The people didn’t question it away. • Their desire to get
it exactly right didn’t cast a bad light on their spirituality, love for God, & faith
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Respecting And Obeying God’s Authority Matters! • Joshua and all the people had a strong appreciation for authority: • Loved God, looked
to please Him. Spiritual, accepted the illogical. Faith, trusted God’s plan not their own.• Joshua:
Recognized, Respected, & Rested in God’s authority… Turned it over to God. (Joshua 5:13-15)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Respecting And Obeying God’s Authority Matters! • This continued through true to the end (Josh. 6:21, 24)• Easy to get caught
in the moment and forget the rest of what God had said.• Had they stopped
shot, victory would have been lost.• God had some
more specific and strange instructions
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Respecting And Obeying God’s Authority Matters! • This continued through true to the end (Josh. 6:21, 24)• Sadly, one man
didn’t finish well. Achan had a failure in his respect for God’s authority and it cost him dearly!• God is serious
about authority. If His people are serious about Him, they’ll be serious about authority too!
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Respecting And Obeying God’s Authority Matters! • God’s people today are still a “pattern people.” This does not diminish their love for God, spirituality, or faith. It’s about a respect for God and His will in our lives! (2 John 9)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
The inseparability of faith and works:• God chose a very strange battle plan (Joshua 6:1-2)• Marching in circles,
blowing trumpets, shouting? • Where are the
arrows, swords, and battering rams? • Some in Jericho
surely thought the heat of the desert had gotten to Israel!
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
The inseparability of faith and works:• God chose a very strange battle plan (Joshua 6:1-2)• Trumpets, shouts,
and marching had nothing to do with the walls falling, except for being the plan God chose!
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
The inseparability of faith and works:• Just like other battles God’s people have fought: • Gideon – 300 vs.
large army? Use trumpets, torches, and pitchers? (Judges 7:2-3, 5-6, 15, 20)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
The inseparability of faith and works:• Just like other battles God’s people have fought: • Gideon – 300 vs.
large army? Use trumpets, torches, and pitchers? (Judges 7:2-3, 5-6, 15, 20)• David – Young &
untrained v. trained giant warrior? Sling & five pebbles? No armor (1 Sm 17:46-47)
“That all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear.
For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our
hand." (I Samuel 17:47)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
The inseparability of faith and works:• This victory was not due to their personal strength or wisdom Glory to God! (Josh 6:16)• Where did Joshua
command them to believe? But faith was crucial to it! • What if Israel was
confident in God, but stopped short? Marched 6 days?
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
The inseparability of faith and works:• This victory was not due to their personal strength or wisdom Glory to God! (Josh 6:16)• God tore down the
walls, but required them to follow His plan. • The power wasn’t
in what they did, but what they did still mattered!
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