Sermons from 2018 (Page 4)
Ai… Take Two!
Josh 8:1-29 After the miraculous victory at Jericho in Joshua 6 came the devastating defeat at Ai in chapter 7. The sin of Achan was dealt with, but as chapter 8 begins, Ai is still standing in the way of the conquest of the land. There’s no way around it. How do the people of Israel rebound after the defeat? Failing to obey the Lord will lead us to defeats similar to Israel’s. How do we face up to the same spiritual enemy a second time when we totally blew it the first time around?
Dealing with the High Cost of Sinning
Josh 7 As we resume our studies in Joshua, the people of Israel are ready to move forward after the miraculous victory God had given them at Jericho. The next stronghold, Ai, doesn’t appear to amount to much, after all, what’s so remarkable about a place whose name means “ruin”? Israel doesn’t simply lose the battle, they are routed, all on account of one man’s sin and his bet that he could somehow prevent his actions from ever seeing the light of day. Together we’ll discover from the story of Achan what’s involved in dealing with the high cost of sinning.
Easter: The Dance of the Resurrection
1 Cor 15:20-28
He has risen! The man who was dead and buried on Friday, was alive on Sunday morning. He is the living one! And because he is the living one, life wins! God wins! The good news of Easter is that God wins, but, also, that those who are in Christ will win too! That’s what Paul is trying to get across in his resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15. We will soak in verses 20-28 this Sunday, but I encourage you to read the entire chapter in preparation.
We would Like To See Jesus
John 12:12-33
We take a break from our Joshua study this Sunday to enter into the story of Jesus as told by John. I invite you to soak in John’s version of Palm Sunday this week, when some Greeks show up asking to see Jesus. It’s the same question you and I ask everyday, isn’t it? We want to see Jesus.
Holy War, Are You Ready?
Josh 6:1-27
Almost everyone is familiar with the battle of Jericho and its theme song “the walls came a-tumbling down.”
But few understand the nature of “holy war” and how the theme developed in the Old Testament and was taken to new levels with the coming of Jesus. Though the methods of our warfare have changed, the theology in these texts is extremely profitable for our instruction.
Final Preparations
Josh 5:1-15
“Let’s get the show on the road,” many of the Israelites must have been thinking after Joshua 4. However, “Not so fast,” is the Lord’s reply. The pause button remains pressed as there are some final — and critical — preparations that must be made before the conquest of the land can officially begin.
What Happened There?
Josh 4 So the journey across the Jordan is complete but there remains work to be done before the conquest of the land begins. The Lord knows the forgetfulness of His people and wants to help them install a “Never Forget The Jordan River Wonder” memorial before He continues to work Wonders.
None of us can see into the future, but we can all look back into the past to see how God has worked to provide us with hope in the present and the future. What are those moments in your life’s past where you can see God’s wondrous hands at work?
No Turning Back
Josh 3 Armed with the knowledge that the inhabitants of the land are melting in fear, Israel is ready to enter the land. Now God says it’s time to go, but as they arrive at the Jordan they find themselves faced with a flooded river and a fortified city. Even IF they could cross the river, they will be left with no retreat – there will be no turning back! It seems to be a case of ‘wrong place, wrong time’ but God has said go…
Who’s There?
Josh 2:1-24
We have spent the first two weeks of our series watching the Lord build up and prepare Joshua for his calling of leading the people into the Promised Land. If Joshua commits to following the Book of the Law, the Lord will be his companion in fulfilling his calling. But, who will be joining Joshua in entering the Promised Land? This week we will see an unlikely addition into those who get to follow Joshua into the Promised Land! This addition to God’s family is Good News for us all!
Where Is There?
Josh 1:6-9
Last week we saw the Lord promise to be present with Joshua as He was with Moses. We wrestled with questions like “where is ‘there’?” and wondered if that’s even the right question to be asking!? So, are we there yet? Come this Sunday as we continue to journey with Joshua!
Are We There Yet?
Josh 1:1-5
As a father of young children, this is a question I’ve grown accustomed to hearing. However, isn’t it also a question many adults wrestle with as well?
Maybe we don’t ask it with regards to ETA’s on family vacations, but isn’t it easy to get stuck asking this question with regards to certain life phases? Maybe it’s awaiting news from a doctor, or a job situation, or your relational status. Whatever the case may be, when we find ourselves in seasons of uncertainty or transition, we tend to rely on arriving “there” to solve our unsettledness.
On this first Sunday of the series, we will see God call on His newly appointed leader, Joshua, to lead the people into the Promised Land.
But, we also see God make a promise to Joshua that is even more important than his calling as Israel’s new leader, and that is His Promised Presence.
What’s In A Name?
Exod 33:18-34:9
At the Burning Bush, Moses asked God, “What is your name?” He gave the enigmatic reply, “I am who I am,” which he then clarified as “He is.” In Hebrew this name is Yahweh, usually rendered in English as “The Lord.” At Mt. Sinai, Moses asks God, “Please show me your glory.” Instead, God proclaims to him his name, Yahweh, the Lord, giving a description that became confessional for Israel.