Rsbc Date of Sermon:
Series:
Subject: Look What Faith Did # 2
Text: Hebrews 11:30-31
Intro: Last Sunday night we looked at how God used Rahab to save the spies life and how that she in turn would have her family saved and likewise herself. We marvel sometimes at the way the Lord works, and who he works with, and who he decide to use no matter what they have done or who they are.
In the lesson that is before us tonight we shall see once again some things that may or may not cause us to wonder at why God does what he does, and we may or may not ever come to a conclusion in our minds as to why.
Jericho was a frontier city, it like all the other cities in the land of Cannon was built with a fortress around them. This was to keep out the enemies. Before Israel could make any progress in taking the land of Cannon, this city must be wiped out.
One of the great questions that arises in the hearts of some, could be, why would God order the total destruction of these people and their houses and lands and even their children? Would the holy God do such a thing? I would say yes.
I... “ THE REASON WHY GOD DID THIS”
1ST. So that his people would not learn the way of the heathens...Deuteronomy 18:9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
2nd. Because of the abominations committed by these people:
Deuteronomy 18:10‑12 There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
II... “ WHAT WE SEE IN THIS STORY ABOUT THE FAITH OF GOD’S PEOPLE”
1st That it was a test to their obedience: Joshua 6: 2
Do we believe the LORD? Good question and the answer should obvious to all of here tonight for we are the redeemed of the Lord who are saved. It is so difficult at times to believe. And yet
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This is what God is testing Joshua and then in turn Joshua will test his people. This is why Paul said Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:17 Standing on what God’s word says is our absolute obligation.
2 ST. That this was a challenge to their faith: Joshua 6:1-3
Inside this city was no doubt great men of war and now the LORD is telling them I have given all that is in the city to you, now march around this city one time a day for six days. Through out this great chapter we have seen time after time the challenges the LORD puts on his people that he has given faith to. We are not exempt from it. We must look around in our life and see the many obstacles and the many mountains that we must go around, go through, and climb over.
Matthew 17:20‑21 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and
Our challenges are not to go into a walled city and kill people or to burn cities or any of those things, but our challenges are spiritual and wars are with the spiritual enemies of Christ and ourselves.
Ephesians 6:11‑12 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Again he says that our battles are in our minds: 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
3rd. It would reveal the reality of their faith:
Did they have it? Was it real? Was it just another profession without possession. How often it is easy to say I have faith, and yet there is no real evidence that we have it. You see when you are challenged, and when you are tested, and you fall apart, something is wrong. James said: James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
When a person who is saved and has faith in the LORD, faith in his word, stands the test, reveals the reality of their faith things happen. Look at what he says in the closing of this great chapter at the very core of these people’s faith.
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What shall I more say? He speaks of Gedeon, who destroyed an army with 300 men and pitchers in their hands, candle in the pitcher, and a trumpet. They were told what to do, and God defeated the Midinites. Samson and his great strength, David and his slaying of the giant. Look at Hebrews 11:33-40
4th. It would reveal willingness of their faith: verse 8-11
What these people of God knew that the presence of the LORD was with them when the Ark of the Covenant was present. What a willingness is put into our hearts and minds when we know the Lord is with us. Moses said in a prayer to the LORD: Exodus 33:15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not [with me], carry us not up hence.
When the Lord called Samuel to be a prophet and Eli instructed him tell me what the Lord said and he did and as a results listen to what the Bible says: 1 Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
Psalm 110:3 Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Never doubt that it is the LORD with me and you when we are told to do something we need no further confirmation than his word to us. We must ever believe his word and act upon and the Lord will honor it.
In their conquest of this city they were not to take the accursed things in the city once they had taken it. Verse 18 There was some things in the city that they could take, look at verse 19.
III... “ THE ACTUAL EVENT UNFOLDED ” Joshua 6:20-27
1ST. The people were obedient ..vs 20 “ The people shouted”
They did not say anything negative, we cannot do this, what is wrong with Joshua, has he lost his mind, we can never take this city like this! No they followed the LORD by following the man and men of GOD.
God always has a reason for everything he tells us to do, it is for our good and for his glory. He has given you pastors and preachers of the word to watch for your souls, you need us wether you admit it or not.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
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2nd. “The vindication of the Lord’s word to Joshua and his people” ver 20-21
The Lord both vindicated and verified his word to his man and his people. How important is it that we rest in what he tells us? It is very important to our peace of mind and safety in the land of the enemy.
Keep in mind in hind site, we can look and see what God said and then what he did. Listen to what Joshua 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
The great prophet Ezekiel 12:25 For I [am] the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
Once again the word of the Lord in the new testimony declares and we must take at for what it says: Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
3rd. The keeping of their word to Rahab vs 22-25
Of all the people and things in this city, she and her family was saved. She remained outside the camp, she was not to mix them nor her family. The moral here is that we are to be true to our word. Whatever we say we should with all our heart keep it.
4th. Joshua sermon...verse 26
They were not in their generation to rebuilt this city. When God gets ready to build it again he will do it. In fact it was rebuilt later and existed when Jesus came. The curse came some 400 to 500 years later. Whatever God says he never forgets.
1 Kings 16:34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest [son] Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.
JFB says of this event “ The curse took effect upon this reckless man but wether his oldest son died at the time of laying the foundation, and the youngest at the completion of the work, or wether he lost all his sons in rapid succession, till, after the undertaking, he found himself childless.
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5th. The great blessing bestowed on Joshua...vs 27
“So the Lord was with Joshua” This is my prayer for the remainder of my life, that is for God to be with me as your leader. I must have his presence, lest I die, lest I come short of all that I am to do for him. I shutter to think of my life without Christ.
I am reminded what the bible says... In Isaiah day: Isaiah 10:3‑4 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation [which] shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.
The Lord Jesus said: John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Once again also I am reminded at what Paul said: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Without Christ I am lost and undone, with Christ I am saved and secured from the judgement of God. Without Christ I can not face the unfaceable, bear the unbearable, climb the highest mountain, but with Christ I can.
The inability lies in the absence of the LORD. We as the people of God tonight can with the LORD accomplish our task...