January 1, 2017

Victory After Defeat

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Joshua 8:1-29
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Last time a might victory over Jericho
    • They thought they could have an easy victory over Ai
    • They were defeated
  • God charged Israel with sin because of one man - Achan
    • Individual personal sin has corporate consequences
    • Deliberate, unconfessed sin
    • God was angry because of the sin of one man, but because it was dealt with He turned away His anger
  • Going up against Ai
    • A different strategy to Jericho
    • God employed a natural way, a human tactic, an ambush
  • Victory in a place where there was once defeat
    • Have you been called to return to a place where there has been spiritual defeat?
      • Sometimes things must be left
      • Sometimes God calls His people to face it again in His strength
    • It is not easy to go back to the place of conflict, hurt or loss
  • Looking at Spiritual warfare:
    • What we must do at such times (v1)
    • What God must do (v2)

What we must do at such times

Take Courage (v1)

  • "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed..."
    • After failure we feel discouraged
    • Joshua was a frail human being who needed encouragement
      • We need encouragement
      • The Apostle Paul needed encouragement
      • The Apostle Timothy needed encouragement

Take Action (v1)

  • "...take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai"
    • Pray and act
      • Do something about it in the strength of God
    • There are somethings that we need to go back to at times
      • Examples
    • We must learn from our defeats - they must be a springboard to future victory
      • Christians must always be moving forward
      • Continue to fight the good fight of faith

Take God Promises to Heart (v2)

  • "See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land."
    • The Lord never revokes His promises
    • He will never leave us, nor forsake us

Do what God says (v2)

  • "Lay an ambush for the city behind it."
    • The people were an abomination and where to be done away with (lay an ambush)
    • They had to follow God's instructions
      • The numbers might be confusing but they are following God's command
    • The people were learning they could not go forward in their own strength
  • Our warfare is to live a godly and holy life
    • Do not forsake meeting together
    • Obey God's word
    • Do not be lone rangers but part of a body

What God must do

  • "I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land." (v1)
    • Jesus Christ is upon the throne of this world
  • v18-19 a reminder of God's power (and reminiscent of the rod of Moses)
    • v20 - God gave a great victory
  • Think of examples of people who put great trust and perseverance in God:
    • William Wilberforce
  • God's usual way is through perseverance - not many battles were like Jericho
    • Little by little, God is building His Kingdom
  • What about us in 2017?
    • Do we want to see the church growing?

Closing Remarks

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