Being the Church Instead

of Just Going to Church – Part 3

Sermon from cong readings in Josh 10-14, July 8, 2007 – bk@kluth.org

Our ministry theme this year is Reaching beyond generations & walls

1 - Do not fear those who appear greater than you

Josh 10:7-8 Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them (5 kings and their armies); I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you."

Josh 11:4-6 (More armies joined forces and) came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots - a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel. The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain.

1 Sam 17:45-46 David said to (Goliath), "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.

Judg 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver (the army of 135,000 Midianites) into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her. (Note: Ultimately 300 soldiers were chosen for this battle).

1 Sam 14:6 Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!"

2 - Know that God helps you win your battles

Josh 10:10-14 The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road…As they fled before Israel…the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites…the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies…Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!

Zech 4:6- This is God's message to Zerubbabel: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty-you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.”

Ps 84:5-7 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (=weeping/mourning/hurt/tears), they make it a place of springs… They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God.

Rom 8:37 We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Phil 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

3 - Know that whatever your age there is work to be done and victories to be won

Josh 13:1 When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.”

Josh 14:10-12 Caleb said to Joshua, “Here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day (when I was 40).”

Ps 92:12-14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.

What is God prompting me to do in response to this message?

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DAILY BIBLE READINGS for this week, read Joshua 15-19, Ps 51-52