Joshua 10:1-43
Introduction
: The campaign to the south by Israel now in the promise land, is sparked by Joshua’s defence of the Gibeonites in three stages or battles.
The Enemies Plan
: An attack to retaliate against Gibeon and the Gibeonites is lead by the King of Jerusalem by the name of Adonizedek. (Lord of Zedek or Master of Zedek).
He leads five Canaanite kings; Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon and himself.
Question
: What to do when the battle rages against progress?
I. Cry out to the Big Gun(s)
– Israel – 4
‘
Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us
…’
II. Secure Progression
– 8
‘The Lord said to Joshua, “do not fear them, for I have delivered them into you hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”’
Application
: We need to keep going, keep marching, keep moving toward God’s plan, purpose.
Galatians 6:9, ‘And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart’.
Application
: God put things on hold against the enemy until it was totally and completely wiped out!
Translation
: The second phase or battle begins in verse 16.
III. Enemies Hiding Place
– 16-27
Application
: Sometimes the enemy will hide to try and convince us that they’re gone but often they are just in temporary hiding places!
Transition
: The last phase or battle of the southern conquest is in verses 28-43.
In this section, Joshua conquers areas named Libnah and Lachish, Eglon, and Hebron and Debir.
Application: Because God was with the Joshua Generation, because He’s a good and powerful God, because He keeps his word and promise…God took care of all the enemies that we’re impeding God’s plans and purposes!
Question
: Again, how long did that take? Not sure, but the victory was completed, and progress continued.
Conclusion
: Advancements? Challenges? Hidden enemies? God causing the victory!
Walking in the Light
1 John 1:5-10 Introduction: Week 2 of ‘Teaching from the Elder.’ [God is light] The source of wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and happiness; and in him is no darkness at all-no ignorance, no imperfection, no sinfulness, no misery. And from him wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and happiness are received by every believing soul. This is the grand…
A Danelion for My Mother
By Jean Nordhaus How I loved those spiky suns, rooted stubborn as childhood in the grass, tough as the farmer’s big-headed children—the mats of yellow hair, the bowl-cut fringe. How sturdy they were and how slowly they turned themselves into galaxies, domes of ghost stars barely visible by day, pale cerebrums clinging to life on tough…
Teachings from the Elder – Week 1
1 John 1:1-5; John 1:1, 14 Introduction: I have been waiting for the right time/opportunity to begin a new series that starts today. I want to walk us through what I’m calling ‘Teachings from the Elder’ from the Epistle of John. I will cover the book over the next 4 weeks. Background / Reason for…
Post Resurrection Options
John 11:25-26 Introduction: Now that Resurrection Sunday is behind us, what’s next? Question: What happened with the people and the disciples after the ‘dust had settled?’ “Doubting Thomas” refers to Thomas the Apostle, one of Jesus’ disciples who famously doubted the resurrected Jesus’s presence. He initially refused to believe the other apostles’ claims of seeing…
Resurrection Life
Easter Sunday 2025 John 11:25-26 Introduction: The Power of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is seen as a powerful affirmation of God’s victory over death and sin. What we need to understand is that there was a tremendous demonstration; a magnificent display of God’s power at the resurrection of Christ from the dead, which…
On His Way
Palm Sunday 2025 John 12:12-16 Jesus On His Way Introduction: This message provides a detailed account of significant events leading up to Palm Sunday 2025, emphasizing the miracles performed by Jesus, His teachings, and the importance of Bethany in His ministry. Miracles and Blessings: Jesus performed numerous miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead and healing…
By His Stripes
Isaiah 53:4; James 5:13-15 In the context of Christian faith, the command to “lay hands on the sick” refers to the belief that believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can participate in healing through prayer and the laying on of hands, as seen in verses like Mark 16:18 and James 5:14-15. NLT Mark 16:17-18 ‘These…
New Every Morning
Lamentations 3:22-24 Introduction: (NLT) ‘Because of the Lord’s Covenant Faithfulness, we do not perish. His Mercies never end; they are new every morning, how great is your faithfulness oh God, “the Lord is my inheritance, I will put my hope in Him”’. NKJ – ‘that we are not consumed’ Deuteronomy 4:31 ‘For the LORD your…
Hold On Tight
Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12 NKJ Isaiah 35:3 ‘Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees’. NLT Isaiah 35:3 ‘With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees’. NKJ Hebrews 12:12 ‘Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees’, NLT Hebrews 12:12 ‘So take…