JOSHUA – Claiming Your Victory LESSON 8

BEGIN AGAIN…MORE INTELLIGENTLY

(Joshua 8)

Introduction: Mistakes are a part of life. They can be hard to digest and sometimes leave us with little enthusiasm to try again. Henry Ford defined a mistake as “an opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.” For Joshua and the Israelites, the defeat at Ai was a big setback. Yet, it was time to give it another try with a better understanding of what needed to be done.

1. A NEW BEGINNING (8:1-2):
A. The word of encouragement (1a)
B. The call to obedience (1b)
C. The promise of victory (1c-2)

2. A NEW STRATEGY (8:3-13):
A. Joshua sets an ambush (3-9)
B. Joshua stages an attack (10-13)

3. A NEW VICTORY (8:14-29):
A. A counterfeit retreat (14-17)
B. A call to those in ambush (18-20)
C. A captured city (21-29):
1) Caught in the middle (21-23)
2) Completely massacred (24-26)
3) Commanded by God (27-29)

4. A NEW COMMITMENT (8:30-35):
A. The Altar (30-32)
B. The Announcement (33-35)

CONCLUSION: By God’s grace, our blunders can be turned into blessings.

JOSHUA – Claiming Your Victory LESSON 7

THE DYNAMICS OF DEFEAT

(Joshua 7)

Introduction: Life is filled with peaks and valleys. After the victory over Jericho, Joshua and the Israelites experience a devastating defeat at the city of Ai. In Joshua 7, we learn what causes defeat and how to handle it.

1. A DISOBEDIENT SOLDIER (7:1):
A. The name (Achan) means trouble (7:25)
B. The nature of his sin (7:20-21)
C. The nation bears the burden (7:1a)
D. The natural response from God (7:1b)

2. A DEFEATED ARMY (7:2-5):
A. Assuming the victory (2-3)
B. Accepting defeat (4-5)

3. A DISCOURAGED LEADER (7:6-15):
A. The Remorse (6)
B. The Reproach (7-9)
C. The Rebuke (10-15):
1) Sin must be identified (10-12)
2) Sanctification must be enacted (13-15)

4. A DISCOVERED SINNER (7:16-26):
A. The Search (16-23):
1) The Method (16-17)
2) The Man (18-23)
B. The Stoning (24-26)

CONCLUSION: The cause of defeat is sin; the cure is surrender.

JOSHUA – Claiming Your Victory LESSON 6

FIGHTING THE WOLF

(Joshua 6)

Introduction: Wouldn’t it be nice if we could live in victory without having to fight battles? We’d love to frolic with the sheep, but we need to watch out for the wolves. Christians are in a war and the enemy means business. The book of Joshua is about the people conquering Canaan and claiming their inheritance. Let’s look at three things we need to know in our fight with the wolf.

1. YOU OPERATE FROM VICTORY, NOT JUST FOR VICTORY (6:1-5):
A. A Fearful City (1)
B. A Faithful God (2)
C. A Foolish Plan (3-5)

2. YOU OVERCOME THE ENEMY BY FAITH (6:6-15):
A. Put God In His Proper Place (6-9)
B. Precisely Follow His Commands (10-15):
1) “Don’t say a word until I say so” (10-11)
2) “March around the city once each day for 6 days” (12-14)
3) “March around the city 7 times on the 7th day” (15)

3. YOU OBEY GOD AND GIVE HIM THE GLORY (6:16-27):
A. Devote The Entire City To God (16-17)
B. Destroy The People Of The City (18-21)
C. Deliver Rahab And Her Family (22-23)
D. Demolish The City (24-27):
1) The Consummation (24)
2) The Concession (25)
3) The Curse (26)
4) The Commendation (27)

CONCLUSION: A serious mindset is needed in life’s battles.