In this sermon from Joshua 5, the speaker continues his series on Canaan as a picture of the abundant Christian life. He explains that Canaan isn’t a symbol of heaven, but of spiritual growth — the life believers enter after salvation, not at the end of it. Drawing from Israel’s crossing of the Jordan, he describes salvation as a passage from death to life, a moment when God brings a sinner out of the wilderness of unbelief and into a land of joy, peace, and purpose. He emphasizes that no one enters by merit or self‑effort; Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life. With urgency, he reminds listeners that people are not “becoming” lost — they already are, by nature and by birth — and only the new birth can change that. He shares his own testimony of chasing acceptance, lowering his standards, and finding only misery until Christ saved him and brought him into a new life that felt brand‑new, even though he’d grown up hearing the gospel. As Israel entered Canaan and immediately faced circumcision — a cutting away of the old — he parallels this with the believer’s need to leave behind the old life, old habits, and old sins. Through vivid imagery, heartfelt reflection, and strong exhortation, the message calls believers to remember where God brought them from, rejoice in where He has placed them, and live fully in the abundant life He provides.

Location: Whitwell, Tennessee — Fairview Union Church