CrossLife Church

We are all used to "Breaking News" cutting into our normal programs or notification hoping up on our phones. Could you imagine how incredible it would be to hear that Jesus has risen from the dead and then to be able to read or watch a first hand account as a journalist sits down with Jesus to get the story straight from the source? We actually have a recorded interview. In fact we have 5 of them.  

The Bible records 5 separate accounts of Jesus's appearances and instructions to his disciples after his resurrection. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and even Paul had carefully researched and documented what Jesus did after his resurrection and more importantly what his finally words were for his disciples. 

Here is Paul's summary of all who saw Jesus after his resurrection. "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4hat he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me."

- 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (ESV)

This Sunday, we will trace Jesus steps over the 40 days between his resurrection and his ascension to heaven. We will end with Jesus 's final instruction to his disciples then and now. 

Have you ever had your hopes shattered? You poured your life into working towards some great goal only to fall short. Maybe, you had years or decades invested into a relationship only to experience a great loss. As Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33).

It is difficult to imagine the personal, family, and national hopes that the disciples had placed upon Jesus. They had left everything to follow him and now Jesus was crucified and his body placed into the grave. It would be hard for us to consider a more hope shattering circumstance. 

Sunday morning on the third day after Jesus had died on the cross, rumors began to spread among the disciples of Jesus. The initial reports were not that Jesus had risen from the dead. The initial reports were that Jesus's body was now missing. 

On that Sunday afternoon, two of Jesus's disciples were walking seven miles from Jerusalem another city named Emmaus. As they processed the trauma of the last few days and their confusion about Jesus body now missing, they meet a fellow traveler who asks them why they were so distraught. The traveler begins to explain to them the unfolding plan of God through the Jewish Scriptures, to redeem and save the lost through the promised Messiah.  

Once they realized their traveling companion was Jesus and he disappears from them, they reflect on what it was like listening to him explain the Old Testament. One of the disciples asks the other, "Did not your heart burn while he talked with us?" What moved them from shattered hopes to hearts ablaze?

We have made no shortage of commitments with good intentions that we failed to accomplish. Some commitments are made too flippantly. Other commitments are made with great conviction and forethought. Nonetheless, there is a big difference between the things we intend to do and the things we actually accomplish or fulfill. 

Last week, we looked at the decision that Israel had to make. Joshua called them to choose for themselves, this day, who they were going to serve. As a great leader, Joshua immediately made his decision public. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 

The nation responds with a heartfelt commitment to obey and serve the Lord and enjoy His blessings. Joshua's response to their words was nothing short of shocking:

"But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good (Joshua 24:19-20” 

As Joshua 24 comes to an end, we are sobered by the limits of human intentions, the fickleness of commitments, and the prediction of the eventual failure of Israel to fulfill their commitment. Is it possible for us to finish faithful and if so, how? 

"Without the assistance of that Divine Being… I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail." -Abraham Lincoln’s Farewell Address to Springfield (1861)

Some of history’s greatest leaders have left us with words that linger long after they’re gone. Think of George Washington, stepping down from power, pleading with a young nation to hold fast to unity and avoid the traps of division. Or Martin Luther King Jr., standing in Memphis the night before his death, gazing toward a promised land he knew he might not reach, urging his people to press on in faith. These farewell addresses carry weight—not just because they mark an ending, but because they cast a vision for what comes next. In Joshua 23, we find another such moment: an old warrior, his battles fought, turning to Israel’s leaders with a final, urgent charge.

Joshua had led God’s people through conquest and chaos, from the Jordan’s edge to the heart of Canaan. Now, at the twilight of his life, he gathers the elders, judges, and officers—not for a victory lap, but for a warning wrapped in hope. “You’ve seen what God has done,” he says, recalling how the Lord drove out their enemies. “But be strong—cling to Him alone, or all this could slip away.” It’s a farewell that doesn’t just look back; it leans forward, pressing them to choose faithfulness while warning them of the dangers that still lie ahead.

What are the stories of God's faithfulness that you need to remember? What are the unique dangers that lurk ahead, with the potential to exact a great cost?

One of the great privileges afforded to citizens of the United States of America is the opportunity to travel with a U.S. Passport. While there are countries where that results in greater danger, most countries Americans travel to welcome and respect U.S. citizens.

Whenever I have traveled to foreign lands I have prioritized knowing where the closest U.S. Embassy is located. The reason this is important is that if I were to find myself in danger or threatened in that country the U.S. Embassy could be my only refuge. Wherever a U.S. Embassy is located, the property is considered to be U.S. soil and is defended by the U.S. Marines. Once inside the fortified defenses of that property, U.S. citizens are under the protection of the United States government. 

Similarly, Joshua 20 describes six cities that God had commanded Israel to establish that would serve as strategically located cities of refuge. Three were on the east side of the Jordan River and three were to be on the west side. Two were to be located in the north, 2 central, and 2 in the southern part of their new land. The purpose of these cities was to provide a safe place for someone who had unintentionally or accidentally killed another person. If the family of the person killed sought to avenge the death of their loved one, the man-slayer would be protected as long as they remained inside the walls of the City of Refuge. 

The passage gives us great insight into the sanctity of human life and the ideas of justice and mercy. These are ideas that were used to construct the justice system outlined in the U.S. Constitution and founding documents. Additionally, there are important truths for anyone guilty of sin against a holy God. Where alone can the unrighteous flee?

The first twelve chapters of the Book of Joshua record the Israelites' conquest of the land of Canaan. The land God promised to give them was conquered, and all the kings and major cities were defeated. This was not the end, but only a new beginning. The land still needed to be divided amongst the Tribes of Israel. There would continue to be difficulties and battles to fight as many Canaanites were still scattered throughout the land. 

Joshua 15-19 gives an account as the remaining land was divided and inherited by the final 7 tribes. The land was the fulfillment of God's promise to the nation and a sign of God's blessings upon His people. All the tribes received an inheritance full of blessings that they received from God as a gift. Unfortunately, not all tribes enjoyed -- nor received -- the gift equally.

This section of Joshua gives an incredible amount of detail regarding the geographical boundaries and specifics about the tribes that were to gain the land. Matthew Henry once said of this part of Joshua, “We are not to skip over these chapters of hard names as useless and not to be regarded; for where God has a mouth to speak and a hand to write we should find an ear to hear and an eye to read; and God will give us a heart to profit.”

Within this section of Joshua, we find a story of mixed blessings. The details, boundaries, landscape, and circumstances of each tribe's inheritance were not identical--nor was the way each tribe received and enjoyed the land they inherited. There are many lessons to learn as we consider the challenge of walking in victory as Christians while continuing to fight battles and face new challenges. In Christ, we have been delivered from slavery to sin and saved from the penalty of our sin. Yet, we continue to battle with our flesh, the world, and the devil.

How can we walk in victory when there are still battles to fight?  

There are two great temptations facing many Christians today. In a radically individualistic society, there are many seeking their own path and their own glory; of course with God's help. They strive to conquer with some sort of baptized selfish ambition.

The other temptation is towards a sanctified passivity. These operate under a pseudo-spiritual humility. They view Christian faithfulness as successfully avoiding any attempt to rock the boat. They keep their head down and silently live out their personal faith.    

While there is a trap in the pursuit of position, power, and privilege, the wasting of one's potential should be seen as equally tragic. Too many Christians are so focused on avoiding sin and striving to not do bad things that they fail to do good.

In Joshua 14, we are reacquainted with an 85-year-old man named Caleb. Along with Joshua, he was the only Israelite who was alive when God delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, gave them the 10 Commandments, and was given the responsibility of spying out the Promise Land 45 years earlier. As the land was being divided among the Tribes of Israel.

Caleb reminded Joshua that God promised to give him the land of his choosing as a reward for wholly following God and believing that God would have given them victory 45 years ago if they had just trusted and obeyed God's promises. Instead of pulling rank and asking for the best and easiest inheritance, Caleb wanted the hill country where the feared giants lived.  

In Caleb, we find a man who was fully faithful and unashamedly ambitious even in his 80's. What hill country and giants are you on your map?