There are some defeats, failures, tragedies that feel permanent, but renewed dedication to the Lord can revive us from the depths of defeat. God gives Joshua directions to overcome this devastating loss that will help us overcome personal upsets: 

 

Get Up (v. 10-11)

 

The gravity or weight of defeat had knocked Joshua down, and the first thing that God tells him to do is get up 

Although Joshua was not directly responsible for Israel’s lost, because Israel lost Joshua was responsible.

 

Face your failures instead of falling on your face!!

 

The Lord acknowledges that the ultimate reason for Israel’s defeat was disobedience. (Sin) 

God’s indictment is not subjective, rather it is objective - Joshua 7:11

The nature of Israel’s transgression had a progression: theft, deception, adultery

 

Application: Do not play the victim, when the defeat is self-inflicted

Give It Over (v. 12)

 

The more we try to hold onto what belongs to him, the less inclined he will be to hold on to us.

For as long as the people are holding onto what belongs to God, they will not be able to stand before their enemies.

Israel needs the power of God in order to stand before its enemies

You cannot benefit from the power of God without the presence of God

God presents Israel with an ultimatum, proving to us that absolutes do exist

 

Application: We must ask ourselves: Am I holding on to what really belongs to God? 

Get Ready (v. 13-15)

 

The battle of Ai is passed, they have lost, but the Lord is going to give the people an opportunity to avoid repeating the past 

Preparation is the key to victory, and it is not about more mental or physical exercise, it must come through spiritual exercise (consecration) 

Consecration involves separation and dedication.

Consecration requires you to separate yourself from what separates you from God

But consecration also requires you not just to give your stuff away, it requires you to give yourself away.

Repent or be ruined - Joshua 7:15

 

Application: God has given his people an opportunity to repent and be redeemed. Repentance leads to redemption

Matthew 2:1-6

Introduction

Christmas is incomplete if it does not celebrate the arrival of our king. 

Democracy has hindered our Christianity because we have lost our respect for the king

Our appreciation for the King is drastically different than that of Israel’s

Israel was birthed under a theocracy 

Left in the hands of unredeemed people to put someone in charge, there is no telling what you might end up with (1 Sam. 8:4-5)

Saul ruled well for awhile but was then impeached

Kings were looked to for guidance and protection, which is different from our view of kings now, we want to do it our way 

Matthew’s gospel focuses on Jesus as Messiah as compared to the other synoptics

We should celebrate the birth of Christ because God has given us a king to rule over us (Isaiah 9:6-7)

He Challenges Our Worship

The new Kings arrival sent shockwaves throughout the landscape and exposed the hearts of the people

His arrival was atypical – compare it to the president or other dignitary

We celebrate the proximity because his presence is significant

Jesus did not get the typical welcome although the expectation had been brewing for 700 years

Magi didn’t show up until 2 years after the birth of Jesus

His presence should challenge our worship

You may not have been aware of who Jesus was before you met him, but your response should reflect your appreciation

What drew the wise men to Bethlehem (Numbers 24:17) – the word

Anticipation – “Where is he who was born king of the Jews”

Magi present one response, Herod presents another 

With Herod there was great animosity because the world is not big enough for two kings

Herod brought peace but not peace for the Jews 

The world cannot handle two kings because: Herod was an unworthy king – illegitimate in the sight of the Jews

Herod was an insecure king – Herod killed any threat to the throne

Herod was an uninformed king

He Changed The World

The arrival of the king changed the entire landscape of our world

Bethlehem goes from being too little too little to be among the clans of Judah to being great among the clans of Judah

Jesus didn’t just level the playing field he turned it upside down – the first shall be last and the last first 

Jesus became the ruler of the Jews and the Gentiles 

Jesus is our ruler 

Jesus is not just a ruler, Jesus is also a shepherd 

We tend to throw around the label king when people come along who change the way we view or appreciate something:The King of Rock & Roll – Elvis

The King of Blues – B.B. King 

The King of Basketball – Lebron James 

The King of my Soul – Jesus

The King of the world – Jesus

Jesus kingship was radically different from that of any other KingSaul the first King 

David the warrior King

Solomon the wise King

Herod the King of Peace

Jesus the king of kings

Guest preacher Pastor Daylan Woodall of First Missionary Baptist Chruch in Decatur, AL.

James 1:12

Christianity in practice is a struggle. A practicing Christian is one who applies the principles of Christianity to everyday life. Living out your faith is a difficult task. The Christian life is full of trials, tests, and temptations. Although Christianity in context presents much resistance, those who remain steadfast through the struggle that receive the reward of following Christ. As a Christian you will not be judged by how you respond in a perfect environment. You will be judged by how you handle less than perfect circumstances.

Sickness sets the scene for God’s glory to be shown. Sickness is without a doubt one of the most personal forms of suffering and affliction. When affliction visits our bodies, we must look to Jesus and remember he is Lord, remember his love, and remember his legacy.

Partnership and prayer are two of the most powerful tools in the Christian armory. When these two components of Christianity are combined the Christian community gains access to untapped divine resources.

Luke 10:25-31

The most obvious expression of our faith is compassion. We must never exchange our devotion to people for devotion to religion. The trait that separates the simple church member from the christian is love. Faith is not about checking off items on the list. Faith is about love. The object of our love ought not be religion. It should be the God of our religion and the people he has placed around us.

Genesis 50:15-21

Every relationship that we will ever find ourselves in has meaning. Relationships are meant to propel us toward our purpose, whether they are broken or not.

Matthew 16:13-19

How do we avoid hurting everybody else when we’ve been hurt? How am I to deal with the disappointment of life without derailing the lives of others? Where do I turn when God lets me down?