North Park Baptist Church

In Joshua 20, God gives instruction to Joshua and the people of Israel about the establishment of cities of refuge: places where a person in Israel would go if they had killed someone without malicious intent. Living in a city of refuge protected that person from capital punishment, but it came with very strict rules, which highlighted the weight of shedding blood and infringing on the image of God displayed in another person's life, even by accident. In the New Testament, Jesus shows that this weight is even greater than we suppose--even to hate another person is commit murder in your heart. In today's message, Larry High teaches us that the answer to this problem is found in the forgiveness of our High Priest, Jesus.

In John 6, we read about how Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people from a single meal of five loaves of bread and two fish. But many of the people who partook of that meal, while recognizing Jesus' power, were only moved to follow Jesus so that they could have more bread. In today's message, Pastor Phil asks us to consider the question: "How do you see Jesus?" As a good teacher, a moral example, a problem solver, or as Lord and Savior? Jesus has come to save us from our sins so that we can live eternally with God, but we have to accept the salvation that He offers.

In the Book of Joshua, we read how Israel conquered the nations of the Promised Land and divided up their inheritance among their tribes. In Joshua 21:45, we read that "Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass." In today's message, Pastor John studies what the Bible has to say about our promised inheritance--a new heaven and a new earth, and how we can live happily in the knowledge of that future promise.

In Joshua 10, the nation of Israel had to go to war with the armies from 5 different nations. But God displayed his awesome power in making the sun stand still in the sky, and routing the enemy armies with massive hailstones. In today's message, Pastor Phil teaches from this passage that when we face a battle that seems un-winable, we can remember through faith in God that we are not alone--and one of the best things we can do is to look at Jesus.

In Joshua 9, we read how the people of Gibeon tricked Israel into making a truce with them, on the pretense that they were a people from a far away land (though they were, in fact, a nation within the Promised Land). But when Israel realized their mistake, they had to stick to their oath. In today's message, Pastor Phil teaches from this passage that we should always seek the Lord, and that two wrongs don't make a right.

When Israel conquered Jericho, God commanded them not to take any of the spoil of the city--it was all to be devoted to God. But a certain Israelite named Achan stole from the devoted things, and as a result, Israel lost their next battle, and they were forced to reckon with the sinful man among them. In today's message, Pastor John teaches from Joshua 7 how Achan's response to his own sin models for us what not to do when we have sinned.

In today's message, Caleb Bryant preaches from Joshua 5 and 6, which tells of Israel obeying God in taking on the covenant sign of circumcision, and then in the destruction of Jericho. From these passages, we can see that it is God who fights our battles, and that God wants us to have an obedient heart.

In today's message, Pastor Andy teaches us about the faith Israel needed to demonstrate in order to walk across the Jordan on their way to Jericho, and the value of remembering God's acts of goodness and faithfulness to us.

In today's message, Pastor Phil explores the structure of the book of Joshua, and the Biblical background leading up to it. Each of us is asked to consider, do I believe in the promises of God, and am I walking in the promises of God?

Jarrod Swartz teaches from the book of Joshua, Chapter 1 for Student Celebration Sunday. As Joshua prepares to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land, God promises to be with him wherever he goes. So, too, God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We know that when we face changes, we never face them alone.