* The first tablets were the work of God’s hand.

* When Moses got made he broke what God had made.

* We would do the same, but we need to be careful when we’re in the battle to make sure we don’t break what God has entrusted to us.

* We don’t smash people when they have ideas because they are God’s handiwork.

* We deal with their ideas ruthlessly, but not them.

* In Exodus 34:1 God replaced the tablets.

* However, these were the work of Moses’ hand.

* He had to work to make right what he smashed.

* When Moses did his part (cut out the new stones) God did His part (wrote the law).

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* Joshua thought the commotion in the camp was the sound of war.

* It was actually a massive party.

* How you hear and see something is representative of the nature inside you.

* Joshua was a warrior so he instantly thought it was a battle.

* How you interpret what’s going on around you reveals the nature inside you.

* Do you think people are judging you? Then you’re probably judgmental.

* Do you give people the benefit of the doubt? Then your nature is merciful.

* Do you think everything is ok in culture? Then you’re not a warrior.

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* Think about hanging a heavy mirror in your house.

* You need to first find a stud!

* The stud is LOVE.

* Love for God and others.

* The nail is our commitment to love.

* If we commit to loving God and others then we’re anchored to God so we won’t break His commandments.

* Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees about his authority and responsibility.

* They “examined” Him meticulously, just like the priests were to examine animals for sacrifice.

* The beauty of this is that He proved to be a perfect sacrifice.

* When it came to the question of responsibility He talked about “image.”

* Here’s what He was saying:

* The coin made in Caesar’s image belonged to him.

* People made in God’s image belong to Him.

* Coins were made for a purpose and that purpose serves to benefit the people.

* If you refused to give back (render, which means to pay a debt) to the image maker you would be in trouble with him.

* People have just as much a responsibility to give themselves to the image maker.

* This, according to Jesus, is our responsibility.

* A California family chained up their 13 homeschool kids and treated them like dogs.

* These parents need to be locked up.

* But this will also lead to a massive homeschooling power grab where the government will come in and take control of the entire homeschooling system.

* This is how government grows BIG.

* 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 - we have Christian liberty and Christian responsibility.

* We see Joseph crying four times.

* 1) Genesis 42:24 - When Rueben reminded his brothers he told them not to sin against Joseph.

* I’m sure Joseph never knew Rueben stuck up for him.

* 2) Genesis 43:30 - When he saw his brother Benjamin.

* He hadn’t seen his only full brother in over a decade.

* Joseph plants a cup in Benjamin’s bag to keep Benjamin with him while his brothers went back to Canaan.

* 44:17 - Joseph’s brothers offered to be his slaves along with Benjamin.

* I think Joseph would have just kept Benjamin there if the brothers would have left, knowing they were not changed men.

* 3) Genesis 44:33 - When Judah offered himself in place of Benjamin.

* His willingness to sacrifice himself for Joseph’s brother broke Joseph’s heart.

* Genesis 45:1-2 - Look at the power of sacrifice:

* ** An entire family was positively affected - all Judah’s brothers moved their families to Israel.

* ** The truth was revealed - all this time Joseph was holding a secret, but the minute sacrifice entered the picture he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

* 4) Genesis 50:17 - When he was misunderstood.

* ** Joseph lived by faith, trusting that what they meant for evil God meant for good.

* ** His brothers lived by fear, trying to scheme their way into Joseph’s good graces.

* This broke Joseph’s heart.

* vs 18-21 - I’m sure Joseph remembered his dream.

* When he had the dream as a boy his focus was on himself.

* God had humbled Joseph to be the man who could handle his brothers bowing down to him.

* Instead of harboring a grudge against them he looked to God and recognized God placed him in the position of a powerful provider.

* It’s all because he chose to focus on goodness of God and not the frailty of his brothers.

* The battle with the Amalekites was the first battle since God destroyed the Egyptians in the Red Sea.

* Would He destroy them like he did the Egyptians?

* Yes, but He chose to do it through the people.

* So long as Moses prayed they won.

* Look at the three parts involved in this battle strategy:

* 1) God

* 2) Warriors

* 3) Prayer Warriors

* God was the One bringing victory but it required warriors and prayer warriors to bring about the ultimate victory.

* Note - Joshua’s faithfulness on the battlefield qualified him to lead the entire nation into the Promised Land.

* (vs 14) God wanted Joshua to hear the memorial.

* The Promised Land was only about a 5-6 day’s walk from Egypt.

* But they went the long way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.

* Why? Because God had to prepare them for the promise.

* First, God needed to kill the Egyptian army.

* Second, before they entered the Promised Land they needed a solidly established government based on God’s Law.

* Third, God had to prepare them for battle - they had to raise up and train an army to take the land.

* This is symbolic of the church today - the church militant.

* If we allow God to lead we’ll find He’ll most likely take us the opposite direction we think we need to go.

* But God had to get Egypt out of Israel, not just Israel out of Egypt.

* When a conflict happens two things manifest themselves:

* 1) The issue.

* 2) The ability of the person to handle the issue.

* If #2 is good #1 will take care of itself.

* A relationally healthy and mature person:

* ** open to feedback and takes ownership of their part.

* ** brings complaints about behavior, not criticism toward character.

* A relationally unhealthy and immature person:

* ** not open to feedback and doesn’t take ownership of their part.

* ** criticizes a person’s character.

* A complaint is about behavior.

* “You did this. I feel this. I would rather you do this.”

* Criticism is about character.

* “You always do this. You make me feel like this. You will never change.”

* vs 18:21 - Peter asks what you’re supposed to do if someone keeps sinning against you.

* We are to walk in forgiveness based upon how Christ forgave us, not on the basis of the person deserving forgiveness.