In this sermon, Pastor Anson McMahon walks us through Joshua chapter 17 to expose our natural, human tendency to seek maximum blessing with minimum effort.

Contrasting the bold, expectant faith of the five daughters of Zelophehad with the entitled, excuse-making complaints of the tribe of Manasseh, Pastor Anson reminds us that God's primary objective for our lives is not our temporal comfort, but our deep faith and radical obedience.

Ultimately, we are challenged to stop managing our sins and turning miracles into inconveniences, looking instead to the cross where our ultimate dissatisfaction is cured by the free, unmerited grace of King Jesus.

Key Points

• God wants me to have confidence in His promises: A promise is only as good as the character of the one who makes it, and because God's character is flawless, His word can be completely trusted even during long seasons of waiting.
• We are all tempted to complain about the good things God has provided: As fallen creatures, we are uniquely gifted at turning miracles into inconveniences, often griping about the very jobs, homes, spouses, and churches we once begged God to give us.
• God's blessings are frequently found on the other side of hard work: Discipleship offers no shortcuts to spiritual growth; Christ calls us to pick up a cross rather than a hammock, requiring active sacrifice, service, and pursuit of Him.
• The Danger of Sin Management: Refusing to fully drive out compromise always breeds spiritual corruption; the Lord does not call us to manage our sin, but to put it to death.

Reflect & Discuss

1. Pastor Anson noted that we often complain about the very things we once prayed for. What "miracle" in your life have you recently treated as an "inconvenience," and how does the Gospel recalibrate your heart toward gratitude?
2. Scripture reveals that God's main objective for your life is your faith, not your comfort. In what area of current discomfort or waiting is the Holy Spirit calling you to trust His character rather than demanding an immediate change in your circumstances?
3. Reviewing the contrast between the daughters of Zelophehad and the tribe of Manasseh, where are you prone to rely on entitlement or excuses rather than entering into the active, sacrificial "hard work" of spiritual disciplines?

Main Passage: Joshua 17

Supporting Passages

• Numbers 27:1-11
• Deuteronomy 20:1
• Isaiah 40
• Isaiah 55
• 1 John 1:9
• Ephesians 2
• 1 Peter 5