Untitled Sermon (2)

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Well, it’s good to be back with you again this morning, as many of you know I had the privilege of being in Southeast Indiana last weekend for Alliance Training. Which as I went in, I’m thinking… um hey guys, we do realize this is weekend right? But as I was there, the Lord softened my heart and actually it was a very good and productive time away. But one of things that we did during our time, that I would like to do at the end of the service is to simply allow time just to hear from God. And so, as we wrap up with scripture this morning, I want to afford us time, around 5-10 minutes or so, just to ask the Lord this question: “God what are your thoughts this morning?” So, I’m going to be intentional about leaving time for this at the end this morning. And so, we’ll jump right in this morning into our scripture.

But as we’re jumping in, I just want you to think of this question. What is your favorite book, or movie? Any thoughts on that? I remember flying back from Florida back in the spring, and there was an inflight movie…. And this movie, I had never heard of it, but the name of it was American Underdog: and if you’ve never seen the film, I wont ruin it… but it ultimately covers the role of Kurt warner and his rise to stardom in the NFL. It talks about his early setbacks and defeats and then ultimately, it talks about how he came on top and went on to become one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. But the key is this, in watching this movie, or any movie, or reading a book it’s ultimately who’s behind the script. Right if you watch tv, depending on who plays the actor or actress, you may or may not be more inclined to watch the movie. When reading a book, many of you have your favorite authors… people that you enjoy reading… and so the question becomes who’s the author.

Even as you go out to eat, what makes a restaurant great is not the name of it, but really the cook in the kitchen. And so, the question becomes, who’s behind the movie, who’s behind the book, who’s behind the stove and what role do they play…

You see, as many of you journey through life, sometimes, we get confused as to what we’re supposed to do… or not do… what’s my job… and what’s the Lord’s job in this. Whose role is it anyways.

If you have, your bible, turn with me to Joshua 10 as we uncover this topic of whose roll is it anyways. And as we look at battles that we face in life. First, I want to look at 1. His Role 2. My Role.

1. His role in battle

So, beginning with His Role, I want us to look at Joshua 10: 1-15 for a moment and as we examine this scripture, I know it’s been a few weeks since we’ve been in Joshua, so I want to just remind us of a few things. First you recall that God has led the nation of Israel from the wilderness, through the Jordan River and onto Gilgal. We see that God would then lead them as they conquered Jericho, and AI and gain momentum and popularity.

You also recall that the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites by making a treaty with the Israelites and lying to them saying they lived far from the Israelites, when in reality, they were neighbors. So, this treaty of peace has taken place.

But this morning, as we continue in scripture what we see is that this treaty of peace will actually lead to war. As nearby kings become threatened by the treaty between the Israelites and Gibeonites and prepare to wage war against the Israelites.

10 Now Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed[a] it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and that the people of Gibeon had made a treaty of peace with Israel and had become their allies. 2 He and his people were very much alarmed at this, because Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were good fighters. 3 So Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem appealed to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish and Debir king of Eglon. 4 “Come up and help me attack Gibeon,” he said, “because it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.”

5 Then the five kings of the Amorites—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon—joined forces. They moved up with all their troops and took up positions against Gibeon and attacked it.

6 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.”

So, we see the scene is set, king Adoni Zedek has this moment of realization that the Gibeonites have aligned themselves with the Israelites which then poses a threat to this King. You see, The proximity of Gibeon to Jerusalem meant that the Israelites had now arrived at Adoni-Zedek’s border

And ultimately Either Adoni-Zedek would do 1 of 2 things, first he could make peace with Israel, (or at least try to) as Gibeon had done. Thereby joining Israel and Israel’s God. Or He could fight back, he could align himself with other neighboring kings and go to war. As we’ll see in a moment, this king, and 4 others (an army as numerous as the seashore?) would come together and wage war against Israel, and as they do I want us to notice in the coming verse what God’s response or role is, and what Joshua and the Israelites role is.

So, as we read ahead, look to see if you can figure what God’s role was for the people.

7 So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. 8 The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”

9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. 10 The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.

12 On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! 15 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.

So, I realize we just looked a quite a bit of scripture, but I want us to consider God’s role in this. Which by the way, these are just a few of the details that we see. There’s more to the scene and to the specific fighting that we don’t read in scripture… but just in these few verses from Joshua 10, here’s what we do see.

Taken by surprise, confusion.

1. In verse 8 God encourages Joshua.

2. In verse 10 The Lord throws the enemy into confusion.

3. In verse 11 The Lord brings this mighty hailstone attack down on them. And more died from the hail than from the actual swords of the Israel’s army.

4. In verse 12 The Lord gives the Amorites over to Israel.

5. So much so that in verse 12 He also allows the sun to stand still, so Joshua and the men can completely slaughter the enemy.

6. In verse 14 we’re told The Lord was fighting for Israel.

7. And if that’s weren’t enough, the next chapter Joshua 11:20 tells us that God even hardened their hearts and caused them to wage war against Israel in the first place: For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Joshua 11:20

You see, time after time, God is the one actually doing the fighting. God is the one slaying the enemy, God is the one causing havoc, God is the one encouraging, God is fighting the battle...

You see church, it wasn’t about Joshua and Israel fighting at all. It wasn’t about their efforts, it wasn’t about what they did… it had everything, everything to do with God.

42 All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. Joshua 10:42 tells us:

You see, it’s not to say that Joshua and the Israelites didn’t have to show up for the battle… or prepare or be ready…. But ultimately it was God in them and through them who would fight the battle.

You guys know it’s world series time, by the way I was routing for Cleveland to take down New York and go on to win their first world series in 74 years. But speaking of taking down the New York Yankees, let me share a story with you about the Boston Red Sox…. In the first game of the best-of-seven, 2004 American League Championship Series between baseball's New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, Boston's ace pitcher Curt Schilling was in pain. An ankle injury kept him from being able to plant his foot and throw the ball with his usual skill. Schilling was removed from the game after allowing six runs in just three innings. Teammates feared Schilling's injury would end his season and their hopes to get to the World Series.

But in the sixth game against the Yankees, Schilling surprisingly took the mound again. Facing elimination if they lost, the Red Sox watched Schilling throw an amazing seven innings in which he only gave up four hits and one run. Every time the TV camera focused on Schilling's ankle; viewers could see blood seep through his sock. Doctors had stitched his ankle tendon into place to allow him to pitch. The Red Sox won the game, and afterwards a FOX Sports reporter asked him about his performance.

Schilling answered, "Seven years ago I became a Christian, and tonight God did something amazing for me. I tried to be as tough as I could, and do it my way Game 1, and I think we all saw how that turned out. Tonight, it was all God. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to do this alone. And I prayed as hard as I could. I didn't pray to get a win or to make great pitches. I just prayed for the strength to go out there tonight and compete, and he gave me that. I can't explain to you what a feeling it was to be out there and to feel what I felt."

So, here’s the first point this morning church. The battle is the Lords. Whatever you’re going through, whatever your facing, whatever situation you’re against this morning… The battle is the Lords.

Zechariah 4:6 tells us: So, he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

Church, here’s the point this morning… It has nothing to do and everything to do with God. It’s not about us, it’s not about our might, it’s not about our power, it’s not about trying harder… Instead, it’s entirely about God. We tend to be like peter and pick up our weapon so that we can fight on our own strength, today we need to lay it down.

And how this applies from one person to the next will vary. You may be facing hardships in your marriage, you may be facing financial struggles, you may have worries and doubts and anxiety. And God this morning is calling you and saying… lay down your weapon. Lay down your will. Surrender to me. Allow me to work through you. Allow me to do the work. The battle is the Lords.

Naturally then, the next question is… okay I guess I’m off the hook, right? God’s got this? Yes, but you also have a part to play. Let’s talk about that next.

2. Let’s look at your role in battle.

Again, as we read this together. Be looking to see what the Israelites role was in this battle.

15 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal. 16 Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. 17 When Joshua was told that the five kings had been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah, 18 he said, “Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it. 19 But don’t stop; pursue your enemies! Attack them from the rear and don’t let them reach their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand.”

20 So Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely, but a few survivors managed to reach their fortified cities. 21 The whole army then returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one uttered a word against the Israelites.

22 Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” 23 So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon. 24 When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So, they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.

25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” 26 Then Joshua put the kings to death and exposed their bodies on five poles, and they were left hanging on the poles until evening.

27 At sunset Joshua gave the order and they took them down from the poles and threw them into the cave where they had been hiding. At the mouth of the cave they placed large rocks, which are there to this day.

1. What’s the First thing the people do? They Show Up.

They did what God Asked them to do. They Let God do the work through them.

And so, church, the people had a job to do, and guess what, they did it well. Listen, they didn’t just say “oh, well let someone else do it…” “Oh, I don’t have a part in this…” “oh, you do it…” No, they showed up, they worked, and they worked. They fulfilled Colossians 3:23 which says: “Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.”

Here in verse 19, we’re told that the people had to pursue their enemies! And attack them so that they didn’t reach their cities. Then the bible goes on to say that they placed large rocks, not small rocks, not pebbles, but large rocks in the front of the cave. Church, do you think the large rocks were light? No, I promise you these massive rocks were extremely heavy. And guess what? If you’ve ever done any kind of yard work, or bailing hay for some of you, I promise… this is not light work. This is heavy work.

2. But they also prepared for the battle.

You see, I want us to consider the most significant thing that they did, and it doesn’t really jump off the page. But here’s the answer in Joshua 10: 15 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal. You say I’m not sure I follow you. What is the significance in this? Here’s the point. Listen… Gilgal is where the alter was.

Here’s the point, Joshua and Israel went back to the alter. Israel begins and ends each campaign in the presence of God at the sanctuary of Gilgal. verse 43 tells us: 43 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal. With who? With all Israel, Joshua returned with all Israel implies that there was no loss to Israel in the battle. They went back, they rested, they went to their homes, but most importantly they went to the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31tells us: The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

You see church, the first thing that the people did is they prepared. They got ready… but listen, this wasn’t about going to the gym or eating more Wheaties, this had everything to do with preparing their hearts and praying To God.

3. Final thing that they do Mindset.

Before Killing the 5 kings, Joshua would encourage the leaders of the army in verse 25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

We have to ask ourselves for a moment… where does this strength come from? Turn with me to Joshua 1:7 for a moment. in Chapter 1. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Here’s the point for us church this morning, it’s not about trying harder… it’s not about just doing better… victory comes, when we empty ourselves out and go to God. Victory comes in our marriage when we’re completely dependent on him, victory comes with our struggle against sin, when we empty ourselves and our filled with his words, victory comes in our household when we empty ourselves and invite him in, The love of God comes in, in new ways… and does the change that we can’t do on our own. But it all starts in here (head / heart) starts by inviting him into the midst of circumstance.

Call Tom up at this time (pick on guitar)

and as he comes up, here’s how I want to end service. You see All too often, we don’t give God enough time to speak to us specifically. We don’t listen enough… so I want to give us just 5 minutes… right now… close your eyes “God what are you saying to me?” Turn lights down.

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