Joshua - 2

The first foundation of righteousness undoubtedly is the worship of God.

John Calvin (French Reformer)

Open - Courage to build on God’s foundation - Lamar st. house

Foundation wasnt built on solid Rock.

Scripture - Joshua 8:30–35 “Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses. All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Both the foreigners living among them and the native-born were there. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel. Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.”

Finished second battle of AI - Won it

There couldve been a victory party, couldve been “on to the next one”, couldve rested on their laurels, but instead…

Built an altar on Ebal

Militarily Foolish - Not securing more land - Why stop and build an altar? - Moses commanded it - Joshua’s consistency (following orders)

Context - Altar - Stones (foundation - still there today)

Pause - Joshua’s pause wouldve been long (Writing ALL Moses had commanded).

Context - Mountains are central

When we secure a sale at work, do we pause to honor God?

When we are arguing with a sibling, do we pause to honor God?

When we are fighting with our spouse, do we pause to communicate with God?

Is God central to our foundation, the way Joshua shows that he is for the Israelites?

How do we make him central?

Community - The original design of God’s church is to be a community

Written word - We have access to God’s breathed out word - We need to study and uncover what he has for us.

Meditate on it day and night. Joshua 1:8 “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.”

Blessings and Curses

Joshua read blessings and curses - Being a christian isnt all just about the blessings, its a great part, but when sin is committed there are consequences.

If we love people we will share with them the Good and the bad.

The bad (sin, evil, death, etc.) should lead us to mourn (Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” )

Mourning should give us a continual burden for the lost that leads to action.

Not conditional christianity - Jesus is not a fix-all.

Jesus is the new covenant - He took on all the curses for us.

Either side of the mountain - 6 tribes on each

Everyone heard it

There was no confusion - Joshua put everyone on the same page

God gave them a choice (over and over)

God gives us a choice (over and over)

If you’ve made that decision, how are you choosing to renew that committment to your foundation in Christ?

PRAY TO CLOSE