Tearing Down Walls
Tearing Down Walls Josh. 5:13-6:21
EBC 9/16/07
After 40 years, Israel was ready to claiming their Promised Land. Their very first endeavor was the walled city of Jericho.
Jericho was a major obstacle to Israel. It stood between them and the rest of the world. Before they could go deeper they had to deal with Jericho.
The battle Israel fought over 3000 years ago, is much the same as the battle we fight today. Maybe there are walls in your life that need to be removed before you go deeper with the Lord.
* Is there a betting sin that stands between you and God?
* Is there hurt that has escalated into bitterness
* Is there a cold and indifferent spirit, an unforgiving spirit?
If walls are going to be torn down these steps must be taken :
I. You’ve Got to Fall at the Right Feet (5:13-15)
Joshua is now checking out the City of Jericho. He has no idea of what to do. He is alone and confused. He meets a man that changes everything.
A. We must recognize His authority (14a)
1. Joshua reacts by falling down and worshipping.
a. Joshua may have been the commander of the Armies of Israel but he was standing before the commander –in-chief
b. The first thing involved in us removing the walls in our lives is realizing who is in charge.
1 James 4:10-
2.1 Peter 5:5-
B. We must respect His authority (14b)
1. Joshua placed himself in a position of helplessness and surrender before the Lord.
a. The Lord wants us to place our all in His hands and to just trust Him. He is looking for people who will stop fighting their own battles and trust Him to fight their battles.
b. If we want our walls torn down we have to just trust Him.
C. We must rest in His authority (15)
1. Joshua hands his shoe over to the Lord. This is the Old Testament way of saying “I can’t do this but you can”. Have you done that yet?
II. You’re Got to Follow the Right Plan (6:1-20a)
Now let’s look at the progression of things: As soon as Joshua surrenders, the Lord tells him how to go about defeating Jericho.
A. A simple plan (6:1-2)
1. God didn’t save us to have us fail. He saved us to walk in victory.
a. 1 Cor. 15:57-
2. God wants us to learn to trust Him in all matters.
a. Prov. 3:5,6-
B. A strange plan (6:3-20a) won’t read it
1. This plan must have seen strange to this old soldier. This is where “lean not in your own understanding” comes in.
a. No talk of armor, soldiers or swords.
2. God’s plan boils down to our walk. God’s plan for His children is also strange. He asks us to do nothing except follow Him.
a. The Christian life is about abiding in Him. John 15:4 – Abide-
C. A successful plan (6:20b-21)
1. They did things Gods way, He gave them the victory. Learning to walk in faith and in God’s will result in victory.