06PM May 28 Joshua 5 13_6 5

May 28, 2006—Evening Worship

A Pile of Rubble Demonstrating God’s Power

Elements of Encountering God

Joshua 5:13-6:5

Intro:  God can demonstrate His power in any number of ways. God can glorify Himself w/the beauty & wonder of nature. He can do it w/the accuracy of the planet’s rotation around the sun. God can demonstrate His power by miraculous healings like that of Elijah Mueller. & God can even demonstrate His power through a pile of rubble.

          He did that at Jericho when the wall came tumbling down. He didn’t use heavy equipment to push the wall down; no large, very strong animals to knock over the wall; no great & mighty army to dismantle the wall brick by brick. But God used His people in a way that made no human sense, & then God used His power to demonstrate to everyone that He is indeed God!

- Let’s read about that event in the lives of the children of Israel, & find the elements of encountering God from Joshua 5:13 through 6:5…

Joshua 5 13 & it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes & looked, & behold, a Man stood opposite him w/His sword drawn in His hand. & Joshua went to Him & said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" 14 So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." & Joshua fell on his face to the earth & worshiped, & said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?" 15 Then the Commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." & Joshua did so.

Joshua 6 1 Now Jericho was securely shut up b/c of the children of Israel; none went out, & none came in. 2 & the Lord said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, & the mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do 6 days. 4 & 7 priests shall bear 7 trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the 7th day you shall march around the city 7 times, & the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast w/the ram's horn, & when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout w/a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. & the people shall go up every man straight before him."

- Very quickly tonight I want to point out from v. 13…

1. Joshua Saw Jesus. (5:13a) 13a & it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes & looked, & behold, a Man stood opposite him w/His sword drawn in His hand.

- We know this is the pre-incarnate Christ & not just an angel of the Lord b/c later, in v. 14, Joshua falls down & worships Him & the Man received his worship.

- An angel would not have done that, b/c Scripture tells us that angels worship God – they are not worshiped.

- So, here we have the Savior communicating to man & revealing to man the ways & will of God.

- IOW it is Jesus that reveals God to man & here, Jesus as God, reveals Himself to the man Joshua.

- & He does the same for us today from the pages of His word. We can see Him, the Living Word, by studying the Written Word.

- We also see in v. 13 that…

2. Joshua Spoke to Jesus. (v. 13b) 13b & Joshua went to Him & said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"

- At this point, Joshua still didn’t know that this Man who stood before him was the Son of God.

- Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus listens to us?

- Here you have God standing in divine judgment against this city of Jericho & He takes the time & is sensitive enough to the thoughts of man to listen & even to give Joshua an explanation!

- God doesn’t owe us that! He doesn’t need to explain Himself to us! & yet in His love & grace, He does just that!

- & isn’t it wonderful to know that as long as you are a member of the Lord’s army, that Jesus is on your side!

- Jesus stands w/you! Jesus stands for you! Jesus leads you! & He cares for you!

- As the old hymn says, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins & griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”

- You can talk to Jesus anytime of the day or night. He’s always listening to the cry of His children!

- As a result of Joshua seeing & speaking w/Jesus…

3. Joshua Submitted to Jesus. (v. 14a-b) 14a-b So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." & Joshua fell on his face to the earth & worshiped….

- Jesus is Lord! Jesus is God who came in the flesh; born as a baby in Bethlehem.

- But Jesus is also the Captain of our Salvation & the Commander of the Lord’s army!

- He’s the great General under whose leadership everyone falls. There’s none w/higher rank than Jesus!

- & Joshua, when confronted face to face w/this Christophany, this Theophany; or the appearing of God in human form, but not in human flesh; falls down on his face & worships His Creator!

- Oh, what an experience that would be! But the experience that we enjoy is as great if not greater!

- Jesus not only reveals Himself to us; not only can we speak to Him; but He lives in us to guide us as we submit ourselves to Him in worship!

- When was the last time you fell on your face to the earth & worshiped God; when was the last time you totally submitted your will to His; when did you or have you ever?

- Joshua not only submitted to Jesus, but…

4. Joshua Surrendered to Jesus. (vv. 14c-15) 14c & Joshua…said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?" 15 Then the Commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." & Joshua did so.

- This was Joshua’s burning bush experience. This was the Lord speaking to Him as He had to Moses.

- This was the Lord preparing Joshua for the battle and the conquest of Cannan.

- The will of Jesus is always best!

- Joshua understood that as he asked the Lord what He wanted him to do.

- We need to be asking that same question today, "What does my Lord say to His servant?"

- I believe that if we spent more time asking God for His will than for our own, we’d find that we could accomplish so much more for the kingdom of God!

- His will is always best!

- But as we move into chapter 6…

5. Jesus Surprised Joshua. (6:1-2) 1 Now Jericho was securely shut up b/c of the children of Israel; none went out, & none came in. 2 & the Lord said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, & the mighty men of valor.

- Jesus gave Joshua an unexpected gift.

- He gave Joshua the key to Jericho! He handed him the city, the king & the army!

- Joshua’s people were not trained in battle – they were brick makers & day laborers.

- They didn’t know how fight! But that’s not important if God sends you.

- Whatever He sends you to do – you can do! He does it through you!

- Wherever He sends you – you can go! He goes through you! It’s all about Him & His power!

- All we have to do is be available for God’s use & allow Him to work through us for His glory!

          [Many years ago the 1st Citizens’ Bank came up w/the slogan that they were the “Can Do” bank. & if you are in Christ, you are a “Can Do” Christian! Be available & God will work through you!]

- & here comes one of the best parts…

6. Jesus Strengthened Joshua. (vv. 3-5) 3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do 6 days. 4 & 7 priests shall bear 7 trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the 7th day you shall march around the city 7 times, & the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast w/the ram's horn, & when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout w/a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. & the people shall go up every man straight before him."

- Jesus told Joshua how it would end. It didn’t have to make sense to Joshua. It was God’s plan!

- & sometimes I know you don’t see how God could possibly be at work in your situation! You don’t know how it’s going to work out for your good & His glory!

- Friend—that’s none of your concern! Just trust God to work it out! He knows what He’s doing! You can trust Him!

- Listen as He gives you strength from His word. Listen as His Spirit comforts your heart. Listen as God speaks & guides & leads.

- One problem I believe every Christian has to some extent is they talk more than they listen!

Ecclesiastes 5 2 Do not be rash w/your mouth, & let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, & you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.

- IOW as the old saying goes, “God gave you 2 ears & 1 mouth; you ought to listen twice as much as you talk!”

- God knows the beginning from the end. & He knows everything in between!

- Allow Him to strengthen your heart & your courage & your determination through the word of God!

Conclusion:  God can even demonstrate His power through a pile of rubble. & you may be saying to yourself tonight, “That’s my life, a pile of rubble.” But remember, if it is, God can demonstrate His power through you!

          Here’s all you have to do; seek Him, speak w/Him, submit to Him, surrender to His will, be amazed at how He wants to use you & be strengthened through His word.

Invitation:  Are you in need of some kind of touch from God? Remember, He has all power & longs to demonstrate that power through you. Would you come to Him tonight & begin to build your life as a memorial to God’s power?

Hymn 450 I Need Thee Every Hour