Never Neglect Following Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
This morning we will pick up where we left off 4 weeks ago. I invite you to scroll or turn with me to the book of Joshua Chapter 10. You may recall the Gibeonites appealed to Joshua for deliverance, and he marched by night from Gilgal to Gibeon. The Gibeonites were the ones who made entered into an agreement with Joshua under false pretenses yet Joshua still honored his end of the deal. The conflict spread to the countryside as the fleeing Amorites escaped. God stepped in & miraculously as at the Battle of Jericho God fought for Israel by hurling hailstones that killed more than even Israel’s swords killed.
The enemy was in a state of disorganization so Joshua wanted to capitalize on the disorder and finish the battle before they had the opportunity to regroup. Joshua prayed for the setting of the sun to be delayed which God granted. Now that brings us to Joshua 10 & we will begin reading in Verse 16.
16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. 18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them: 19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand. 20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. 21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. 22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. 23 And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. 25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. 26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. 27 And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day. 28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.
Let’s Pray.
The title of the message this morning is, “Never Neglect Following Jesus”.
Steer Clear of Diversions
Steer Clear of Diversions
The 1st point this morning is that we have to steer clear of diversions.
I recently read about a police officer sharing the scheme of a group of thieves that really didn’t single out a single place to steal but roamed from place to place to commit their next crime.
He explained how the group would enter the store together. Once inside they would begin to separate themselves with one or two breaking far away from the rest of the party. The group that remained would venture to a part of the store and begin to cause a ruckus and bring attention to themselves. This causes customers & employees to focus on this loud group. As the attention of the customers & store employees have been diverted to the commotion the one or two people who broke away from the group when they first entered the store begin to take merchandise & even cash from less sophisticated registers. They are able to do this & leave before any one has a suspicion that something seems out of the ordinary.
It takes hours, & for larger stores even days or weeks, before the duped retailer realizes that merchandise or money is missing. When they call the police it is normally too late. This strategy is quite effective after all as recent as 2016 there was roughly $ 1 Billion dollars that was stolen from retail stores.
This strategy works on more than just victimized retailers. This strategy works for the Followers of Jesus Christ as well. How often this effective strategy is used by the world & by Satan! We allow the allure of the things that this world offers to distract us while evil pillages our mind, ravages our homes, & wreaks havoc on our God given purposes.
16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
So, we have established that Joshua was commited to continuing in battle. He had even asked God to hold the sun in the sky so that he would not lose light. But now he is being told that these 5 Kings are hiding and that their location is known.
In his pride & vanity Joshua could have said well take me to the Kings, to those leaders and I will show them what happens when you go against Israel. He could have allowed himself to be so infatuated with the idea of doing what he thought was right. But He didn’t. Though it may have seemed that immediately dealing with the kings was right to the people around him, God had been moving while in the midst of battle. I don’t know about you, but regardless of how I feel about a situation if God calls me to do something and it is reaffirmed because I see God moving, then that is where I want to be.
You and I should only do that which God is calling & leading us to do. The motivation should not be because I think my way is right, not because I get a sense of satisfaction because something is my idea, not because I may personally feel that it is the right thing to do - we should base your actions on God & His Holy Word.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
The most gratifying thing that Joshua could have done from an earthly perspective would have been to immediately go & deal with the kings. You see this would have been a diversion and thankfully Joshua dodged it.
18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them: 19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand.
What could the 5 Kings really do at this point? The were cornered in a cave & no longer presented any further risk for Joshua & Israel. Not only did Joshua not go but he instructs his people to trap the kings and continue the conquest.
As Followers of Jesus Christ it is important that we prioritize what we do & make sure that we are staying within the will of God. It is critical that we not become distracted by the things of this world and keep our eyes fixed upon Christ.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
It is interesting to see what gets Christians riled up. We get upset over a business deal, over buying something and not being satisfied with how well it works, when they get our food wrong at a restaurant, when someone rides our bumper, am I right?
We get so bent out of shape over taxes, politics, personal disagreements. Hey am I the only one that gets frustrated. But Brothers & Sisters in Christ all of that stuff does not matter. It really doesn’t.
As Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians,
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
I understand that this scripture is being used in the context of a marriage but we are the Bride of Christ are we not? Paul recognized the tension of attempting to please both a spouse and the Lord. Paul hoped that his instruction would free the Corinthians from anxiety—not cause them more of it. Unfortunately, there are so many of us who spend more time immersed in the affairs of this lost world then we are of the things of God.
When you really get fired up & passionate about the next thing stop and ask yourself these questions:
Am I this passionate about winning souls to Christ by sharing the Gospel?
Am I this passionate about discipling my children, grandchildren, and my Brother & Sisters in Christ who are weaker in the faith?
Am I this passionate about serving God in whatever capacity He has called me to serve?
I guarantee you that if you ask yourself these 3 questions the next time someone says something you disagree with, or you see or read a news story that gets you fired up, or that family member doesn’t live up to your expectations, or heaven forbid someone forgets to put fries in your bag before you drive off and realize that they did not give you what you paid for. If you ask those 3 questions it should put what your dealing with in perspective.
Those kings in that cave were nothing more than a distraction. God had called them to continue the battle. Joshua knew it was from God because they seen Him intervene on his behalf. And what did he say in verse 19? “...for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand.”
You will see the fingerprints of God on your life if you are obedient to Him. The way to remain obedient to Him is to make sure that you preoccupy yourself with an agenda that is Kingdom focused and to steer clear of anything that diverts your attention away from Jesus.
Service Less than Desirable
Service Less than Desirable
20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. 21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. 22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. 23 And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. 25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
The 2nd point this morning is that sometimes your service to God is less than desirable.
When you make a decision to surrender your life to Christ and treat Him, and obey Him the Lord of your life, He may lead you to do things you would not have chose to do yourself.
You know I was so excited to see the the families that were going to come and get gifts here a couple of weeks ago. I just had this idea of thanking them for coming and offering to pray with them. Showing them the gifts that were here that they could choose from. But that is not where God put me. You know where he put me? At home praying. Praying for the hands & feet of Christ as they set up and ministered to families, praying for the families that were coming to Grace, and praying that God would be glorified for it. But due to COVID I was in a room where all I could do was pray for the event.
There are times when God puts you in a place to serve, where you would not have chose to be yourself, but He still out you there all the same.
You may want to preach from the pulpit but God has called you to share the gospel on your front porch to friends & family.
You may want to travel and be on the mission field far away from home but God has called you to minister to the family next door.
You may want to be the next famous Christian artist but God has called you to play bass or piano or some other instrument in the band at Grace.
In our text this morning I doubt these men wanted to be in the position they were in when they were told to place their feet on the necks of these kings. How did I arrive to that? Well what did Joshua say to them? Fear not nor be dismayed. Obviously the communicated their reservations or Joshua could see the countenance on their face, whatever it was I doubt that is what they wanted to do. But there was a purpose for it.
Those feet on the necks of the enemies of Israel showed this victory. This use of the feet being placed on the head is not the first time in God’s Word that this signifies triumph.
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
When God calls you & leads you to serve or work & it does not make sense to you - you have to rely upon your faith. The same way when you want to do something but don’t feel the hand of God upon you to do it - you have to rely upon Him and lean not on your own understanding of the things that are happening around you.
Also, do not fall into the trap of just riding out your time in a pew waiting for Jesus to come or for Him to call you home. If Jesus is your Lord & savior then He has called you to service.
Oswald Chambers wrote, “Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things – things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him”
Sin Leads to Destruction
Sin Leads to Destruction
The 3rd point in our text is that sin leads to destruction.
26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. 27 And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day. 28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.
You know it can be somewhat difficult from a fleshly perspective to get up here in front of you and tell you how much God loves you. How he longs to have a relationship with you. How He has no greater desire to see you repent of your sins and Follow Jesus. Afterall,
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Then you come to scriptures like this Joshua chapter 10. Where you see the death of these 5 kings. But the fact of the matter is that God does not hide what happens when sin is not dealt with. When we do not repent and follow God. These 5 kings had decided to fight against God’s people and God and unfortunately met their demise. Going against God leads to tragedy, sin leads to destruction.
Here you see what being out of the will of God, rebelling against God brings you.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Imagine how much less we would see sin in our lives and the lives of others if we immediately had to pay the wages of it. Payment for sin is tragic, bloody, and direful. Oh how I am thankful that it was Jesus who took my place & saved my soul. You see no matter how graphic it is that men placed their feet on the necks of these 5 kings, they hung them from trees, and threw their lifeless bodies in a cave. No matter how disturbing that may be. That is nothing compared to what would happen to our souls if we do not know, accept, and Follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
As a Follower of Jesus Christ it is imperative for our spiritual health that we Never Neglect following Him. We need to
Steer Clear of Diversions
Understand that
Service is Sometimes Less than Desireable
and that
Sin leads to Destruction.
In 1996 there were several thoroughbred racehorses in Kentucky that had terrible smells coming from their nostrils and they were having nose bleeds. Now I don’t know much about horses but I do know that anytime a person or animals nose bleeds there is normally a problem.
When veterinarians examined these horses, they were taken back at what they saw. They found these small oval sponges shoved into the horses’ nasal passages.
People immediately began to ask, “how in the world did these sponges get there?” Authorities determined that someone wanting to fix races had tampered with the horses, inserting the sponges to interfere with the horses’ breathing, cut down their oxygen intake, and slow them down. Ten instances of such “sponging” were reported within a nine-month period, and the FBI was called in to investigate.
Like these sponges in the nose of a horse, sin & distractions can diminish the spiritual health and debilitate the Follower of Jesus. They deter us from what God wants us to be and how He wants us to serve. They reduce our ability to breathe of the Holy Spirit.
This morning it is my hope that we come before the Lord as individuals, & as a Body of Believers, to ask God to help us not become distracted. To help us serve to the best of our ability and to not lead us into temptation & sin.
Will you pray with me?
Larson, C. B. (2002). 750 engaging illustrations for preachers, teachers & writers (p. 130). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Co 7:35). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Dockery, D. S. (Ed.). (1992). Holman Bible Handbook (p. 200). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
Larson, C. B. (2002). 750 engaging illustrations for preachers, teachers & writers (p. 129). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.