Before The Battle

Introduction

Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil. Six more weeks of winter - saw shadow.

Led to a classic Bill Murray movie where he a weatherman stuck repeating.

Until he breaks the mold of his selfish personality and is able to break free.

Sometimes we want to just jump to action, but God calls us to stop and prepare ourselves for what He is going to do.

The Israelites crossed the Jordan wanting to surge into battle, but the LORD knew that some things must be done first.

Remember What The LORD Has Done

v. 1

God’s work to bring them over the Jordan. Wilderness. Exodus.

The LORD has called you to be a representative moving forward.

This is why the NT calls us to be about the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 ESV

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Us. With others (evangelism and relationships). All centered around Christ.

Ambassadors

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

A representative from another country that represents their home land to the foreign land. Our citizenship is in heaven! But, then we are called to live in a foreign land representing our King Jesus to them.

The church is filled with Christ’s ambassadors.

When you are with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers.

People who you struggle to get along with, you are called to be reconciled to.

Because of what Jesus has done for you.

The forgiveness of Jesus empowers our ability to forgive.

Remember What The LORD Has Said

vv. 2-9

v. 6 - they perished. Why? Disobedience.

They rejected the Land and rejected the relationship.

Impacted their implementation of circumcision.

Genesis 17:13 ESV

both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant.

This was their sign of the covenant. Relationship with God.

And they had rejected it.

But, this is the interesting thing, they are in the Land.

This gives us hope!

God accepts you as you are.

As we accept Him, we are called into obedience.

This procedure on the flesh which represented a spiritual transformation.

What is holding you back from fully following Jesus?

Are there things that you need to cut away?

Habits, attitudes, influences, behaviors.

Reflecting on what Jesus has done (Gospel) empowers you to make those changes.

Remember What The LORD Will Do

vv. 10-12

Passover. Deliverance from Egypt. Led to the Exodus experience.

Now, that time in the wilderness is over.

Fulfillment in eating the food. No more manna.

Exodus 16:31 ESV

Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

This food sounds incredible! But, basically all they’d had for 40 years.

Something even better is waiting for those who follow Jesus.

Coach Baldwin on contentment.

God has something great for you that He has promised.

Conclusion

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” C.S. Lewis

Stay restless.

For yourself.

For others.

For our culture.

For eternity.