Aligning with God's Will: Worship Over Winning

Today, we gathered in gratitude and joy, celebrating the movement of God in our midst—from the baptism of young Kai Bradley to the warm fellowship among our church family. We rejoiced with the angels as one more soul publicly declared faith in Jesus Christ, and we lifted up our hearts in prayer for those in need, trusting in God’s ability to meet every circumstance with grace and power. Our worship was marked by thanksgiving for God’s sustaining goodness, the love of our community, and the faithfulness of seasoned saints and new members alike.

As we turned to the Word, we reflected on Joshua’s encounter near Jericho, where he met a mysterious figure—God Himself—standing with a drawn sword. Joshua’s question, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” was met with a surprising answer: “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” This moment challenged us to reconsider our assumptions about God’s allegiance. Too often, we try to recruit God to our side, assuming our cause is automatically His. Yet, God’s sovereignty is not bound to our agendas; He stands above our struggles, inviting us to align ourselves with His will rather than seeking to pull Him into our battles.

The lesson is clear: the real question is not whether God is on our side, but whether we are on His. In times of conflict, uncertainty, or transition, we are called to let God be God and to be believers who trust, worship, and obey—even when God seems neutral or silent. Joshua’s response was to fall in worship, surrendering his plans and priorities to the holiness of God. We, too, are invited to change our posture from striving for victory on our own terms to reverent obedience, recognizing that wherever God’s presence is, that place is holy ground.

As we celebrated communion, welcomed new members, and prayed for one another, we were reminded that God’s love and victory are assured for those who remain on His side. Our calling is to trust Him, worship Him, and walk in obedience, knowing that He is always working for our good—even when His ways are beyond our understanding.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Sovereignty Transcends Our Sides God does not limit Himself to our personal agendas, political positions, or causes. His sovereignty stands above every conflict and every side, reminding us that our task is not to recruit God to our cause, but to align ourselves with His will. This challenges us to humility and discernment, especially when we are tempted to assume God’s favor is automatically with us. [102:36]
• 2. Worship Over Winning Joshua’s encounter with God shifted his focus from strategizing for victory to surrendering in worship. True spiritual maturity is marked by a posture that prioritizes reverence and obedience over the need to “win” our battles. When we recognize God’s preeminence, our priorities change, and we find peace in worship rather than anxiety in striving. [118:36]
• 3. Don’t Presume to Know Where God Is Even faithful believers can miss the unexpected ways God shows up. God’s presence may be revealed in unlikely circumstances or people, and we must resist the urge to confine Him to our expectations. Sometimes, what seems like a nuisance or setback—like the fleas in Corrie Ten Boom’s story—may be the very means by which God protects and provides. [116:00]
• 4. Let God Be God—Victory Follows Alignment, Not Control The path to victory is not found in manipulating God to endorse our plans, but in surrendering to His leadership. When we let God be God and simply remain faithful, He takes over and works all things for our good. Our role is to trust, obey, and worship, leaving the outcome in His hands. [106:36]
• 5. Holy Ground Is Wherever God’s Presence Dwells The call to “remove your sandals” is a call to recognize the sacredness of every moment and place where God meets us. Rather than obsessing over which side God is on, we are to focus on our own posture—obedience, reverence, and surrender—knowing that God’s holiness transforms ordinary ground into holy ground.
  
  ** [128:03]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [21:21] - Baptism of Sister Kai Bradley
• [23:04] - Congregational Worship and Praise
• [34:39] - Corporate Prayer and Intercession
• [36:56] - Lifting Up Special Prayer Requests
• [41:02] - Praying for Our City and World
• [44:54] - Testimonies of God’s Goodness
• [52:07] - Fellowship and Birthday Celebrations
• [59:40] - Honoring Grandparents and Seasoned Saints
• [66:54] - Offering and Reflections on God’s Goodness
• [89:01] - Joshua’s Encounter: Who’s on the Lord’s Side?
• [99:48] - God’s Neutrality and Our Alignment
• [110:41] - Don’t Presume to Know God’s Presence
• [118:36] - Worship Over Winning: Changing Our Posture
• [128:03] - Holy Ground and Obedience
• [135:22] - Invitation to Salvation and Membership
• [145:11] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [152:19] - Benediction and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Joshua 5:13-15 (ESV) — 13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Observation Questions

1. What was Joshua doing when he encountered the man with the drawn sword?
2. How did the man respond when Joshua asked, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
3. What was Joshua’s immediate reaction after realizing who the man was?
4. According to the sermon, what does the command to “remove your sandals” signify about the place where Joshua was standing? [[02:08:03]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God answered Joshua’s question with “Neither,” instead of choosing a side? What does this reveal about God’s character? [[01:39:48]]
2. The sermon says, “the real question is not whether God is on our side, but whether we are on His.” What does it look like in real life to be on God’s side instead of trying to get God on ours? [[01:44:46]]
3. How does Joshua’s response (falling in worship and surrender) set an example for us when we face uncertainty or conflict? [[01:58:36]]
4. The sermon mentions that “holy ground is wherever God’s presence dwells.” How does this challenge our usual ideas about what is sacred or important? [[02:08:03]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns against trying to “recruit God to our side” or assuming our cause is automatically God’s cause. Can you think of a time when you tried to get God to back your plans or opinions? What happened, and what did you learn from it? [[01:42:36]]
2. Joshua’s focus shifted from strategizing for victory to surrendering in worship. Are there areas in your life right now where you are more focused on “winning” than on worshiping or obeying God? What would it look like to change your posture? [[01:58:36]]
3. The story of Corrie Ten Boom and the fleas was used to show that God’s presence can show up in unexpected ways—even in things we see as nuisances or setbacks. Is there something in your life right now that feels like a nuisance or setback? How might God be using it for your good? [[01:56:00]]
4. The sermon says, “Let God be God—victory follows alignment, not control.” What is one area where you need to let go of control and trust God’s leadership? How can you take a step of surrender this week? [[01:46:36]]
5. “Holy ground is wherever God’s presence dwells.” How can you practice recognizing and honoring God’s presence in your everyday life—at work, at home, or in difficult situations? [[02:08:03]]
6. When God seems “neutral” or silent in your situation, how do you usually respond? What would it look like to respond with trust and obedience instead? [[01:39:48]]
7. The sermon ended with a reminder that God’s love and victory are assured for those who remain on His side. What is one practical way you can align yourself with God’s will this week, even if you don’t fully understand what He’s doing? [[01:44:46]]