Covenant Crossing | Pastor Mason Phillips | January 4, 2026

Change is possible because God is faithful, but entering into what God has promised requires more than desire—it requires covenant obedience, consecration, and faith. Drawing from Israel’s crossing of the Jordan, the call is clear: God did not bring people out just to leave them in limbo; He brought them out to bring them in. Before stepping into inheritance, Israel had to renew covenant, cut away what was unclean, and trust God’s provision in a new way. The passage highlights three movements: reaffirm the covenant (Passover and circumcision), remove reproach (Gilgal—shame rolled away), and rely on God by faith (the manna ceased, requiring trust beyond visible signs).

Change does not come by wishful thinking. Patterns shaped by the flesh—uncircumcised lips, ears, hearts, and works—blunt spiritual sensitivity and block blessing. Words that grumble, ears that feed on unholy noise, hearts attached to rival loves, and fruit that grows without sanctification all keep a person living in cycles instead of promise. God’s promises are gracious, yet covenantal; Scripture consistently carries an “if/then” pattern. Relationship, not proximity, brings access. As the sons of Sceva learned, spiritual authority cannot be borrowed; it flows from union with Christ.

Gilgal means “to roll,” and God promised to roll away the reproach of Egypt—shame that lingers from world-shaped living. The mark God chose for Israel’s covenant is a sober reminder that disordered desire often drives the deepest compromise. Yet the gospel answers with a deeper circumcision: of the heart, by the Spirit. Confession, cutting off access points, and practical restraint are not legalism; they are love’s guardrails so that shame loses its voice and communion with God is restored.

Finally, faith means trusting God when obedience makes life feel more vulnerable. Israel circumcised on enemy soil and lost daily manna the moment they tasted Canaan’s produce. God changed His method, not His heart. He withdrew a constant sign so that dependence might mature. Not by might, not by habit, not by formulas—but by His Spirit. The invitation for the year is to evaluate life honestly—time, money, commitments—and choose God above all. Reaffirm covenant, remove reproach, and rely on God in faith. He who brought out will bring in.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Covenant precedes conquest and blessing. Desire alone cannot deliver what only covenant grants. Access, authority, and provision flow from belonging to God on His terms, not merely admiring Him from a distance. Renewed devotion to Christ—sealed by obedience—positions a life to receive what God already intends to give. Relationship first, inheritance next. [24:03]
• 2. Cut away what numbs the soul. Uncircumcised lips, ears, hearts, and works dull spiritual hearing and tether affections to lesser loves. What we say, hear, cherish, and produce either strengthens holiness or feeds drift. Consecration is not restraint for restraint’s sake; it is pruning for fruitfulness and freedom. [15:02]
• 3. Let God roll away your shame. Gilgal is God’s declaration that the reproach of Egypt no longer defines His people. Shame’s voice loses power when sin is confessed and the heart is cleansed. Holiness becomes possible because God removes condemnation and restores confidence before Him. [31:44]
• 4. Obedience may feel vulnerable—trust Him. God asked Israel to embrace painful obedience on hostile ground; He sometimes weakens visible advantages to anchor faith in His strength. The cross-shaped path sacrifices immediate safety for lasting victory. Not by might, not by familiarity, but by His Spirit. [41:54]
• 5. When manna ceases, faith matures. Early signs of provision often give way to quieter faithfulness in new seasons. God changes methods, not His heart; He invites trust without daily proofs. Loss of the familiar can be the doorway to abundance—if dependence remains fixed on Him. [42:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:25] - Scripture reading: Jordan to Gilgal
• [03:35] - Prayer for the year
• [04:16] - Resolutions and real change
• [07:50] - Barriers to God’s promises
• [09:40] - From out of Egypt into inheritance
• [13:38] - Uncircumcised lips, ears, hearts
• [18:53] - Uncircumcised fruit and conditions
• [24:03] - Reaffirm the covenant: Passover
• [27:15] - Relationship precedes authority
• [31:44] - Gilgal: reproach rolled away
• [38:10] - Manna ceased: faith dependence
• [41:54] - Not by might, but Spirit
• [46:48] - Call to wholehearted devotion
• [50:45] - Prayer and response

1. In Joshua 5:1, how did the Amorite and Canaanite kings respond when they heard what God did at the Jordan? What does that set up for Israel as they enter the land?
2. What did God command Joshua to do “at that time,” and why was that command necessary before moving forward? See Joshua 5:2-7; notice the reason given in verses 4-7.
3. What happens in quick sequence in Joshua 5:10-12 (Passover, eating the produce, manna ceasing)? What does the timing highlight?
4. Why was the place named Gilgal (Joshua 5:9)? What does “rolled away the reproach of Egypt” point to?

1. “God brought you out to bring you in.” How does this shape the way someone understands salvation and purpose—deliverance and inheritance together, not just escape from the past? [09:40]
2. Why would God ask Israel to be circumcised on enemy soil? What does this teach about God sometimes removing visible advantages so faith rests in His strength, not ours? [39:21]
3. What does it mean that God “rolled away the reproach (shame) of Egypt” at Gilgal, and how does the Spirit’s “circumcision of the heart” change how a believer relates to shame and holiness? [31:44]
4. What does the manna stopping the day after eating Canaan’s produce teach about God’s methods versus His heart? Why might God withdraw daily signs in order to mature trust? [42:37]

1. Covenant precedes conquest. “If you love me, you obey my commandments.” Where is one specific place you need to obey Jesus now—not later—to walk in what God intends? Name the step and when you’ll take it. [22:59]
2. Cut away what numbs the soul. Which area needs “circumcision” this week—lips (how you speak), ears (what you take in), heart (what you love), or fruit (what you produce)? Identify one practical guardrail you will set (for example, using a phone “brick,” changing playlists, unfollowing accounts, new media limits). [36:13]
3. Remove reproach. Shame from “Egypt” still whispers to many. What is one shame-script you keep hearing? What confession or accountability step will you take so that shame loses its voice and you can walk clean? [32:23]
4. Obedience may feel vulnerable. Where do you sense God asking for a costly step that seems to weaken your position (career, relationship, schedule, finances)? What scares you about it, and how will you lean into “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit”? [41:54]
5. When manna ceases, faith matures. Where has God stopped doing something the “old way” in your life (less frequent signs, a change in provision, a new season)? What new rhythms of trust will you practice in response (prayer plan, budgeting, Sabbath, generosity)? [43:29]
6. Whole-life audit. Take a hard look at time and money. What do your calendar and bank statement say you love most? Choose one change for the next 30 days that puts God first in a measurable way. Share it with the group. [47:32]
7. Faith works. Pick one faith-step that requires action this week—serving, reconciling, giving, seeking help, sharing Jesus with a friend. What will you do by when, and who will check in with you? [50:00]