Divine Strategy: Winning Through Faith and Submission
Summary
In today's session, we explored the profound concept that "losing is winning" by examining the story of Joshua and the battle of Ai. Joshua, having faced defeat previously, is now equipped with a divine strategy from God that requires him to pretend to lose in order to win. This counterintuitive plan involves setting an ambush and retreating, which seems contrary to human instinct. However, it underscores a critical spiritual lesson: true victory often requires us to step back and submit to God's will rather than relying on our own strength and understanding.
Joshua's story teaches us that God's ways are not our ways. His plans often defy our natural inclinations, calling us to act in faith rather than by sight or feeling. Joshua's obedience to God's unconventional plan demonstrates the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, even when they seem confusing or counterproductive. By pretending to be defeated, Joshua creates the necessary space for God's ambush to succeed, leading to a decisive victory.
This narrative parallels the life of Jesus, who exemplified ultimate submission to God's will. Despite facing humiliation and death, Jesus trusted in God's plan, resulting in His resurrection and victory over sin and death. This teaches us that our perceived losses can lead to greater victories when we align ourselves with God's purposes.
The challenge for us is to relinquish control and allow God to fight our battles. We must resist the urge to act on our instincts and instead operate by faith, trusting that God has already secured our victory. By stepping back, we create space for God's power to manifest in our lives, leading to true and lasting triumph.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith Over Instinct: Joshua's story illustrates the importance of acting in faith rather than relying on our instincts. God's plan often requires us to take a step back, creating space for His power to work in our lives. This teaches us to trust in God's wisdom, even when it contradicts our natural inclinations. [02:51]
2. God's Unconventional Plans: God's strategies may seem counterintuitive, as seen in Joshua's ambush plan. This reminds us that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and His plans often lead to unexpected victories. We must be willing to embrace His unconventional methods to experience true success. [03:14]
3. The Power of Submission: Jesus' submission to God's will, even unto death, resulted in the ultimate victory over sin and death. This demonstrates that true strength lies in surrendering to God's plan, trusting that He will bring about a greater good through our obedience. [09:02]
4. Creating Space for God: By stepping back and allowing God to take control, we create a vacancy for His power to operate. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of our pride and ego, trusting that God's ambush will lead to victory. [12:51]
5. Victory Through Vulnerability: Joshua's willingness to appear vulnerable by pretending to lose highlights the importance of vulnerability in our spiritual journey. When we are open to God's word and direction, we position ourselves to receive His victory, even if it means appearing weak in the eyes of the world. [14:33]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to "Losing is Winning"
- [00:31] - Joshua's New Plan from God
- [00:42] - Pretenders are Winners
- [01:15] - God's Plan for Joshua
- [02:03] - Setting the Ambush
- [02:39] - Operating by Faith, Not Feelings
- [03:14] - God's Ways vs. Our Ways
- [04:02] - The Importance of Stepping Back
- [05:12] - Confusion and Devotion
- [06:31] - Living by Faith
- [07:16] - God's Ambush and Our Victory
- [09:02] - Jesus' Example of Submission
- [10:26] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
- [12:21] - Taking a Step Back for Victory
- [14:33] - Pretending to Lose, Knowing You'll Win
- [20:57] - Perception vs. Reception of Victory
- [25:39] - The Option to Pitch the Ball
- [26:36] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 8:15
- Galatians 2:20
- Matthew 16:25
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific strategy did God give Joshua for the battle of Ai, and how did it differ from Joshua's previous approach? [01:26]
2. How does Joshua 8:15 illustrate the concept of "pretending to lose" in order to win? [00:55]
3. What role does faith play in Joshua's decision to follow God's unconventional plan? [02:39]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between operating by faith and operating by feelings? [04:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Joshua and the battle of Ai challenge our natural instincts when facing challenges? [03:14]
2. In what ways does Jesus' submission to God's will, as described in the sermon, serve as a model for us in our spiritual battles? [09:02]
3. How can the concept of "creating space for God" be applied to our personal lives, according to the sermon? [12:51]
4. What does it mean to experience "victory through vulnerability," and how can this be seen in both Joshua's and Jesus' stories? [14:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation where you relied on your instincts rather than faith. How might the outcome have been different if you had stepped back and trusted in God's plan? [04:14]
2. Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the lesson of "pretending to lose" to create space for God's power to work in your life? [20:42]
3. Jesus' submission to God's will led to ultimate victory. What is one area in your life where you need to submit to God's will, even if it seems counterintuitive? [09:02]
4. Identify a moment when you felt vulnerable in your faith journey. How did that vulnerability lead to growth or victory? [14:33]
5. How can you practice stepping back in your daily life to allow God to take control? What practical steps can you take this week to create space for God's ambush? [12:51]
6. Think of a time when you were more concerned with the perception of victory rather than the actual reception of it. How can you shift your focus to prioritize true victory in Christ? [21:59]
7. Reflect on the idea of "fighting from victory, not for victory." How does this perspective change the way you approach your spiritual battles? [19:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Over Instinct
Acting in faith often requires us to go against our natural instincts. Joshua's story at the battle of Ai illustrates this truth. God instructed Joshua to pretend to retreat, a strategy that seemed counterintuitive and risky. Yet, Joshua's obedience to this divine plan led to a significant victory. This teaches us that God's wisdom surpasses our understanding, and His plans may defy our logic. By choosing faith over instinct, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing God's power in unexpected ways. [02:51]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a situation where your instincts are telling you one thing, but you feel God is leading you in a different direction. How can you choose to act in faith today?
Day 2: Embracing God's Unconventional Plans
God's strategies often appear unconventional and counterintuitive. In the battle of Ai, Joshua was instructed to set an ambush by pretending to lose. This plan seemed illogical, yet it was precisely what led to victory. This narrative reminds us that God's ways are higher than ours, and His plans can lead to unexpected triumphs. Embracing God's unconventional methods requires us to trust in His wisdom and be open to His guidance, even when it challenges our understanding. [03:14]
1 Corinthians 1:27 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are resisting God's unconventional plan? How can you embrace His guidance, even if it seems counterintuitive?
Day 3: The Power of Submission
True strength lies in surrendering to God's will. Jesus exemplified this through His submission to God's plan, even unto death. His obedience resulted in the ultimate victory over sin and death. This teaches us that submission to God's will, though it may seem like a loss, can lead to greater victories. By trusting in God's plan, we allow Him to work through our obedience, bringing about a greater good. [09:02]
Hebrews 5:8-9 (ESV): "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to submit to God's will? How can you practice surrendering this area to Him today?
Day 4: Creating Space for God
By stepping back and allowing God to take control, we create space for His power to manifest in our lives. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of our pride and ego. Joshua's willingness to retreat created the necessary space for God's ambush to succeed. Similarly, when we step back, we allow God to work in ways that lead to true and lasting triumph. [12:51]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Reflection: In what ways can you step back and create space for God to work in your life today? What might you need to let go of to allow His power to manifest?
Day 5: Victory Through Vulnerability
Joshua's willingness to appear vulnerable by pretending to lose highlights the importance of vulnerability in our spiritual journey. When we are open to God's word and direction, we position ourselves to receive His victory, even if it means appearing weak in the eyes of the world. Vulnerability allows us to rely on God's strength rather than our own, leading to true victory. [14:33]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: How can you embrace vulnerability in your spiritual journey today? What steps can you take to rely more on God's strength rather than your own?
Quotes
"Joshua now has a new plan from God. Joshua now is in the position to win. Joshua now has the opportunity to experience victory where he formerly experienced defeat. And so today what I want to talk to you about is pretenders are winners. Pretenders are winners, and I know you're thinking, wait, how in the world are pretenders or winners, and where are you seeing that?" [00:00:27]
"Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled by way of the wilderness. I just want to talk about this one verse, simple verse, simple concept, but I think it has huge implications in our faith and how we overcome our battles and the things that we're going through." [00:00:55]
"God now has given him the plan. In the previous chapter, Joshua gave himself a plan, and he got defeated. But now God has given Joshua a plan, and it calls for Joshua to pretend to lose. His plan calls for Joshua to not be a warrior but to be a runner." [00:01:78]
"God's plan would ask Joshua not to operate on instinct but be spiritually responsible. God would tell Joshua again not to be a warrior, but this time I'mma need you to be a runner because I have something set up on the west side of this circumstance. I have something set up and ambush on the west side of this situation." [00:03:40]
"Joshua has learned his lesson. Joshua has understanding now. You know what? I tried to be a warrior on my own, but right now I'm going to do what God says and be a runner because I want to experience his plan, even though his plan is confusing to me, even though his plan is not natural to me." [00:04:94]
"God is telling Joshua, I'm not interested in you being a warrior. I'm interested in you being a runner. I'm interested in you taking a step back so that what I have for you can take a step forward. I have an ambush waiting for you. I have an ambush on the west side of your circumstance that your circumstance is unaware of." [00:07:13]
"Joshua pretended to be beaten. How is he pretending to be beaten? How is he actually pretending to lose? Simple. He knows he's going to win. You can only pretend to lose if you know you're going to win. You're only pretending if you know the opposite is going to take place." [00:14:78]
"Joshua was not concerned with his perception of victory. Joshua was more concerned with the reception of victory. Joshua was not concerned with the perception of victory. Joshua was concerned with the reception of victory, and we have a lot of Christians today, a lot of people today, in the day of social media and me, myself, and I." [00:20:53]
"Joshua pretended to be defeated. He wasn't worried about the perception. He was worried about the victory, and that's exactly what he was going to get. Finally, my friend Jeremy, Jeremy Hurd, who goes to OCBF here locally, listen, he is the greatest high school quarterback of all time." [00:23:23]
"Joshua pretended to be beaten, and the only way he can pretend is because he knew the opposite was true. It was easy for Joshua to express faith because he knew he was going to win. Thus, it should be a lot easier for you and I to express faith because we know we're going to win." [00:25:17]
"Joshua has to do the total opposite in this current chapter that he did in the previous chapter. God says, I do not want you to be instinctive. I want you to be obedient. I don't want you to operate on the field because you tried that in the last chapter. I want you to operate on faith." [00:05:48]
"Joshua's story teaches us that God's ways are not our ways. His plans often defy our natural inclinations, calling us to act in faith rather than by sight or feeling. Joshua's obedience to God's unconventional plan demonstrates the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, even when they seem confusing or counterproductive." [00:00:00]
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