Embracing Second Chances: Obedience, Unity, and Worship

This past week has been a powerful reminder of how God moves in both the big and small moments of our lives. Through our Love Our City outreach, we saw firsthand how a single act of obedience can change a life—like Nick, who we met at the park, and who has now been baptized and is walking with Jesus. The impact of these events goes far beyond what we can see; even when we don’t witness immediate results, God’s presence is shifting the spiritual atmosphere in our community. The stories of new friendships, support for mothers, and the unity of our church family are all evidence of God’s faithfulness and the fruit of simply showing up and carrying His presence.

On a personal note, I shared about my own journey through grief and the weight of unforgiveness. After losing my son Chad, I found myself not only grieving but also carrying bitterness from offenses I hadn’t fully released. During the Culver Beach baptism, God invited me to leave that bitterness in the water. It was a humbling reminder that no matter how long we’ve walked with God, we all have things we need to surrender. The freedom I experienced was so real and visible that God prompted me to share even the most vulnerable parts of my story, trusting that my obedience would encourage others to seek their own freedom.

As we continue our study in Joshua, chapter 8, we see that God is a God of second chances. After the Israelites’ failure at Ai, God didn’t abandon them—He gave them a new strategy and restored their purpose. But this time, they listened, obeyed fully, and moved forward together in unity. Their victory was not just about military success, but about realigning with God’s heart and purpose. Joshua’s response was to build an altar and worship, reminding us that every breakthrough should lead us back to deeper connection with God.

The call for us is clear: don’t let past failures define your future. Seek God’s strategy daily, obey Him completely, pursue unity with others, and always take time to worship and give thanks after every victory. God’s plans for us are good, and He desires to lead us into new seasons of freedom, purpose, and joy.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Grace Gives Us Second Chances No matter how badly we’ve failed or how many times we’ve fallen, God’s heart is to restore, not discard. When we repent, He doesn’t hold grudges—He redeems and invites us to keep moving forward into the promises He has for us. Don’t let shame or discouragement keep you from pursuing what God has planned for your life. [47:05]
• 2. Listen for God’s Unique Strategies God rarely works the same way twice. What worked yesterday may not be His plan for today. We must seek His guidance daily, asking for His wisdom and direction, even in the small things. When we align with His strategy, no obstacle can stand in the way of His purposes. [53:15]
• 3. Full Obedience Brings Freedom Partial obedience is still disobedience. God calls us to trust Him enough to follow every instruction, even when it doesn’t make sense or feels uncomfortable. True freedom and breakthrough come when we surrender our own preferences and obey Him completely, knowing His commands are always for our good. [54:46]
• 4. Unity and Purpose Require Intentional Effort Victory is rarely a solo endeavor. God designed us to need each other, and real community takes work—showing up, forgiving, and investing in relationships even when it’s inconvenient. Isolation is a tool of the enemy, but unity in purpose brings strength, encouragement, and shared victory. [57:33]
• 5. Worship and Gratitude Anchor Us After Breakthrough After every victory, it’s vital to pause, build spiritual “altars,” and give God the credit. Don’t rush past what He’s done—take time to reflect, recommit, and thank Him. True success isn’t just about winning battles, but about deepening our relationship with God and remaining in covenant with Him. [62:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Love Our City Stories & Testimonies
• [05:45] - Community Baby Shower Impact
• [08:30] - Baptism Celebration & Testimonies
• [13:20] - Personal Story: Grief and Obedience
• [20:40] - Leaving Bitterness in the Water
• [28:00] - Vulnerability and Sharing Freedom
• [34:04] - The Weight of Unforgiveness
• [37:38] - God’s Purpose in Our Pain
• [43:36] - Introduction to Joshua 8
• [47:05] - God Gives Second Chances
• [50:06] - The Living Word: Applying Joshua 8
• [53:15] - Listening for God’s Strategy
• [54:46] - The Call to Full Obedience
• [57:33] - Unity and Purpose in Community
• [62:41] - Worship After the Win
• [64:06] - Application and Prayer
• [66:07] - Invitation to Respond and Worship

Bible Reading

Joshua 8 (ESV) — Key verses: Joshua 8:1-8, 30-35

> 1 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land.
> 2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.”
> 3 So Joshua and all the fighting men arose to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out by night.
> 4 And he commanded them, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you remain ready.
> 5 And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them.
> 6 And they will come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city. For they will say, ‘They are fleeing from us, just as before.’ So we will flee before them.
> 7 Then you shall rise up from the ambush and seize the city, for the Lord your God will give it into your hand.
> 8 And as soon as you have taken the city, you shall set the city on fire. You shall do according to the word of the Lord. See, I have commanded you.”
> ...
> 30 At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal,
> ...
> 34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.
> 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them.

Observation Questions

1. What was different about God’s instructions for the battle at Ai compared to the previous battle at Jericho? (Joshua 8:1-8)
2. According to the sermon, what was the main reason the Israelites failed in their first attempt at Ai? [43:36]
3. After the victory at Ai, what did Joshua do before moving on to the next challenge? (Joshua 8:30-35)
4. In the sermon, what did the pastor say she left “in the water” during her baptism, and why was that significant? [34:04]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God gave the Israelites a different strategy for Ai than He did for Jericho? What does this say about how God works in our lives? [53:15]
2. The sermon talked about “full obedience” versus “partial obedience.” Why is partial obedience still considered disobedience, and what are the consequences? [54:46]
3. The pastor shared about carrying grief and bitterness, and how surrendering bitterness brought freedom. What does this teach about the relationship between obedience, surrender, and personal freedom? [34:04]
4. After their victory, Joshua built an altar and led the people in worship and reading the law. Why is it important to pause and give thanks after a breakthrough, instead of just moving on? [01:02:41]

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that God is a God of second chances. Is there an area in your life where you feel like you’ve failed and need to receive God’s grace for a fresh start? What would it look like to accept that second chance? [47:05]
2. The Israelites’ first failure at Ai was partly because they didn’t seek God’s strategy. Are there areas in your life where you tend to “just do it your way” without asking God for direction? What’s one practical step you could take this week to seek God’s guidance? [53:15]
3. The pastor shared about leaving bitterness and unforgiveness “in the water.” Is there any bitterness, offense, or unforgiveness you’re carrying that you need to surrender to God? What’s holding you back from letting it go? [34:04]
4. Full obedience was a key theme. Can you think of a recent time when you obeyed God partially, but not fully? What kept you from full obedience, and what could help you trust God more next time? [54:46]
5. The sermon talked about the importance of unity and intentional relationships in the church. Are you investing in Christian community, or have you been isolating yourself? What’s one step you could take to build or strengthen relationships this month? [57:33]
6. After a victory or breakthrough, Joshua built an altar and worshiped. How do you usually respond after God answers a prayer or brings a breakthrough? What could you do to intentionally pause, give thanks, and “build an altar” in your own way? [01:02:41]
7. The pastor mentioned that even as a leader, she needed to be vulnerable and share her struggles. Is there a part of your story or a struggle you’ve been hiding that God might want to use to encourage someone else? What would it look like to share that in obedience? [37:38]