Faithful Obedience: Embracing God's Call in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the presence of Jesus in the Old Testament, particularly through the story of Joshua and Caleb. These two men exemplify what it means to respond to God's call with courage and obedience. We often profess Jesus as our Lord but fail to live out His commands, focusing instead on our own lives. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, baptize, and teach obedience to Jesus' commands, transforming our ordinary lives into extraordinary ones through faith.
We revisited Israel's journey, focusing on their transition from the desert to the Promised Land. After 40 years of wandering due to their initial disobedience, only Joshua and Caleb remained from the original generation. God appointed Joshua to lead the new generation into Canaan, emphasizing the need for strength, courage, and faith. The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the memorial stones at Gilgal served as reminders of God's faithfulness and power.
God provided five faith-building reminders to Israel at Gilgal, which are equally relevant to us today: He identifies, forgives, saves, sustains, and is with His people. These reminders are rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham and are essential for spiritual battles. The story of Rahab illustrates the importance of faith and obedience, showing that God grants faith to His chosen ones.
The encounter between Joshua and the commander of the Lord's army, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, underscores that God is in command and with His people. This divine presence is the key to sustaining our faith and overcoming our spiritual battles. Joshua's response of worship and obedience serves as a model for us. We are called to worship God not just on Sundays but in our everyday lives, living in His presence and following His commands.
### Key Takeaways
1. Obedience to God's Call: Joshua and Caleb exemplify the courage and obedience required to follow God's call. We often profess Jesus as our Lord but fail to live out His commands, focusing on our own lives instead. True discipleship involves making disciples, baptizing, and teaching obedience to Jesus' commands, transforming our ordinary lives into extraordinary ones through faith. [00:58]
2. Faith as the Core of Our Relationship with God: Faith is the mechanism through which we interact with God. It needs to be built, strengthened, and exercised. The memorial stones at Gilgal remind us that faith is the assurance of what is unseen, and it is essential for overcoming our spiritual battles. [05:34]
3. God's Faithfulness and Promises: The five faith-building reminders at Gilgal—God identifies, forgives, saves, sustains, and is with His people—are rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham. These reminders are essential for spiritual battles and show that God always fulfills His promises. [07:01]
4. The Importance of Worship and Obedience: Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, underscores the importance of worship and obedience. We are called to worship God not just on Sundays but in our everyday lives, living in His presence and following His commands. [23:52]
5. Living in God's Presence: The divine presence of God is the key to sustaining our faith and overcoming our spiritual battles. Joshua's response of worship and obedience serves as a model for us. We must realize that we stand in God's presence and respond with worship and obedience, living out our faith daily. [25:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - Finding Jesus in the Old Testament
[01:38] - The Great Commission
[02:18] - Transforming Ordinary Lives
[02:57] - Israel's Journey Recap
[03:34] - The Fear of the Anakites
[04:11] - Crossing the Jordan River
[04:48] - Memorial Stones at Gilgal
[05:34] - Faith as the Core
[06:14] - Building and Strengthening Faith
[07:01] - Five Faith-Building Reminders
[07:36] - The Fear of the Canaanites
[08:30] - Responding to Fear with Faith
[09:52] - Spiritual Battles
[11:27] - Circumcision as a Covenant Sign
[12:56] - Neglecting the Covenant
[14:26] - Baptism as a New Covenant Sign
[15:50] - The Reproach of Egypt
[17:20] - The Importance of Words
[18:46] - The Passover Reminder
[20:24] - God Sustains His People
[22:19] - The Commander of the Lord's Army
[23:52] - God is with His People
[25:20] - Worship and Obedience
[26:54] - Faith in Spiritual Battles
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 5:13-15 (ESV): "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?' 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?' 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."
2. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
3. Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What was Joshua's initial reaction when he encountered the commander of the Lord's army, and what did the commander instruct him to do? ([22:19])
2. According to the sermon, what are the five faith-building reminders that God provided to Israel at Gilgal? ([07:01])
3. How did the memorial stones at Gilgal serve as a reminder to Israel, and what did they symbolize? ([04:48])
4. What was the significance of the Passover celebration for Israel, and how does it relate to the concept of salvation? ([18:46])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army illustrate the importance of recognizing God's presence in our lives? ([22:19])
2. In what ways do the five faith-building reminders at Gilgal apply to our spiritual battles today? ([07:01])
3. How does the story of Rahab demonstrate the relationship between faith and obedience? ([05:34])
4. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 teach us about the role of obedience in our faith journey? ([01:38])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a challenging situation. How did it impact your faith and actions? ([22:19])
2. Which of the five faith-building reminders (God identifies, forgives, saves, sustains, and is with His people) do you find most challenging to remember in your daily life? Why? ([07:01])
3. How can you incorporate the practice of setting up "memorial stones" in your life to remind you of God's faithfulness? ([04:48])
4. In what ways can you actively participate in the Great Commission by making disciples, baptizing, and teaching others to obey Jesus' commands? ([01:38])
5. How can you ensure that your worship of God extends beyond Sundays and into your everyday life? ([23:52])
6. Identify a "giant" or significant challenge in your life. How can you apply the lessons from Joshua and Caleb's faith and courage to face this challenge? ([03:34])
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to exercise more faith. What steps can you take this week to strengthen and build your faith in that area? ([06:14])
Devotional
Day 1: Courageous Obedience to God's Call
Joshua and Caleb exemplify the courage and obedience required to follow God's call. They stood firm in their faith, even when the majority of Israel doubted and feared. This kind of obedience is not just about professing Jesus as Lord but living out His commands in our daily lives. True discipleship involves making disciples, baptizing, and teaching obedience to Jesus' commands, transforming our ordinary lives into extraordinary ones through faith. Reflecting on their story, we are reminded that our faith must be active and courageous, especially when faced with challenges.
[00:58]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have felt God calling you to act courageously. How can you step out in faith and obedience today, trusting that God is with you?
Day 2: Faith as the Core of Our Relationship with God
Faith is the mechanism through which we interact with God. It needs to be built, strengthened, and exercised. The memorial stones at Gilgal remind us that faith is the assurance of what is unseen, and it is essential for overcoming our spiritual battles. These stones served as a physical reminder of God's faithfulness and power, encouraging Israel to trust in Him. Similarly, we need to build and strengthen our faith through regular reminders of God's past faithfulness and His promises for the future.
[05:34]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: What are some "memorial stones" in your life that remind you of God's faithfulness? How can you use these reminders to strengthen your faith in current challenges?
Day 3: God's Faithfulness and Promises
The five faith-building reminders at Gilgal—God identifies, forgives, saves, sustains, and is with His people—are rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham. These reminders are essential for spiritual battles and show that God always fulfills His promises. Understanding these aspects of God's character helps us to trust Him more deeply and rely on His faithfulness in every situation. As we face our own spiritual battles, we can be assured that God is with us, sustaining us and fulfilling His promises.
[07:01]
Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV): "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How has God shown His faithfulness to you in the past, and how does that encourage you to trust Him now?
Day 4: The Importance of Worship and Obedience
Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, underscores the importance of worship and obedience. We are called to worship God not just on Sundays but in our everyday lives, living in His presence and following His commands. This encounter reminds us that God is in command and with His people, and our response should be one of worship and obedience. Joshua's immediate response of worship and obedience serves as a model for us to follow in our daily lives.
[23:52]
Joshua 5:14 (ESV): "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?'"
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship and obedience into your daily routine, beyond just attending church services? What specific steps can you take to live in God's presence throughout the week?
Day 5: Living in God's Presence
The divine presence of God is the key to sustaining our faith and overcoming our spiritual battles. Joshua's response of worship and obedience serves as a model for us. We must realize that we stand in God's presence and respond with worship and obedience, living out our faith daily. This awareness of God's presence transforms our ordinary lives into extraordinary ones, as we rely on His strength and guidance in every situation.
[25:20]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily life? How can this awareness change the way you approach your daily tasks and challenges?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We are called to be about the business of the kingdom every single day of the week. And that's why we focus so often on these marching orders that we have, this great commission that we've received. It's how our faith unfolds. It's always in the middle voice, where things start and end with God." [01:38] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Faith is the very core. It's the most precious thing we have for those who've been born again. And to a new life in Christ, because it is the core of our relationship with God. It's the mechanism through which we interact with Him. It needs to be built, it needs to be strengthened, and then it needs to be exercised." [06:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The key to battling giants isn't physical strength. It's spiritual strength. It's good courage. It's faith. It's why we don't try to do everything on our own, and it's also why we don't just sit there. Faith unfolds in the middle voice. It's why we are to stand strong in the Lord and then each day put on that whole armor of God." [09:52] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you've been born again into a new life in Christ, then God is with you too, always. So that's the situation Israel finds themselves in, as God uses this time in Gilgal to bolster Israel's faith through these five reminders. And they're all related to the covenant God made some 400 years prior with Abraham." [10:57] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So as God bolsters Israel's faith at Gilgal, and as he builds our faith today, he starts by identifying his people. So if you've been born again into a new life in Christ, and you've passed through those baptismal waters, then you too have that mark. You are identified as a child of God." [14:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It's why in addition to the 12 stones that the 12 men carried to Gilgal, Joshua also set up a memorial right there in the riverbed, using 12 stones, and that was a reminder that faith is the assurance of what is unseen. You can't see the rocks when the water comes back down, but they are there. So it's a belief in God's promise, and then a behavior in step with that belief, just like Rahab showed us." [05:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So God has this next generation of Israel circumcised, and in so doing, he identifies them as his own, just as he had promised centuries before. They were now ceremoniously named as God's children in fulfillment of this covenant. Of course, on this side, under the new covenant, we also have a sign that marks us. That's what we celebrate with water baptism. It identifies someone as a child of God." [13:56] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So the day God circumcised this new generation is the day he rolled away the reproach of Egypt. It's the day when God forgave the nation of Israel for scorning him. And remember, this generation that had just been circumcised, they weren't the ones who had grumbled. So it shows us once again how the sins of our fathers could impact a nation for generations." [15:50] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So celebrating the Passover was a reminder to Israel that God saves his people. He rescues them from the bondage of their sin. And as we know, salvation is by grace through faith, which is why God reminds of this truth. Just like circumcision was a sign of the Abraham covenant, and baptism is a sign of the New Covenant, we also have a continual reminder of our salvation through this Passover, whenever we receive communion together." [18:46] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So it's very important, as we read through Scripture like this, that we recognize who this man is, the commander of the army of the Lord. At first glance, it's very easy to conclude that it's maybe an angel, an archangel of sorts. But that isn't in keeping with how we see angels appear in Scripture. For example, typically, when someone comes in contact with a heavenly host, they immediately drop to their knees. And if it's an angel, the angel usually says, get up, I'm just an angel." [22:19] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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