Faithful Obedience: Overcoming Our Jericho Walls
Summary
Today, I began by inviting the congregation to stand for the reading of the Lord's Word, expressing my excitement to delve into Hebrews 11:31, focusing on the faith that brought down the walls of Jericho. I shared a personal anecdote about my past experience with running, including completing a 5K every month and participating in a Tough Mudder event, which led to a vow never to run again. However, I mentioned a stirring within me to possibly reconsider this stance, inspired by World Vision's presence and recalling my grandparents' practice of saving money with each meal to support the organization.
I then transitioned to the heart of the message, emphasizing that we all face our "Jericho walls," which can manifest as health issues, financial struggles, relationship problems, or even addictions. I stressed the importance of seeking God's guidance and serving Him, even if it appears foolish to others. I highlighted the necessity of sticking to God's instructions, as obedience leads to victory.
I recounted the story of Joshua, who faced his Jericho by seeking God's guidance. I drew parallels between Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army, a theophany, and Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. I emphasized that when facing our Jerichos, we must seek God's guidance and serve Him, even if it seems absurd to the world. I pointed out that God's strategies often appear foolish, but they are designed to bring about His will.
I further explained that God instructed Joshua to have his army march around Jericho, led by priests with ram's horns, without attacking the city conventionally. This strategy seemed foolish, but God wanted to demonstrate that victory comes from obedience to His commands, not human effort. I warned against the influence of negative and critical people, as their attitudes can spread and discourage others from following God's guidance.
I concluded by celebrating the moment when the Israelites obeyed God's command to shout, and the walls of Jericho fell without their direct intervention, drawing a parallel to how God gives us salvation without our work. I invited those who wished to begin a relationship with Jesus to come forward, leading the congregation in a prayer of salvation and emphasizing the simplicity of the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
1. Facing our Jerichos requires seeking God's guidance above all else. Just as Joshua sought the Lord's direction before the battle of Jericho, we must prioritize divine wisdom over human counsel. This principle is crucial for navigating life's challenges and ensuring that our actions align with God's will. ([01:07:37])
2. Serving God may appear foolish to the world, but it is in these acts of faith that we demonstrate our trust in Him. The Israelites' march around Jericho, following priests with ram's horns, was a display of obedience over conventional wisdom. Our commitment to God's commands, even when misunderstood by others, is a testament to our faith. ([01:16:49])
3. Obedience to God's instructions is essential for victory. The Israelites' success at Jericho was not due to their military prowess but their adherence to God's specific commands. Similarly, our triumphs in life are often not a result of our efforts but our willingness to follow God's guidance. ([01:29:37])
4. The influence of negativity can be detrimental to our faith journey. Just as God instructed the Israelites not to speak during their march to prevent the spread of doubt, we must be mindful of the company we keep and the voices we allow to speak into our lives. Surrounding ourselves with encouragers is vital for maintaining a positive and obedient spirit. ([01:21:51])
5. Salvation is a gift from God that requires no work on our part, much like the walls of Jericho falling without the Israelites' direct action. This gift is freely given through Jesus Christ, and by accepting Him, we can experience the fullness of God's grace and the power to face our own Jerichos. ([01:32:14])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 11:31 (ESV): "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days."
- Joshua 6:1-5 (ESV): "Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give Joshua regarding the battle of Jericho? (Joshua 6:1-5)
2. How did the Israelites demonstrate their faith during the siege of Jericho? (Hebrews 11:31)
3. What was the significance of the priests blowing the ram's horns during the march around Jericho? (Joshua 6:4)
4. According to the sermon, why did God instruct the Israelites not to speak during their march around Jericho? [01:20:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is seeking God's guidance essential when facing life's challenges, according to the sermon? [01:07:37]
2. How does the story of Jericho illustrate the concept that obedience to God can sometimes appear foolish to the world? [01:16:49]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the impact of negative and critical people on our faith journey? [01:21:51]
4. How does the falling of Jericho's walls without the Israelites' direct action relate to the concept of salvation as a gift from God? [01:32:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge or "Jericho" in your life. How did you seek God's guidance during that time? What was the outcome? [01:07:37]
2. Have you ever felt that following God's instructions made you look foolish to others? How did you handle that situation, and what was the result? [01:16:49]
3. Think about the people you surround yourself with. Are there any negative or critical influences that you need to distance yourself from to maintain a positive and obedient spirit? [01:21:51]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate obedience to God's instructions in your daily life, even when it seems unconventional or difficult?
5. How can you remind yourself of the importance of faith and obedience when facing new challenges? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith?
6. Reflect on the concept of salvation as a gift from God. How does this understanding impact your relationship with Jesus and your approach to life's challenges? [01:32:14]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to trust and obey God's guidance more fully. What steps will you take this week to act on that trust and obedience?
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Wisdom Over Human Counsel
In the journey of faith, one is often confronted with the towering walls of personal Jericho, be it in the form of health, financial, relational, or addictive struggles. These walls seem insurmountable, and the human mind tends to rely on its own understanding and strategies to overcome them. However, the path to victory is not carved by human wisdom but by seeking and adhering to divine guidance. Just as Joshua sought the Lord before the battle of Jericho, individuals are called to prioritize God's wisdom, which may not always align with conventional human strategies but leads to triumphs that resonate with the power of the Almighty.
The pursuit of God's guidance requires humility and the willingness to sometimes embrace what may appear foolish in the eyes of the world. It is a journey that demands faith and trust in the Lord's plan, even when it defies human logic. By doing so, one aligns with the divine blueprint for success, which transcends human limitations and paves the way for miraculous outcomes. [07:37]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one decision or challenge you are currently facing where you can seek God's guidance instead of relying solely on your own understanding or the advice of others?
Day 2: Obedience Over Conventional Wisdom
The biblical account of the Israelites' march around Jericho, led by priests with ram's horns, serves as a profound example of obedience over conventional wisdom. This act of faith, which seemed absurd to onlookers, was a testament to their trust in God's command. In contemporary times, believers are similarly called to demonstrate their faith through actions that may not align with the world's expectations. It is in these moments of apparent foolishness that one's trust in God is most vividly displayed.
Obedience to God's commands can be challenging, especially when it contradicts societal norms or personal desires. However, it is through such obedience that God's power is unleashed, leading to victories that cannot be attributed to human effort. The march around Jericho reminds believers that their commitment to God's instructions is a powerful expression of faith, one that can lead to the crumbling of their own metaphorical walls. [16:49]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (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; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where God is calling you to obedience that may seem foolish in the eyes of the world? How can you commit to following through with that obedience?
Day 3: Victory Through Divine Strategy
The walls of Jericho did not fall by the might of the Israelites' weapons but by their adherence to a divine strategy that defied conventional military tactics. This narrative illustrates that true victory often comes not from human effort but from following God's specific instructions. In life's battles, whether they be personal, professional, or spiritual, the key to success lies not in the strength or intelligence of an individual but in their willingness to obey God's guidance.
This principle of victory through divine strategy encourages believers to look beyond their capabilities and to trust in God's plan. It is a reminder that God's ways are higher than human ways and that by aligning with His commands, one can experience triumphs that are beyond human comprehension. The fall of Jericho serves as an enduring testament to the power of obedience to God's will. [29:37]
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: Reflect on a past situation where following God's guidance led to an unexpected victory. How can this experience encourage you to trust in His strategy for current challenges?
Day 4: Guarding Against Negativity
The Israelites' silent march around Jericho was not only a physical act of obedience but also a spiritual guard against negativity and doubt. In the same way, believers today must be vigilant in protecting their faith journey from the influence of negative and critical voices. These voices can spread doubt and discourage obedience to God's guidance, much like a small crack can weaken the integrity of a wall.
It is essential to surround oneself with encouragers—people who speak life and faith into one's circumstances. By doing so, one creates an environment conducive to positive spiritual growth and obedience. The silent march is a powerful metaphor for the importance of selective hearing, ensuring that the voices that have access to one's heart are aligned with God's truth and encouragement. [21:51]
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Reflection: Who are the voices of negativity in your life, and how can you proactively guard your heart against them? What steps can you take to surround yourself with encouragers?
Day 5: Salvation as God's Gift
The miraculous fall of the walls of Jericho without the Israelites' direct intervention is a powerful symbol of salvation, which is a gift from God that requires no work on our part. This gift, freely given through Jesus Christ, is the ultimate demonstration of God's grace. It is a reminder that the most significant victory—over sin and death—has been won not by human effort but by divine action.
Accepting Jesus and the salvation He offers is the first step in experiencing the fullness of God's grace. It is the foundation upon which believers can face their own Jerichos with confidence, knowing that the power of God is with them. The story of Jericho encourages believers to embrace the simplicity of the gospel and to trust in the saving work of Christ for their eternal victory. [32:14]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: How does understanding salvation as a gift from God change the way you approach your relationship with Him and with others? How can you live out the truth of this gift in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "There will be times that we all going to face our Jericho walls, and these walls are going to seem like they are impossible to overcome... Your Jericho wall may be a problem with your health... finances... relationship... even an addiction. That's a Jericho wall in your life." [01:26:22]
2. "Facing your Jericho walls it requires you to seek God's guidance and it requires you to serve God even if you look foolish... God gives victory to his obedient people... the Bible is right if you are willing and obedient... the ultimate result of worship is obedience." [01:29:37]
3. "I believe God that as we begin to obey your voice you'll make every crooked place straight you'll bring every high place low... we will see the goodness of God in the land of the living." [01:31:22]
4. "You have to seek God's guidance. When facing your Jericho, you have to seek God's guidance... Blessed is the man who walks not on the counsel of the ungodly. We need to be sure that we are seeking guidance from God." [01:07:37]
5. "God did not want them talking to each other because he knew that a few negative people, a few complaining people could discourage the entire group... To face our Jerichos in the way that pleases God, we got to stay away from negative and critical people." [01:21:51]
6. "God often requires us to do things that seem foolish to the world... God's plan for Joshua must have seemed strange... God often requires us to do things that seem foolish to the world... God was planning to destroy the walls of Jericho so that the Israelites could defeat the city without any work on their part." [01:16:49]
7. "When you face your Jerichos... the first thing you must do is seek God's guidance. Second thing you got to do, serve God, even if you look foolish. Our God is a God of strange strategies... God has a very unorthodox way of getting his plan across." [01:15:17]
8. "The question is not, God, are you on my side? The question should be, God, will you speak to me?... God, what do you have to say about the matter? God, what do you want me to do?... I want to be on your side." [01:11:31]
9. "The people of Jericho, I could just imagine, they're probably mocking... They look foolish. And no doubt, some of the Israelites probably agreed with them... When God asks us to do something that seems foolish in the eyes of the world, we should surround ourselves with people who obey." [01:19:40]
10. "And on the seventh time around, the people shouted as the Lord commanded. And the wall fell flat... The wall did not fall because of Joshua... According to Hebrews chapter 11, verse 30, by, would y'all help me preach this thing." [01:24:36]
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