Fighting for Our Promise: Worship, Obedience, and Destiny

 

Summary

God has given each of us a promise, a calling, and a destiny. Just as He led Joshua and the Israelites to the promised land, He is leading us to our own spiritual Jericho, a place of promise and fulfillment. However, the enemy is determined to prevent us from reaching this destiny. We must be prepared to fight spiritually, just as Joshua was a warrior. Our spiritual journey requires us to be clean and holy, to ascend into the high places of God, and to be willing to fight for our promise. Worship is a powerful weapon in this battle, as it prepares the way for God's presence and victory.

Joshua's journey teaches us that leadership may change, but God's plan remains steadfast. When Moses died, God raised Joshua to lead the people. This reminds us not to place our faith solely in human leaders but in God, who will always provide guidance. As we step into our calling, we must be willing to fight and worship, understanding that worship is a weapon that can break the adversary's hold.

The story of Rahab illustrates the power of salvation and redemption. Despite her past, Rahab's faith and actions led to her salvation. The scarlet thread she hung from her window symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which covers and saves us. This is a reminder that no matter our past, the blood of Jesus can cleanse and redeem us.

Crossing the Jordan River symbolizes overcoming obstacles with God's help. Just as the Israelites crossed on dry ground, God will make a way for us to enter our promised land. We must remember to set up memorials of God's faithfulness, sharing our testimonies with future generations.

Finally, the fall of Jericho's walls teaches us the importance of obedience and complete surrender to God's plan. We must confront and destroy the Jerichos in our lives, the obstacles that hinder our spiritual progress. By doing so, we can fully step into the destiny God has for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Promise and Our Destiny: Each of us has a unique calling and destiny from God. The enemy seeks to prevent us from realizing this promise, but we must be willing to fight spiritually to step into our calling. Worship is a powerful weapon in this battle, preparing the way for God's presence and victory. [10:05]

2. Leadership and Faith: While human leaders may change, God's plan remains constant. We must place our faith in God, who will always provide guidance and raise up leaders to help us reach our promised land. Trusting in God rather than solely in human leaders ensures we remain on the path to our destiny. [24:58]

3. Salvation and Redemption: Rahab's story illustrates the power of salvation through faith and action. The scarlet thread symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which covers and redeems us. No matter our past, we can be cleansed and saved by the blood of Jesus. [31:16]

4. Overcoming Obstacles: Crossing the Jordan River represents overcoming obstacles with God's help. Just as the Israelites crossed on dry ground, God will make a way for us to enter our promised land. We must set up memorials of God's faithfulness, sharing our testimonies with future generations. [34:39]

5. Obedience and Surrender: The fall of Jericho's walls teaches us the importance of obedience and complete surrender to God's plan. We must confront and destroy the Jerichos in our lives, the obstacles that hinder our spiritual progress, to fully step into the destiny God has for us. [56:06]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Skilled Musicians and Worship
[03:31] - God's Promise and Our Destiny
[07:50] - The Body of Christ and Our Calling
[10:05] - Spiritual Warfare and Fighting for Our Promise
[12:42] - Joshua's Journey and Leadership
[15:48] - Worship as a Weapon
[17:36] - Mentoring the Next Generation
[24:58] - Leadership Transition and God's Plan
[25:39] - Rahab's Faith and Salvation
[31:16] - The Scarlet Thread and Redemption
[34:39] - Crossing the Jordan and Overcoming Obstacles
[41:10] - Memorials of God's Faithfulness
[46:07] - Circumcision and Spiritual Readiness
[56:06] - The Fall of Jericho and Obedience
[01:03:47] - Confronting and Destroying Our Jerichos
[01:09:05] - Worship and Breakthrough

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Joshua 6:1-24
- Hebrews 11:30-31
- Exodus 17:8-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific instructions did God give Joshua regarding the conquest of Jericho, and how did the Israelites carry them out? [01:22]

2. How did Rahab's actions and faith lead to her salvation, and what was the significance of the scarlet thread? [25:39]

3. What role did worship play in the Israelites' victory over Jericho, and how was it demonstrated in their actions? [15:48]

4. How did the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua illustrate the constancy of God's plan? [24:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Rahab illustrate the concept of redemption and salvation through faith and action? [31:16]

2. In what ways does the crossing of the Jordan River symbolize overcoming obstacles with God's help, and how can this be applied to personal challenges? [34:39]

3. How does the fall of Jericho's walls teach the importance of obedience and surrender to God's plan, and what might this look like in a believer's life today? [56:06]

4. What does the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua teach about placing faith in God rather than solely in human leaders? [24:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a personal "Jericho" in your life. What steps can you take to confront and overcome this obstacle with God's help? [56:06]

2. How can you incorporate worship as a weapon in your spiritual battles? Identify a specific situation where you can apply this principle. [15:48]

3. Consider a time when you faced a leadership change in your life. How did you maintain your faith in God's plan during that transition? [24:58]

4. Rahab's story shows that no matter our past, we can be redeemed. Is there an area of your life where you need to accept God's redemption and move forward? [31:16]

5. What memorials of God's faithfulness can you set up in your life to remind yourself and others of His goodness? Share a testimony of God's faithfulness with someone this week. [34:39]

6. How can you ensure that you are spiritually ready to step into the destiny God has for you? What practices can help you maintain spiritual readiness? [46:07]

7. Identify a specific area where you need to practice obedience and surrender to God's plan. What steps will you take this week to align with His will? [56:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Promise and Destiny
God has given each of us a unique promise and destiny, much like He did for Joshua and the Israelites. This promise is not just a destination but a journey that requires spiritual warfare and readiness. The enemy is determined to prevent us from reaching our spiritual Jericho, the place of promise and fulfillment. To step into our calling, we must be prepared to fight spiritually, just as Joshua was a warrior. Worship plays a crucial role in this battle, as it prepares the way for God's presence and victory. Worship is not just a ritual but a powerful weapon that can break the adversary's hold and lead us to our promised land. [10:05]

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: What specific promise or calling do you feel God has placed on your life? How can you use worship as a weapon to fight for this promise today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Unchanging Plan
Leadership may change, but God's plan remains constant. When Moses died, God raised Joshua to lead the people, reminding us not to place our faith solely in human leaders but in God, who will always provide guidance. As we step into our calling, we must trust in God's unchanging plan and be willing to follow His guidance. Human leaders are important, but they are not the ultimate source of our faith. By placing our trust in God, we ensure that we remain on the path to our destiny, regardless of who is leading us. [24:58]

Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying too heavily on human leadership? How can you shift your focus to trust more in God's unchanging plan?


Day 3: Experiencing Salvation and Redemption
The story of Rahab illustrates the power of salvation and redemption through faith and action. Despite her past, Rahab's faith and actions led to her salvation. The scarlet thread she hung from her window symbolizes the blood of Jesus, which covers and saves us. This story is a powerful reminder that no matter our past, the blood of Jesus can cleanse and redeem us. Salvation is not about our past but about our faith and willingness to act on that faith. [31:16]

Hebrews 11:31 (ESV): "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies."

Reflection: Is there a part of your past that you feel is holding you back from fully experiencing God's redemption? How can you embrace the cleansing power of Jesus' blood today?


Day 4: Overcoming Obstacles with God's Help
Crossing the Jordan River symbolizes overcoming obstacles with God's help. Just as the Israelites crossed on dry ground, God will make a way for us to enter our promised land. We must remember to set up memorials of God's faithfulness, sharing our testimonies with future generations. These memorials serve as reminders of God's power and faithfulness in our lives, encouraging us to trust Him in future challenges. [34:39]

Psalm 77:14 (ESV): "You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples."

Reflection: What is a current obstacle you are facing that seems insurmountable? How can you set up a "memorial" of God's past faithfulness to encourage you in this situation?


Day 5: Obedience and Surrender to God's Plan
The fall of Jericho's walls teaches us the importance of obedience and complete surrender to God's plan. We must confront and destroy the Jerichos in our lives, the obstacles that hinder our spiritual progress. By doing so, we can fully step into the destiny God has for us. Obedience is not just about following rules but about trusting God's plan and surrendering our own desires to His will. Complete surrender allows us to experience the fullness of God's promises and the victory He has prepared for us. [56:06]

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes

God has designed a place for you to go and dwell in in your lifetime. You, your family, your children, and your children's children all have a destiny and a calling from God. And I want you to know this morning that the enemy does not want you to step into the destiny that God has for you. [00:07:56]

But if we all step into that calling and that purpose that God has for us, then the body will come together and be able to fully function. How many knows that if you're missing portions of the body, the body is restricted in many areas? I believe that's why a lot of the church today has kind of faltered and failed in so many areas. [00:08:47]

I want you to understand today, that it is your job to make the devil nervous because when you wake up in the morning and set your mind on the things of God, you can take a step closer into what God has for you. Hallelujah. [00:10:21]

First and foremost, I need you to understand that if you're going to be a person called and destined to step into the promise God has for you, you are first and foremost going to have to be a warrior. You are first and foremost going to have to be somebody that's willing to fight. [00:12:51]

Before I go any further, let me tell you, if you're going to be a fighter and you're going to be someone that steps into the promise and the destiny God has for you, you have to be willing to be clean and holy to go and ascend into the high places of God. [00:14:24]

He understands that worship is one of the only weapons and tools that you can use to break the adversary to pieces. He knows because he watched from the battlefield against the Amalekites. He looked up and saw the posture. Of his mentor, Moses sitting up on the hillside with his hands up in the air. [00:16:08]

I just want to let somebody know today, if you've been on the battlefield, if the devil's been trying to take you out, if the devil's been trying to kill you, kill your marriage, kill your children. If he's been trying to destroy you this morning, all you have to realize is that if I can just have a posture of worship, when I come to the house of God, I can enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise and everything the enemy tries to put against me has to come down in the name of Jesus. [00:16:23]

No matter who the leader is God still has a plan you see so many times when a pastor falls and has a moral failure or when somebody in leadership resigns and goes somewhere else everybody gets all busted and broken and disgusted and they think oh what are we going to do now I'm here to encourage you and let you know God does not need a man or a woman to get you into the promise and to get you into the process and to get you into the destiny of God. [00:21:06]

I want you to know today that on your journey into the promised land on your journey towards your Jericho you need to understand that God is not going to leave you he is not going to forsake you he is not going to leave you in the wilderness he said I will be with you everywhere that you go. [00:24:02]

I want you to make a promise to me. That because I helped Spaniards. Spare your life. That you will help spare mine. She said because I have heard what has happened. I have heard what the Lord your God is doing. She said and everyone here in Jericho. We heard that he parted the waters of the Red Sea. [00:27:48]

This is a perfect picture of salvation through jesus christ because the men said right before they went down off the side of the building and went out and hid in the bushes they told her as long as you keep your promise all you have to do is when we come in and take the city you need to hang a scarlet thread from the window of your house right here on the side of the wall of the city so that when we see the scarlet thread we will know that it is the house of rahab. [00:28:09]

He said I'm going to make a way where there seems to be no way I'm going to make a way for you to get into the river Jordan for you to get through the river Jordan for you to come out on the other side of the river Jordan I'm going to make a way for you to get into your destiny for you to get into your promised land is anybody hearing me this morning. [00:35:48]

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