Winning by Finishing What God Told You to Do

In the midst of life’s challenges and the busyness of our schedules, God is still working, calling us to give Him all the praise and to step into the fullness of His purpose for our lives. Drawing from Joshua chapter 10, we see a powerful example of what it means to finish what God has started in us. The Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, were not content with partial victories. They pressed forward, trusting God’s promises, even when the odds seemed impossible and the enemy was desperate to stop their progress.

God’s people had already witnessed miracles: the Red Sea parted, Jericho’s walls fell, and victory after victory was given as they obeyed God. Yet, when faced with a coalition of kings determined to halt their advance, Joshua was confronted with a new challenge. The battle was fierce, and as daylight faded, Joshua recognized that a partial victory would only allow the enemy to regroup and return. In a moment of extraordinary faith, prompted by God, Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still. God honored that bold prayer, granting the time needed for a complete victory.

This account is more than a story of ancient warfare; it is a call to each of us. Too often, we settle for partial victories in our spiritual lives—attending church, feeling a touch from God, but not pressing on to full deliverance and transformation. The enemy is content when we stop short, knowing that unfinished battles will resurface. God, however, calls us to total victory, to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary by faith and obedience.

God does not expect us to understand every detail of His plan. Like Joshua, we may not grasp the complexities of what He asks, but we are called to trust and obey. When God speaks to our hearts—whether it’s to let go of sin, to serve in new ways, or to take a stand in our families and communities—He also empowers us to finish the work. The same God who fought for Israel fights for us today. He is able to do the impossible, but we must refuse to settle, press on, and finish what He has begun in us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Refuse Partial Victories—Pursue Total Obedience It is easy to settle for small improvements or temporary relief, but God calls us to press on until the work is complete. Partial victories leave room for old struggles to return. True transformation comes when we surrender fully, allowing God to finish what He started in us. [53:52]
• 2. Extraordinary Faith Requires Extraordinary Obedience Joshua’s command for the sun to stand still was not about understanding the science, but about trusting God’s voice. Sometimes God will ask us to do things that seem beyond our ability or comprehension. The breakthrough comes when we step out in faith, believing that God will do what only He can do. [50:55]
• 3. God Fights for Those Who Obey The victories in Joshua’s life were not achieved by human strength alone. God rained down hailstones and intervened supernaturally. When we walk in obedience, we are never alone—God Himself goes before us, fights for us, and brings about results we could never achieve on our own. [44:38]
• 4. Consistency and Perseverance Lead to Spiritual Growth Starting well is important, but finishing well is essential. Many begin the journey of faith with enthusiasm, but only those who persevere through challenges and remain consistent experience lasting change and deeper relationship with God. [28:47]
• 5. Obedience Over Understanding—Trust God’s Leading God may not reveal every detail or answer every question before He calls us to act. Like Joshua, we must learn to obey even when we don’t fully understand, trusting that God’s wisdom and power are more than enough for every situation. [1:05:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:43] - Opening Prayer and Worship
• [03:24] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [28:47] - The Challenge of Consistency
• [29:38] - Vision for Outreach and Evangelism
• [31:36] - Reading from Joshua 10
• [33:10] - We Win by Finishing
• [34:02] - God’s Empowerment and Past Victories
• [36:08] - The Enemy’s Desperation
• [38:01] - The Need for Salvation
• [42:13] - God’s Call and Our Response
• [44:38] - God Fights for Us
• [49:32] - Refusing Partial Victories
• [50:55] - Extraordinary Faith in Action
• [53:52] - The Danger of Stopping Short
• [56:54] - No Time to Debate with God
• [1:09:25] - Call to Salvation and Total Victory
• [1:16:15] - Prayer for Strength to Finish
• [1:19:49] - Offering and Final Announcements
• [1:25:45] - Dismissal and Closing

1. According to Joshua 10, what did God do to help Israel win the battle against the coalition of kings?
2. What bold request did Joshua make during the battle, and how did God respond?
3. In the sermon, what reason did the pastor give for why Joshua could not settle for a partial victory? [[49:32]]
4. How did the pastor describe the difference between starting well and finishing well in our walk with God? [[28:47]]

1. Why do you think God chose to intervene so dramatically (with hailstones and stopping the sun) in this particular battle? What does this say about God’s involvement in the lives of His people?
2. The pastor said that partial victories leave room for old struggles to return. What might be some examples of “partial victories” in a Christian’s life today? [[53:52]]
3. Joshua obeyed God’s command even though he didn’t understand all the details or science behind it. What does this teach us about the relationship between obedience and understanding? [[01:05:09]]
4. The sermon mentioned that God fights for those who obey. How does this truth affect the way we approach challenges or spiritual battles in our own lives? [[44:38]]

1. The pastor talked about refusing to settle for partial victories. Is there an area in your life where you have stopped short or settled for less than what God wants for you? What would it look like to press on to “total victory” in that area? [[53:52]]
2. Joshua prayed a bold, extraordinary prayer for the sun to stand still. When was the last time you prayed a bold prayer, trusting God for something only He could do? What is holding you back from praying that way now? [[50:55]]
3. The sermon emphasized that God may ask us to do things we don’t fully understand. Can you think of a time when you felt God leading you to do something that didn’t make sense? How did you respond? [[01:05:09]]
4. The pastor said, “Starting well is important, but finishing well is essential.” Are there commitments or steps of faith you started but haven’t finished? What is one practical step you can take this week to move forward? [[28:47]]
5. The message challenged us to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary by faith and obedience. What is one “ordinary” habit or mindset you need to let go of so you can step into what God is calling you to do? [[51:17]]
6. The sermon mentioned that God fights for us when we walk in obedience. Is there a specific area where you need to trust God to fight for you instead of trying to handle it all on your own? [[44:38]]
7. The pastor shared that sometimes we want to debate or delay when God speaks, but there’s “no time to debate with God.” Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you’ve been putting off? What would it look like to obey Him this week? [[56:54]]