Journey through Jericho

Chronological Series – BSMc

April 3, 2011

Jericho:

• On west side of Jordan, not far from where Israel camped.
• A walled city – 2 walls 14ft apart connected by beams.
• Houses (like Rahab’s) were on those beams.
• The Lord’s command to Joshua (Josh 6:3-5)
• If Joshua and people followed God’s lead, the walls would fall flat.

Our Ways are not God’s Ways.

• How would you have taken Jericho?
  • Typical siege.
  • God’s ways – Is 55:8-9.
    • Blood on door post?
    • Naaman dipping in Jordan?
    • Messiah born to young working-class couple?
    • Tax-collector, fisherman, and zealots as Messiah’s companions?
    • How would man obey the gospel if left up to him?

Grace Benefits Man

• God is full of Grace in OT too.
• Josh 6:2
  • God gave them the city.
  • They possessed it by His GRACE.
  • Food on our table is by grace.
  • We depend on God’s goodness and grace in all of life.
  • Eph 2:4-5 – Salvation is by grace.
    • Conditions to possess Jericho were not enough to take the city w/o God.
    • Conditions of salvation CANNOT save w/o God.

What Faith Is.

• Heb 11:30
  • Marching = fallen walls.
  • Obedience = Faith.
  • Rom 5:1
  • Faith is living, active, moving, and obedient.
    • Gal 3:26-27

God’s Way is ALWAYS Successful

• When God attaches a promise to a command – our obedience brings fulfillment of the promise.
  • Numb 23:19
  • Heb 6:17-18

Walls in our Lives:

• Walls of Prejudice
• Walls of Distrust
• Walls of Hatred
• Wall of Callous Hearts toward God, Christ, Church.
• Walls of Personal Sin
• God still brings down walls.