FHBC Sermon Notes

 "Are we there yet?" Today it is true, today we arrive. Now what does it mean? What does it mean to be God's covenant people.

One might ask while the book of Joshua doesn't just start with this chapter? It is the need for preparation. God does prepare us. Let us receive that preparation with all the anticipation of seeing the glory of God to come brings. 

The preparation for the nation of Israel in this account wasn't deployment of troops or supply lines, but is a spiritual preparation. The battle is won and lost of the relationship Israel has with the Lord God, not their own might and organization. 

So we have this question. Now that we walk with God, who are we in this covenant? How do we live for is glory and honor?

As God's covenant people, we...

1. ...are the beneficiaries of God's great power. (5:1)

What this verse demonstrates is that our Lord is a God of great power. The same God that was to fight for them now, that defeated Egypt's army, who parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, was the won who was to fight before them here. 

For us we see this even further, that in sending his son Jesus, got defeated death itself for us. 

2. ...are the recipients of God's great promises. (5:2-9)

Circumcision is not an easy or pleasant operation. It is painful and by performing it on almost as the males in the nations at once, would have debilitated the entire group for a time, making them vulnerable to attack. 

Genesis 17 - Why circumcision?

It was to be a permanent memorial, a daily reminder that God had chosen them. Once done it could not be undone. As an aside, many of the Israelites made this a token or pride. But Paul clarified in Romans that circumcision goes further, that the physical act means nothing without the circumcision of the heart. Romans 2:28-29 

But this pain comes with great promises. Jim gives tremendous list here, so many that I can't write me down. Our life is not defined by our world, but by the promises that come is the service of our Lord. 

The circumcision of the heart that Paul mentions in Romans is our reminder. 

3. ...are the objects of God's great redemption.

The nation then celebrates Passover, something they could not do until they were circumcised. Israel was delivered after the 10th plague on Egypt, the death of the firstborn. By the hand of God, they were delivered, redeemed to be h is treasurers possession, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. Saved from what they once were, drawn to God, to be his children. As they go into the promise land, they go as the redeemed people of God. Note that after the Passover, they no longer eat manna from above, but from he fruit of he land. They have arrived. 

1 Peter 2:8-12 - We are God's convenant people because we have been redeemed by his hand. 

4. ...are called to walk in God's perfect holiness. (5:13-15)

Just like with Moses, Joshua meets the leader of God's army who declares that he stands on holy ground. How overwhelming, how awesome this must have been. It demonstrated so must of who it was we worship. His holiness, his power, his grace and love, and in the words of wife, his kick-hinny-ness.

There is no way we can be holy on our own merits, but in Christ our lives become marked by the works and love of Jesus. As God's people our lives become marked with the holiness of God. This is our goal in living to live holy lives before Him. 

5. ...are obedient to God's truthful and unconditional word. 

When God speaks his word, we do his word. Everything he has commanded us is truthful and right. It frames our relationship with him. There is no living if we fail to live by his word. It is the lesson that the nation of Israel learned here. They had failed to be circumcised, and so they wandered, they were lost in his inattentiveness to his word. 

Do you hear his Word? Is it precious to us? Do we seek to obey it and love it?

Let us know in this identity by walking in His power, promises, perfection, redeemed in the truthfulness of his Word. 

Awesome.