Vision Sermon: Stay The Course

Vision Sermon 2023: Stay The Course

December 10th, 2023/Casey Middle School

Story: Have you ever felt like giving up on something that at one point you had faith that it would happen? (Faith to build)

Intro:

Marriage - when you’ve tried to resolve the conflict, but you’ve been feeling like it might be time to ______give up______?

Finances - when you’re behind on rent, hospital bills keep pushing you further in debt, and you’ve wondered if it’s time to _____just stop trying_____?

Kids - When you’ve prayed and prayed but your child seems too far from God and you’ve almost _____thrown in the towel_______?

Church - when you’ve served faithfully and you feel overlooked and nobody truly understands your pain and you just want to ____walk away_____.

Addiction… Friendships… Justice… Relationship to God…

Just stop. You were never going to make it anyways. You’re not worthy of it even if you did finish. Just take a break, it’ll be there tomorrow. Did God really say? Just stop, just give up. Who knows how long this is going to last.

I want to offer an encouragement this morning, as we take a look at the life of Joshua. Someone who could have easily thrown in the towel, or demanded clarity, instead, we see him follow in full obedience. And we see God bring about the victory.

J. Hudson Taylor's words about three different ways to serve the Lord: (1) to make the best plans we can and hope they succeed; (2) to make our own plans and ask God to bless them; or (3) to ask God for His plans and then do what He tells us to do. Joshua received his orders from the Lord, and that’s why Israel succeeded.

Passage: Joshua 6:1-16 CSB

Now Jericho was strongly fortified because of the Israelites—no one leaving or entering. 2 The Lord said to Joshua, “Look, I have handed Jericho, its king, and its best soldiers over to you. 3 March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry seven ram’s-horn trumpets in front of the ark. But on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the rams’ horns. 5 When there is a prolonged blast of the horn and you hear its sound, have all the troops give a mighty shout. Then the city wall will collapse, and the troops will advance, each man straight ahead.”

6 So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the Lord.” 7 He said to the troops, “Move forward, march around the city, and have the armed men go ahead of the ark of the Lord.” 8 After Joshua had spoken to the troops, seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns before the Lord moved forward and blew the rams’ horns; the ark of the Lord’s covenant followed them. 9 While the rams’ horns were blowing, the armed men went in front of the priests who blew the rams’ horns, and the rear guard went behind the ark. 10 But Joshua had commanded the troops, “Do not shout or let your voice be heard. Don’t let one word come out of your mouth until the time I say, ‘Shout!’ Then you are to shout.” 11 So the ark of the Lord was carried around the city, circling it once. They returned to the camp and spent the night there.

12 Joshua got up early the next morning. The priests took the ark of the Lord, 13 and the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns marched in front of the ark of the Lord. While the rams’ horns were blowing, the armed men went in front of them, and the rear guard went behind the ark of the Lord. 14 On the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. 15 Early on the seventh day, they started at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same way. That was the only day they marched around the city seven times. 16 After the seventh time, the priests blew the rams’ horns, and Joshua said to the troops, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city.

Pray:

Background:

Moses had led the nation of Israel out of slavery and they had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. After Moses passed away, Joshua became the leader of the nation and conquered the land and received the reward of the promised land. Here in this text we see God call Joshua to a unique assignment. This is not your typical method of conquering a “strongly fortified city”. But God had a different lesson He wanted to teach Joshua and the people of Israel.

Title: Stay The Course

Big Idea:

God will bring about the outcome, our responsibility is obedience despite the assignment or circumstances.

Main Points: STAY THE COURSE…

1. When You Face Resistance

   1. Now Jericho was strongly fortified because of the Israelites—no one leaving or entering. 2 The Lord said to Joshua, “Look, I have handed Jericho, its king, and its best soldiers over to you. 3 March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry seven ram’s-horn trumpets in front of the ark. But on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the rams’ horns.
   2. Perseverance is not moving forward in the absence of opposition, ensuring faith is marching forward knowing that the battle it already won despite what comes against you.

   3. Opposition does not mean God has left you. Jericho was shut up tight because of what God was doing with Israel.

      1. You may have had wandering years and now you're stepping in to your purpose (your promised land), prepare yourself for battle and trust the voice of God!
      2. Opposition will come, but when you claim the promises of God and walk in obedience to His Word, you wage war from victory, not for it!
      3. “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” - John 16:33
      4. “If God is for us, who is against us?” - Romans 8:31

      5. There is going to be resistance in claiming what God has given.

         4. Jesus speaks in the past tense on future events, He’s the only One that can do that.

      6. When God says it, it’s done. He is the only One that can do and say this!

         5. What impresses and inspires me now
      7. “I used to be impressed by people that have the faith to start things, now I’m impressed by people who have the fortitude to finish it.” - SF

      8. I’m looking further. I’m thinking higher. I want to learn from people who have remained faithful for decades, not built big things in an instant.

         1. I’m looking for those who have stayed the course against tremendous opposition and they’re still standing, still praising, still moving forward in faith.
            6. Illust: looking up and gaining a new perspective

      9. What’s blocking your perspective to what God has for you? Your perspective could be limited.

      10. Look up - see higher than the walls (catch a glimpse)
      11. Often the walls are so high that you cannot see, so you have to remember the last thing that He said.

      12. Sometimes you’re stronger when you cannot see. Could it be that faith is making you stronger! Building a dependence on God! I don’t know what we’re doing here, I look ridiculous, but I TRUST IN GOD!

          7. Application: What have you almost given up on, that God is calling you to grow in? (Or go through?)

      13. I was just about to give up on starches… but pastor said I need to grow in…

      14. I was about to give up fast food, but pastor said I needed to drive thru it…
      15. What if God is calling you to do something ridiculous, “this doesn’t make sense”, people might laugh at us kind of a way, so that He alone can receive the Glory from it?!

2. When It Feels Redundant

   1. But Joshua had commanded the troops, “Do not shout or let your voice be heard. Don’t let one word come out of your mouth until the time I say, ‘Shout!’ Then you are to shout.” 11 So the ark of the Lord was carried around the city, circling it once. They returned to the camp and spent the night there.

   2. So let me get this straight, you want me to walk, seven days, and then shout. And then do it again, and again, and again.

      1. Yes, don’t stop until I tell you.
      2. Story: Meeting on Sundays in the early days of Pinewood.
      3. I remember when I sensed God saying “keep showing up. I’m doing something.” So the next Sunday… one more lap. The next year… one more lap. Today we are here with expectant hearts believing that the promise comes when we persevere!

      4. “For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.” - Hebrews 10:36

         3. The ark is mentioned 8 times and it represents God’s presence. The text doesn’t say what the trumpets stand for, but I see a picture of praise to God.

      5. If you’re going to walk in victory, walk with His presence and giving Him praise.

         4. “God's plan for the conquest of Jericho was seemingly foolish, but it worked. God's wisdom is far above ours (Isa. 55:8-9), and He delights in using people and plans that seem foolish to the world (1 Cor. 1:26-29). Whether it's Joshua with trumpets, Gideon with torches and pitchers (Judg. 7), or David with his sling (1 Sam. 17), God delights in using weakness and seeming foolishness to defeat His enemies and glorify His name.” - Warren Wiersbe, Be Strong

      6. We’re not going to rely on what worked in the past, we’re going to rely on Jesus

      7. We’re not going to rest in what’s working now, we’re going to rest in Jesus

3. You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.” - Psalm 119:1-3 MSG

4. When You Don’t See Results

   1. 14 On the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. Early on the seventh day, they started at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same way. That was the only day they marched around the city seven times. 16 After the seventh time, the priests blew the rams’ horns, and Joshua said to the troops, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city.

   2. Outcome of giving up:

      1. Fall short of the promise
      2. Miss out on your calling

      3. Send a message to the next generation

         3. The progress isn’t obvious

      4. I’ll keep working if I can see it working

      5. Illust of someone winning… “you made it look easy”

         1. It wasn’t easy, it took years to prepare for that. Joshua didn’t just arrive on the scene this way, there was some preparation involved.
         2. We want the progress available immediately. Exercise and BOOM, results.
         3. WILL YOU KEEP WALKING EVEN WHEN IT DOESN’T SEEM TO BE WORKING? WILL YOU HAVE FAITH TO BUILD WHEN THE SITUATION HASN’T CHANGED YET? CAN YOU KEEP FORGIVING EVEN WHEN THEY DO IT AGAIN? CAN YOU KEEP DREAMING EVEN IN THE VALLEY? CAN YOU KEEP GIVING EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T GOTTEN THAT PROMOTION? STAY THE COURSE!

         4. Obedience is your responsibility, outcome is God’s. 3. Illust: the men coming home to their wives after day 4. Six is often seen as the number of man. It’s often associated with humanity falling short

         5. Warren Wiersbe writes in Be Strong: “In biblical numerology the number seven represents completeness or perfection.” He goes on: “When God finished His work of creation, He rested on the seventh day and sanctified it (Gen. 2:3), and this helped give the number seven its sacred significance. The Jews noted that there were seven promises in God's covenant with Abraham (12:1-3) and seven branches on the candlestick in the tabernacle (Ex. 37:17-24). Anything involving the number seven was especially sacred to them. It spoke of God's ability to finish whatever He started.” Six is often seen as the number of man, 7 on the other hand represents completeness. Here’s how I’d apply that: 6 is your number, 7 is God’s number. 5. They had God’s word on what would happen, but lap after lap they saw nothing change… it’s easier to keep going when you know the end is near… when you know completion is close. But HOW LONG LORD?

         6. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO TAKE THIS LONG. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS. I DON'T MIND WALKING, I JUST NEED TO KNOW IT'S WORKING.

         7. It wasn’t because you walked so good, but it was me that brought the victory… because He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.
         8. “He who, began a good work in you, He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it, He’ll be faithful to complete it. He who started a work, will be faithful to complete it in you. 6. I’m looking at the finish line… I don’t need another sign for another day, I’m running till the Lord calls me home. So that like Paul I can say “I have finished my course… I have kept the faith.” 7. He is always working in the waiting. And He never leaves an abandoned project. 8. “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 1:6
            4. Story: Florence Chadwick:

      6. Swam the English Channel both ways. 1952, Chadwick decided to attempt a 26 mile swim between the California coastline and Catalina island. 15 hours into her swim, a very heavy fog settled in and she lost her bearing and she couldn’t see. Confused and discouraged, she wanted to get in the boat. They said “keep swimming, keep swimming!” Once she got into the boat and could hear everybody she realized that the shore was less than a half mile away. I don’t know who this is for, but you may be closer than you think.

         1. ONE MORE. DON’T STOP NOW. YOU’RE TOO CLOSE TO QUIT.
         2. Specific Prayer - keep praying
         3. Tired and Weary - keep serving
         4. Stressed About Finances - keep working, keep giving
         5. Worried about Health - keep trusting, keep believing!
            5. “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” - Galatians 6:9

      7. Success is not in how big you do it, but how you keep doing it.

      8. Success is not in how you feel doing it, but how you keep doing it.
      9. Success is not in how well you do it, but in how you keep doing it.
         6. Pray, Praise, Persevere! (Repeat)

Closing: HOURGLASS

For 2024!

By Faith I will stay the course

Staying the course will require faith.

You had faith to build, but do you have faith to stay the course?

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days.” - Hebrews 11:30

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NASB

Sometimes obedience looks ridiculous, sometimes it feels redundant, but persevering obedience will reap a reward if you DO NOT GIVE UP!

STAY THE COURSE

KEEP SAYING YES

TAKE ONE MORE STEP, ONE MORE LAP, ONE MORE MILE, ONE MORE SHOUT!

GOD’S NOT DONE WITH YOU!

You can either throw in the towel or pick it up

God didn’t throw in the towel on you, He picked it up and washed feet. He served, He laid down His life…