LWWC - Joshua - Session 8

As Israel’s conquest of the land concludes in Joshua 11–12, God calls His people to remember His victories, obey His commands, and never forget the source of their blessings. Pastor Matthew used the closing of Joshua’s battles to challenge believers to stay humble, thankful, and faithful — not just at Thanksgiving, but every day of life.

1. Opening and Thanksgiving Reflection

Pastor began with a prayer of gratitude, urging believers to reflect on the blessings of life and freedom.

“May we not get complacent or presumptuous — all we have is today, and that day is a gift from God.”
He reminded the congregation that none of us are promised tomorrow, and that gratitude should guard our hearts from pride and forgetfulness.

2. Joshua’s Obedience and God’s Commands (Joshua 11:12–23)

• Joshua followed exactly what God commanded Moses, leaving “nothing undone of all the Lord had commanded.”
• Pastor emphasized that faithfulness means following God’s Word, not reinventing it.

“You don’t get to become a Christian and play by your own rules — God doesn’t need your ideas.”

• Many want to hear God’s voice but won’t read His Word; yet Scripture itself is the contract between Christ the Groom and His Bride, the Church.

Application:
God reveals Himself through His Word. If you want direction, open the Book before asking for new revelation.

3. God’s Sovereignty and Human Accountability

Pastor addressed the difficult truth of divine judgment:

• God hardened the hearts of nations that continually rejected Him.
• He compared this to Pharaoh’s hardened heart — a consequence of repeated rebellion.

“The most fearful verse in the Bible is not in Revelation — it’s where it says, ‘The Spirit of the Lord left Samson, and he knew it not.’”

• The warning: don’t resist God so long that conviction disappears. The most terrifying state is when the Holy Spirit withdraws and a person no longer feels remorse.

Lesson:

“Conviction is a gift — if you can sin without feeling it, something’s wrong.”

4. The Nature of Sin and Boundaries of Love

• Pastor explained that God sets boundaries because He loves us, just as parents set boundaries for their children.
• From the Garden of Eden onward, sin began when man doubted God’s goodness and believed He was holding out on them.

“The devil convinced Eve that God was keeping her from something better — that’s the same lie today.”

• Every sin still begins with mistrust of God’s intentions.

5. Remembering God’s Victories (Joshua 12)

• God listed all 31 kings Israel defeated — not to glorify Joshua, but to remind the people of every battle God had already won.

“When you’re in a new fight, remember how many victories God has already given you.”

• Pastor urged believers to stop panicking in new trials:

“You’ve already watched God feed you, heal you, and deliver you. Don’t fall apart now — the same God is still fighting for you.”

• Forgetting past victories leads to unbelief, which Scripture calls evil, not immaturity.

6. Deuteronomy 8 — The Call to Remember

Pastor turned to Deuteronomy 8 to explain why God told Israel to remember:

• God humbled them in the wilderness to test their hearts, provide manna, and teach them dependence on His Word.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

• Their clothes never wore out; their feet never swelled — a sign of constant divine provision.

He connected this to modern blessings:

“No nation has been as blessed as Israel — except America.
But we’re in danger of forgetting who made it that way.”

7. The Danger of Forgetfulness and Prosperity

• When life gets comfortable — full houses, steady income, security — people forget God.
• He quoted Habakkuk, rebuking Israel for caring for their own houses while neglecting God’s.

“You’ll live better on 90% honoring God than 100% stealing from Him.”

• Forgetting God leads to pride, and pride leads to destruction.

Key Reminder:

“When you’re full, don’t forget who filled your table.”

8. God’s Discipline and the Training of Faith

• Pastor compared spiritual growth to training in a weight room — hardships strengthen believers for future battles.

“God’s taking you into His gym to build your endurance. He’s preparing you for the fourth quarter.”

• Trials are not punishments but preparation, teaching us dependence and perseverance.

9. The Next Generation and God’s Trustworthiness

• Parents cannot shield children from every hardship.

“You can’t fight all their battles — God’s using those struggles to build them.”

• He warned against over-sheltering and fear-driven parenting:

“Trust God’s plan for your children. He’s a better protector than you.”

• Like Jochebed with Moses, sometimes faith means letting go and trusting God’s purpose.

10. The Source of Blessing and True Prosperity

• God alone gives the power to get wealth — to establish His covenant, not to glorify ourselves.

“If God doesn’t open the door, you won’t get anything done. It’s His power that gives you ability.”

• Pastor cautioned against idolatry of money, possessions, or success — anything that displaces God’s primacy.

11. Final Exhortation — Do Not Forget the Lord

• Forgetfulness leads to destruction:

“If you forget the Lord and follow other gods, you shall surely perish.”

• False gods are powerless — Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius remain in the grave, but Jesus is risen.

“Until someone else rises from the dead, I’m sticking with the One who did.”

• The graves will one day burst open as the final testimony of Christ’s power, proving again that He is who He says He is.

12. Closing Challenge and Prayer

• Stop running your own life; it only leads to exhaustion and emptiness.
• Surrender daily and thank God for every battle already won.

“When the next battle comes, don’t tell God how big your problem is — tell your problem how big your God is.”

• The service ended with the Lord’s Prayer, sealing the message in gratitude and worship.

Core Message

• Remember what God has already done.
• Obey His Word — partial obedience is disobedience.
• Be thankful in every season.
• Don’t forget the Lord who gives life, strength, and blessing.
• Trust God with your future, your children, and your battles — He never fails.