Preparing an Army for Battle Text Joshua 5:1-12
What was Joshua to do? The fighters of old were gone and now under his leadership they were about to prepare to enter into battle.
I. The Admiration v.1
When men hear of the power of God, when the power of God is demonstrated, they tremble – But not for long.
II. The Consecration v. 2-8
Men cannot live in the past, nor can they live on the past. The deeds of the forefathers are good to remember but they do not replace the need for deeds in the present.
A. Command from God
B. Call to Commitment
C. Affirmation of Consecration
III. The Sanctification v. 10-11
Circumcision was a physical means that set the people apart from the others in the land – BUT it was not the THE thing that set the Israelites apart. The God they worship and how they worshipped Him was the REAL difference.
IV. The Personalization
This generation had been raised on welfare – Not on the promise of the Possibilities. They had crossed over into the promise land. God expected them to live on promise.
Many believers want to live on welfare. They want God to spoon-feed them. They avoid the manner by which God wants his children to live and that is by Faith.
A. Living by Faith is Humbling
Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
B. Living by Faith is Testifying
Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
C. Living by Faith is Pleasing God
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [1]