Series Intro – Joshua has 2 battles/victories under his belt: Jericho and Ai (although Ai didn’t start that way!). In chapter 9, one of the people groups living in the Promised Land – the Gibeonites – make a treaty with Israel by lying about where they live. The Israelites are unstoppable. One king decides to take action!

This king of Jerusalem named Adoni-Zedek hears about the Israelite victories. So, he reaches out to four other kings and tries to make an alliance with them. <ILL: The war in Ukraine and NATO> They plan an attack on Israel’s new ally ... Gibeon. They want to take out part of the power. This turns out to be a BIG mistake.

Joshua and the Israelites honor their treaty and they totally destroy the five armies who came together against Gibeon.

But imagine how the Gibeonites felt when they saw the armies surrounding them. They had to be terrified. Things looked pretty bleak! Have you ever felt like the Gibeonites? Like things are lined up against you?
- Finances: Don’t know how to pay the bills
- Sickness: One problem after another
It has felt a little like that here at Concordia lately! There have been lots of changes: Paul, Ben, TJ, Natalie. Those are big hits, and their departure leaves emotional holes!
<ILL: We’ve all had those days/weeks/months that feel like the “hits keep coming.”>
How should we think about all of this? What do we need to do in the face of this adversity ... and make no mistake, this is adversity!

Let’s be different! King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem feels threatened by the success of Israel. He comes up with a traditional plan to protect his people. He allies himself with 4 other kings/cities to attack Gibeon ... and he is still defeated.
<ILL: COVID Lessons – Lots of things are different> Online Worship vs. In-Person Worship. <1200-1500 connections – more than 2k people> This was a top priority.
This season of transition is a great opportunity to evaluate and look at things differently and think differently. We are interviewing potential candidates to fill the gaps. If you have someone in mind (Youth Ministry, Pastoral Care, Director of Worship Arts): BillT@Concordia.cc.
But when I think about what God is doing, I realize this is a very unique situation. We have the chance to think differently that EVER before! <ILL: One or two vacancies>God wants us to think beyond simply finding staff members. He is inviting us to look at how we can serve together in this new season of ministry here at Concordia! I believe He is saying YOU are part of the solution! Please ask yourself, “How can I step in and step up?”
- Online Ministry (Do you want to be a host?) <ILL: Can I help bridge the gap?>
- Youth Ministry (Confirmation) <ILL: A number of people who have offered>
- Worship Ministry <ILL: I’ll be here to help any way you need me.>
Pray about it and let me know. Email me at BillT@Concordia.cc. We need each other!
Let’s be different!

Let’s pray! Joshua wins a victory. But his victory is covered in prayer. In fact, Joshua prays for light! One of the things you need to fight a battle well is visibility. You have to see your enemy to fight your enemy. <ILL: Pearl Harbor> Look at Joshua’s prayer.

Joshua asks for extra daylight so he can finish this battle. And God says, “Yes!”

During this season (like every season), we need to be in prayer! <Prayer partners and Prayer team for Love SA> Pray for visibility –God would show us what He wants to accomplish through our beloved Concordia in this next season of ministry! <Challenge> Would you pray EVERY DAY for Concordia for the next 30 days. Ask God give us visibility to see what is next?

Let’s expect GREAT things! My favorite line of this story is the last one. After Joshua wins against the five kings and God extends the day ... this is what it says ...

There’s a lot I don’t know during this season of transition, I know that God’s not done with Concordia! God has not forsaken Concordia! God is fighting for Concordia! And, just to be clear: God is fighting for His CHURCH … and for those who have move to new ministries. Think about our past.
- Pastor Mike Newman – Texas District President
- Matt and Emily Preston – Phoenix area
- Adam Countryman – Helping congregations improve their worship
Think about the people who’ve left just recently ...
- Trinity in Lisle, IL where Pastor Paul now serves will be blessed
- St. John in Bakersfield, CA where Pastor Ben now serves will be blessed
- St. Mark in Houston where Pastor TJ now serves will be blessed
- Messiah in Lincoln where Natalie will serve will be blessed
Those places will be blessed because YOU are different. God working through your love and support has shaped, encouraged, challenged, and grown each of these people for their next season of ministry in God’s Church!

Let’s be clear: another church who calls our people is NOT our enemy! Our enemy is the devil who steals life and joy and destroys people!

I believe that through all of this, God is fighting for His church and His people. So, we can have hope that this is going to work out better than we could ever ask for or imagine.
<ILL: After we accepted the call and before we began, we were invited to the 50th> There were LOTS of challenges and many struggles.

Little did I realize how quickly God would prove Himself!
<ILL: When I arrived (almost 21 years ago), I was solo! Pastor Ebbs ... and faithful volunteers> Ask anyone who was around back then and they will tell you that God was fighting for HIS beloved Concordia!

Let’s be different!
Let’s be prayerful!
Let’s expect GREAT things!