In this series, we are studying the Old Testament book of Joshua.

· It teaches us how to live once we’ve place our faith in Jesus the Savior.
· It shows, through the examples of others, how to possess what God has promised us.
· It demonstrates the blessings of obedience and the price of stubborn disobedience.
· It illustrates the reality of spiritual warfare and the danger of compromise.
· It challenges us to be decisive, determined, and devoted.

Up to this point, in chapters 1-5, we’ve looked at the PREPARATION that took place before the Hebrew people crossed over the Jordan River and into the land guaranteed to them by God --- nearly 654 years before!!
· Chapter 1 … A new leader was prepared after the old one, Moses, died.
· Chapter 2 – Israel prepared as two (2) spies checked out the land and report their findings.
· Chapter 3 – The entire people have to prepare to cross the Jordan River.
· Chapter 4 – The Jewish people prepared for the future by constructing a memorial for future generations.
· Chapter 5 – The people prepared as they waited while they Renewed their Covenant with God, Remembered the Ceremony of the Passover, and Recognized God’s Command over their lives.

Have you ever come to a wall that hindered your progress?

This could be an actual one, one that has been built to protect, a wall that is used to separate one group of people from another; other walls could be a mental block, or from an athletic perspective ("hitting the wall") or the wall could be a barrier erected by some aspect of society.

In Joshua 6 we learn about walls.
Jericho was an imposing sight … perhaps the most heavily fortified city in all of the Promised Land. I’m sure it made the average Israelite pause and catch their breath.
The city represents those obstacles we encounter that could potentially hinder our spiritual growth and ministry. The freedom and blessings of our new life in Christ … those things God has promised us – ARE NOT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY!

First - The PROBLEM they Faced.
Joshua 6:1
As we go through life, we have obstacles that we will face.
(2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Apostle Paul faced a health issue)
God uses the tough times to toughen us up.

Second - The PROMISE they had RECEIVED.
Joshua 6:2
God lets them know about the conclusion of the battle before they even enter into the conflict. We can face our obstacles knowing 3 things:
· God PROMISES His resources are enough. 2 Cor. 10:4-5; Eph. 3:20, 6:10
· God PROMISES He is in control and things will work out according to His plan. Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 4:17
· God PROMISES He will be with us in whatever we face. Heb. 13:5b

Third - The PLANS that were PROVIDED.
Joshua 6:3-5
These plans of attack made no sense to them. Isaiah 55:8-9
When you read Scripture … What plans of God for your life …
1. Seem like they are from some lunatic on main street of “crazy town?”
2. Step on your toes of bravado, sensibility, and common sense?
3. Slap you and pull you back from an intended course of action or from one already started?
4. Stretch you from your comfort zone to the Faith Zone?

Fourth - The PRIZES they GAINED.
Joshua 6:6-27
By faithfully obeying what the Lord had told them, the Israelites were able to experience the mighty hand of God in a display of His power on their behalf. As we read the chapter we see a number of prizes the Israelites gained because of their faithful obedience.

Challenge:
What kind of walled city are you facing right now? Does victory or success seem far away or even impossible?
Faith in God, proper preparation, obedience to His will, and movement forward can get you from HERE to THERE!

Conclusion:
National Geographic documentary called Free Solo tells the incredible story of Alex Honnold who scaled Yosemite's El Capitan without ropes or safety harness.
Imagine the joy and stories you will have to tell in the future if you will faithfully prepare and obediently move forward with God guiding you.

H.O.M.E. Group Discussion Questions:

1. Read Joshua 6. Have you ever come to a wall that has hindered your progress in life, spiritual growth, business, etc.? What was it, and how did you respond?

2. How have you grown from your encounters with the “walls” of life?

3. Review the four main points of the message. What insights did you gain? What questions do you still have?

4. When have you been in conflict with the revealed plans of God for your life (whether those were revealed through prayer or His Word)?

5. What “wall” are you facing now and what are your thoughts as to how you will overcome it?

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, February 2 - Tammie Reid
Tuesday, February 4 - Addison Ramey, Ordalea MacDonald
Wednesday, February 5 - Julie Jones, Adam Finkler
Friday, February 7 - Kevin Stewart
Saturday, February 8 - Carson Hasselback