A Weak Link

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan . . . took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.””

Josh. 7:1

After an incredible victory over Jericho, Achan, an Israelite soldier, chose to disobey clear directives regarding treasures captured in war. Joshua told his men that all the spoils taken from Jericho were to be considered “devoted things” belonging in God’s treasure. Achan defied Joshua’s orders by taking valuables and hiding them under his family’s tent.

In an act of severe judgment, Achan, his entire family, their livestock and possessions were all destroyed. By this fearsome act, Joshua determined to follow God and to remove those who would stand in the way of God’s work.

The story of Achan illustrates the principle that leaders may become vulnerable following major success. Although it can be very difficult, leaders must take the appropriate steps to remove those who block God’s blessing and work. When a team member compromises a core value, the ripple effect of his or her action can hurt many others. Godly leaders must stop the trickle before it becomes a flood.

Sunday Morning Lesson

New Beginnings in Christ  Psalm 118:22-24

 I. A New Covenant

    a. Gen. 3:22-24

    b. Rev. 21:8

    c. Gen. 12:3

    d. Ex. 20:1-2

    e. Jer. 31:31-34

    f. Heb. 8:1-13

    g. Heb. 10:9-10

II. A New Kingdom

    a. Dan. 2:44

    b. Luke 2:1

    c. Matt. 4:17

    d. Matt. 16:15-19

    e. Matt. 16:28

    f. Acts 2:30

    g. Acts 2:38

    h. Acts 2:41, 47

    i. Col. 1:13-14

III. A New Birth

    a. Ezek. 11:19-20

    b. John 3:1-6

Sunday Evening Lesson

The Worship of the Lord’s Church   John 4:19-26

I. It Does Matter How We Worship God!

    a. Matt. 15:9

    b. Lev. 10:1-2

    c. Rev. 22:18-19; 2 John 9; Col. 3:17

    d. John 4:24

    e. John 17:17; Matt. 15:8

    f. Col. 2:20-23; Acts 17:23

II. Ways Men Worship God Acceptably

    a. Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42

    b. Matt. 28:18-20

    c. 2 Tim. 4:1-5

    d. Phil. 4:6

    e. Acts 2:42

    f. Acts 12:5

    g. Luke 11:1-4; John 14:13

    h. 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Col. 4:3-4; Eph. 6:18; Rom. 15:30; 1 Thess. 5:25; James 5:16; Rom. 10:1; Matt. 5:43-45

    i. Eph. 5:19

    j. Col. 3:16

    k. Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; Heb. 13:15; James 5:12

    l. 1 Cor. 11:23-29

    m. Mat. 26:26-29

    n. Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7

    o. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7

Where Is Your Confidence?

“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 

Deut. 20:1

It’s always a good idea to have a battle plan if you intend to lead an army into war. Moses possessed a plan for the army of Israel, a set of instructions that came straight from the top-the very top. Imagine the confidence a field commander could instill in his troops knowing that he could not lose. Yet that was just the kind of guarantee God gave Moses and the people of Israel. God assured them they had nothing to fear-as long as they remembered that He would remain with them always.

Christian leaders today can bank on the same promise that gave Moses such courage: “For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Deuteronomy 20:4).  And so God gives us the same word He gave to Moses: “Do not be afraid.”