WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.339 So we're going to read, first of all, in the New Testament, just a few verses from 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and then into Joshua 5. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:19.039 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.799 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things, as they did. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:16.840 And that's in reference to the generation of God's people that lived in Egypt and came out of the land of Egypt, led towards the promised land, but they grumbled, they complained, they wanted to turn back. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:23.159 And Joshua chapter 5 shows a new generation with a different mindset. 00:01:23.740 --> 00:01:27.620 So next up, Joshua chapter 5. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:29.960 We'll read the whole chapter. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:41.900 Now, when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:47.180 their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. 00:01:47.180 --> 00:02:00.620 Now this is why he did so. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:07.880 All those who came out of Egypt, all the men of military age, died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:15.520 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:25.820 The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness for forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:34.099 For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:02:34.979 --> 00:02:39.419 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. 00:02:39.419 --> 00:02:48.899 They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way, and after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in the camp until they were healed. 00:02:49.459 --> 00:02:54.579 Then the Lord said to Joshua, today I have rolled away their approach of Egypt from you. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:58.119 So the place has been called Gilgal to this day. 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:06.159 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:12.859 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened bread and roasted grain. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:16.079 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land. 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:20.879 There was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan. 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:28.639 Now, when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:32.800 Joshua went up to him and asked, are you for us or for our enemies? 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:37.660 Neither, he replied, but as commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come. 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:43.740 Then Joshua fell down to the ground in reverence and asked him, what message does my Lord have for his servant? 00:03:44.480 --> 00:03:51.040 The commander of the Lord's army replied, take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy. 00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:52.980 Joshua did so. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:54.439 Amen. 00:03:54.880 --> 00:03:56.500 This is God's word. 00:03:56.500 --> 00:04:04.060 So continuing in the book of Joshua, which is all about God saving, God leading the people into the promised land. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:06.560 Here we are in Joshua chapter five. 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:14.360 And I want us to think about resetting priorities for the people of God. 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:23.959 Perhaps you've heard it said or you've read articles describing 2020, 2021 as the great reset. 00:04:23.959 --> 00:04:30.819 That phrase obviously is recognising that in many ways the world has been put on pause. 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:34.939 Every area of life has been impacted. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:39.579 Things have changed in almost unimaginable ways. 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:47.879 But there's a recognition in that of an opportunity to reflect and therefore to bring lasting change. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:54.719 For example, the World Economic Forum has a thing called Reset 2020. 00:04:55.680 --> 00:05:07.860 And the founder of that says that the pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine and reset our world. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:14.560 And that's in the terms of distribution of wealth and how people do business and those kind of things. 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:20.180 Now, come to Joshua chapter five and it begins with a pause. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:27.420 And it's a pause where the people of God will reflect and they will reset. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:31.100 Who will they follow? 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:35.480 How will they relate to God now in the promised land? 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:38.020 This is what's in view in chapter five. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:42.319 And today, that's what we're going to think about for our own context. 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:45.000 I love how relevant this is. 00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:49.860 You know, our church life is in many ways on pause. 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:53.500 It's a time of reset for us. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:06:01.160 And the question becomes, who will we follow during this phase of our life and in the future? 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:04.500 How will we live before God? 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:11.300 So let me suggest this is an opportunity for you and for me. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:24.400 It's an opportunity for us as a church to reflect, to reimagine and to reset and to reset around worshipping and enjoying the glory of God, 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:28.939 worshipping and enjoying our glorious saviour Jesus. 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:35.100 So tonight I have a suggested use for this sermon. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:45.439 And the use I'm going to suggest is that our points this evening become prayer points for the church and the world in 2021. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:55.379 So you might want to grab a pen, grab a phone, jot some things down so that in our great reset, 00:06:55.379 --> 00:07:08.899 we may, one, follow the right leader, two, live in covenant relationship, three, celebrate our salvation, 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:14.019 and four, worship our Lord and Saviour. 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:18.659 So we're going to see how all of these appear in our text. 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:20.639 But before that, we need to set the scene. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:23.899 So the people of God have just set foot. 00:07:23.979 --> 00:07:25.879 They've just crossed over the river. 00:07:25.979 --> 00:07:27.699 They've now entered the promised land. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:31.879 So the promise made to Abraham some 400 and so years before, 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:37.360 the promise made to Moses some 40 years before, have now been kept. 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:46.199 And it's interesting that the chapter begins with the impact of God's saving work being seen to affect the nation. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:52.240 So chapter four ends with God having dried up the Red Sea. 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:56.839 And he did this so that all peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:07:59.819 And then what do we find in chapter five? 00:08:01.039 --> 00:08:03.699 When the Canaanite kings heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan, 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:06.719 until they crossed over, their hearts melted in fear. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:08.959 They no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:11.219 Why didn't Canaan attack? 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:13.079 Well, it's not down to a human factor. 00:08:13.159 --> 00:08:14.699 It's not the impressiveness of Israel's army. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:19.979 No, it's the Lord's power and awareness of God at work that creates fear. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:26.459 Now, sadly, unlike Rahab, this doesn't lead the nations towards saving faith. 00:08:26.719 --> 00:08:28.719 It doesn't lead them to join the people of God. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:34.639 Rather, they continue to oppose God's people and continue to oppose God's purposes. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:39.379 But here we have the nations in the promised land quaking in their boots. 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:41.819 So what would we expect Israel to do? 00:08:41.819 --> 00:08:44.100 Perhaps we would expect action. 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:45.460 Here's the moment. 00:08:46.400 --> 00:08:47.900 Terrified enemies. 00:08:48.180 --> 00:08:48.700 Here's the chance. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:49.980 But they pause. 00:08:51.560 --> 00:08:55.900 And I want us to think about why they pause and why that matters for us. 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.040 First reason they pause. 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:03.940 They pause so that it becomes clear that they will follow the right leader. 00:09:03.940 --> 00:09:15.240 All through this text, and in many cases through the early chapters of the book of Joshua, the case is being made that Joshua is God's chosen leader, following in the footsteps of Moses. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.840 And we'll see this very clearly. 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:19.060 Let's look at this very briefly. 00:09:19.060 --> 00:09:20.379 So verses two to nine. 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.399 What do we have there? 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:29.460 We have Joshua initiating circumcision, which is a mark of the covenant, covenant renewal. 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:31.540 Now, in Exodus chapter four, what do we have? 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:35.940 We have Moses initiating circumcision in his own family. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:45.519 Before he goes back to Egypt, directed by God to lead the people out, he circumcises his son, mark of the covenant. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:47.779 So Joshua and Moses share that. 00:09:48.079 --> 00:09:49.340 Verses 10 to 12. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:50.980 What do we have there? 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:52.639 We have a Passover meal. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:55.960 Here they are about to enter the promised land. 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:59.299 Exodus 12, as the people are about to go out of Egypt. 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:03.639 Moses leads them to celebrate the Passover. 00:10:03.819 --> 00:10:10.579 With this, people on the march to the promised land, both Moses and Joshua, take time to celebrate God's saving work. 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:13.919 And then verse 13 to 15. 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:18.839 Both have this appearing of the Lord. 00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:26.039 Famously, Exodus chapter three, Moses meets with God in the burning bush. 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:31.879 And he is told also to take his sandals off because the place where he is standing is holy ground. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:37.059 That both Joshua and Moses meet with God and worship God. 00:10:37.479 --> 00:10:41.599 So there is no doubt in our text, Joshua is God's appointed leader. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:47.040 And what we see him doing is leading the people in faith and obedience. 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:52.279 And as he does so, he is anticipating for us a greater Joshua. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:54.339 Jesus. 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:56.699 Both mean God saves. 00:10:57.699 --> 00:11:09.759 And as if to make that plain and evident to us, verses 13 to 15 show us that Joshua is not the ultimate leader of the people of God, of the army of God. 00:11:10.199 --> 00:11:11.059 The Lord is. 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:12.459 Jesus is. 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:14.399 And what do we know about Jesus? 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:27.419 Jesus is the one who has been sent by the father who comes to establish the new covenant with his people at the cross through his body and his blood broken and shed for us. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:30.759 So that our sin might be dealt with. 00:11:31.079 --> 00:11:33.779 So that we might have peace with God and be brought into relationship. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:39.620 Jesus is the true Passover lamb, to use the language of John chapter 1. 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:42.379 And that Jesus comes. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:53.980 And again, it's his blood shed that covers our sin and our guilt and establishes our redemption, our freedom from slavery to sin to become the people of God. 00:11:53.980 --> 00:12:03.720 And of course, Jesus, remarkably, being fully human, is a faithful worshipper himself. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:04.940 We see that all through the Gospels. 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:11.259 But as fully God, he is also the one who receives, rightfully receives worship as God. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:19.659 So it is vital then that as a church, we must follow Jesus as Lord. 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.860 We must be led by him. 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:27.580 So we think about how to pray. 00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:45.000 Pray that the leaders of your church would humbly serve under Jesus as Lord and that we would faithfully point to Jesus as Lord. 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:59.299 And pray for one another and pray for new people to be part of our church who would gladly follow Jesus as leader and as Lord in our lives. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:05.099 So in this great reset, they pause so they will follow the right leader. 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:16.080 In this pause secondly, they pause so that they would live in covenant relationship with their God. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.519 Verses 2 to 9 is all about this. 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:24.080 In this great reset, the current generation, Joshua's generation, they want to break with the past. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:30.160 They don't want to follow the negative pattern of the generation that came out of Egypt. 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:36.639 And the sign of this is that they take the covenant sign and they are circumcised. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.840 Now why circumcision? 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:51.980 Well circumcision from Genesis 17 was God's appointed sign for how a person would be identified as one of God's people. 00:13:51.980 --> 00:14:00.639 Now it's striking that the generation that came out of Egypt, they had been circumcised but they failed to circumcise the next generation. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:04.120 In many ways speaks to their spiritual condition. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:08.259 They thought little of what it meant to be in covenant with God. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:12.700 What it meant that God had acted to bring them out of slavery. 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:16.500 A sign of their spiritual state that they were cut off from God. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:20.320 But this generation, they want to be different. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:23.280 They want to be obedient to God's command. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:30.160 Verse 6 makes clear that the generation that left Egypt had not obeyed the law. 00:14:30.780 --> 00:14:32.800 Lord, they had been unfaithful. 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:41.020 This generation, they want to live in covenant with God and they know that that requires their obedience. 00:14:41.160 --> 00:14:45.760 If they want to enjoy blessing, if they want to enjoy life in the promised land with God, 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:53.779 they need to be obedient on one sign of obedience is taking the sign that God commanded for them, which is circumcision. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:15:00.200 At this point, maybe it's worth issuing a warning. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:04.879 In the same way as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 10. 00:15:06.160 --> 00:15:10.540 And the warning from this generation that came out of Egypt is this. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:21.139 It is entirely possible to have the marks of the privileges of being part of the people of God, 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:27.439 but not to have a heart that loves and submits to the Lord as God. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:36.620 Coming to church, being raised in a Christian family, having the Bible that we can read. 00:15:37.900 --> 00:15:42.440 These things are good, but they do not save. 00:15:43.400 --> 00:15:46.980 We need to have a heart that's right with the Lord our God. 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:50.460 And that was the problem for the previous generation. 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:58.899 But this generation under Joshua, they want circumcision as a sign that they are trusting in God's promise. 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:05.300 So back when God introduced the covenant sign of circumcision, Genesis 17 verse 4, 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:05.720 he said, 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:13.779 The whole land of Canaan I will give as an everlasting possession to Abraham and to those coming after him. 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:15.920 And then he was told you must keep the covenant. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.339 And how was he to keep the covenant? 00:16:17.479 --> 00:16:24.000 Well, one way was to be circumcised and for his family to be circumcised. 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:30.899 And again, this is different to the generation that came out of Egypt who disobeyed. 00:16:31.979 --> 00:16:33.779 And so it says in verse 6, 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:37.079 The Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:40.579 They had forfeited the right to God's promise. 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:43.299 But God's promise would not fail. 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:47.639 And this generation, trusting in God's promise, would receive the promised land. 00:16:48.979 --> 00:16:51.639 One last reason why they are circumcised. 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.339 It's a sign of covenant renewal. 00:16:54.859 --> 00:16:56.559 After they're circumcised, verse 9, 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.639 The Lord said to Joshua, 00:16:57.819 --> 00:17:01.179 Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:07.179 And again, a deliberate contrast with the generation coming out of Egypt. 00:17:07.399 --> 00:17:10.659 That reproach was their disobedience. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.559 Their shame was their disobedience. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:16.819 And because of that disobedience, they would not, they did not enter the promised land. 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:19.619 But now, this generation, 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:22.579 They want a right relationship. 00:17:22.739 --> 00:17:24.299 We see covenant renewal. 00:17:24.719 --> 00:17:32.119 And so they will go on to enjoy the blessing of God in the promised land for so long as they are obedient. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:35.500 So they pause before taking the land. 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:39.039 They don't want to go a step further without being in a right relationship with their God. 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:41.379 They want to enjoy life with him in the promised land. 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:46.080 The story of Israel and their God. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:48.680 Imagine a marriage. 00:17:49.580 --> 00:17:55.780 A marriage where failure has come on one part and it's brought into the home silence. 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:59.100 And it's brought distance and it's brought distress. 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:06.040 We know that sin and failure can cause that. 00:18:06.040 --> 00:18:09.300 Well, imagine that the party that had done the wrong, 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:12.440 Being totally committed to restoration. 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:15.220 To enjoy relationship again. 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:18.359 To pursue that reconciliation. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:27.960 So what we see in the hearts of Joshua and the generation that are about to enter the promised land. 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:31.879 They want to enjoy life with God. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.399 Here's how we can pray. 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:37.440 Pray for ourselves. 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:39.200 Pray for others. 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.019 Pray for our church. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:42.619 That we would guard our hearts. 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:45.559 That we would pursue obedience. 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.799 That we wouldn't be like the generation in Egypt. 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:50.619 That we're so quick to turn to idols. 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:54.279 So quick to turn to grumbling and complaining and turn their backs on God. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:57.859 That we would want to live in obedience and to follow him. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:05.220 And to pray that we too would value life with God as what's first and best to us. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.539 In all the chaos and confusion. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:10.319 That one solid foundation that would remain. 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:15.220 That we have eternal life with God through Jesus our Saviour. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:17.180 And we would hold on to that as precious. 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:21.680 And that we would then value those visible signs of belonging. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:28.039 One of the visible signs of belonging in a church was church membership. 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.279 Where we publicly identify. 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.220 These are my people. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:36.700 I'm going to live out my faith with these people. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.660 I'm going to share my spiritual gifts with them. 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:42.339 We're going to encourage and speak the truth and care for one another together. 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.339 Baptism. 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.120 Another sign. 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:49.620 Publicly identifying Jesus as Lord. 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:54.879 Being part of a particular group of God's people. 00:19:56.239 --> 00:20:03.039 That belonging would be important because it would be a sign of belonging to the Lord Jesus. 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:07.299 That we'd be strengthened in our commitment to him. 00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:11.599 And that would strengthen as well our commitment to one another. 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:17.679 A third reason why there is this pause. 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:23.019 Is so that the people of God might celebrate a redemption. 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.359 Celebrate salvation. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:27.559 We see that in verses 10 to 12. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.879 It's all about the Passover. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:33.579 Now two brief observations about the Passover. 00:20:33.939 --> 00:20:34.879 Here again Joshua. 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:40.539 Their spiritual leader is looking to establish what we might call a gospel culture for them. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:43.599 Where they're remembering with thanksgiving. 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:46.659 That God is the one who has saved them. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:48.000 That God has been good to them. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:53.519 So the Passover celebrates God's grace. 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:57.359 It was intended as a sign to mark that. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:59.720 In Exodus 12 and verse 27. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:05.819 We're invited to imagine a child and a future generation saying. 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:08.659 Dad, why are we eating this Passover meal? 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:10.600 And the answer given is. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:13.680 It's a Passover sacrifice to the Lord. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:19.180 Who passed over the houses of the Israelites and spared our homes when he struck Egypt. 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:25.480 It was a celebration that instead of receiving the just judgment of God. 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:28.620 Because Israel were sinful every bit as much as the Egyptians. 00:21:29.040 --> 00:21:30.740 We are sinful as much as anybody else. 00:21:31.540 --> 00:21:34.160 It's a celebration that instead of judgment we receive from God. 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:36.080 But mercy and grace. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:39.240 Through the sacrifice that he provided. 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:47.040 Another observation about the Passover is that the meal celebrates the fulfillment of God's promise. 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:53.240 Again Exodus 13 verse 5 as the Passover is instituted the very first time. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:57.279 It says when the Lord brings you into the land. 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.700 The land where they now are. 00:21:59.120 --> 00:22:00.640 Observe this ceremony. 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.299 So here they are. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:04.099 They have now set foot in the promised land. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.380 First thing they want to do. 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.680 When they are able. 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.519 When they've been prepared. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:10.059 Is to celebrate the Passover. 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:16.660 There's a really interesting detail in verses 10 to 12. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:20.220 Did you notice it about the change of diet. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.860 For 40 years they've been eating manna. 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:23.640 God's supernaturally providing for them. 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.720 But now in verse 12. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.660 The manna stopped the day after. 00:22:28.060 --> 00:22:28.800 They ate this food. 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.160 There was no longer any manna. 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.620 But that year they ate the produce. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:35.220 Part of the promise was they would be entering a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:38.980 A fertile place where God would provide for them in the ordinary means. 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.480 Through agriculture. 00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:43.140 And here they are enjoying God's promise. 00:22:43.560 --> 00:22:44.900 Expressed in their diet. 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:48.920 When I think about this. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.240 I think about family life. 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:55.100 Family life in many ways is shaped by celebrations. 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.240 This is our calendar. 00:22:57.080 --> 00:23:00.240 Marked by times where we celebrate birthdays. 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.620 We celebrate anniversaries. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.720 We celebrate times where we get together. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:07.100 When you think about a family table. 00:23:07.780 --> 00:23:09.540 When there are special occasions. 00:23:09.540 --> 00:23:11.820 When lots of us are gathered together. 00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:12.860 What do we do? 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.660 We share a meal. 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:16.300 Yes, but we're also sharing memories. 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:19.720 And we're looking back with joy. 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:24.720 And joy is just as important for us today in the church. 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:26.800 To be people who celebrate. 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.880 To celebrate God's grace. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.240 To celebrate God's salvation. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:35.039 So pray for us as a church. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:37.200 That our weekly worship. 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:39.259 And in the fullness of time. 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:39.980 The Lord's Supper. 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:43.480 They would be times for us to rehearse. 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.059 To remind ourselves. 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:47.940 And to celebrate God's saving grace. 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.819 As we've come to know it. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:52.000 In and through Jesus our Lord. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.779 Who lived that perfect life. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.500 That we could never live. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:58.000 Who died in our place. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.339 For our sins. 00:23:59.339 --> 00:23:59.619 For our sins. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.259 So that by trusting in him. 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:03.339 We might receive salvation. 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.839 And be part of the people of God. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:09.299 That we would focus on the gospel. 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.980 We'd remind ourselves of the gospel. 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.460 Every week. 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:15.700 Every time we gather as the people of God. 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:17.319 Whether that's online. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.740 Whether that's in a church building. 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.779 Whether that's in a home. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:22.960 That we'd remind ourselves of the gospel. 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:25.119 That that would keep us on our march. 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:28.160 As pilgrims towards our promised land. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:30.519 Our home in glory. 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.480 Pray for a faith. 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:35.399 That we'd look backward and look forward. 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:38.039 That we'd look back to the cross. 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:39.480 And the empty tomb. 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.980 With thanksgiving. 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:42.779 For the victory of Jesus. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.379 For that freedom that we enjoy. 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.519 And we'd look forward. 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:49.160 That heaven would be our true home. 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.440 That if anything. 00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:52.000 This pandemic would remind us. 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:53.460 Not to hold on too tightly. 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:55.140 Look to the things of this world. 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:55.900 Because everything. 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.100 Disappears in the end. 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.820 Except for. 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.220 Our faith. 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:04.640 Our hope. 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.200 And our love. 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.900 Let's make heaven our true home. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:10.700 And let's share together that reality. 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:13.180 That Jesus is our Passover lamb. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:16.080 He is our redemption. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:19.960 The judgment of God has passed over us. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:22.539 Because it has fallen on Jesus. 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:28.059 Jesus is God's provision for us. 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.859 And he is that promise. 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.980 Every time we. 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:35.879 The people of God ate the Passover. 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:39.019 Every time we eat the Lord's Supper. 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:42.079 There is that promise of more to come. 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.400 There is. 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:44.859 The new heavens and the new earth. 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:46.720 And the wedding supper of the lamb. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.799 And so we anticipate. 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.559 More joy. 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:52.039 And more glory. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.180 To follow. 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:58.740 One last important reason. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.839 For this pause. 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:03.359 For this reset. 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:05.579 They reset. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:07.019 So they might worship. 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.399 The Lord. 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.779 So up until this point. 00:26:10.979 --> 00:26:11.459 Joshua. 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:12.979 Is spiritual leader. 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.279 He takes the initiative. 00:26:14.419 --> 00:26:16.000 He leads them towards obedience. 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.719 But now. 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.359 Verses 13 to 15. 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.059 What becomes clear. 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:20.159 Is the Lord is the leader. 00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:22.539 And the battle is his. 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.659 Now what do we learn. 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.719 About the Lord. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.839 From this figure that we meet. 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:27.279 In verses 13 to 15. 00:26:28.199 --> 00:26:29.219 First thing we need to see. 00:26:29.219 --> 00:26:30.299 Is that the Lord is. 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.699 A warrior. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:33.400 Verse 13. 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.080 Joshua saw a man. 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.519 With a drawn sword. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.279 In his hand. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.920 And he is the commander. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.779 Of the army of the Lord. 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.240 Now that. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.299 In a sense. 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.519 Was Joshua's position. 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.340 But as soon as he meets. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.360 This figure. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.720 He knows that he deserves. 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.740 The greater honour. 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:49.480 And so he wants to listen to him. 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:51.080 And he looks to him. 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:52.160 For instruction. 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.220 He is encouraged. 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.500 To trust. 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.460 Remember. 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.860 Back in Joshua. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.900 Chapter 1. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:01.680 There was this wonderful promise. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.120 That God himself. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.200 Would give the land. 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:06.120 To his people. 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.279 That God would be with. 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.140 Joshua. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.160 To lead. 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:09.880 And guide. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.660 And be with him. 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:12.580 Well here's this promise. 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:13.779 Being made concrete. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.539 And real. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.060 Another important thing. 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.900 Is that the Lord. 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.440 Sets the terms. 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:21.900 You know. 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.880 When Joshua says. 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.759 Whose side are you on us? 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.360 Are our enemies? 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.900 And the Lord says. 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.960 Or this figure says. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.380 Neither. 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:28.940 As commander. 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.840 But as commander. 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.700 Of the army of the Lord. 00:27:30.760 --> 00:27:31.120 I come. 00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.920 Whose side are you on us? 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:34.180 I'm for the Lord. 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:35.940 There's no room. 00:27:36.020 --> 00:27:37.440 For complacency. 00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:39.300 Joshua. 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:40.820 And the people of God. 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.160 The church. 00:27:41.260 --> 00:27:42.120 Cannot simply presume. 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:43.320 That God will be on our side. 00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:43.980 Regardless. 00:27:46.280 --> 00:27:47.480 What the book of Joshua. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.160 Shows. 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:49.420 And the history of the Bible. 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:49.720 Shows. 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.819 Is that God's people. 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.839 Must be obedient. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.579 To have God for them. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.059 Or rather. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:56.400 To be on the side of God. 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.640 And in chapter 7. 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:59.019 We see in the story of Achan. 00:27:59.099 --> 00:28:00.279 That when there is disobedience. 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.779 In the camp. 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:03.000 Then God is not with them. 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.039 We cannot bend. 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.740 The Lord. 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:07.640 To be on our side. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.700 Regardless of. 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.559 How we are living. 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.079 So the Lord. 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.620 Sets the terms. 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.259 The Lord. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.220 Is. 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.579 Holy. 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:17.319 I want to suggest. 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:17.659 That. 00:28:18.199 --> 00:28:19.059 This commander. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.199 Of the army of the Lord. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.179 Is an Old Testament. 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.019 Appearing. 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.799 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.079 Three reasons. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.240 For that. 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.299 Firstly. 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:28.899 In verse. 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.079 15. 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.980 This figure. 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.240 Receives. 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.919 Worship. 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.699 From Joshua. 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.579 And he accepts. 00:28:40.199 --> 00:28:40.480 Worship. 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.720 From Joshua. 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.000 Which suggests. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.000 This is more than. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.940 An angel. 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:49.940 Secondly. 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.180 Verse 15. 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.299 The place. 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:55.700 Where. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.680 They are standing. 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:56.980 Is. 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.259 Considered to be. 00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:58.779 Holy. 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.339 Ground. 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.059 And holiness. 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:00.819 And holy. 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.079 Ground. 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:02.099 Is connected to. 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.140 The Lord's. 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:03.980 Presence. 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.359 Again. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.339 Suggestive. 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:05.740 That this. 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:06.180 Is. 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:06.759 The Lord. 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.359 Himself. 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.880 And thirdly. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.839 There is. 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:10.480 A. 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.400 Blending. 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.559 What do I mean by that? 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:13.799 Well. 00:29:14.179 --> 00:29:15.119 Listen to verse 15. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:17.480 The commander of the Lord's army replied. 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:21.379 Take off your sandals for the place where you're standing is holy. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.899 Joshua did so. 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:24.119 Chapter 6. 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:27.000 Then the Lord said to Joshua. 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:31.419 It seems like the commander is the Lord. 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:35.460 Here is an encouragement for Joshua. 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:39.519 The Lord himself will fight for his people. 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:41.460 The battle belongs to the Lord. 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:43.460 He will keep his promise. 00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:46.539 He will secure the promised land for his people. 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.000 Again. 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:50.340 What does this mean for our church culture? 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.740 It means. 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:54.599 When we think about this encounter that Joshua has. 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:57.199 With who I'm saying is an Old Testament. 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.019 Appearing of Jesus. 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.619 We need to pray. 00:30:01.179 --> 00:30:02.399 For non-Christians. 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.619 People who aren't Christians yet. 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.899 That this would be their experience. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.980 Because this is the pattern of faith in discipleship. 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:11.959 That a person must meet with the Lord Jesus. 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.319 In his word. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:16.480 To show him honour and loyalty. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.599 To worship him. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.360 To follow him. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:20.420 To recognise him as Lord and Saviour. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.539 And to follow his commands. 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.700 So we pray for others. 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:27.160 And we pray that we. 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.019 As a church. 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.579 Would worship with a sense of joy. 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:31.400 And a sense of privilege. 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:34.480 The Lord Jesus has come to win the battle for us. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:37.759 The Lord Jesus has now come to draw near to us. 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:41.380 This Lord Jesus will lead us home to glory. 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.839 So Joshua chapter 5. 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:45.579 Is a pattern and a prayer. 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:47.519 For the church on pause. 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:50.000 Now it would be wonderful if. 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:51.500 You know think about the World Economic Forum. 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:55.039 It would be wonderful if pandemic led to greater economic equality. 00:30:55.199 --> 00:30:56.059 And the sharing of wealth. 00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:57.099 And greater generosity. 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:59.639 But how much more wonderful. 00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:02.139 If God's church was reset. 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:05.919 To follow Jesus as our leader and Lord. 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:08.460 To live in covenant with the Lord. 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.460 In faith and obedience. 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:12.899 If we celebrated saving grace. 00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:14.240 Through the Lord Jesus. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:17.359 If we worship Jesus Christ as Lord. 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.240 This. 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:21.460 This is the greatest reset we could see. 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:23.680 This is the great reset we need to see. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.759 So let me encourage you. 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.819 As I'm encouraging myself. 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.000 Let's pray for it. 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.480 For ourselves. 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:31.039 And for our church. 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.620 For our nation. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.700 And for the nations of the world. 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:39.039 And for the nations of the world. 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.960 To go out. 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.640 Actually. 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:42.759 ých水es. 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.480 And for of the nations. 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.319 We're waiting. 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.180 Can you grab. 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:45.519 We'll see. 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:45.680 Very good. 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.140 We're waiting. 00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:46.880 Let's. 00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:47.380 elemento. 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:47.700 We'll see. 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.779 Do we have a series of or not. 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.440 So let's show this way.