Fighting Strongholds Joshua 6

The Metaphor Out of Slavery Through the Wilderness To the edge of the Promised Land Place of Decision: Choose life in the Wilderness or enter the Promised Land

The Wilderness Not fit for human life; wandering, restless movement with no progress; not the place they were meant to be; stiff-necked; lack faith Unbelief, stubborness, wilfulness; rejection of God’s story, promises, plans, and purposes for our lives; hardness of heart; know truth about God but lack faith in him

The Land Flowing with milk and honey; place of rest, being settled, having a home; living out God’s purpose and destiny for them Growing in the fruit of the Spirit internally and advancing justice/peace externally; flourishing; joy

God’s Promise I will lead you into the land, give it to you, settle you there, and give you rest. I will lead you into the Kingdom of God and give you abundant life and rest for your soul

John 10:10 10 ”The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Matthew 11:28-30 28 ”Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Sermon Series Question If God wants to give me a life that is abundant and in which my soul experiences rest, how do I take hold of it? *Always think of taking hold bit by bit, not all at once *You’re going to have to go after it

Where are you? Stuck or Moving? Complacent or Passionate? I don’t know

Question for Reflection Where in my life is Jesus asking me to trust him more than I ever have before so that I can experience more of the abundant life of the Kingdom? *NOT “What more do I need to do?”

The Battle of Jericho The first stronghold city Israel has encountered Strongholds threaten peace, rest, well-being They must be defeated Surprising approach: 7 days of marching around the city in silence; Ark of the Covenant; priests blowing trumpets declaring victory

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 ”For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”

Strongholds of Resistance External – The lies that are foundational to systems of injustice and oppression in our communities, our city, province, country, the world Internal – We all have them. We all have to go after them. (Not Obsession)

A Badminton Story

Obstacles to Abundant Life Lack of knowledge Bad Habits Strongholds of internal resistance Strongholds of demonic resistance

Abundant Life at our Core Sense of security/safety/peace (Life is not abundant when your sense of well-being is always under threat.) Sense of value/worth/dignity/being loved A big story of life with a place you feel good fitting into

Abundant Life at our Core Confidence that you can influence your own well-being through your agency/personal power (In the Christian life this often looks like surrendering to Christ and trusting him.) Confidence that you have something worthwhile to contribute to the world

Abundant Life at our Core Connection with others characterized by deeply knowing, loving, and accepting one another as you are (Created For Connection seminar, May 12 from 8:30-12:00) Space to feel and process grief, pain, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, etc. Joy and brightness of spirit

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 ”For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”

Identifying Strongholds Pay attention/reflect on what you’re experiencing in your life (Community!) Work through the knowledge level then the habit level (Community!) Pay attention to your feelings and what you’re resisting to expose what you’re believing (Community!)

Some Lies We Believe God won’t protect me. God will leave me. God could never forgive me. I don’t deserve to be loved. I’m not good enough. I’ll never be able to have true joy

Some Lies We Believe If I’m not good enough, God will reject me What I have to offer isn’t as valuable as what others have I believe and do the right things, so I must be a joyful person I’ll never be able to overcome this sin or addiction in my life

Some Lies We Believe No one would love me if they really knew me If I don’t feel angry, sad, or anxious, then I’m not angry, sad, or anxious What I feel is not as important as what I know and believe about God I can follow Jesus just fine without confessing my sins to anyone else

My Story Sense of value/worth/dignity/being loved Connection with others characterized by deeply knowing, loving, and accepting one another as you are Space to feel and process grief, pain, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, etc. Joy and brightness of spirit

Lies I believed I don’t deserve to be loved. I’ll never be able to have true joy If I’m not good enough, God will reject me No one would love me if they really knew me

My Story Sense of value/worth/dignity/being loved Connection with others characterized by deeply knowing, loving, and accepting one another as you are Space to feel and process grief, pain, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, etc. Joy and brightness of spirit

Hear the Words of Jesus  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.