First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner1 Man of Courage Ai Joshua 8 How to Recover Lost Ground – Turning Defeat into Victory

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner2 Temptation Follows Success Ai Jericho Crossing The Jordan Review Our greatest enemy is US Examine carefully the reasons for our defeat

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner3 Jericho Ai God directs the plan Joshua – on-site Casualties = 0 Enemy afraid Enemy – defense, one city Israel - attack Spies direct the plan Joshua – not present Casualties = 36 Israel afraid Enemy – offense, two cities joined Israel - routed Review

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner4 A Scenario that Leads to Personal Defeat v I saw …(OK)Observation 2. I coveted …SINSecond Look 3. I took …SINPrivate Action 4. I hid …SINInvolved Others in Sin Review

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner5 The Severity of God’s Judgment v God’s judgment is not to be taken lightly. There are consequences to sin. The malignancy of greed must be removed. Jos 7:25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Jos 7:26 Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since. Review Achan died in vain

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner6 Comfort from the LORD Jos 8:1 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. The God of Second Chances

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner7 Directions from the LORD Jos 8:2 You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” 1)Don’t make the same mistake twice 2)Turn the place of defeat into the place of victory 3)The basis of victory is always the same 4)The spoils of victory promised—the irony of God’s blessing 5)A change in strategies Principle: We should not expect God to work the same way or lead us always the same way. Achan died in vain

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner8 Strategy from the LORD 30,000 on the west – hidden (burn city) Main army in the North in plain view 5,000 between AI & Bethel Josh 8:9 Then Joshua sent them off … Josh 8:18 Then the LORD said … “I will deliver the city”

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner9 God’s Battle Plan Against Ai

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner10 AI = Victory Today The Word of the LORD Faith in & Obedience to The Word Failure is not Final La 3: Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. The God of Second Chances

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner11 The Nation Takes a Hike

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner12 Blessings & Curses Remembered Jos 8:30 Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel Jos 8:34 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. (Deut. 27: 1 – 8) The Principle of First Priority: Our capacity in life is dependent on our spiritual capacity and orientation to the plan of God.

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner13 Near Shechem (Nablus) where Joshua renewed the covenant & site of Jesus visit with the woman at the well Mount Ebal & Mount Gerizim

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner14 The Nation Takes a Hike Gilgal to the site ~ 30 miles Mountains ~ 3000’ or 1000’ AGL Valley = natural amphitheater Ceremony involved: 1.Joshua built an alter of uncut stones on Ebal & made offerings to the LORD 2.Joshua wrote a copy of the Law of Moses 3.Joshua read the Law to the people & they responded The object lesson: What happened to Israel in the land would depend on where they lived – in disobedience & curses (Ebal) or in obedience and blessings (Gerizim).

First Baptist - KellerKen Gardner15 Discussion Time Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.