Consecrated for Combat Joshua 5:1-12 I.When God Acts, People Take Notice (1) II.Rededication Precedes Forward Action (2-10) III.The Challenge of Change (11,12)

Consecrated for Combat I.When God Acts, People take Notice A.Our God is different than all others! B.There is an awe and curiosity that an unbeliever has in someone (or people) that are alive in Christ! C.Fear goes two ways! 1.We tend to be fearful when we should not! 2.We neglect to account for others’ fears!

Consecrated for Combat Application 1 Psalm 27:1 Proverbs 29:25 Philippians 1:14 2 Timothy 1:7 Do you have enough confidence in your God to overcome your fears? Do you recognize that you have the answers to others fears about life? Do others see God’s greatness because of how you live?

Consecrated for Combat II.Rededication Precedes Forward Action A.Restoring Circumcision vs Requirements Covenant of identification - Genesis 17:10-14 Symbolic of purification - Jeremiah 4:4 Necessary for participation - Exodus 12:48 2.Repeating “again” indicates second time cf. Exodus 12:48 Moses neglected his own son - Exodus 4:24-26 Covenant promised land but sign was neglected!

Consecrated for Combat A.Restoring Circumcision (Cont’d) 3.Risk The particulars of the risk History of Genesis 34:25 God’s orders don’t always make sense The greatest risk is not obeying God The protection of the risk “At that time” shows God’s perfect timing. Israel’s immediate response proved well.

Consecrated for Combat A.Restoring Circumcision (cont’d) 4.Removal The reproach of Egypt - vs. 9 Israel had left Egypt only to be enslaved in the dessert and judged by God Exodus 32:12 cp. Numbers 14:12-16 Gilgal means to roll back (as in reproach) The world is always ready to mock God’s people in good and bad times! “Healed” has a double meaning - vs.8

Consecrated for Combat Application 2 Is there true repentance in your walk? Do you have brokenness and openness before the Lord? Has God’s radical spiritual surgery been performed on your heart?

Consecrated for Combat B.Reinstituting Passover (10) 1.Neglect Observance commanded Ex. 13:10 First anniversary Numbers 9:1-5 All other years dropped Kept upon arrival cp. 2 Chron. 30/35

Consecrated for Combat B.Reinstituting Passover (cont’d) 2.Necessary Command of God Ex. 12:14 / 13:5 Character of Man, We forget! Ps. 106:13/21 Children of Israelites Ex. 12:26,27 / 13:8 Calendar of Israel (Perfect Timing) Josh. 4:19 10 th day Lamb selection day Josh. 5:10 14 th day Passover Ex.12:6-8

Consecrated for Combat B.Reinstituting Passover (cont’d) 3.Neighborhood Live our faith before the ungodly (plain) Examples Gen.12:6-8 Matt.10:32,33 4.Nourishment Stopping of Manna Season of Grain Harvest Source was “of the land”

Consecrated for Combat Application 3 Are you neglecting the things of God? Are you wandering in the wilderness, doing your own thing independent of Him? Are we emphasizing the sacraments as central to our worship?

Consecrated for Combat III.The Challenge of Change A.Change is a fact of life B.There is a time for change C.God’s resources are sufficient D.God’s provision is suitable to our present conditions E.God moves from the supernatural to the natural

Consecrated for Combat Application 4 Change is difficult and upsetting so we often learn to not rock the boat! What areas of your life are you in status quo, not rocking the boat? Are you willing to change as God allows circumstances to change?