1. Fighting Strongholds
Joshua 6

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.”

7. 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.”

8. 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

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

10. 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?”

11. 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

12. 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”

13. 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)

14. A Badminton Story

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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”

20. 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!)

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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.