Text: Heb 11:30
A. True faith trusts in God, not just relying on our own capabilities (Jos 6:1-5).
The walls of Jericho fell down by the Israelites’ faith in God, not by their own strength. a. The Israelites faced an enemy vastly superior to them (Jos 6:1-2). b. God was the one who gave Jericho into the hands of the Israelites (Jos 6:2).
Where do we put our faith? a. Is it in our own abilities (Jer 9:23-24)? b. Is it in our possessions (Mar 10:23-27)? c. Is it in other men (Psa 118:8-9)?
Just as God is able to cause the walls of Jericho to fall, He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20).
B. True faith does what God says, not just believing in His words (Jos 6:6-11).
The walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites obeyed the commands of God, not when they believed in them. a. Faith alone will not bring down the walls of Jericho (Jos 6:5). b. Faith alone will not justify us before God, but faith is perfected by works of obedience (Jas 2:21-26).
How do we exhibit our faith? a. Is it through our professing (Mat 15:8-9)? b. Is it through our teaching (Rom 2:21-24)? c. Is it through our judging (Luk 11:46)?
Just as God wants the Israelites to demonstrate their faith through their actions, He wants us to work our faith by love (Gal 5:6).
C. True faith obeys God fully, not just doing what makes sense to us (Jos 6:12-16).
The walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites obeyed all the commands of God, not when they obeyed part of it. a. Nothing that they were commanded to do had the slightest effect on the walls of Jericho during the 6 days (Jos 6:3-5). b. God caused the walls of Jericho to fall down flat after the Israelites had fully complied with His commands (Jos 6:20).
How much faith do we have in the commands of God? a. Is it only when it is reasonable to us (Isa 55:8-9)? b. Is it only when it has visible results (2Co 5:7)? c. Is it only when it benefits us (Rom 16:17-18)?
Just as God expects full obedience from the Israelites, He expects us to do all things by His authority (Col 3:17).
D. True faith seeks to please God, not just fulfilling the minimum requirements (Jos 6:17-21).
All the spoil of Jericho was to be consecrated to the Lord, none was to be taken by the Israelites. a. Achan obeyed most of God’s commands in the capture of Jericho, yet God was displeased because of his disobedience in stealing of the spoil (Jos 7:11). b. God allowed the Israelites to take of the spoils of Ai after they had given of the firstfruits of their conquest to Him (Jos 8:2).
What drives our faith? a. Is it motivated by a sense of duty (Mat 19:16)? b. Is it obeying out of a sense of fear (Gen 3:1)? c. Is it obeying out of a sense of pride (Luk 18:11)?
Just as God demands the Israelites to put Him as their priority in life, He demands us to put His church and His word as our priority in life (Mat 6:33).