Redemption, Devotion and Reward

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Has anyone ever told you that they are disciplining you because they love you?

That is what God tells us in Prov 3:11-12. The most loving thing that our parents, grandparents, teachers, and others in authority over us can do, would be to teach us, point out our mistakes and sins, to correct us and ultimately to discipline us. That is why God gave us His word.

Imagine if the pilot on an airplane just let you get in and try to fly to Florida. That wouldn’t be a very good idea would it. Now if they teach you first and train you and then work with you to show you mistakes you are making and eventually let you begin to do that on your own, wouldn’t that be much better.

It is the same way in our lives. We first need to be trained and taught, occasionally we need to have our sins and mistakes pointed out and then eventually, we may need to be disciplined if we continue to do what is wrong.

That is why your families bring you to church and to Calvary Kids

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

God loves us and wants what is best for us. Listen to the next few verses in Prov 3.

Proverbs 3:13–16 ESV

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

God has a great plan for you and He wants you to obey and to live a godly life, because His way is always the best way, His way is always good for us, we just need to trust that He is good.

Review- The Hidden Things

Sin, rebellion, lack of faith, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life are a serious problem. We saw that in the account of Israel’s first attempt to conquer Ai in Joshua 7. Achan, brought trouble upon the people of Israel, because of the “Hidden Things”. Last week I encouraged everyone to take time to do some personal inventory, asking the Lord to reveal the “Hidden things.” in our lives, to endeavor to be honest about the sin, in our lives.

Recently, James MacDonald, pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, left on a sabbatical, and then was eventually fired for “highly inappropriate comments that were recorded and then given to media and reported”. This week a Christianity Today article disclosed information about accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate comments and behavior, which were confirmed to be true of retired Pastor Bill Hybels, former pastor of Willow Creek Community Church when he was lead pastor.

The existing elder board at Willow Creek made the following statement, “While we cannot change the events of the past, we grieve what has happened, ask for forgiveness, and commit ourselves to pursuing healing and reconciliation,”

We must address sin, when we become aware of it, no matter who it is.

It is unfortunate that such events like these occur. It is difficult to determine the extent of the damage that has happened to the name of Christ and the level of fallout in stealing glory from the Lord God almighty.

Thankfully, newly appointed leaders in each of the ministries I just spoke of are seeking to change the policies, procedures and culture in their perspective churches.

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confession and repentance are significant steps in our sanctification process, and are key ingredients in our working out of salvation with fear and trembling.

Devotion-

Repeatedly in the chapters in Joshua that we have been looking at, God identified things that were “Devoted things” Some devoted to destruction, and others devoted to The Lord.

Destruction-

Those things that were designated to destruction were things that God commanded to be destroyed. The Canaanites, their possessions and their livestock. Apparently their sin had reached its fulness, unlike back in Genesis when God said their sin had not yet reached its fulness and held off from passing judgement upon them. (God had a purpose and plan in allowing them to live until the time of Joshua)

Devotion to the Lord-

We saw in chapter 6 that certain items were to be devoted to the treasury of the Lord, (the gold, silver, bronze and iron) We also saw in chapter 7 that the Israelites went from being designated as part of the treasury for the Lord and had become devoted to destruction. This we are told happened due to Achan’s sin.

This isn’t the only example we see of devoted things being misused in the OT.

1 Samuel 15:19–22 ESV

19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” 20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Redemption-

Achan’s action had caused God’s anger to be kindled against Israel and it was evident in their loss in the first battle of Ai,

Now, after the sins of Achan had been atoned for, by his death, God’s anger was turned away from Israel, and the focus of His judgement became the people of Ai. Israel had made it clear that they wished to be devoted to the Lord, rather than devoted to destruction.

Joshua 7:26–8:2 ESV

26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor. 1 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land. 2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.”

Because of their faith in God, trusting that His way was right and good, which was demonstrated in their actions toward Achan, God’s favor was now upon the nation of Israel once again.

This is similar to the message we read of in Romans 5:1-2

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Even the slightest sin and disobedience is just cause for God to destroy us. But by His grace He chose to accept the blood of His son as a sacrifice for our sins and has freed those who believe in Him as their Savior from the bondage of sin, we are no longer slaves to sin but instead are slaves to righteousness.

The redemption we have by the blood of Jesus Christ, is far greater than the redemption the Israelites had as they entered into battle with the King and people of Ai, the second time.

What an incredible gift we have been given.

Reward-

Though our salvation is not a reward, in the sense that we earn it, there is clear evidence in Scripture that obedience leads to blessing/reward.

Joshua 8:1 ESV

1 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land.

Joshua is told, “I have given into your hand the King of Ai, and his people and his land.” This was accomplished for a two-fold purpose, it was God’s judgement upon the King of Ai, but it was also provision for the people of Israel.

All that we have is a blessing from God. It is His mercy, grace and love that allow us the blessing of life and the Hope of eternal life with Him.

Joshua 8:2 ESV

2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.”

God is a jealous God but He provides for the needs of His people.

“Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves.” God requires our obedience but we can trust, that even when we are asked to sacrifice and obey, our needs will be met.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

How often do we behave like Joshua, who fell on his face at the first sign of trouble, and we assume God has acted unfairly, or unjustly?

We cannot possibly out give God. This is not a statement to encourage or manipulate you into giving more money to the church (in fact as a local church we can be very thankful for the financial situation that we are in both as individuals and corporately.) The fact is, God’s rewards are astronomically superior to anything that we could ever give Him.

The Israelites gave God their trust and their walk, proved their talk, but their work, struggles and duty pale in comparison to what God was providing for them, and the same is true for us today.

All that God was giving them, as His chosen people was out of the abundance of His grace. We too are given far more than we deserve, and yet we are repeatedly told in Scripture that He will bless those who trust in Him and obey His word. Even Job, who is known for the incredible suffering that God allowed Satan to inflict upon his life, was later given even greater blessings than all that He lost. Achan, missed out on God’s blessing, but the Israelites were given the plunder from the city of Ai.

Communion-

This morning we remember the most precious gift and reward, which was accomplished by Christ shedding His blood that we might have new life, that we might be born again. Let us praise Him and thank Him for this most wonderful reward!