Driving Out The Canaanites
Notes
Transcript
"Driving Out The Canaanites"
Joshua 17:12 – 18
12 But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these towns because the Canaanites were determined to stay in that region.
13 Later, however, when the Israelites became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.
14 The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?”
15 Joshua replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Perizzites and Rephaites live.”
16 The descendants of Joseph responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Jezreel. They are too strong for us.”
17 Then Joshua said to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph, “Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion.
18 The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
INTRODUCTION:
Believers are to receive the lives of Old Testament people as examples.
(1 Corinthians 10:6,11)
6 These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did,
11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.
A- Background
1- God had defeated the inhabitants of Canaan and had granted victory to the Israelite forces led by Joshua.
2- God had commanded Joshua to divide the territory of Canaan among the remaining tribes of Israel.
3- God had promised to help the tribes subdue their lands.
(Joshua 13:6-7)
6 and all the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, including all the land of the Sidonians. “I myself will drive these people out of the land ahead of the Israelites. So be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you.
7 Include all this territory as Israel’s possession when you divide this land among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”
4- The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh did not complete the task of subduing the land, even with the promise of God’s help. They wanted Joshua to give them land that was easier to obtain. (Text)
B- Application:
1- God has given precious promises to you and I as believers.
2- God has already defeated our greatest foes through Christ’s death and resurrection.
3- God has promised the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit to assist us in driving out our “Canaanites” and gaining victory in our Christian live, leading us to grow to maturity and Christ-likeness.
4- Unfortunately, with many believers, Billy Sunday’s assessment rings true.
“If most of us were as weak physically as we are spiritually, we’d all need crutches!”
a. It is unnatural to fail to grow - physically and spiritually!
b. Somehow, we have come to accept the abnormal as normal!
c. Let’s do some spiritual diagnosing of our lives...
PQ: Why do we fail to grow as Christians?
I. BECAUSE WE EXERCISE ONLY PARTIAL CONQUEST OF OUR LIVES (Joshua 17:12 – 13, 16)
I. BECAUSE WE EXERCISE ONLY PARTIAL CONQUEST OF OUR LIVES (Joshua 17:12 – 13, 16)
12 But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these towns because the Canaanites were determined to stay in that region.
13 Later, however, when the Israelites became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.
16 The descendants of Joseph responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Jezreel. They are too strong for us.”
A. What are we supposed to do?
A. What are we supposed to do?
1. Totally drive out the old ways.
1. Totally drive out the old ways.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
a. God commands us to clean-up our lives .
1) We know that we are supposed to forsake the old life and pursue Christ-likeness, but fail to do so.
* illustration: the Apostle Paul forsook the past.
B. Why do we fail to drive them out?
B. Why do we fail to drive them out?
1. Complacency.
1. Complacency.
(Joshua 14:15)
(Joshua 14:15)
15 (Previously Hebron had been called Kiriath-arba. It had been named after Arba, a great hero of the descendants of Anak.) And the land had rest from war.
a. Our excuse: “I can take it or leave it!” We usually take it!!!
b. King Saul was told to wipe out the Amalekites and did not (1 Samuel 15)
he was later killed by one.
If sin is allowed to remain in your life, it will ultimately defeat you!
2. Covetousness.
2. Covetousness.
(Joshua 16:10)
(Joshua 16:10)
10 They did not drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, however, so the people of Gezer live as slaves among the people of Ephraim to this day.
(Joshua 17:13)
(Joshua 17:13)
13 Later, however, when the Israelites became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.
a. The Israelites decided to keep the Canaanites around as slaves.
forced laborers to help work the land.
Warriors to help fight their enemies.
3. Cowardice.
3. Cowardice.
(Joshua 17:16)
(Joshua 17:16)
16 The descendants of Joseph responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Jezreel. They are too strong for us.”
(Philippians 4:13)
(Philippians 4:13)
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Afraid to fight them- might be too strong.
Note: No Canaanite will remain a slave to us- it will eventually dominate us!
II. BECAUSE WE EXPECT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT (Joshua 17:14)
II. BECAUSE WE EXPECT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT (Joshua 17:14)
14 The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?”
A. What do we expect?
A. What do we expect?
1. We expect God to treat us differently than other believers.
1. We expect God to treat us differently than other believers.
a) Letting us get away with unbecoming behavior.
a) Letting us get away with unbecoming behavior.
b) Blessing us when we need chastisement.
b) Blessing us when we need chastisement.
This is arrogance!
2. We are like the man who asked the waitress "do you know who I am?" To which she answered, "no, but when I find out I will let you know!"
2. We are like the man who asked the waitress "do you know who I am?" To which she answered, "no, but when I find out I will let you know!"
B. What are our greatest threats?
B. What are our greatest threats?
1. Arrogance and pride.
1. Arrogance and pride.
(Proverbs 8:13)
(Proverbs 8:13)
13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.
(Proverbs 16:18)
(Proverbs 16:18)
18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
2. Laziness.
2. Laziness.
(Amos 6:1)
(Amos 6:1)
1 What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, and people go to you for help.
(Luke 12:19)
(Luke 12:19)
19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’
3. Fear of diversity.
3. Fear of diversity.
(1 Corinthians 12:11 – 14)
(1 Corinthians 12:11 – 14)
11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.
13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
a) Diversity was a mark of the early churches.
a) Diversity was a mark of the early churches.
(Acts 2:9 – 11, 41)
(Acts 2:9 – 11, 41)
9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,
10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
III. BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE OUR PRIORITIES IN THE RIGHT PLACE. (Joshua 17:17 – 18)
III. BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE OUR PRIORITIES IN THE RIGHT PLACE. (Joshua 17:17 – 18)
17 Then Joshua said to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph, “Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion.
18 The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
A. We must get rid of harmless things that clutter our lives.
A. We must get rid of harmless things that clutter our lives.
(Joshua 17:18 a)
(Joshua 17:18 a)
18 The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
1. Sometimes harmless things prevent proper vision.
1. Sometimes harmless things prevent proper vision.
a) We cannot have spiritual sight because of physical "stuff" in the way.
a) We cannot have spiritual sight because of physical "stuff" in the way.
2. Sometimes harmless things give cover to harmful things.
2. Sometimes harmless things give cover to harmful things.
a) Harmless activities or things that promote temptation.
a) Harmless activities or things that promote temptation.
B. We must get rid of harmful things that corrupt our lives.
B. We must get rid of harmful things that corrupt our lives.
(Joshua 17:18 b)
(Joshua 17:18 b)
18 The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
1. Attitudes that hinder spiritual growth.
1. Attitudes that hinder spiritual growth.
a) Example of Nabal (1 Samuel 25:3)
3 This man’s name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings.
2. Actions that destroy Christian testimony.
2. Actions that destroy Christian testimony.
(1 Thessalonians 5:22)
(1 Thessalonians 5:22)
22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
3. Habits that are hold – over from un-regenerated life.
3. Habits that are hold – over from un-regenerated life.
(Ephesians 4:22)
(Ephesians 4:22)
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
a) Brother Ramsey – quit smoking.
4. Speech that displays a corrupted heart
4. Speech that displays a corrupted heart
(Ephesians 4:29)
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
(Matthew 12:34 – 35)
34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
Hymn “Search Me O’ God” By J. Edwin Orr
Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.
Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.
O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, start the work in me;
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.