Sermon Tone Analysis

! LIVING GODLY

!! Bible Text: Joshua 10:15-26

!! Subject: Yokes

!! Title: Living Godly Means Breaking The Yoke That Holds You Back

!

INTRODUCTION

!! Biblical Orientation:

!!!

No man tells me what to do, I am my own person.

How many times have we heard this from someone who is obviously a slave to a habit?

In ourselves we may think, ‘huh, that would not keep me in bondage.’

Yet, that may not always be true.

We find that our lives have more bondage than we are willing to admit

!! Sermon Orientation:

!!! Joshua reveals how to break a yoke in his actions with the rest of this battle.

He gains an understanding of the problem, he then sets about the tasks to vanquish the enemy, and he brings the problem to a final solution.

There is much to learn here!

!

EXPOSITION~/MAIN TEXT

!

I. THE FIVE KINGS IN A CAVE (THE PROBLEM) V 15-18

!! A. They Regrouped To Decide What To Do Next

!!! 1.

The troops had vanquished many in battle, but there was more to do

!!! 2. Joshua brought everyone back to Gilgal and told them what they would do next

!!! 3.

This is always a great way to deal with a problem

!!!! a. Make sure you understand the situation

!!!! b.

Then make godly plans to deal with it

!!!! c.

If you have not prayed about the problem, you may not even understand it until God’s light is shed upon it

!! B. Joshua Kept The Troops Focused On The Main Problem

!!! 1.

The five kings had gone and hidden themselves in a cave

!!!!! a.

He had them place a guard on the cave

!!!!! b.

They would not escape, but 5 men were not the main issue at this moment

!!! 2. Joshua reminded the troops they were to vanquish the armies of the kings

!!! 3.

This is why understanding the problem is key, then you know where to focus

!!!! a.

In the Christian life the Bible determines our focus

!!!! b.

Table Mountain Baptist Church has simplified it to a motto: loving God, loving one another, and loving those around us

!!! 4. Side issues can distract you from the main tasks of life

!!!! a. Make sure you keep your focus

!!!! b.

Sometimes this means putting other things aside until there is time to deal with them

!!!! c.

Prioritize your life according to God’s emphasis

!!!! d.

Here are a few ideas about what God’s emphasizes

!!!!! ü Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you

!!!!! ü Mark 12:30 … thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this/ is/ the first commandment

!

II.

SMITING THE ENEMIES (THE TASK) V 19-20

!! A. Joshua Gave Instructions As To What Needed To Be Done Next

!!! 1. Go get the armies, to live godly you must make sure you are achieving that which is necessary to accomplish God’s plan

!!! 2. No matter how many things you try to accomplish, usually, only a couple of things have to be done

!! B. Joshua Had The Troops Finish The Job

!!! 1.

They vanquished the armies as much as time allowed, while the sun stood still

!!! 2. What do you do with the extra time God gives you

!!!! a.

What do I mean by extra time?

!!!! b.

Every moment you have had since you were saved

!!!! c.

It is a blessing from God

!!! 3. To live godly we must make use of each moment God gives us

!!! 4. A task never started is a task never completed

!!!! a. Make sure that you are completing God’s will for your life

!!!! b.

Finish the tasks He has given to you: relationship, family, job, church…

!

III.

DEALING WITH THE KINGS (THE SOLUTION) V 21-26

!! A. A Good Solution Leaves Nothing To Be Said V 21

!!! 1.

No one had anything bad to say, the men just waited for what was next

!!! 2. Living godly deals with problems God’s way

!!!! ü Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him

!!!! ü Not that these were enemies, but how much more would they be pleased

!!! 3. Base your solutions on God’s view of the problem, God’s method of dealing with the problem and a solution that is obviously from the Lord; you will find that there is little said by detractors and what they do say will be discounted

!! B. A Good Solution Comes Back To The Problems That Can Wait V 22

!!! 1.

The kings had been sealed up, now it was time to deal with them

!!! 2. It is not that they were not important, it was that they were not important right then

!!! 3. Some people live their lives in crisis mode

!!!! a. One, it is unhealthy

!!!! b.

Two, your crisis does not always translate into a crisis for someone else

!!!! c.

Three, God knows!

It is never a crisis for Him

!! C. A Good Solution Brings You Face To Face With The Problem V 23-25

!!! 1.

The kings are brought out, he wants everyone to see there was no reason to fear them

!!! 2. Joshua tells the men of Israel to put their feet upon the king’s necks

!!!! a.

To place your foot on someone’s neck reveals your mastery over them

!!!! b.

It symbolizes total defeat

!!! 3. Notice that Joshua reminds them, when they have a problem that they should follow God’s plan and that God’s solution will always result in victory over the enemy

!!!! a. Joshua’s words are for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight

!!!! b.

God is able to vanquish our enemy!

!!! 4. It is a blessing when God reveals His truths

!!!! a. God has given us His method for seeing our enemy

!!!! b.

It is the Bible