Message: Be Willing to be Different
Speaker: Tim Bounds
But the Israelites were unfaithful to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things.
The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions . . . I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."
Early the next morning Joshua had Israel come forward by tribes, and Judah was chosen. The clans of Judah came forward, and the Zerahites were chosen. He had the clan of the Zerahites come forward by families, and Zimri was chosen. Joshua had his family come forward man by man, and Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was chosen . . . So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites, and spread them out before the LORD. Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor.
Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger.
Joshua 7:1, 10-12, 16-18, 22-26
The community of God's people--the church--is meant to be an agent and evidence of that transcendence. This is the crisis and the promise of following Jesus today.
Mark Labberton
Read
Joshua 7; 1 Peter 2:9-10, James 4:13-5
Reflect
What's the one word that describes how the Church should be in the world today?
What has been your experience with the "big C" Church?
What questions do you have about Achan's story?
How does Achan's story influence the way you live in the world?
What does Achan's story teach us about the holiness of God?
What steps can you take to pursue holiness this week and remind yourself of the grace that you have in Christ?
How is God calling you to be different in your day-to-day circumstances?
Do
Remember God's grace and live different lives.
Remember
Sign up for the Never Settle book launch happening on September 15.