Learning on the Way
Sermon Summary
This sermon from Joshua 10 explores what happens when we honor our commitments even when they prove costly. Joshua and the Israelites found themselves bound by a covenant with the Gibeonites (who had deceived them in chapter 9), and when five Amorite kings attacked Gibeon, Joshua had to decide whether to honor his word or abandon his obligations. The passage teaches us that when we keep our commitments, pray with bold faith, and trust God’s promises, He fights for us in ways we never expected. Joshua’s faithfulness led to one of the most miraculous battles in Scripture, where God made the sun stand still and secured complete victory for His people.
Key Points
- God honors covenant faithfulness – He expects us to keep our word even when circumstances change or it becomes costly
- God responds to believing prayer – Bold prayers based on His promises delight Him and often receive miraculous answers
- God secures complete victory – When God fights for us, He doesn’t just help us survive but gives us total victory
- Keeping commitments reflects God’s character and opens doors for His miraculous intervention
- Our integrity and witness are on the line when we make promises
- God finishes what He starts in our lives, even when victory doesn’t look like we expected
Small Group Questions
- The sermon mentions how Joshua could have easily found excuses to abandon the Gibeonites since they had deceived him. Share about a time when you were tempted to break a commitment because circumstances changed or became more difficult than expected. How did you handle it?
- Joshua prayed boldly and publicly for the sun to stand still – a prayer that could have made him look foolish if God didn’t answer. When was the last time you prayed a “sun stand still” prayer that required God’s miraculous intervention? What holds us back from praying bold prayers?
- Dale mentioned that 99% of ministry is “just showing up” consistently in people’s lives. How does this principle apply to marriage, friendship, and other relationships? Share an example of someone who has faithfully “shown up” in your life.
- In verse 8, God promises Joshua “not a man of them shall stand before you” before Joshua prays for the miracle. How does God’s character and His promises give us confidence to pray boldly? What promises of God can you base your prayers on?
- The sermon notes that “if I can accomplish it in my own strength, it’s probably not a big enough prayer.” What’s the difference between presumptuous prayer and bold faith-filled prayer? How do we know if we’re praying according to God’s will?
- God gave Israel complete victory over not just one enemy but an entire region. How does knowing that “God finishes what He starts” encourage you in an area where you’re still waiting for breakthrough or victory?
Key Verses Joshua 10, Philippians 1:6
Application On The Way
This week, practice covenant faithfulness in three specific ways:
- Keep your commitments – Honor every promise you make this week, even if it becomes inconvenient or costly
- Pray boldly – Identify one area where you need God’s intervention and pray a “sun stand still” prayer based on His promises, not your circumstances
- Trust God’s timing – In an area where you’re waiting for breakthrough, remind yourself daily that “God finishes what He starts” and resist the urge to give up or take matters into your own hands Want to Go Deeper?
Additional Scripture Passages:
- Numbers 30:2 – “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 – “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”
- Matthew 5:37 – “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
- James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
- Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…”
- 2 Corinthians 1:20 – “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
Personal Reflection Questions:
- Read Philippians 3:10 where Paul expresses his desire to share in Christ’s sufferings. How does Joshua’s costly obedience to his covenant with the Gibeonites reflect this same heart? What commitments in your life require you to “share in Christ’s sufferings” for the sake of faithfulness?
- Reflect on the Spurgeon quote mentioned in the sermon: “I’ve learned to kiss the waves that slam me against the rock of ages.” How might the difficult circumstances that come from keeping your word actually be God’s way of drawing you closer to Himself? Journal about a time when costly obedience led to deeper intimacy with God.