Learning on the Way
Sermon Summary
This sermon confronts the reality that many Christians struggle with the same sins and strongholds for years, feeling defeated and wondering if God has given up on them. Using Joshua 6 and the fall of Jericho, Pastor Dale reveals that God has already given us the victory over life-dominating sins. The battle is won before it’s fought – we’re fighting from victory, not for victory. God’s battle plan may seem ridiculous from human perspective (marching around walls silently), but His divine weapons – His presence, His Word, His people, and persistent faith – have the power to demolish any stronghold. The key is trusting God’s way over our own understanding and remembering that strongholds don’t fall through human effort, but through faith and obedience in God’s presence.
Key Points:
Strongholds are life-dominating sins that affect every area of our lives and seem unconquerable from human perspective
The victory over strongholds is already won in Christ – we fight from victory, not for victory
God’s battle plan requires faith and obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense to us
Our divine weapons are: God’s presence, God’s Word, God’s people, and persistent faith
The enemy’s primary tactics are isolation and making us feel we can’t live without our sin
Community is essential – we cannot defeat strongholds alone
Grace is available to anyone, anywhere who calls upon God in faith
Small Group Questions
The sermon describes strongholds as “life-dominating sins” that affect every area of our lives. Without sharing specifics, can you identify areas where you’ve felt trapped in patterns that seem impossible to break? How has this affected your relationship with God?
Pastor Dale emphasizes that we’re fighting “from victory, not for victory” because Christ has already won. How does this perspective change the way you approach ongoing struggles with sin? What difference does it make to know the battle is already won?
God’s battle plan for Jericho seemed ridiculous – marching silently around walls for seven days. Share about a time when God asked you to do something that didn’t make sense from a human perspective. How did you respond, and what did you learn?
The sermon identifies four divine weapons: God’s presence, God’s Word, God’s people, and persistent faith. Which of these weapons do you find yourself using most? Which do you tend to neglect, and why?
The enemy uses isolation as a primary tactic, making us feel like we’re the only ones struggling. How has shame or secrecy kept you from getting the help you need? What would it look like to be more vulnerable with trusted believers?
Rahab’s story shows God’s grace reaching even the most unlikely people. Her window stayed open while everyone else shut their hearts to God. How have you seen God’s grace break through in your life or in the lives of others when circumstances seemed hopeless?
The sermon warns against rebuilding strongholds that God has torn down. What are some practical ways we can “let dead things stay dead” and avoid returning to old patterns once God brings breakthrough?
Key Verses
Joshua 6:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Galatians 6:9, Matthew 18:19-20
Application On The Way
This week, identify one specific stronghold in your life that needs to come down. Instead of fighting it in your own strength, implement God’s battle plan: spend intentional time in His presence daily, speak Scripture over your situation, reach out to someone in community for prayer and accountability, and commit to persistent faith even when you don’t see immediate results.
Want to Go Deeper
Additional Scripture References: Romans 6:1-14, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7, Romans 8:37-39, 1 John 4:4, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 139:14, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Colossians 2:13-15
Personal Reflection Questions:
Read Romans 6:11-14. Paul says to “consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” How would your daily battle against strongholds change if you truly believed and lived from this identity? What would it look like to practically “not let sin reign” in your mortal body?
Study Ephesians 6:10-18 alongside Joshua 6. How do the spiritual weapons Paul describes compare to the divine weapons used at Jericho? Which piece of spiritual armor do you most need to put on when facing your strongholds, and how can you practically do this this week?