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The Man Who Loses the Battle of Life

Explore the story of Achan from Joshua 7 who lost the battle of Ai and his own battle with life. Discover why covetousness, disobedience, and transgression of God's covenants can lead to defeat. Ask yourself if you are winning or losing the battle of life and if you are following God's will and honoring your covenant agreements with Him.

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The Man Who Loses the Battle of Life

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  1. Assistance from The Zondervan 2013 Pastor’s Annual Text Josh 7:1-26 The Man Who Loses the Battle of Life

  2. Introduction • The arrival of Israel in the Promised Land was a true success story • The Israelites had crossed the Jordan successfully, met God at Gilgal, and conquered Jericho • When we reach our text in Josh 7 we find Israel in retreat and in defeat and Joshua with his face to the ground crying out to God for an answer • God then answers Joshua’s prayer

  3. Introduction • Achan was the man who caused Israel to lose the battle of Ai • He is mentioned 3 times in the bible and all three reference the defeat at Ai (Josh 7:1, 22:20; 1 Chron 2:7) • He not only caused Israel to lose their battle in the conquest of Canaan, but he lost his own battle with life (Josh 7:25) • God does not desire for us to lose the battle of life as Achan did but rather to be victorious • In this lesson we will look at some of the reasons why Achan lost this battle

  4. The man who is covetous loses the battle of life • Achan himself said, “I coveted them” (Josh 7:20-21) • The 10th commandment of God prohibited covetousness (Ex20:17) • Paul often makes mention of the dangers of covetousness • Eph 5:3-5; Col 3:5-7; 1 Tim 6:6-11 • Christ spoke of covetousness as well • Mk 7:20-23; Lk 12:15 • Achan gave into his covetous desires • He desired that which was not for him to have • His covetousness is clearly one of the reasons he lost the battle of life

  5. The man who disobeys God’s commands loses the battle of life • Joshua had given to Israel God’s commands concerning Jericho (Josh 6:17-19) • Jericho and all that was in it were to be dedicated (devoted) to the Lord • All the people were to be put to death with the exception of Rahab and those with her in her house • It was probably a great temptation having to destroy so many valuable things rather than taking them for themselves, but God had given His commands and they were to be obeyed • Achan disobeyed the commands of God and took the spoils that were to be set apart by the Lord

  6. The man who disobeys God’s commands loses the battle of life • There are multiple scriptures which deal with the importance of obedience to God • Deut 10:12-13, Deut 12:13; 1 Sam 15:22; Eccl 12:13; Jn 8:51, 14:23; Acts 5:29; Jam 2:10; 1 Jn 3:22

  7. The man who transgresses God’s covenants loses the battle of life • God had made a covenant with Joshua and Israel for the seizure and capture of Jericho • Everything in Jericho was to be devoted to the Lord • All living things were to be killed • The destructible materials were to be burned • The indestructible materials were to be consecrated to the service of God • The sin of Achan was more than an act of disobedience, it was a violation of the divine covenant God had made with Israel

  8. The man who transgresses God’s covenants loses the battle of life • Some additional scripture to consider concerning covenants • Deut 31:16; 2 King 23:3; Ps 25:14; Prov 2:16-17; Neh 9:38; Mal 2:14-16; Mt 19:4-6; Lk 2:20; Heb 8:6-13, 9:11-15 • The Sin of Achan was a robbery of God, a seizure of things owed to God and not Achan • The secrecy which he tried to use to hide this sin was an obvious lack of respect for the omniscience and omnipresence of God • In short, Achan violated God’s covenant with Israel • Don’t be like Achan and lose the battle of life by transgressing God’s covenants with us

  9. Conclusion • We will conclude our look at what can cause a person to lose the battle of life next Lord’s Day evening • In the meantime, ask yourself, • “Am I winning or losing the battle of life?” • “Am I following God’s will for my life?” • “Am I respecting and not violating the covenant agreements I have made with God?” • As you consider these questions, if there is anything we as a congregation can do to help you in your walk, we invite you to come forward and make that known while we stand and sing

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