The Baptist Bible Hour now comes to you under the direction of Elder Lassaire Bradley Jr. When I get scared. A thousand times to see my grace. Redeemers praise the glories of my god and king, the triumphs of his grace. This is LeSaire Bradley Jr., inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty early in the morning, our songs shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy, mercedy, God in three births, blessed trimming. Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore thee. Sing up their government browns all round the blast is sing Sherub and Sarah and heaven more shall be Holy, holy, holy Lordness highly Holy I of Simple and thy glory reign of sing Only thou art holy, there is none beside thee, perfect in God, in love and glority, holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, all my words shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sing Holy, holy, holy, present Lord and might. God in three presents.
We're thankful for this opportunity to bring you another message from God's Word. And if you want the broadcast to continue on your local station, please let us hear from you. Our mailing address is Baptist Bible Hour Box 17037, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. or you can go to our website at BaptistBibleHour.org There, you can make a donation, you can read the Baptist Witness, and you can hear the Sunday and daily editions. of this program.
Ruin. We walk with the Lord in the light of his word. What a glory he sheds on our way. While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey, trust and obey. For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, but he smiled greatly. Drives it away. Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, can remain when we trust and obey. Trust and obey. For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil he doth richly repay. Not a grief or a loss, not a Frown or on cross, but it's best if we trust and obey, trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. Then, in fellowships we will sit at his feet, or we'll walk by his side in the way. What he says we will do, where he sends we will go. Never fear, only trust and obey.
And obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey today. We continue with our series of messages on the book of Joshua. Last week, our message was on the everlasting arms. And I've been very encouraged by the number of people who have contacted me to say that they were comforted and encouraged by it. This message was developed when I was on my way to the hospital because I was showing symptoms of having a stroke.
But after two days and two nights in the hospital they told me I did not have a stroke, for which I was indeed very thankful, and that I could go home, and I was thankful for that. The title of today's message is Defeat at AI. And I understand that listening to a message about defeat is not as enjoyable as listening to the message about the victory when they marched around the walls of Jericho. but there are lessons to be learned from their defeat just as there were lessons to be learned from their victory.
So I hope that The message to day will be a blessing to you. Today we come to chapter seven in the book of Joshua. Defeat At AI. Reading verse 1. Joshua 7, 1.
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing. For Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdai, and the son of Zerob, of the tribe of Judah. of the accursed thing. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. First, we observe a changing scene.
Up to this point. things had gone extremely well. They had faithfully observed the commandments of God. They were attentive to what God had to say. Joshua, very submissive to the instruction that was given to him by the captain of the Lord's host and the people.
were receptive to the str the instruction. receptive to the instruction that Joshua had conveyed on to them. They had safely crossed the River Jordan. That was What an experience. See the waters roll back?
The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant had to go and stand in the midst of the river. until all of the people had passed over. Think of it. Two million people. Crossing this river.
And the priest having to stand there patiently holding the Ark of the Covenant until they had all gone safely across. They had attended to the requirement of instituting again circumcision to show their covenant relationship with the Lord. They'd observe the Passover. which conveyed then their confidence that one day All the types and shadows. would be fulfilled.
All of the Old Testament prophecies would have come to pass. that the true Lamb of God would come to put away sin. They had conquered the walled city of Jericho.
So the last verse of chapter six says.
So the Lord was with Joshua. and his fame was noised throughout the country. Hear things. are described as being in a very positive state. They have enjoyed this incredible victory.
marching around the walls. until they fell flat to the ground. And so The Lord blessed Joshua. He was with him. and his fame was noised throughout the country.
The inhabitants of the land were fearful. When they heard about the success of this great unique military leader. But now There is a change. The first word of chapter seven is but. That's ominous.
It's going to be a dramatic change. There is sin. in the camp. There had been a defiant act of disobedience. God had been very specific in instructing them when you go into the city.
When the walls came down, then the soldiers were able to immediately go in and conquer the city. But he said, you're not to take any of the spoil. Everything that is there belongs to God. It's not yours. You're not to take any of it.
But there had been One individual. Who was defiant? Disobedient. And as a result, The anger of the Lord was kindled. against his people.
Somebody might say, well I didn't think God's anger Would ever have been kindled against these who were his chosen people, his covenant people. because they had sinned so greatly. God was angry with them. And that's not just an Old Testament principle. Let's look at the book of 1 Peter.
Chapter 4, verse 17. For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. And if it first began at us, What shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? Judgment. It must begin at the house of God.
God expects something special. of Ish people. He expects obedience. He expects them to honor any command that he gives. Whether it be a command To do something?
or to be restrained from doing something. And notice that he does speak of the fact that there is coming a judgment upon those that obey not the gospel of God. God requires the church. The deal with sand. All through the years I've met with a number of people who have sent Well, I just don't believe the church ought to ever put anybody out.
And usually, if they're disturbed about the issue, they try to make it sound as. bad as possible. I just don't think the church ought to ever throw anybody out.
Well, the church doesn't throw anybody out. And the church doesn't put anybody out. except with great reluctance. After much labor. After much prayer.
after much effort to restore them. Paul writes to the church at Caribbe. It says in 1 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 12. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? He's talking about judging those who are not in the church, who are not believers.
I've talked to people who have argued against having a church membership. That just should be that whoever gathers there on a particular Sunday is a church, but there is no identifiable membership.
Well, Paul is making a distinction here. between those who are in the church and those who are out of the church. If you don't have a membership, How are you going to make that distinction? It says, I can't judge those that are without. Do ye Do not ye judge them that are within.
You have an obligation. to judge those that are a part of your body. The church, the body. But them that are without, God judgeth. Therefore, put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Talking about a man that was described as having his father's wife. He was living. openly in sin. This wasn't some kind of gossip going on where he was being falsely accused. It was indeed a fact.
And Paul says this kind of conduct is not even condoned by the ungodly out in the world, and yet you and the church are tolerating it. He says, I'm telling you, put away from among yourselves that wicked person. Certainly a child Yeah. can be overtaken by temptation. Commit great sin.
But when they are confronted approach. It is hopeful. Indeed, if they are a true believer, that they will repent. They will see their error. They will acknowledge I have sinned.
and that person can be forgiven.
Sometimes it may require Multiple Attempts. to approach a person. before they're brought to repentance and that labor ought to be extended. But when there is refusal For a person to change their style of living when it's diametrically opposed to the basic teaching of God's Word, the church has no choice. but to dismiss that individual.
from its membership. And so there is a changing scene because God is angry with his people because of sin. That is among them. We furthermore see in this portion of Scripture Bad planning. Joshua has been such an example.
Everything we've read about him. all the way back to the time that he was one of the spies that went in at Cadesh Barnea. And out of the 12 spies, only Joshua and Caleb brought a positive report and said, let's go up at once and take the land. all through the wanderings in the wilderness. All through what has transpired and coming into the land.
And the victory. At Jericho. Joshua has been an example. But it's Clear At this point. That no matter how strong a leader may be No matter how many worthwhile things have been accomplished.
He's still with a man. He's still weak. He can still falter. And Joshua faltered here. Because he failed to seek counsel.
of the Lord. That's before they ever started on the journey. God had promised that he would give them the counsel and direction that they needed. And certainly he was submissive before Attacking Jericho, that he bowed before the captain of the Lord's host and took orders from him. But now he sends spies to survey the place.
That AI. And he follows their advice.
Now to begin with, the spies weren't asked to give advice. They were simply told to go there and spy out the situation. But they come back. and give advice. Overlooking the fact.
that the direction should not come from this group of spies, but should come from God himself. We're always headed for trouble when we begin to rely on human wisdom. These men gave bad advice. Verse two and three. And the men went up and viewed AI.
And they returned to Joshua and said unto him, Let not all the people go up. But let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai, and make not all the people to labor thither, for they are but few. You can see there's Feeling of Self-sufficiency in this. We've just come off of a great victory in defeating Jericho And Ai is not that large a city. Apparently, it did not have the kind of walled fortification that Jericho had.
And so they spy out the situation and said, let's not. Trouble everybody. Let's not ask everybody to go. We just take about 3,000 men up there and we'll be able to conquer that in short order. They made it sound like They were concerned, they just didn't want to inconvenience everybody, that shouldn't be necessary for everybody to go.
But you see It should have been considered a privilege. To be a part. of what God was doing. To be a member of the Lord's army. To be going forward in something that God approved of and which God would bless.
Think what it was. To be a part of that marching band as they went around the city of Jericho. And when the signal was given, The trumpet was blown and the people shouted and down fell the walls. Oh, what a time that was to have seen God make the walls crumble and fall flat to the ground. Why would you want to miss out on something like that?
Why would you want to say Most of you people. Don't need to go. Just stay at home. And we'll we'll bring back the report.
Okay. A later time.
Well If you have the right attitude about the service of God, You want to be involved. You're not looking for excuses. to stay home. or to be indifferent, or to be uninvolved. It should not be looked on as a burden.
An inconvenience, a weariness. In Malachi chapter 1, verse 13. Ye said also, behold, what a weariness it is. And you have snuffed at it. Saith the Lord of hosts.
Can you imagine it? God's people. Of course, they couldn't say it without the Lord hearing it, but said it in the hearing of God. Your service is a burden. We're tired of it.
It's a weariness to us.
Now Galatians 6.9 says And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. It should never be considered. a burden to us. to be actively involved. In God's service.
Now later Chapter 8 and verse 1. Look what the Lord said. The Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed. Take all the people of war with thee. and arise and go up to AI.
See, I have given Into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land. What a difference. The spies had advised Don't bother everybody. Everybody doesn't need to go. But at a later time when they were to go Now God says Take all the people.
It's Contrary to God's plan then. to say, let not all the people go up. And if that? attitudes that prevail in a church. That's your problem.
There must be no effort. No word spoken to discourage anybody from going up. Being involved, participating in, being active in serving God. The person who is young. Should never.
Be discouraged. I always think of L. J. A. Monsey's.
She got one. up in years and Hence, such a humble, sweet way about him. He says, I think back. When I was a boy, and there were things that I wanted to do, and people say, Well, Jimmy. You're just not old enough.
You just have to wait a while. And says, now here I am, up in years, and the things I want to do. And they say, hey, Brother Jimmy. You're just too old. You can't do that.
He said, somehow I missed out on a lot along the way.
Well, the point is there's a place for young people to be actively involved in serving God. Look at the many examples in Scripture. of young people. who were used to God's glory. There was Joseph Just as a young man.
Who maintained a strong testimony in Egypt and was exalted and used by God in a special way. There was King Josiah who came to reign when he was just eight years old. And one of the few kings. who did what was right and honorable in the sight of God. There was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
who resisted the demand to bow down to the king's image. On and on the list could go. Let me tell you, young people. Don't let anybody discourage you. Don't get the idea that because you're young, you've got to wait before you can be involved.
Now I understand Ooh. Wisdom has to be used. Must not be a young person who is arrogant and trying to Push himself or herself into a place where they do not rightfully belong at this point, but there are activities. in which they should be involved. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4, verse 12, says, Let no man despise thy youth.
But be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, and in purity.
So he tells this young preacher, I want you to be an example. I want you to live in an honorable, godly way, but don't let anybody despise your youth. Don't let anybody discourage you because you're young, as though you can't have an effective, useful place in the church. Am I Yeah so During Of the crawl. Of the lamb and shall I fear?
Two oh His cause, or blush to speak his name. The skies on flowery beds are e While others far How to win? The prize and sailed through bloody seas. The lessons to be learned from defeat are difficult. But it's necessary that we face that side of life.
as we read the Scriptures and understand the seriousness of sin and how it does bring defeat. I hope that you will write us this week until next week at the same time. May the Lord richly bless you all. If I would rain, increase my courage. Yeah.
Lord, I'll bear the toil. I'll endure The pain supported by thy word. The Baptist Bible Hour has come to you under the direction of Elder Lessere Bradley Jr. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, four five two one seven.
Thy saints in all this glorious war shall conquer though they die. They see the triumph from afar. By faith it is. Is brought nigh When that illustrous day shall rise. And all thine army shine.
In robes of victory through. The skies, the glory shall be thine.
