Theological Proposition/Focus: God is truth and hence the source of truth and has a high expectation that His people be truthful.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: We must go to God and petition Him, as truth, for discernment. Failure to have asked God is not an excuse for making a bad decision.

Introduction:

Image: Over and under reactions

Often times we find ourselves balancing on a knife-edge. On one side there is danger, on the other there is danger. For example,

Under Reacting: about 3% of Americans are thought to be immunodeficient

Overacting example: Every Spring 35 million Americans fight allergies that incorrectly identify pollen as a new virus or bacteria.

You don't want to be in either state. God calls on us to be discerning people, going to Him and trusting him to correctly identify how we should respond to situations.

Need: We need to seek God so that we can practice godly discernment.

Preview: In this text, we are going to see that discernment matters because God holds us to a very high standard.

Setting the Stage:

Remember that God has been the central character of Joshua.

God was in charge in Joshua 1.

God brought Israel across the Jordan in Joshua 3.

God brought down the walls of Jericho in Joshua in Joshua 6.

God delivered the city of AI in Joshua 8

By this point in the story we have learned that God is the central figure of Joshua and no matter what one should always go to God. In Joshua 9 we are going to see a case where Israel probably should have gone to God first before just acting.

Body

Discernment matters because those not among God's people often play by different rules (1-13).

Two common, worldly responses to God's power.

When some witness God's power they attempt to rebel (1-2).

When some witness God's power they attempt to manipulate (3-6).

Without God there is no truth (John 14:6).

Satan is the father of lies who naturally speaks lies John 8:44

Image: Playing a game with a bright five year old who is determined to win.

MTR: Search yourself and make sure you are turning to Truth.

Discernment matters because God holds his people to a very high standard (14-21).

Failure comes from failing to turn to God.

Ignorance is not bliss.

God expects His people to keep their word.

Image: We tend to expect high standards of everyone except ourselves.

What do they call the last ranked person graduating from medical school? Doctor...

What is a passing score on an FAA exam? 70%

MTR: Get into the habit of going to God.

Discernment matters because our choices can have long-term consequences (22-26).

Bad decisions often have consequences.

Israel was forced to live with a constant reminder of their failure here

Saul's later violation of the oath brought national consequences (2 Sam. 21:1-6).

God redeems despite our failures.

MTR: Determine to show how God turns past failures into present redemptions.

Conclusion:

Image:

Joshua 9: Discernment Matters

Contents