Win At Home Pt. 2 | April 30, 2023
Pastor Wes Morris
Joshua 3:1-5 (NLT) Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing. Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.”
Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”
√ We lose our vision.
Proverbs 29:18 (NIV) Where there is no vision, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
Proverbs 29:18 (ERV) If a nation is not guided by God, the people will lose self-control, but the nation that obeys God’s law will be happy.
√ We lose common sense.
II Timothy 4:3 (NLT) For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
√ We lose our identity.
II Corinthians 7:1 (NIV) Dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
CLEAN HOUSE
Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT) So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
(20-23) If you abandon the Lord and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you.” But the people answered Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!”
“You are a witness to your own decision,” Joshua said. “You have chosen to serve the Lord.” “Yes,” they replied, “we are witnesses to what we have said.” “All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the Lord.”
I. MOVE THE LINE.
I Corinthians 6:18 (NLT) Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
II Timothy 2:22 (NLT) Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
II. MAGNIFY THE COST.
James 1:14-15 (GNT) But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
III. MAKE PURITY OUR PRIORITY.
Psalm 24:3-5 (NLT) Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.
