John Wells- June 23rd, 2024

John Wells - June 23rd 2024 - Lessons from the life of a Spiritual Warrior be strong and very courageous - be careful to do all that is written in the book of the law – then you will have good success ” Josh 1:7 Scripture reading 1. Joshua 1: 7-9 then you will have good success 2. Joshua 1: 11 prepare 3. Joshua 3:3 when you see the ark of the covenant move – follow it 4. Joshua 3:5 Sanctify yourselves – I will begin to magnify you 5. Joshua 5:2-3 & v 9-10 – make sharp knives – cutting off the flesh 6. Joshua 6:17 & 21 the city was devoted to destruction 7. Joshua 11:11 – utterly destroyed them not sparing anyone that breathed 8. Joshua 24: 15 - Choose who you will serve 4 Principals for a Successful Life 1. Mediate on the Word of God • Read it / Hear it / Obey it - pray over it and let it take root in your heart • No substitute for God’s word - it brings: conviction, conversion, conformity, cleaning • Why meditate on the scripture ? it produces growth, wisdom, fellowship, fruit bearing • Make your decisions based on biblical principles/ store the WORD in your heart 2. Mortify Sin - cut it out / do not let sin reign in your mortal body • It’s in your nature (the FLESH) / it’s at the core of your being / The heart is deceitful • Sin separates us from God / breaks communion / destroys spiritual desires • Sin is the greatest life long battle you will have - it’s taken many good men down (David) • Promise / Preparation / Prayer / Pain / Process 3. Move in Step with God • Abide in Him / hears his words / walk in fellowship with Jesus Christ • Walk in truth / Walk in the Spirit • Do not grieve the Spirit - by failing to act on His prompting / or by acting on evil desires • Walk by faith not by sight / not paralyzed by fear / stepping out on the promises of God 4. Serve God and Him only • Make life altering decisions • No Idols in your life Mortify Sin – Joshua 3:10 ”I will drive out the enemy” • Why ? Either you will destroy sin or it will destroy you • Promise – confidence in God “I will be with you, I will drive out the enemy” • Amalek – Joshua learned a lesson in Exodus 17:16 “ The Lord will war with Amalek” • Prepare - Joshua 1:11 “prepare for the task” – 3:5 Sanctify yourself • Pain - the sharp knives at Gilgal / the cutting off – separation • Process - are there set backs ? Joshua ch 7 – reminds us about Ai • Power – where does the power come from ? The Holy Spirit & the Word • I will be with you. You will meditate on the Word . I will destroy your enemy • You must be a willing participant to overcome - Be strong and disciplined * Elevate conviction over Emotion NT scriptures that teach us to mortify sin • Matt 5:27-30 & James 1:14 - Lust give birth sin & destroys you • Romans 8: 13 - Mortify the deeds of the body – and you will live • This is an ongoing battle / remember the Good Samaritan / Gal 6:1 • I Corinthians 10:13 With many of them God was not pleased • Temptation is common to man / God is faithful / provides escape • Colossians 3: 5 Mortify (put to death) what is fleshly in you • Set your affections / seek above living • Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from covetousness (love of things) • “ I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU “