Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes. What is the principle the Lord would want us to grasp from Achan’s actions? Answer: there are some things we cannot touch, take, participate in, or be around. There are some things we must separate from our stuff and see as the Lord’s stuff. If we will keep the Lord’s stuff separated from our stuff, we will win battles.
The Book of JOSHUA – POSSESSING THE KINGDOM
By Pastor Delbert Young
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Audio
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Scriptures: Matthew 11:12, Joshua 7:2, Joshua 7:3, Joshua 7:10, Joshua 7:11, Joshua 6:18, Joshua 6:19, Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:25, Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:2, Romans 2:1, Matthew 12:31, Matthew 12:32, Malachi 3:8, Malachi 3:9, Ephesians 6:1, Ephesians 6:2, Deuteronomy 5:16, Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:9, Acts 28:30, Acts 28:31, Joshua 7:25, Joshua 7:26
(sorry no video)
There is a kingdom to possess. Jesus told us we are to take the kingdom now.
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Have you ever been going through life and everything seemed to be working out really well? God was moving in your life. You had his favor. Walls and obstacles were supernaturally falling down. You were enjoying the fragrance of life when suddenly things went bad. It’s the next principle we study in Possessing the Kingdom.
The children of Israel had crossed the Jordan, experienced the circumcision and Passover, and captured Jericho. It seemed to be time to move on and take the next obstacle, which was a small and seemingly defenseless city called Ai.
Joshua 7:2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.
Joshua 7:3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there.”
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Joshua did his homework and was properly prepared. He and the people were confident and had faith, but they lost the battle and thirty-six men died.
Have you ever experienced something like this? You were really chasing your dream. Things looked good for the future. You were about to accomplish a seemingly small task when suddenly the bottom fell out and you lost everything. Perhaps even others, like your family were affected badly by your failure, too.
We can learn much from how Joshua handled and corrected the situation. First, Joshua did what any of us would do. (PA– USE) He had a pity party.
Joshua 7:7 And Joshua said, Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!
We have all had this pity party. We say, “Oh God! Why did you let this happen to me? Why did I even try this? And why wasn’t I satisfied with my little manna in the wilderness? I should have never let the preacher talk me into chasing my dream.”
Joshua 7:10 The LORD said to Joshua, Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?
The Lord doesn’t like our pity parties. They fix nothing and they frustrate the Lord especially when we talk about going back to the wilderness. The Lord said a most interesting thing.
Joshua 7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
There are a few points we need to note about this verse. The Lord said Israel had sinned. I don’t know how well you know the story in Joshua 7, but actually, one person had sinned. Yet the Lord said, Israel had sinned. My point is – what one person does will affect us all. We will talk about this later.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
The Lord also said they had taken of the accursed thing, stolen, lied (dissembled), and put it among their own stuff. The Lord takes it seriously when we take what is his and put it with our own stuff. He calls it stealing and lying. When we give the Lord what is his, he gives us victory after victory.
The Lord had told the people before the taking of Jericho to not take the ACCURSED THING.
Joshua 6:18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
Joshua 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
The Lord had told the people certain things were to not be touched and kept. The silver, gold, brass, etc. were set apart for the work of the Lord. Joshua chapter 7 begins with these words.
Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
God was upset with the entire bunch because Achan had taken the ACCURSED THING. Achan had taken a Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold. He had stolen, lied, and put God’s stuff with his stuff.
What is the ACCURSED THING? The Hebrew word is cherem (Strong’s #2764) and means (as shutting in) a net; usually a doomed object; extermination. It’s a doomed object causing a web or a net bringing extermination.
What is the principle the Lord would want us to grasp from Achan’s actions? There are some things we cannot touch, take, participate in, or be around. There are some things we must separate from our stuff and see as the Lord’s stuff. If we will keep the Lord’s stuff separated from our stuff, we will win battles.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
It was interesting to me the Lord did not tell Joshua the specifics of the situation. He did not tell Joshua who did it or what they had specifically touched or taken. Instead, he instructed Joshua to go through a process of elimination to find Achan. Joshua was to call forth the entire nation of which God would show him one tribe. Every tribe would come forth and God would show him one family then from the family God would show the individual who had taken the ACCURSED THING (Josh 7:13-14).
Why was this? Why didn’t the Lord simply tell Joshua the “who and what”? And why did the Lord make Joshua go through this process? There is a process we should go through to discover why we lose battles. We need to FIND THE ACHAN IN US.
Another point we need to make here is not only did Achan mess up his own life. He messed up his entire family.
Joshua 7:25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.
We don’t understand how our actions affect others and especially our own families. I can keep my family and others blessed by making certain I keep the Lord’s stuff separated from my stuff. There are certain things in which I cannot partake or touch. Let’s list a few of those things.
Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Matthew 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
My not judging a person is a sure way to bring victory in my own life and the lives of others. I want to ask you a question. Do you know one person who talks negatively about people, criticizes, condemns others, and is judgmental who lives a blessed life? (PA– USE) Every person I know who touched the ACCURSED THING lives a horrible life. They are bitter, unforgiving, and mean people whom no one wants to be around. They are often physically sick and their lives are disasters. Also, notice their families. Usually, their families are miserable too.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
On the other hand, think about people who never judge or criticize. They are happy, blessed, and victorious people. Notice their families and friends. They too are blessed and happy. Don’t touch judging others! It’s an ACCURSED THING.
Make certain you avoid people who do judge others. Remember 36 people died and Achan’s entire family was stoned because he touched the ACCURSED THING. Believe it or not, if you get around the Achan’s of life, it will affect your life. You will be blessed and victorious if you hook up with positive people who are always encouraging others, building up others, and never judging others.
How are things going in your life?
If not good then go through the process of elimination as did Joshua. How are you, your family, and your friends when it comes to talking about and judging others? Do it correctly and the victory is yours. Let’s look at another ACCURSED THING.
Matthew 12:31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Matthew 12:32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
In other words, no one gets by with this one. The context is: that the religious system was saying Jesus was doing the wonderful healings, deliverance, and teachings by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the demons. Blasphemy against the Spirit is saying things of the Spirit are from Satan.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Have you ever heard someone say something like, “Tongues are of the devil”? Or, maybe “That church is of the devil.” How about, “Dancing in church is of the devil?” Be careful! Victories will come when we find the Spirit of God IN EVERYTHING. We give too much recognition to the devil and not enough to the Spirit. Again, look at the lives of people who say those types of things. Do you know one blessed person who attributes everything to the devil? How are their lives? You will see people in big trouble with God. Now think about the people who find what God is doing in everything. You will see victorious people. Do what Joshua did and go through the process. Let’s look at another ACCURSED THING.
Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:9 You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me.
Notice God has not cursed those who rob him. They put their own selves under a curse. Jesus said we ought to tithe (Mat 23:23). Tell me the difference between Achan hiding the silver and gold in his stuff when it should have been given to the work of God and our keeping the Lord’s tithe for our own selves.
I have a unique position to observe how this works out in lives. Now I know some of you are going to say, “There he goes trying to get my money” and if you are hearing this, then you are missing my heart. It is not what I am doing. From my position, I get to observe this. I want to tell you those who keep the Lord’s stuff separate from their stuff always win their battles – ALWAYS! I know it doesn’t make sense and I know some of you think I am just making this up, but here is how you can know. Observe the life of someone you know tithes consistently. You will see a victorious person.
I know I have told you this before, but do you know the first thing my wife asks me when it seems we are facing an Ai situation and things appear to be going badly? She asks, “Are we tithing like we should?” We begin the evaluation process.
How are things in your life? Do what Joshua did and go through the process. Look at this and look at that. Let’s look at another ACCURSED THING.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Ephesians 6:2 “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise –
Have you ever wondered what the promise is this scripture references?
Deuteronomy 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Notice the difference in the lives of people who have obeyed and honored their parents vs. those who have not. Go ahead. Look! How well are their lives going? You will see those who obey and honor their parents live lives that go well. They are victorious, happy, healthy, and prosperous.
I encourage you today. Do what Joshua did. Process your life and the lives of those with whom you are camped. Let’s look at one more ACCURSED THING.
Galatians 1:8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed.
Galatians 1:9 I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God’s curse fall upon that person.
How important is it for a teacher or preacher to have proper doctrine? How important is it to have a preacher who preaches the correct gospel? A victorious church is dependent upon correct doctrine. It’s a little frightening sometimes when I hear some of the things preachers say. The Lord wants you to be blessed and victorious. This is why he tells us what not to touch and not to mix with our own stuff. It’s not to condemn us. It’s so we will live abundant and blessed lives.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Again, go through the process Joshua did. How am I doing when it comes to the gospel? Get away from me if I am preaching something other than the gospel of the kingdom. It’s what Paul and Jesus preached.
Acts 28:30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.
Acts 28:31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
However, if I am preaching it correctly, then I should be victorious and blessed.
Joshua had to deal with Achan and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
Joshua 7:25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.
Joshua 7:26 Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.
The Hebrew word translated Achor is `Akowr (Strong’s #5911 and means troubled. God doesn’t want us to live a life of trouble. We need to find the Achan in our own lives and stone it, burn it, and heap rocks on it. In other words, we need to get rid of it and let it become a memorial so we will never do it again.
I want to encourage you today. When you face an Ai situation and it appears you are losing a battle, do what Joshua did. Evaluate and process. You can have victory. God will show you what to do. Don’t judge. Instead, find something good to say about people. Never be negative about the things of the Spirit. Instead, find the Spirit moving in everything. Pay your tithes. Give something. God will open new windows to bless you. Honor and obey your parents so things will go well for you and you will live a long life. Find a church preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Deal with your Achan. If you will, God will give you victory after victory.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Give the Lord a shout and a handclap! Amen.
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Finding the Achan in Me sermon audio notes
Other Related Sermons:
Disobedience In Joshua Chapter 7
Continue On Joshua Study Chapter 8
Joshua The Book Possessing the Kingdom
Saw Covet and Took Chapter 7 Part 2
Also see: