Obtaining the Promises and Walking in Victory-Part 2

Obtaining the Promises and Walking in Victory-Part 2

This is part two in a series where we are talking about God’s desire for us to walk in the fullness of His power and to enjoy the richness of His promises. Like Joshua, we too will face strong opposition from our enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Here is a review of the stronghold strategies we have learned thus far.

I. Personal preparation opens the way for the living God who is among us to do wonders.

II. Commitment to covenantal relationship, allowing God to cut away areas of our lives that hinder us spiritually.

III. The removal of reproach.
a) the taunting and scorn directed toward us by the enemy. b) the shame and disgrace of our past sin.

IV. The celebration of Passover

The first and most important Stronghold Strategies are acts of preparation and devotion. You see the Promised Land before you. You are eager to advance. Before we go to battle, we must celebrate Passover.

Joshua 5:10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.

Passover (Ex. 12:1-13; Deut. 16:1-8), began the religious year and commemorated God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt. For seven days the people gathered (in April) to renew and reaffirm their commitment to God. They gathered by families to replay the events of their miraculous deliverance and to teach the next generation the importance of wholehearted reliance and obedience to God.

“To remember what the Almighty has done is pleasing to Him and beneficial to us. It rebukes ingratitude and faithless- ness. Hence the need of erecting our altars, which shall call to mind continually the blessings which have been be- stowed.” —Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 3, Joshua pg. 80

God required three elements to be eaten at Passover—the lamb, matzo (unleavened bread), and biter herbs.

Exodus 12:8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. (Num. 9:11)

1) the lamb symbolized innocence
2) the matzo symbolized purity
3) the bitter herbs symbolized slavery and misery.

Exodus 12:12-13 On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

As Christians, we recognize and celebrate JESUS as the pure, holy, Lamb of God, who through the shedding of His innocent blood delivered us from the slavery and misery of sin.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Cor. 5:7b . . . For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Hebrews 9:16-22 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when some- body has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:27-28 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Not only do we remember our deliverance from sin and death we also celebrate Christ’s enabling power during times of temptation and trial.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll al- ways be there to help you come through it.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (The Message) We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, res- cued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.

Romans 8:31-33 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

To download the full study on part 2 click the link below.

http://www.renewalcs.org/walking_in_victory2.pdf