In chapter 13, the narrative shifts from military conquest to the concept of inheritance, as God commands Joshua to divide the land west of the Jordan between the 9 1/2 tribes, even though there are still enemies to defeat and much land to possess. In this sermon, we see the connection between Old Testament inheritance and the New Testament truth that believers are heirs of all things through union with Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. While Christ has definitively won the spiritual war, Christians must actively persevere to possess their inheritance against ongoing resistance. Believers are urged to fight unbelief and sin rather than become complacent in their faith.

Even though God promised Joshua and Israel that He would defeat their enemies and give them the promised land, their prolonged conquest of Canaan required obedience and perseverance, day after day. In this sermon, we are reminded that believers must engage in a spiritual battle against sin and unbelief, wielding faith and Scripture as weapons. Despite the ongoing struggle against sin and the presence of formidable spiritual giants, Christians are called to persevere in faith until they fully experience the eternal rest promised in Jesus Christ.

Brian Watson - Lord's Day Corporate Prayers

As pilgrims in this world, Christians are to maintain their distinct identity and develop a spiritual appetite for heavenly things rather than worldly pleasures. In this sermon, Christians are urged to endure present hardships with joy and hope, fixing their eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of faith, and live lives of radical generosity and faithfulness as citizens of a future kingdom.

Just as Joshua succeeded in his conquest of Canaan through courageous obedience to God's commands, believers share in Christ's triumph by relying on His perfect faithfulness rather than their own strength. Remembrance of God's past deliverances serves as a source of encouragement and courage in the ongoing struggle against spiritual enemies. In this sermon, we are reminded to rest in the finished work of Jesus, who has defeated sin and death for all who entrust themselves to Him.

Although Israel sinned by not seeking God's counsel when they made a covenant with Gibeon, God still heard their subsequent prayers and made the sun and moon stand still while they destroyed the Amorites - a day like no other. In this sermon, we see that divine sovereignty inspires holy diligence rather than passivity, urging believers to rely on God's power through prayer. By aligning human petitions with God's will, Christians can experience His active protection and victory in spiritual warfare.

When the Israelites entered Canaan, many of the Canaanite kings overtly stood against them. However, the Gibeonites manipulated Israel through plausible lies, and the Israelite leaders failed to see through the deceit because they did not seek counsel from the Lord, which led to a compromised covenant despite their initial suspicion. In this sermon, this historical event serves as a warning against trusting human reason over prayer in the face of Satan's cunning strategies. Believers are urged to maintain daily dependence on God's wisdom to avoid spiritual compromise and self-reliance.

When Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, he obeyed Moses' command that they read to all the people the blessings and the curses related to their obedience or disobedience of God's law. But because all who have ever lived are sinners, save one, the law serves as a lens revealing human inability and pointing to Christ, the greater Joshua, who kept the law perfectly on behalf of believers. In this sermon, we see that through faith in Christ alone, individuals are justified and receive every spiritual blessing, escaping the condemnation of the law. All are urged to abandon reliance on self-righteousness and place their complete hope in Jesus Christ for eternal life.

Meekness for the Christian is not a weakness but a spirit-wrought posture of deep trust in God that flows from humility and manifests in gentleness toward others. In this sermon, we contrast the transient prosperity of the wicked with the eternal inheritance promised to the meek. Key characteristics include committing one's anxieties to the Lord, waiting patiently for His justice, and resisting the urge to retaliate or fret over evil. Believers are challenged to seek this grace through prayer and submission to Scripture, looking forward to the future hope of inheriting the new creation rather than pursuing earthly gain.

Just as Israel suffered a humiliating defeat at Ai but later defeated them in the power of God, the Christian life is often characterized by spiritual failure and restoration through God's grace when we rely on Him and not on human strength. In this sermon, we highlight the necessity of purging sin from one's life and adhering strictly to God's ordained methods, such as prayer and Scripture, to achieve spiritual victory and deliverance from the curse of sin through faith in Jesus Christ.

Israel suffered their first defeat in Canaan because the anger of the Lord burned against them due to Achan's secret theft of devoted things and the community's failure to address sin. God punished Achan and Israel and showed that His wrath is righteous and just, serving as a sobering warning against presumption and disobedience. In this sermon, we see both the severe consequences of sin on individuals and generations, and God's grace, who promises to transform the valley of trouble into a door of hope for those who trust in Christ.