The God Who Saves Deceptive Sinners (Joshua 9) - By Okoth Lwanda
What happens when we rely on our own understanding instead of seeking God's counsel?
This past Sunday, we dove into Joshua chapter 9 and explored the fascinating and tense story of the Gibeonites. In the message, "The God Who Saves Deceptive Sinners," we saw how easily God's people can be led astray when they fail to inquire of the Lord, and how God’s grace can show up even in our biggest mistakes. The story unfolds in three parts: The Con, The Concern, and The Curse. The Con: A Cunning Deception Having heard of Israel's might, the Gibeonites knew they faced certain destruction. So, they hatched a clever plan. Disguising themselves with worn-out clothes and moldy bread, they approached Joshua, claiming to be from a distant land to secure a peace treaty. They appealed to Israel's ego, offering to be their servants, and used their knowledge of God's law to their advantage. The leaders of Israel were suspicious, but they relied on their own judgment and failed to inquire of the Lord. They made a covenant, only to discover three days later that they had been deceived by their own neighbors. The Concern: Honoring an Oath Upon discovering the deception, the people of Israel grumbled against their leaders. Yet, the leaders understood that their highest concern was not their own reputation, but the glory and reputation of God. They had made an oath in the Lord's name, and to break it would bring His wrath upon them. Despite being tricked, they chose to honor their commitment. This serves as a powerful reminder for us to keep our promises, even when it's difficult, because our integrity reflects on the God we serve. The Curse: A Blessing in Disguise The Gibeonites were "cursed" to be woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the Lord. However, this curse was actually a blessing in disguise. It brought them into the community of God's people and placed them in constant proximity to His presence at the tabernacle. Their story is a beautiful picture of the gospel. Like the Gibeonites, we are all deceptive sinners in need of salvation. But God, in His incredible mercy, makes a way for us. Through Jesus, what should have been a curse, our sin, becomes an invitation to draw near to God and serve Him. Let this story encourage you this week to trust God over your own instincts, to keep your commitments, and to remember the incredible gospel that saves even deceptive sinners like us. Watch the Full Message If you missed the sermon or want to dive deeper into this powerful story, you can watch the full message on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch "THE GOD WHO SAVES DECEPTIVE SINNERS" With love, KVC Communications Team HIGHLIGHTS & EVENTS Our New Podcast Is Live! Exciting news! Our church podcast is now fully updated with all the latest sermons. This is a great way to catch up on a message you missed or re-listen to a sermon on the go. You can find us by searching Karen Vineyard Church Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream. Daily Bible Reading We're encouraged by the great start to our daily weeknight Bible reading. We hope this is becoming a meaningful part of your routine, helping to build a consistent habit of communing with God. We're seeing this as a powerful way to connect with God's word and with each other as a community. You can join us on Zoom every weeknight from 8:45 PM - 9:00 PM (EAT) at this link: Community Groups One of the most encouraging things we’ve seen this season is the growth happening in our community groups. We've seen great impact where people are doing life together beyond Sunday. These groups provide a space for deeper connection, support, and friendship. If you haven't joined a community group yet, we encourage you to consider it. You can find more information and Sign up Here. Upcoming Events
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