Possess what’s yours!

 

Joshua 15-16, 15:13-19

 

I.                     Just because its yours doesn’t mean you have it

a.      God gave the mountain and inheritance to Caleb 14:13-14

b.      Caleb had to defeat 3 giants to actually possess what he had been given 15:14

c.      Joshua and the army had previously won the battle and defeated the giants 10:36-37, 11:21

d.      But they came back and this time with the help of his brothers in Judah he kills the giants Judges 1:10, 20—that is what you call expelled

e.      When he wins victory he goes on to conquer more land 15:15, never stop growing

f.        Prepares and equips a future leader in the next battle 15:16-17

                                                              i.      Othniel wins the battle proving and preparing himself Judges 1:13

                                                            ii.      He will become a judge in Israel Judges 3:9, 11

                                                          iii.      Trained and honored by Caleb

                                                           iv.      He honored Othniel and his wife by giving them the springs

                                                             v.      Othniel is the son of Caleb’s younger brother

g.      Othniel will be the first judge after the death of Joshua, Judges 3:7-9

h.      The true story is your battle for holiness against sin—fight every battle and win it for the Lord Jesus Christ

 

II.                   There must be no surrender to sin in our lives

a.      They could not drive out the Jebusites who will cause trouble until the day of King David 15:63

b.      They drave them not out but charged them taxes 16:10

                                                              i.      They chose to compromise with sin

                                                            ii.      They felt that they might not defeat sin but could profit from it

                                                          iii.      We often hold on to sin for our own benefit

1.      anger to control people

2.      bitterness to not get hurt again

3.      mental adultery because our mate doesn’t meet our needs

4.      drugs or alcohol because we are depressed

c.      You can’t hold on to sin

                                                              i.      Later Israel will intermarry with them

                                                            ii.      Their hearts will turn Deuteronomy 7:1-6, I Kings 11:1-4

 

III.                  Take up your cross and follow Jesus

a.      Go all the way to death and surrender

b.      Confess and forsake

c.      Replace your will with His will

d.      Replace sin with service