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Big Decision, Good Ending concludes our study of the book of Joshua with Joshua 24, often called Joshua's final sermon. Gathering all Israel at Shechem, Joshua calls the people to look at all God has done and how little they did to earn it, then to choose their master: fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth, for as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Israel resolves to serve the Lord, Joshua sets up a stone as a witness, and the book closes with the death of a faithful servant and the testimony of a faithful nation. We respond by recommitting our lives and families to Christ and remembering Him together at the Lord's Table.

Don't Deviate examines Joshua 23, where an aged Joshua gathers Israel's leaders to remember all the Lord has done and the battles He has fought for them. The passage calls God's people to be very firm to keep and do His Word, to cling to the Lord and love Him, and not to turn aside to the world through association, discussion, commitment, service, or worship. It warns of the snares and consequences of going back to sin, and assures us that not one of God's good words has ever failed, calling us to remember all His promises, the blessings and the warnings alike.

Speculation's Deadly Effect examines Joshua 22:10-34, where the western tribes hear about a large altar, assume rebellion, and prepare for war before learning that it was built as a witness that the Lord is God. The passage warns against haste and self-righteous assumptions, calling God’s people to pray, speak directly, listen carefully, clarify motives, and pursue peace.

“Master Plan” follows Joshua 22:1-9 as Joshua commends the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh for their faithful service, blesses them, and sends them home. Centered on Joshua 22:5, the message presents a clear pattern for Christian living: love the Lord, walk in His ways, keep His commandments, hold fast to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and soul. The practical takeaway is to pursue faithful loyalty, wholehearted obedience, and sacrificial service together as a church family.

In our series through Joshua, we come to Joshua 21, where Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land concludes with a powerful reminder: God keeps His promises. Looking back at all God had done for His people, this message challenges us to trust His faithfulness, believe what He has promised, and live by faith in those promises today.

In our series through Joshua, we come to Joshua 20 and the cities of refuge, where God’s commands reveal the great value He places on human life. Because every person is made in the image of God, this message challenges us to value, protect, and care for life in a way that reflects His heart—and ultimately points us to the refuge and redemption found in Christ.

“God Keeps His Promises” examines Joshua 15–19 as the tribes of Israel receive their allotted land inheritances in Canaan. Treasure-hunting through these chapters, this message highlights God’s care and honor for women, warns against the deceitful lure of partial obedience and the temptation to give in to fear, and points believers to our ultimate, eternal inheritance in Jesus Christ sealed by the Holy Spirit. Key Scripture: Joshua 15–19 (15:13–19; 17:3–4, 12–18; 18:1–10; 19:51); Genesis 1:27; 3:4–5; Ephesians 1:13–14

In Joshua 12–14, Pastor Chris Rogers surveys Israel's conquered kings and the division of the Promised Land to uncover timeless truths for finishing our race of faith well. Through God's straightforward call to an aging Joshua that much work still remains, and the Levites receiving the Lord Himself as their portion, we are reminded that God has a continuing mission for every believer. Focusing on 85-year-old Caleb's bold request for the hill country of Hebron, this message highlights the three foundational keys to following God fully: trusting in God's promises, obeying God's commands, and relying wholly on God's presence. Key Scripture: Joshua 12–14

In “How Firm a Foundation: Promises from the Gospel of John,” Clay Ciolek examines the unconditional guarantees of God that anchor the believer’s assurance of eternal salvation. Grounded in God’s unchanging character (Numbers 23:19) and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20), this message traces eight emphatic “never” promises (Greek double-negative οὐ μή) across John’s Gospel—demonstrating that those who trust in Christ are held securely in the hands of the Son and the Father forever and can walk daily in the confidence of God’s promised presence. Sermon Outline: 1. The Promises of God — Why God’s Promises Are Trustworthy (Numbers 23:19) & How to Claim Them Without Presumption 2. The Person of Christ — Where Every Promise of God Points (2 Corinthians 1:20) 3. The Positive Use of the Double-Negative (οὐ μή) — God’s Emphatic Seal of Assurance (Hebrews 13:5) 4. Passages from John’s Gospel — Eight “Never” Promises of Eternal Security: • Never Thirst (John 4:14; 6:35b) • No Judgment (John 5:24) • Never Hunger (John 6:35) • Never Cast Out (John 6:37) • Not Walk in Darkness (John 8:12) • Never See Death (John 8:51) • Never Perish (John 10:28) • Never Die (John 11:26) 5. The Presence of God — Walking Daily on a Firm Foundation (Joshua 1:5; Psalm 139:7–8) Speaker: Clay Ciolek Date: September 6, 2026 Key Scripture: John 4:14; 5:24; 6:35–37; 8:12, 51; 10:27–30; 11:25–26; Numbers 23:19; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Hebrews 13:5; Joshua 1:5; Psalm 139:7–8

In “When Mercy Runs Dry,” Pastor Chris Rogers walks through Joshua 10–11 as Israel battles the southern and northern Canaanite coalitions—from the miraculous hailstones and the sun standing still at Gibeon to the defeat of Jabin’s massive alliance at the waters of Merom. Examining both the supernatural power of God who fights for His people and the sobering reality of God’s righteous judgment when centuries of patience run out, this message draws nine practical “Victory Truths” and calls every listener to repent and follow Christ while God’s saving and sanctifying mercy is still available. 9 Victory Truths (Joshua 10–11): 1. It doesn’t matter how big the enemy or trial is — if God is fighting for you, the victory is assured (10:1–15) 2. The key rests in following God’s lead and Word (10:8–14) 3. Spend more time talking with God (10:12–14) 4. Let the Lord defend you (10:16–21) 5. There is a time to be strong and courageous (10:22–28) 6. God’s orders are right and righteous even when we don’t understand (10:29–40) 7. When God gives an order, obey it all the way (10:41–11:15) 8. God is more in control than we realize (11:16–20) 9. Repent and follow Christ while there is still mercy! (11:20–23) Big-Picture Lesson: The battle belongs to the Lord. Follow Him all the way. Speaker: Pastor Chris Rogers Date: August 30, 2026 Key Scripture: Joshua 10–11 (Memory Verse: Joshua 10:42)

In “The Crossover: Live for the Mission of God,” guest speaker Pastor Clare Jewell (National Representative of the GARBC and Executive Director of ABWE’s Every Ethne North America) challenges believers and churches to step out of their comfort zones to make relational connections for the Gospel. Walking through Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 (alongside Luke 10 and Luke 15), Pastor Clare shows how Jesus crossed cultural, social, and spiritual barriers with both truth and love—and how living on mission as contributors rather than consumers brings the deepest purpose and satisfaction in life. Primary Concept: Living on mission for God is the best way to use my one and only life for the benefit of others and the glory of God. It will give me purpose in life and fill me with a satisfaction I could never gain by pursuing anything less than God’s plan for my life. Key Themes (John 4): • Crossover Defined: Leaving our comfort zone to make a relational connection • Jesus Initiates the Crossover (John 4:4–14): Everyone is lost, and anyone can be saved • Truth and Love vs. Mere Tolerance (John 4:16–26): Owning our need and worshiping the Father in spirit and truth • The Woman’s Crossover & Multiplying Mission (John 4:27–30, 39–41): Leaving the water jar behind so many Samaritans believe • Crossing Over as an Individual & as a Church (Luke 15:1–2, 12; John 4:31–35): Lifting up our eyes to see that the fields are white for harvest Speaker: Pastor Clare Jewell Date: August 23, 2026 Key Scripture: John 4 (also Luke 15:1–2, 12)

In “The High Cost of Failing to Pray First,” Pastor Chris Rogers walks through Joshua 9, where the Gibeonites use worn-out sacks, dry bread, and flattering religious language to deceive Joshua and the leaders of Israel into making a peace covenant. Tracing the pivotal failure of Joshua 9:14—“So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord”—this message contrasts the high cost of leaning on our own understanding with the immense rewards of seeking God’s wisdom, strength, and guidance first. Chapter 9 Outline (Joshua 9:1–27): 1. An Enemy Alliance (vv. 1–2) 2. A Deceitful Plan (vv. 3–6) • Spiritual attacks are sometimes seen (power) and sometimes unseen (deceit) • Things are not always as they appear, and the enemy is sometimes closer than we realize • It’s always a matter of faith 3. A Reasonable Response (v. 7) 4. An Appeal to Pride (vv. 8–14) 5. An Epic Mistake (vv. 14–15) 6. An Unforeseen Conflict (vv. 16–18) 7. A Commitment to Honesty (vv. 19–27; Psalm 15:1–4) 8. An Act of God’s Mercy Big-Picture Lesson: Failure to seek God first is failure indeed—remember the immense rewards of praying first! Speaker: Pastor Chris Rogers Date: August 16, 2026 Key Scripture: Joshua 9 (Memory Verse: Joshua 9:14)

Following Israel's victory at Ai, Joshua leads the entire nation—men, women, children, and strangers—to Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim to build an altar, offer sacrifices, and read every word of the Law of God (Joshua 8:30–35). Pastor Chris Rogers shows why true spiritual victory is always anchored in worship and obedience around the centrality of Scripture: 1. The Worship in the Word (v. 30–31 — responding to God's grace with wholehearted, obedient worship) 2. The Presence of the Word (v. 32 — keeping God's Word visibly before His people) 3. The Centrality of the Word (v. 33–34 — centering the entire assembly around the Ark and the reading of Scripture) 4. The Whole of the Word (v. 35a — leaving not a single word of God's commands or promises unread) 5. The Recipients of the Word (v. 35b — proclaiming God's truth to every generation and household) Speaker: Pastor Chris Rogers | Date: August 9, 2026 | Key Scripture: Joshua 8:30–35

After dealing with Achan's sin in chapter 7, the Lord calls Joshua and Israel to rise up without fear or dismay and return to Ai (Joshua 8:1–29). Pastor Chris Rogers examines how walking in holiness and obedience to God's Word leads to true spiritual courage and victory: 1. The Timing of Courage (v. 1a — moving forward immediately after sin has been confessed and removed) 2. The Basis of Courage (v. 1b — standing on God's sure promise and declaration) 3. The Plan for Courage (v. 2–9 — receiving and faithfully following God's strategy rather than our own) 4. The Power of Courage (v. 10–26 — trusting the Lord to fight for His people and deliver the victory) 5. The Spoil of Courage (v. 27–29 — enjoying God's provision in His way and in His time) Speaker: Pastor Chris Rogers | Date: August 2, 2026 | Key Scripture: Joshua 8:1–29

Where do believers find supernatural spiritual strength when trials press in from every side? Drawing parallels between David's years in the wilderness fleeing from King Saul in 1 Samuel 23 (and 1 Samuel 16–30) and faithful believers and pastors enduring wartime trials in Ukraine, ABWE missionary Mike Gustafson shares how God sustains and strengthens His people: 1. Turning to God in Prayer and His Word When Betrayed or Weary (1 Samuel 23:1–14; Psalm 54) 2. Strengthening One Another in the Lord as Jonathan Strengthened David (1 Samuel 23:15–18) 3. Trusting God's Sovereign Timing and Deliverance at the 'Rock of Escape' (1 Samuel 23:19–29) 4. Refusing Vengeance and Leaving Justice in God's Hands (1 Samuel 24 & 26) 5. Remaining 'Forever Faithful' by Strengthening Ourselves in the Lord Our God (1 Samuel 30:6; Proverbs 3:5–6) Speaker: Mike Gustafson | Date: July 26, 2026 | Key Scripture: 1 Samuel 23