Dr Tom Hover
June 5, 2022
Joshua 7 (Joshua 7:20-21)
IS THERE AN ACHAN IN YOUR BODY? ARE YOU AN ACHAN IN THE BODY?
IS THERE AN ACHAN IN YOUR BODY?
ARE YOU AN ACHAN IN THE BODY?
Text Joshua 7 (Joshua 7:20-21)
Introduction: Israel has just been involved in the greatest military conquest in their history. They have just witnessed the tremendous defeat of the city of Jericho and they are still basking in the glow of that great event. But, verse 1 tells us that God was upset with the people. Israel thought that everything was all right. They thought that they were standing on the edge of a great string of victories that would see them conquering the entire land of promise, Yet, what they didn’t know was that there was a problem in the camp. There was one in their midst who was causing a problem for the entire family of God. May I say that things are still the same today? Folks, we are all members of one body, 1 Corinthians 12: 19-20 According to the Bible, 1 Cor. 12:26 when one member of the body has problems, the entire body has problems. 1 Cor. 12:26 You see, your spiritual temperature has a deep effect on the entire body of Christ. You are not an island unto yourself. What you do affects the entire church body. We will see this truth illustrated in this passage.
A.) The Story of Achan
Achan’s is a Hebrews name which means TROUBLE it is a story of selfishness, thievery, defiance, deception and harsh judgement. The phonies will be separated from the true players. See (Matthew 12: 36-37 and 25:31-46)
B.) It Is a Story How Our Sins Affects Us and Those Around Us. Romans 14:7
I. AN ACHAN IN THE BODY COULD CAUSE A WHOLE COUNTRY TO LOSE A VICTORY Joshua 7: 4-5
They were far superior in number, power, abilities, courage and purpose, yet they lost the battle.
A.) Our Country Can Lose Battles and Even Wars.
B.) Our Churches Have Lost Battles in the Past Because Of Sin in The Camp.
C.) Our Christian Homes Have Lost Battles and Even Wars Because Of The Sin in That Home.
II. AN ACHAN IN THE BODY COULD CAUSE A GODLY LEADER TO LOSE HIS POWER Joshua 7: 5-10
A.) Joshua Then: Joshua who had been tested, tried, proven and appointed by God had great power.
B.) Joshua Now: After sin came into the camp, Joshua is discouraged, down in the dirt, smitten with fear and terrified. Joshua 7: 8-9
III. AN ACHAN IN THE BODY COULD CAUSE HARSH JUDGEMENT ON GOD’S PEOPLE Joshua 7: 10-11
A.) The Sin Had to Be Revealed. Num. 32:23, Job 20:27, Luke 12: 2-3
B.) The Sin in The Camp Had to Be Cleansed. Joshua 7: 10-11,
I Corinthians 11:31
IV. AN ACHAN IN THE BODY REVEALS WHAT SOME WILL STOOP TO WORSHIP AS A GOD Joshua 7: 20-21
A.) Achan Worshipped the God of Materialism -Achan Said When I Saw, I Coveted. Colossians 3: 5-10
B.) Achan Worshipped the God of Pleasure. I Timothy 6: 8-11
C.) What Are Your god’s? Where is Your Devotion?
Please note the progression in Achan’s Sin, v. 21 “I Saw, I Coveted, I Took”. This is the same pattern that sin always follows. It was this way in the Garden of Eden, Gen. 3:1-6. It was this way when David sinned with Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 11: 1-4. It is and will be this way in nearly any instance of sin you can name. Notice the progression that the Bible speaks of in James 1: 13-15. Our reaction to sin should be just like that of Joseph, Gen 39:12. We are commanded to flee youthful lusts II Timothy 2:22.
V. AN ACHAN IN THE BODY WILL DOOM A FAMILY Joshua 7: 24-26
A.) Sin Brings Destruction.
B.) Sin Brings Death. Joshua 6: 17-19, Malachi 3:8-10
The name of the valley is called “Achor” It comes from the same word “Achan” comes from. This word means trouble. Prov. 13:15, Num. 32:23, Luke 12:3
Conclusion: Years later, the prophet Hosea mentioned this same valley. He said, in Hosea 2:15 the promise is that this place of trouble could become a door a of hope. The same is true concerning your sins. If you will come to the Lord this morning, those sins that are going to cause you lots of trouble can be taken care of. This altar can literally become a door of hope for you right now, if you will come to Jesus for the cleansing you need. If you have an Achan kind of heart this morning, there is help in Jesus if you will come to him. Are You an Achan in The Body? Do you have an Achan in your body? Is there a sin in your life right now? Is your life marked by detours, defeat, discouragement, defilement, disgrace or even death to you and those around you? If you are God’s child, and you have unconfessed, unrepented of sin in your heart and life, you need to know that your life can be a hindrance to this church. You also need to know that God will chasten you to bring you back in line with His will. Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. My advice to you is that you need to get right with God this morning! God knows what it will take to touch your heart, and He isn’t afraid to touch that heartstring if He knows it will bring you to repentance.
