Hays Christian Church

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 23, where Joshua gives a final reminder to the leaders of Israel to remain faithful to God, who faithfully fulfilled His promise to them. We don’t love God merely with emotion, but a willingness to live according to His commands. We are not faithfully committed in order to earn God’s love, but because of what He has done for us: offering us forgiveness, grace, and eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 22, where Joshua addresses the eastern Trans-Jordanian tribes, instructing them how to follow faithful living despite their distance from the rest of Israel in the west. They build and altar at the Jordan to remind the western tribes of their unity. In a world where division comes naturally, we must intentionally dedicate care to living with others in faithful community. Encourage each other, support each other, and help one another thrive in living faithfully to God.

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 20-21, where God directs Joshua to establish cities of refuge and communities to care for the priestly Levite tribe. Justice must be accompanied by mercy and human life must be protected. Additionally, a community of faith depends on mutual care, so we have a responsibility toward one another. But through all challenges, God remains faithful to His promises.

With elections coming up, Steve Tramel brings up several verses (Jeremiah 22:1-5, Psalm 72:1-14, Matthew 7:15-20, 1 Timothy 4:3, and Galatians 5:22-23) that illustrate the purpose of government and what qualities a good leader possesses. We remember that government is intended to enforce justice, both in keeping laws and ensuring fairness for its people. Those who lead it must bear good fruit, not merely offering words their citizens want to hear.

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 17-19, where the rest of the tribes eventually take their inheritance in the Promised Land, though requiring encouragement from Joshua to overcome their fear and complaining to take action to follow through. The final gift goes to Joshua after faithfully leading God’s people. Faithfulness, in addition to being what we believe, is also about what we do with what God gives us and follow-through carries responsibility with persistence.

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 15 and 17. Caleb’s daughter Achsah demands a spring for the land she and her husband inherited, which her father grants. From the Tribe of Manassah, Zelophehad’s daughters successfully petition God, Moses, and later Joshua for inheritance, just as is given to their male kinsmen. These women spoke up about problems for Israel’s future and remind us that faithfulness sometimes requires thinking differently about what we know.

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 13-14, which details how the Promised Land is to be divided amongst the tribes and the reward to Caleb for his confident faith in God’s promise. That confident faith begins by remembering God’s faithfulness and says “I trust that God will be faithful, even when I don’t know exactly what faithfulness will look like.” We cultivate confident faith by naming the moments where God has already been faithful. How has God been faithful to you? What are you asking from God that you are still waiting on?

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 10-12, in which Israel perseveres to conquer the kingdoms of Canaan, showing the incredible power of God. Perseverance doesn't mean we can accomplish everything by our own strength, but continuing faithfully because we trust God who is with us.

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 9, where the Gibeonites deceive Israel into a binding treaty to save themselves from the destruction that fell on Jericho and Ai. Israel failed to seek God’s guidance and were forced to put the Gibeonites and their descendants in service to the Temple. We are to seek God’s wisdom and guidance even when the circumstances seem clear so that God can show up for us in unimaginable ways.  

Pastor Dana’s sermon series picks up in Joshua 7-8, where a single Israelite disobeys God’s command regarding Jericho’s devoted things and the whole community suffers loss in Ai as a result. Every Israelite faces scrutiny until the culprit is identified and he, his family, their possessions, and the stolen goods are destroyed. Only then can Israel move forward to recommit to the covenant.  Having an attitude of obedience helps us strengthen our community and encourage others because faithfulness is never only personal – it is communal.