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EXODUS 23:20-30

"THE PRINCIPLES OF CONQUEST

Intro: History of Israel typical history. I Cor. 10. Written for examples that we might
       be admonished, lest we also perish in the wilderness. Heb. 4; Admonished to
       enter into God's rest.

I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS INTENDED TO BE FULL, RICH AND ABUNDANT.
        A. This is not always the image projected by adherents.
                1. Some Christians question our joy.
                2. Keith was even rebuked by prominent Christian leaders.
        B. The promised land is not heaven in O.T typology.
                1. Jordan river not physical death.
                        a. Song writers have sometimes indicated this.
                        b. Song writers are not always good theologians.
                2. When Israel came into promised land they had battles..., defeat....
        C. God has promised a life of  continual joy and victory.
                1. A peace that passes human understanding.
                2. Notice he did not say there would not be any battles. "More 
                   than conquers."

II. THE PRINCIPLES OF CONQUEST.
        A. Let God go before you. "I wills."
                1. One of greatest problems is getting ahead of God.
                        a. City of Ai.
                2. We want to charge right into the enemy.
                        a. We expend our energies  engaging the enemy when had we just
                           waited he would have fallen.
                        b. Isn't it God's will that we witness?
        B. Let the Spirit direct the battle "obey His voice" v.21.
                1. We imagine we see the problem so clearly.
                        a. League with Gibeonites "they took stock of their victuals and
                           inquired not of the Lord."
                        b. They acted before they prayed.
                                1. Too many times we do this, then pray, "O God, bless my
                                   actions," especially when it becomes apparent we goofed.
                2. God has the perfect battle strategy.
                        a. We may not understand it - Jericho.
                        b. Not ours to understand but to obey.

III. GOD'S METHOD OF CONQUEST, "LITTLE BY LITTLE." 
        A. Not the whole territory at once.
                1. This is the method we think He should follow.
                        a. Give me instant perfection.
        B. Just one area at a time.
                1. The spirit reveals the self life little by little.
                        a. If He showed it all at once we couldn't take it.
                        b. Don't try to bring others under your convictions.
                                1. You can be sending them into battles for which they are
                                   not prepared.
                2. He does not lead us beyond our range.
                3. He does not reveal to condemn.
                        a. Only to show which area He wants to give victory in next.
                        b. I have come to rejoice in His revelations.
                                1. Oh good He's going to take care of that now.
        C. Why just little by little?
                1. The area that needs conquering is too great.
                2. We must continually depend upon Him.