Richvale Community Church
Sunday, October 26 2025

  • Good Morning!
    We all have days we never forget. Some are filled with joy and celebration, others with sorrow and struggle — yet each one leaves an indelible mark on our hearts and shapes the journey of our lives.” One of those unforgettable days.. was our wedding day. A couple photos to share..Pam was a stunning bride —
    We had a beautiful ceremony and garden reception, floating candles on the pool, an African marimba band, and speeches that had everyone laughing… it was perfect..
    but there is a funny story
    In Africa, it’s tradition to prank the bride and groom as they leave the wedding — here is the typical TP and shaving cream…and sometimes putting potatoes in the tailpipe!
    In our case, they put baby powder in our AC vents and set it to high.
    But we outsmarted the pranksters and turned it off… or so we thought.
    The next day we of to out honey moon.. asked dad to get our car from the airport …. Which he did graciously, but at some point on the way home He turned on the AC — can you imagine.. and got completely doused in baby powder!
    We all have days we don’t forget. Moments burned into our memories — days that shape who we are.
    In the book of Joshua, Israel experienced several such days—days that forever shaped their story.
    There was the day the Jordan River parted—when God opened the waters and Israel walked out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land on dry ground.
    There was the day the walls of Jericho fell—when the people lifted their voices in praise, and God brought down the city into a heap of rubble.
    And there was the day they defeated the King of Ai—when Joshua used divine strategy, drawing the enemy out of the city and ambushing them from behind.
    Each of those moments was powerful. Each one revealed God’s faithfulness.
    But then came a day like no other…
    In Joshua chapter 10, Scripture tells us about the day when the sun stood still— a day so extraordinary that the Bible says, “There has never been a day like it before or since, ..
    It was the day Joshua spoke to the sun—and it obeyed. The heavens themselves paused in response to the voice of faith…
    but ..
    Before that miracle moment ever unfolded on the battlefield…something else was already happening behind the scenes.
    The enemy had taken notice.
    Word had spread about Israel’s victories —
    The surrounding kings began to realize that Israel wasn’t just another nation passing through… they were a people that God Himself was fighting for.
    And that’s when opposition began to rise.
    The book of Joshua is a book of battles — a story of conquest and courage — Whenever God’s people move forward, the enemy stirs up resistance.
    First, we should know…

    1. The Cause of Conflict – When Opposition Rises

    You don’t have to go far to find conflict in the world — just open up social media.
    When Facebook and Instagram first came out, they were places to reconnect with old friends, share vacation photos, or maybe post a picture of what you had for dinner.
    But have you noticed how social media has changed? It’s no longer just a place to stay connected — it’s become a platform for opinions, complaints, and arguments. People share grievances, vent frustrations, and take sides over everything — politics, church issues, even coffee preferences.
    Research confirms this shift. Studies show that online disagreements can escalate quickly, make people more entrenched in their positions, and reduce civility.
    So what causes conflict? There are four primary causes:
    Misunderstandings from poor communication
    Differences in values, goals, gifts, priorities, and expectations
    Competition over limited resources like time or money
    Sinful attitudes and habits that lead to harmful words and actions
    But the underlying cause — the root of every conflict — is spiritual warfare. And we see this clearly in our text in Joshua 10, where the kings of the south unite against Gibeon, attacking what they perceive as a weak spot — only to encounter God’s power through His people.
    When the southern kings heard of Israel’s victories at Jericho and Ai — It was Adoni-Zedek, the king of Jerusalem, who sounded the alarm… He saw the writing on the wall and in desperation he called for four other southern kings to join forces with him at Gibeon —
    lets read our text…
    Joshua 10:1–5 ESV
    1 As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, 2 he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors. 3 So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4 “Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel.” 5 Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered their forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it.
    We’re introduced to Adoni-Zedek, the king of Jerusalem —
    One of the fascinating things about Scripture is how names and places often carry deeper meaning. Adoni-Zedek’s name does just that.
    Adonai is a name for God — it speaks of power and authority. It’s a title often used for kings.
    Zedek means justice or righteousness.
    Its root appears Zedek appears in the name of  Melchizedek, the king and priest of Salem, to whom Abraham paid tithes after a battle.
    Hebrews points to him as a type of Christ — a priest forever.
    So, Adoni-Zedek literally means the “Lord of Justice”(righteousnes),
    But here’s the twist — he’s coming against Israel, opposing the true Jahweh, the eternal Lord, the Prince of Peace.
    David Guzik points out that Adoni-Zedek is like a counterfeit power — he promises justice and peace, but it’s not real.

    First: Our Enemy is a Master of Deception

    First of all, we need to know that our enemy is a master of deception. He comes to us promising peace and justice, safety and security — but far from it. He promises peace and protection, yet never delivers.
    The Bible repeatedly warns of the deadly lure of false peace.
    Paul warned Thessalonians and said that in the last days there would be those who promoted peace —-
    1 Thessalonians 5:3 ESV
    3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
    Peace outside of Christ is not Peace at all…
    There is only one today who can give us true peace. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:14 (ESV):
    “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”
    Christ is our peace. True peace cannot be found in circumstances, in human solutions, or even in the temporary victories we achieve. It is only found in Him.
    Billy Graham once said..
    Christ alone can bring lasting peace—peace with God—peace among men and nations—and peace within our hearts.
    Billy Graham
    When we anchor our hearts in Christ, we have a peace that no enemy can take away — a peace that strengthens us, restores relationships, and sustains us through every battle.

    Secondly — The Enemy Often Attacks Points of Perceived Weakness

    Notice carefully — the enemy kings don’t march straight toward Israel. They turn their attention toward Gibeon.
    If you trace Israel’s journey on a map, you’ll see the progression: they’ve crossed the Jordan, taken Jericho, conquered Ai, and now formed an alliance with Gibeon. Their movement is steady — east to west, step by step into the land God promised.
    From his vantage point in Jerusalem, King Adoni-zedek can see what’s happening. He realizes his city is next in line. So he sends out word to the other southern kings — “Come help me! Let’s attack before Israel comes for us.”
    But here’s what’s fascinating: They don’t go after Israel directly — they go after Gibeon, Israel’s new ally. Why? Because they think Gibeon is the weak link.
    They assume Israel might not show up to defend them. They strike where they believe there’s vulnerability.
    And that’s so often how spiritual warfare works. The enemy rarely attacks at your strongest point — he targets the places where you feel unguarded, where you’ve been wounded, weary, or uncertain.
    Think about it:
    When Elijah was on Mount Carmel calling down fire from heaven — no attack.
    But later, alone under the broom tree, exhausted and afraid — that’s when the whisper of despair came.
    When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended, the Father’s voice spoke — “This is my beloved Son.” But what happened next? The wilderness. Forty days of temptation.The enemy always presses where you seem weak.
    In the same way, these Canaanite kings went after Gibeon because they perceived weakness. But what they didn’t know was that Israel — and Israel’s God — would show up. The covenant would hold.
    The kings thought Gibeon was the weak point. But that’s exactly where God showed up in power. And often — that’s exactly where He shows up for us, too.
    So, the question becomes: how should we handle conflict?
    First we should know…
    1. The Cause of Conflict

    2. Responding to Conflict – Standing on God’s Promises

    They say that in life you can be assured two things death and taxes…I want to add to another guarantee in life.. and that is conflict..
    Conflict is a normal part of life. As long as we live around other people, we’re going to find opinions and actions bumping up against someone else’s…
    One of the gurus on this Subject is Ken Sande.. he is wrote the book peacemakeers.. and has coautherred ..
    “Resolving every day conflict.”
    In the book they teach that conflict is an opportunity…
    He says that..
    “Conflict as an opportunity to solve problems in a way that not only benefits everyone involved but also honors God” Ken Sande/ Johnson.
    There are three basic ways people respond to conflict.
    We can choose to
    Escape,
    attack,
    or make peace.
    These responses are put on a curve that resembles a “Slippery Slope.”
    On the left side of the Slope we find responses of escape. When we slide that path we can end in denial or avoidance…in flight mode..…
    On the other side of the slippery slope.. (On the right) There are attack responses… these response can lead to blaming other — or even end assault…
    These extremes but in the middle we have a peacemaker response..
    WE given steps to resolution..
    — Instead We can choose
    — Go Higher (God way are Higher)
    — Get real
    — Gently Engage
    —- Get together.. seek resolution…
    In our Text — In our text, we see conflict on a much larger scale — a spiritual and physical battle. Five southern kings form an alliance to attack the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites are now part of God’s covenant people, under His protection, and they urgently reach out to Joshua for help.
    lets read..
    Joshua 10:6–9 ESV
    6 And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.” 7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. 8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” 9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal.
    The Gibeonites were facing certain conflict, and they reached out to Joshua,
    “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us..
    The phrase “Do not relax your hand” was a Hebrew Idoim… which means that it had deeper meaning…Hold on tight… …. It meat DON’T ABANDON US NOW….
    Remember, the Gibeonites had pretended to be a small , travelers from a distant land —Everything was torn and worn and their food was stale… it was all a performance to inablle to form an alience with Israel..
    — but in reality, they were neighbors. After Israel made a covenant with them, they discovered that Gibeon was a neighbor, powerful city, even greater than Ai, which Israel had just destroyed.
    The Gibeonites became covenant partners — grafted into Israel and included in the blessing of Abraham….
    When the men of Gibeon said — Don’t Abandon us now.. They were reminding Israel of their covenat..
    This scene.. illustrates the power of covenant,
    You see the theme of covenant runs throughout Scripture.
    WE have more in common with Gibonites than we think..
    Before Christ, we too were strangers to God’s covenant, outsiders without hope. But through Jesus, we have been brought in — grafted into the family of faith and included in the blessing of Abraham.
    Paul in Romans 9:25 Paul is talking about the inclusion of the gentiles into Covenant..
    Romans 9:25 ESV
    25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ t is, a righteousness that is by faith;
    That is covenant grace — God taking those who were far off and calling them His own…
    We are included in the beloved..
    Joshua understood the importance of keeping covenant relationships, and he responded immediately. T
    the Bible says:
    “Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the men of war with him.”
    The phrase “went up” is written in the present imperative tense, meaning to leap up immediately.
     Joshua didn’t hesitate. He got up and marched all night from Gilgal to Gibeon.
    But Joshua wasn’t acting on impulse; he moved with purpose and the presence of God.
    God had already spokenmto him.. before the battle..
    Joshua 10:8 ESV
    8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.”
    We learn that …
    Before the fight even starts, God has already declared the outcome.
    When we talk about holding onto God’s promises, it’s not wishful thinking — it’s returning to what God has already said. Joshua started from the place of deliverance and covenant, a place that reminded Israel of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
    We respond to Conflict by trusting in God’s Covenantal promises..
    God over and over promises to Rescue.. when call upon him…
     — Psalm 50:15
    Psalm 50:15 ESV
    15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
    — Psalm 34:17–18
    Psalm 34:17–18 ESV
    17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
    WE learn that ‘when when the enemy shows up… we respond by standing on his promises….
    Can you imagine the relief of the Gibeonites when they looked on the Horizon and saw the calvary coming… They saw the support troops…
    First we should know…
    1. The Cause of Conflict
    2. Responding to Conflict – Standing on God’s Promises

    3. Bold Prayers in Conflict – Let God Move

    What Comes to Mind When We Think of Boldness?

    When it comes to church history, one name stands out — Martin Luther, the Reformer. He confronted the Roman Church because of the corruption he saw. After posting his 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Castle Church, he was ordered to recant his writings, which directly challenged the established Church.
    Standing before some of the most powerful leaders in Rome, Luther declared:
    “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.”
    And most famously, he said:
    “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
    He put everything on the line — his reputation, his position, and even his life — all because of his convictions.
    What made Luther bold wasn’t pride, cleverness, or political maneuvering. His boldness was rooted in the assurance of God’s truth. Luther knew who Christ was, trusted His Word, and was confident that God’s purposes were greater than any human opposition.
    This is exactly the kind of boldness we see in Joshua. Joshua didn’t rely on his own strength or strategy; he relied on God’s promises. Just as Luther stood firm because of the truth of God’s Word, Joshua acted with courage because he knew God was faithful, and His purposes could not be thwarted.
    lets read..
    Joshua 10:9–14 ESV
    9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. 10 And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword. 12 At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.

    First: Joshua Shows Up

    First of all, we see that Joshua shows up. Showing up is half the battle.
    One thing I love about Pam’s family is that they always show up. We recently celebrated Pam’s mom’s birthday — an important milestone — and it reminded me of how faithful they are in presence and commitment.
    When we left Africa, her mom made cassette tapes with stories to be read to our kids. We played them over and over. Whenever they had the means to travel, they showed up — no hesitation, no excuses.
    Showing up makes a difference.
    When we show up for those in our lives…
    When we show up for friends…
    When we show up in prayer…
    When we show up for church…
    When we show up for those in need…
    Showing up is half the battle, because the enemy knows that when we are present, he is in trouble.
    When Joshua showed up with his men of war, it set off a spiritual tsunami. God began to act on Israel’s behalf.
    In Joshua 10:10, we see that the Lord threw the enemy into panic:
    “The Lord defeated them with a great blow at Gibeon.”
    We can fill in the blank for any conflict in our lives and say the same: the Lord comes through. The Lord wins the victory.
    The enemy was caught off guard. They suffered a significant defeat and began to retreat downhill. But they could not escape the judgment of God.
    God threw large stones from heaven as far as Azekah. There was no escape. More were destroyed by the Lord than by the sword of Joshua’s men.
    In other words — God won the day

    Joshua Makes a Bold Request

    Joshua made a bold request that day — he commanded the sun to stand still.
    Talk about boldness! Too often, we pray timid prayers. But Joshua prayed big, bold prayers — not for himself, but to advance God’s mission. He asked God to stop time so Israel could finish the fight.
    It started with awareness. Joshua knew it was getting late and darkness would stop their progress. So he prayed. And God gave him the confidence to speak.
    Then he stood before Israel and said:
    “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
    This miracle was so remarkable it was recorded in the Book of Jashar, an ancient collection of Jewish poetry now lost.
    “There has been no day like this before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.” (Joshua 10:13–14)
    Notice this: God heard Joshua. The Omnipotent Creator of the universe listened to a man and acted on his behalf.
    Some scholars debate how it happened. Was it poetic? A mirage? Relief from the heat? Personally, I believe God literally caused the sun to stand still — slowing or stopping the rotation of the earth, so Israel could complete the battle. Whatever the mechanism, the message is clear: God acted in response to Joshua’s bold prayer.
    As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:20:
    “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”
    God’s power is limitless — and it is at work in us. Joshua spoke, and God acted. That’s the principle: bold prayers, faithful obedience, and God’s power at work.
    Sometimes God acts immediately. Sometimes He withholds. Sometimes He judges. But when He acts, His power is undeniable. In Joshua’s day, He literally stopped the sun. Today, He still moves on behalf of those who pray boldly and step out in faith.
    CONCLUSION…
    After Joshua prayed boldly and God caused the sun to stand still, the battle continued with unstoppable momentum. God heard Joshua’s request, and the Israelites pursued the enemy relentlessly.
    The five kings who had opposed Israel fled and hid in a cave, but Joshua’s forces cornered them:
    “So Joshua went and captured the five kings, and he struck them and put them to death and hanged them on five trees. And they were hanging on the trees until evening.” (Joshua 10:24)
    This act demonstrated Israel’s dominance and showed that God was fighting for His people. But Joshua’s campaign didn’t end there. Following God’s command, he continued the conquest, taking city after city — Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir — leaving no survivors:
    “So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded.” (Joshua 10:40)
    This story reminds us of a powerful truth: God fights for those who step out in faith. When we pray boldly, obey His commands, and act in courage, He gives victory. God answered Joshua’s prayer, and the enemy was utterly defeated, leaving Israel secure and victorious.
    Challenge:
    Are we willing to step out in faith like Joshua?
    Will we pray boldly, trusting that God hears and responds?
    Can we trust God to fight for us, even when the odds seem impossible?
    The same God who stopped the sun and gave Israel victory is with us today. Our battles may feel overwhelming, but when we act in faith, God is faithful to give the victory.

      • Joshua 10:1–5NLT

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:3NLT

      • Ephesians 2:14NLT

      • Joshua 10:6–9NLT

      • Romans 9:25NLT

      • Joshua 10:8NLT

      • Psalm 50:15NLT

      • Psalm 34:17–18NLT

      • Joshua 10:9–14NLT

      • Joshua 10:40NLT

Richvale Community Church
brendenbridges@gmail.com
5308453694
http://richvalechurch.com
24 members • 9 followers