The Walls Must Come Down - Part One

June 12, 1987 President Ronald Reagan delivered a most moving speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. This continues to remind me of the importance of being diligent in our fight for freedom.

 - And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.

Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it? We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Joshua, historically, is standing at the first challenge in assuming ownership of the Promised Land; a walled city called Jericho. In order for victory to come the walls have to come down. The same is true for us today. If victory is going to come, and we are to take our Canaan Land, then The Walls Must Come Down.

 Joshua 6:1-4

The Scene – Defeat with victory (v1)

Jericho was besieged this was not the plan.

(The wall was 5 feet thick, 12-17 feet high – had a tower from which great defenses could be marshaled; surrounded by a ditch 8 feet wide, 9 feet deep. The whole of the town of Jericho was about 6 acres.)

God is not content to simply isolate our problems

(Some think that if we don’t speak of our problems they will just go away – Ostrich syndrome. Problems ignored become greater – especially spiritual problems.)

God is not content to simply seal up our pains

(It is dangerous to seal up your pains; especially your grief.

God wants to free you from your pains – that’s why we have grace.

God wants to heal you from your pains – that’s why we have cleansing.

God wants to use our pains – that’s why we have pain.)

The Sign – Vision with action (v2-3)

Jericho was delivered already - but you still must follow the plan...

We have deliverance - but we must follow obediently the plan of God for our lives

Action we need for victory

·        Action is about the pathway love (Ephesians 5:2)

o And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

·        Action is about the projection of light (Ephesians 5:8-10)

o 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

·        Action is about the possession of wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-18)

o 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

The Surrender – Action with Purpose (v4-6)

Perfect advocate (7 priests)

Jesus Christ, 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

And, as we come against the strongholds of life, He is making intercession for us before the throne of God, Heb. 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Rom. 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

 Perfect atonement (7 ram horn-trumpets)

There will be no real, lasting victory over the flesh and the world until you have been saved by the grace of God. When you become a partaker of God’s plan of salvation through the blood of Jesus, you are given the power to enjoy victory over and freedom from the power of sin in your life, Rom. 6:1-14

Perfect timing (7 days)

God is always on time! He scares me to death sometimes – but he is always on time.

Perfect Presence (1 ARK)  

The ark is the real presence of the Lord in our lives. He is what we need to really win the battles. Remember in the ark was the manna pointing to the full provision of God in impossible circumstances. Also Aaron’s rod that budded is there proving Jesus power to bring life out of death, Then there are the tablets containing the laws of God pointing to the power of the Word of God against strongholds and evil. You see all power is given to Him and he makes it available to us.

Why do you keep struggling with your own fight in your own power? Surrender to His plan for your life.