Sermon Outline Title: The Battle of Jericho — Victory God’s Way
Bible Text, Theme, Big Idea
Text: Joshua 6:1-20
Theme: Faith and obedience bring victory — God tears down the walls that stand against His people.
Big Idea: When we follow God’s instructions completely, we will experience His power fully. Victory comes not by human strength but by divine obedience.
1. The Command of God and the Faith of His People (Joshua 6:1-5)
a. God told Joshua, “See, I have given into thine hand Jericho.” The victory was already promised; all they had to do was obey.
b. The plan sounded strange — march once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, then shout after the trumpet blast — but obedience, not logic, brings miracles.
c. If they had marched six days only, or shouted before the trumpet, the walls would still be standing. God’s plan works when done God’s way.
d. The same principle applies today: salvation and victory come by doing things God’s way — believe, confess, repent, and be baptized. That’s the path to victory through Jesus Christ.
e. Obedience brings blessings; disobedience brings defeat. We can sing “Victory in Jesus” all day long, but true victory comes when our faith is followed by obedience.
2. The Church Angle — Faith Over Committees
a. Imagine if a group of Baptists were with Joshua that day — some might have said, “We need a meeting about this first.” We’d want to form a “Jericho Wall Committee” just to make sure God’s plan makes sense.
b. But Joshua didn’t ask for opinions; he simply obeyed. God said it, Joshua believed it, and that settled it.
c. There’s a place for committees and planning, but when God gives clear direction, our duty is to move forward in faith. Too much talking and too little doing stifles revival.
d. Skeptics are always present. They doubt not the preacher, but God Himself. Doubt in God’s promises is sin, for it questions His power.
e. Faith says, “Let’s march.” Fear says, “Let’s meet.” Churches grow when they march in obedience instead of debating in circles.
3. The Personal Angle — Faith Over Fear (Joshua 6:6-16)
a. Each Israelite saw the same walls, but they viewed them differently — some through eyes of fear, others through eyes of faith.
b. The faithful saw a wall ready to fall; the fearful saw an obstacle too tall. The difference was perspective.
c. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith lets us face obstacles as opportunities for God to show His power.
d. Like David before Goliath, the faithful see the giant and say, “He’s too big to miss,” while the fearful say, “He’s too big to fight.”
e. The test of Jericho is the same test we face today — will we stick with God through every trial, every season, and every wall that blocks our path?
4. The Bird’s-Eye Angle — Which Side of the Wall Are You On? (Joshua 6:20-21)
a. From above, the most important thing that day wasn’t the wall itself, but which side people stood on. On one side were those who trusted God; on the other, those who trusted themselves.
b. Those inside Jericho relied on their walls — their strength, their defenses — and they perished. Those outside trusted in God’s power, and they prevailed.
c. The same truth stands today: you’re either on God’s side or the world’s side. There’s no middle ground.
d. Some live behind the world’s walls, confident in riches, power, or pleasure — but those walls will fall. Only faith in Christ stands forever.
e. Every person must choose: sin for a season or sanctification for eternity. One road leads to endless hope; the other to a hopeless end.
Illustration / Example
A man once said, “Faith makes walls fall.” Jericho’s walls didn’t fall because of noise, strength, or skill — they fell because the people obeyed. The same God who flattened those walls still brings down the barriers that separate us from victory when we walk in faith and obedience.
Alliterated Main Points
1. Command — God’s plan for victory.
2. Church — Obedience over organization.
3. Confidence — Faith over fear.
4. Choice — Which side of the wall are you on?
Conclusion / Invitation
The people of Israel won because they kept their eyes on God. The only time God’s people know defeat is when they look away. If you feel defeated, if your walls seem unshakable, it’s time to put your eyes back on Jesus. He alone can tear down every wall in your life. Come to Him today, surrender in faith, and walk in the victory He has promised.