Be Wary. Not Afraid
Take the Promise
September 23, 2018
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Using Joshua 9 and the Gibeonites' deception, the sermon warns Christians to be wary (not afraid) of the world's self-serving cunning, to remember we are made for God's glory and saved in Christ, and to resist compromise while standing firm in prayerful love against worldly sin.
Summary
The sermon draws on Joshua 9 to illustrate how the world uses shrewdness and deception to avoid judgment and to co-opt God's people; Christians are reminded that we are made for God's glory, not our own, and that only Christ overturns our self-saving impulses. Believers must be cautious about close, conciliatory relationships with the world—coexistence weakens the church and can lead to compromised witness—while continuing the church’s calling to pray against injustice and stand as an adversary to sin. Ultimately the congregation is urged to be sober‑minded and courageous, relying on Christ and prayer rather than worldly accommodation.
Key Points
- Main warning: be wary (not afraid) of the world's self-serving cunning
- Scripture focus: Joshua 9 — the Gibeonites deceive Israel to secure a covenant and survive
- Core theology: we are made by God for His glory, not for self; sin tempts us to be our own savior
- Only Christ overturns our drive for self-preservation and grants eternal life
- The world’s motivation is selfish; it will use shrewd tactics to avoid judgment and to gain God's benefits
- The church must be cautious in engaging the world and avoid friendly compromise that dilutes its witness
- The church’s role is to pray against injustice and wickedness, not to become a social ally of sinful practices
- Close coexistence with the world weakens the church and serves as a reminder of Israel’s foolishness in Joshua
- Application: stand firm in loving resistance to sin, rely on prayer, and seek courage to uphold God's standards
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