Sermons in Rosedale Network of Churches
Continuing a multi-year theme of hearing how God is at work in our churches, the 2025 Feature Beacon articles focus on preaching within Rosedale Network of Churches. Each article features a recent sermon by a Rosedale Network pastor. May we all be encouraged by the faithful teaching of God’s Word.
Everyone wants the promise, but no one wants the process. We sing about victory, pray for breakthrough, and quote verses about courage—but when it’s time to cross the river, cut off the old life, or fight through Jericho walls, we hesitate. The book of Joshua isn’t a feel-good story. It’s a wake-up call. God doesn’t lead us to comfort. He leads us to conquest. And before conquest comes consecration. Before the battle, God stops the army.
Joshua 5 is one of the most surprising chapters in the Bible. Israel has just crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. Their enemies are terrified. The Promised Land is finally within reach. And God says, “Stop. Circumcise the men.” What? Now? Imagine being part of that army. You’re finally ready for battle; adrenaline is pumping, and God tells you to pause and deal with what you ignored in the wilderness. For 40 years, the new generation hadn’t been circumcised—a sign of the covenant they had neglected. And now, before they could move forward, God demanded obedience in the most personal and painful way.
“…Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you” (Josh. 5:9a NIV).
God wasn’t just preparing the Israelites to fight with swords—He was preparing them to fight with surrender. God cuts what comfort covers. Circumcision isn’t just about physical obedience—it’s about identity. God had delivered Israel out of slavery, but now He wanted to cut Egypt out of them. That’s the part we avoid. We want spiritual victory without spiritual surgery. But God never blesses what hasn’t been consecrated. Too many of us are trying to walk in our “Canaan” while still dragging Egypt in our hearts—bitterness, compromise, hidden sin, pride, performance. God will not let us conquer with uncut hearts. He loves us too much. We want God to tear down walls while we still cling to Egypt in our hearts.
God cuts what comfort covers.
What’s worse, some of us have learned to function uncircumcised. We’ve found ways to lead, serve, and even pastor while ignoring the areas God has asked to be set apart. But in Joshua 5, God stops everything to say, You don’t go forward until this is dealt with. According to Joshua 5:12, “The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land…”
God was saying, You’re not in the wilderness anymore. It’s time to grow up. Time to work the land. No more spiritual bottle feeding. God was leading them into a mature faith—one where provision came through partnership, not just miracles. That’s where many believers stall. We want God to keep raining down daily bread while we refuse to walk in obedience and ownership. He’s not being mean. He’s growing you.
We keep asking God to provide as if it were day one of faith when He’s calling us to fight like it’s year 41. Before Jericho, let God cut you.
God had every right to take Israel straight into battle. But He didn’t. He paused them in a vulnerable place. Why? Because He’s more concerned with who you’re becoming than what you’re winning.
Maybe that’s where you are—on the edge of a promise, frustrated that God hasn’t moved. Could it be that He’s waiting for you to lay something down first? Before God gives you Jericho, He’ll cut away what doesn’t belong. Painful. Private. Personal. But necessary. We say we want God to move. Are we willing to let Him remove? “Today, I have rolled away the shame of your slavery” (Josh. 5:9). No shortcuts. No skipping the knife. If you want the promise, let God cut what’s in the way.
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2 Responses
Great application and perspective for leaders who are in process. It’s so hard for ambitious gifted leaders to handle the pause and Gods cutting when they have a clear vision and they are confident in their calling and gifting.
I certainly agree , however this applies to more than the church leaders; it applies to all of God’s children.