Introduction: What does it mean to be a Christian? What is a Christian "life-style?" Sometimes we mislead those we try to convert by promising that Jesus will solve all their problems, and life will be a bowl of cherries. Erma Bombeck wrote a book once that she titled, "If Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries, How Come I'm Always in the Pits?!" The fact of the matter is that the Christian life is one of spiritual warfare. Because of his righteousness, Job was persecuted by Satan. He lost all his wealth, and all his children died. He lost his health, and his wife urged him to commit suicide! Peter said that Satan walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Even Jesus is called "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." The book of Joshua chronicles Israel's conquest of the holy land, and so it is a reference book for Christian warfare. In this history of the taking of the city of Ai, there are five lessons for Christian warriors, which is what we are. Remember these five key words: Attitude; Unity; Strategy; Faith; and Profit.

I. ATTITUDE.

In the previous chapter we learned of Israel's defeat at Ai, and the cause of their defeat. Achan had sinned. He had stolen from God at Jericho: a beautiful robe, 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold. He and his family had hidden it under their tent floor. Because of their sin, Israel was defeated at Ai. Thirty-six men were killed by the enemy. The nation was discouraged. The heathen nations were encouraged. God's name was dishonored.
Of course Achan was found out. You cannot hide your sins from God, nor from man for very long! Aachan was punished and Israel was again on a right footing with the Lord, but they were still discouraged.
We too get discouraged by our sins and by the trials of life. Discouragement can become depression, and we can go through life with a generally pessamistic and hopeless attitude. Someone told me a few days ago that he was going to try not to be happy, because whenever he was happy and enjoying life, something bad always happened to slap him down.
God doesn't want His people to be pessamistic and discouraged. If your football team has a defeatist attitude, it is beaten before the game even begins. If soldiers go into battle expecting to be beaten, they will suffer defeat. If God's people walk about with a gloomy "I can't win" attitude, we're not going to do much for the Lord. God wants us to be positive and joyful! If you're pessamistic, or the type that is easily discouraged by life, consider Hebrews 12:1-12.

II. UNITY

The first time the Israelites fought Ai, they were presumptuous (see Joshua 7:3). They sent a few men to do the fighting, and the rest stayed in camp relaxing. The second time they went to fight Ai, EVERYONE went, as God commanded (Joshua 8:1-3).
God wants Christians to work together to fulfill the Great Commission. See Philippians 1:27-28.
Why is the Church so divided? In the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers," I have a hard time singing verse three that reads, "Like a mighty army moves the Church of God; Brothers we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we, One in hope and doctrine, one in charity." The facts are: We are divided. We are not one body. We are not one in hope, charity or doctrine. Why? There is really only one reason, and it is not hard to understand. Here it is: There are multitudes of churches, denominations and so-called Christians who are in rebellion against the Word of God. The Bible says that God made the world and Adam and Eve. They say, that's just a nice story. We really evolved from apes two million years ago. The Bible says God destroyed the world in a flood, and only eight people survived. They say, that's just a horrible story. God would never do that. The Bible says, God saved Daniel by shutting the lions' mouths. They say, that's just a legend. The Bible says, a great fish swallowed Jonah, and then spit him out after three days. They say, that's just a bedtime story for children. The Bible says Jesus is God in the flesh, born of a virgin and raised from the dead. They say, you really don't need to believe those things anymore to be a Christian. The Bible says, you must believe in Jesus, and you must be born again." They say, it doesn't matter what your religion is, everyone will go to Heaven anyway. The Bible says, homosexuality is an abomination to God. They say, we really ought to ordain gays and lesbians to be our pastors.
God wants us to be together, but we cannot be together except as we find our unity in the Word of God. The Israelites ALL went up to Ai, and they won a great victory. We need to all bow the knee to the Word of God, and we shall win great victories, too.

III. STRATEGY

God's strategy for Israel was that they should be constantly on the OFFENSIVE. He told them to GO into the promised land, and GO to city after city, and to TAKE the land. He didn't say, "Just wait here on the border, and when the Caananites finally leave of their own volition, then you can just mosey on in and settle down without any trouble."
Any football or basketball team that plays only defense will lose. Any army that only has a good defense, and no offense, will lose. Israel had to carry the battle to the enemy, to actually go into the land, fight for it, and possess it.
Likewise, God has commanded Christians to be on the march to take the world for Jesus. Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. He told us to GO, not to sit and wait. He told us to make disciples. He told us to found churches. He told us to be salt and light in our communities, to preserve the good, to struggle with evil, to shine the light of God's Word on all that is happening around us. And He told us that we would win (Matthew 16:18) "I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."
I would like to encourage each of you personally to take stock of your lives. What are you doing for the Lord? Are you pro-active? Are you taking the battle to the enemy? Are you doing your part to GO and make disciples at home and around the world? Remember the old poem, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." Are you doing something with your life that God will reward you for in Heaven? Or are you just enjoying the "rocking chair of salvation," and doing your best to avoid the battle? Something to think about!

IV. FAITH

God told the Israelites that the outcome of the battle at Ai was already determined. Ai was already "in the bag" because God had already decided to deliver Ai into their hands. All they had to do was have faith, and be obedient to God's command.
This is a principle that works in the Christian's life, too. God has already given us the victory in Jesus and His atoning death on the cross. Our sins are forgiven, our hearts are regenerated, and we are on our way to Heaven.
And even as Israel was guaranteed victory over Ai, so the Church has been guaranteed victory in the Great Commission.
Sometimes we do not appear to be gaining the victory. We see and hear things happening in our culture that are very discourageing.
Beware of judging our success by the world's measureing stick. The world measure's success by worldly power, by money and by numbers. We measure our success by the Word of God. We measure our success by the plan of God, and the plan of God cannot fail. Jesus outlined God's plan in John 6:35-40. And in Philippians 2:9-11 Paul wrote of Jesus' ultimate victory over the entire planet.

V. PROFIT

When Israel went up against Jericho, God told them to take none of the booty for themselves. But Jericho was a beginning, and a special case. Ai was a different matter. God told the Israelites to take the gold, silver, jewels, clothing and livestock for themselves. Israel would not only take possession of the land of Canaan, but would enjoy all the benefits and bounty of the land and its people.
I am reminded of Trans World Radio, and one of their very large transmitters in Albania. This powerful radio station had been built at great expense by the Soviet Union to jam Radio Free America. But after the Soviet Union fell, Albania decided to lease it to Trans World Radio. That which was meant by its builders to bring darkness, has been taken by God's people, and now broadcasts the light of the Gospel all over the former Soviet Union.
As we stand up for the Lord, and witness, and make disciples, the fruit of our work will show itself not only in converts and new churches, but in society as a whole. As we send disciples of Christ out into our culture, we will enjoy the benefits of the changes they will make in their schools and offices and factories. As the Church grows and lives for Christ, we will see changes in the courts, in the councils of government, in the media, and so on. That which the enemy meant for evil, can be used to do great good.

CONCLUSION: So as I said earlier, in this history of the taking of the city of Ai, there are five lessons for Christian warriors. Remember these five key words: Attitude; Unity; Strategy; Faith; and Profit. Be encouraged! Work together! Go on the offensive! Trust in the Lord! May the Lord bless us all with the benefits that flow from faith and obedience to His will! Amen.