In this sermon on Judges chapter 6, the preacher highlights the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience to God. The nation of Midian oppresses them and steals their crops, leaving them impoverished. The preacher draws a parallel between this situation and the struggles faced by Christians who do not have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of spending time with God and not being distracted by worldly activities. The sermon concludes with a reference to Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32, where he prophesies about a coming generation and encourages them to listen to the Spirit's voice for life-giving guidance.

This message is one of the Times Square Church pulpit series. It was recorded in the sanctuary of Times Square Church in Manhattan, New York City. Other takes are available by writing World Challenge, PO Box 260, Lindale, Texas 75771 or calling 903-963-8626. You are welcome to make additional cassettes of this message for free distribution to friends. However, for all other forms of reproduction or electronic transmission, existing copyright laws apply. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Lord, we love you. We ask tonight that our love could be translated into action that is pleasing to your heart. Holy Spirit, you've got to give us the hearts to be able to respond to the Word of God. There's no way that we can unless you quicken us. You have to empower us. And so tonight we come before your throne and we lay before you, God, and we say give us the grace now to hear. Give us the grace, mighty God, to do and to obey. And let it be a joy and a chief delight of our hearts. Father, we thank you for what you're going to accomplish in this house tonight, what you've begun and what you're going to bring to completion. Lord, before this night is out, there are going to be miracles, transformed lives. Mighty God, we thank you for it. We praise you for it in advance. We bless you for every backslider that's going to come home, every confused Christian that is going to find their way. Oh, everyone who's oppressed is going to be set free from the grip of the enemy. Mighty God, thank you that your kingdom has come and no power of hell, no gate of hell can withstand the name of Jesus Christ. We give you all blessings and honor and glory. We thank you, God, for your power. I thank you for your quickening power. I thank you, Lord God, that you will enable me to speak your heart tonight. I ask you for the grace to disappear and stand behind the cross, that you alone may appear, that your words may be heard in this house, that your kingdom may come and your will might be done. Father, we thank you for it from the depths of our heart tonight. In Jesus' name, amen. My message tonight is called Snares, Traps, Scourges, and Thorns. Joshua chapter 23 in the Old Testament, if you'll go there. Welcome, please, to all of our visitors tonight. We know that you've felt, as we do, the manifest presence of Jesus Christ here in our meetings, in our midst. Wonderful to be in the presence of God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Joshua chapter 23, beginning at verse 8. Now, beloved, this is the third time today you're about to hear the same message. This frequently happens here at Times Square Church. And when God confirms His Word in the mouths of two or three witnesses, the Scripture says, let everything be established. If you have been here this morning at 10 o'clock, you've heard Brother Dave speak on, essentially, the topic that the Holy Spirit has given me. You've heard Teresa speak on it at 3 o'clock, and you're about to hear it again tonight. This is God speaking to His church. Let it be established. Not just as fact, but let it be established in our hearts. This is really where the establishment has to happen.