“When What Had to Happen Didn’t Have to Happen” - Sunday Morning Worship (Re-stream)

Pastor Harris delivered a powerful message titled “When What Had to Happen Didn’t Have to Happen” (Joshua 7:1–6, 10–12, 18–26).

The story of Achan reminds us that one person’s disobedience can bring defeat to an entire community. Israel, fresh from the miraculous victory at Jericho, assumed Ai would be an easy conquest. Yet what should have been a simple victory turned into a shameful defeat—all because of hidden sin. Pastor Harris taught that disobedience to God’s command disrupts His covering, diminishes our discernment, and damages those connected to us. What “had to happen” happen because compromise stood in the way.

From this sobering account, Pastor Harris highlighted the public execution, the establishment of a paradigm, the enforcement of a principle, and the eradication of the problem. He reminded us that disobedience to the Creator always brings consequences, poor judgment leads to unnecessary loss, our choices inevitably impact others, and unrepented sin can destroy a community’s witness and strength.

The message was clear: obedience protects, sin contaminates, and repentance restores. Victory is always God’s plan—but hidden sin can turn triumph into tragedy.