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Remember
Joshua 4
1 After the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua: 2 “Choose twelve men from the people, one man for each tribe, 3 and command them: Take twelve stones from this place in the middle of the Jordan where the priests are standing, carry them with you, and set them down at the place where you spend the night.”
4 So Joshua summoned the twelve men he had selected from the Israelites, one man for each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go across to the ark of the Lord your God in the middle of the Jordan. Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes, 6 so that this will be a sign among you.
20 Then Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan, 21 and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ 22 you should tell your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the water of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up before us until we had crossed over. 24 This is so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord’s hand is strong, and so that you may always fear the Lord your God.”
Memory is a powerful thing
Take a memento with you
Like a rock from a river
Reminders point us back so we can move forward
People of Israel crossing the Jordan
- The Priests went first
- When their feet touch the water, it receded
- The priest stood in the middle during the crossing of the whole nation
Then God gave Joshua an interesting command
- Tell each tribe (12) to send a man to collect a large stone from the middle of the Jordan where they crossed
They carried the stones to camp and Joshua placed them there
These stones were not mean to be for a sacrifice
- The sole purpose was to be a REMINDER
- A visible sign of what God has done and what he had brought them through
Reminders help us recall important information
- pay a bill
- call someone back
- meet someone for lunch
- water your plants
When we are busy, we forget important things
We also have a spiritual memory problem
We quickly forget:
- God’s Promises
- His Forgiveness
- His Goodness
- His Faithfulness
Unleash Series:
- Have Courage
- God always makes a way
- Get ready
Set a Reminder…
- Not what we would have thought
So God instructs the people to build themselves a reminder
- To remember what he has done and what they have gone through
God knew that what ahead for His people would require them to remember His faithfulness in the past
- Because when things get tough, that’s the first thing we forget
Joshua 4
24 This is so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord’s hand is strong, and so that you may always fear the Lord your God.”
Two important Reminders
Reminder 1: It’s all about God
- This is His Story
This story is about God
You and I are an overflow of His love, majesty, and grace
Why is this an important reminder?
Because we usually think it is all about us
- My story
- My problems
- My Ideas
- My Dreams
- My Life
But none of that is really true if God is really the king of the universe and the king of our heart
We need constant reminding that it is not…
- By us
- Dependent on us
- Because of us
- Make by us
- Fixed by us
It is all about God
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
This is HIS Program
- HIS Plan
- We are HIS people
- Victory is HIS
And if we want to have abundant life, we better follow HIS will
Reminders point us back so we can move forward
What are some Stones/Reminders in our life?
1 – Salvation
- Can you point out a specific time when you know for a fact that God changed your life
2 – Baptism
3 – Communion
4 – Worship
5 – Personal Testimony
- Past Hurts and Mistakes
- Understand what Forgiveness and grace looks like
- Past Protection
- God saved you from trouble, danger, injury
- Past healing
- From sickness, disease
- Mental healing
Reminder 2: Tell your story
We are wired to listen, understand, and believe something when told by someone we trust
Learn to share your story
- What God has brought you through
- What He has saved you from
- How He has healed you
- How He is changing you
- How He is maturing you
- What you are excited about in your faith journey
1 Peter 2:4-5 (CEV)
4 Come to Jesus Christ. He is the living stone that people have rejected, but which God has chosen and highly honored. 5 And now you are living stones that are being used to build a spiritual house. You are also a group of holy priests, and with the help of Jesus Christ you will offer sacrifices that please God.
We are ALL HOLY PRIESTS
- Meant to share and show the love of God and His grace to others
Are you acting like a priest of God
- Your actions
- How to treat others
- What you do and say online
Your story should be an important reminder (stone) for you and for others
To Parents:
Joshua 4
20 Then Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan, 21 and he said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ 22 you should tell your children…
- It’s not the little prayers you pray with them
- It’s not just bringing them to church
- Not just listening to worship music
It’s revealing how, when, and what God has done or is doing in your life
- Be transparent
It’s tempting to want to hide your failures/mistakes
- Don’t do this…
By doing this you show them the ARK OF REDEMPTION in your life
- The way God moves through multiple seasons
Lamentations 3
22 Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! 24 I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.”
His faithfulness is our greatest reminder
- He sent his son
- He gives us life every day
- He forgives
- He redeems
Reminders point us back so we can move forward