12 Stones Of Memorial Series

Title: 12 Stones of the Memorial

Theme: To be part of a family we must lay out memorials for our children and tell them about what the Lord has in store for them.

Text: Joshua 3:1-5, 13, 4:1-7

Read Joshua 3:1-5, 13 4:1-7

INTRODUCTION:

Joshua was about to lead Israel into the promise land. The crossing of Jordan was the last step into the promise land. Surely there are going to be some more fighting, but that is always true when receiving from God. But this is a symbolic step into a new journey for the Lord.

Notice verse “for you have not passed this way before” In other words you are about to walk on new ground. You are about to go in to new territory. You are about to go to a place that you have never been before.

We are about to go places and see things that we have never seen before.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

I believe that this is the direction that God is leading our church. We are going to walk where we have never walked before. We are going to see things that we have never seen before. We are going to do ministry as we have never done before.

Follow the Ark

As they walk in the new endeavor of life they are about to go places they have never been. They are about to go into territory and meet nations they have never heard of. This can be a very fearful thing. God was preparing them the keep focused on His presence, the ark. God already knows what is ahead of us.

We mentioned this last night as we talked about seeking the face of God. Not seeking his hand but seeking his face.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,

"When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.

The ark represented the presence of the Lord.

Stay in reverence with the Lord “Don’t let the uncommon become common”

Joshua 3:4 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it

Keep God out front so you can see him clearly

Don’t become too familiar with the Lord and his glory.

When we become too familiar and think that we have this “line” to God and he is our puppet then we start doing crazy things. Like Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus. They were the sons of Aaron the high priest. God had chosen them to keep the fire going in the tabernacle. Yet they had become too familiar with the Lord and the sacrifice. It had become common to them.

Leviticus 10 Death of Nadab and Abihu “strange fire”. Nadab and Abihu had become familiar with the things of God.

Don’t become too comfortable with His presence.

Sanctify-set yourself apart

Joshua 3:5v "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."

“Prepare yourself for tomorrow the Lord will do miracles among you.”

Cleanse yourself and make yourself holy. In other words conform in character to the Lord. Purify

Strongs: AV-sanctify 26, hallow 2, be holy 1; 29 “To make holy, consecrate, sanctify”

1) to dedicate, separate, set apart for God

1a) Of things {#Mt 23:17,9 2Ti 2:21}

1b) Of persons: Christ {#Joh 10:36 17:19}

2) To purify, make conformable in character to such dedication

2a) Forensically, to free from guilt {#1Co 6:11 Eph 5:26 Heb 2:11 10:10,14,29 13:12}

2b) Internally, by actual sanctification of life {#Joh 17:17,19 Ac 20:32 26:18 Ro 15:16 1Co 1:2 7:14 1Th 5:23 Re 22:11}

2c) Of a non-believer influenced by marriage with a Christian {#1Co 7:14}

The word sanctify here means “to dedicate, separate, make conformable in character to such dedication”. We are preparing and making are self like Him.

We can’t do it like others do it. I believe we need to be involved as possible with what is going on in this community. Yet God is saying that he wants us to do more. We are called to be different. You will be held to a higher standard. You will be expected to get involved.