Mere Stones/Reminders-2 Series

MERE STONES/Reminders-II—Joshua 4:1-24(:1-5)

Our 4" circular Ikebana Vase:

Inscribed on the bottom of it, from top to bottom, is the name of the potter's business—'Turn & Burn Pottery'—Seagrove, NC—John 3:3—a Christian Fish symbol.

I am immediately taken to Seagrove, NC(A rural location which has a little under 100 active potters & clay-workers within a 20 square mile area) & immediately transported to wonderful times with our kids.

Reminders—Seemingly insignificant things—can make all the difference in a person’s life!

Joshua had twelve stones removed from the Jordan River as a memorial to the crossing.

Memorials or Spiritual Reminders hold a great deal of significance to God’s people.

What is significant about spiritual reminders?

The potential of spiritual reminders.

“God’s works of wonder ought to be kept in everlasting remembrance, & means devised for the preserving of the memorial of them...that those who could not or would not , read the record of it in the sacred history, might come to the knowledge of it by the monument set up in remembrance of it, of which the common tradition of the country would be an explication; it would likewise serve...a standing evidence of it to those who in after-ages might question the truth of it.”—Matthew Henry

“God always chose that which was most proper & significant, rather than that which is pompous or curious...”—Matthew Henry

We have found previously that...

Mere Stones/Reminders can transport us to a Position of....

1. UNIQUE ACCOMPLISHMENT(:3, 5)

*Mere stones can take us to...OR...

2—Mere Stones/Reminders can transport us To a Position of...

BLESSING(:3)

Explanation:(:3)Honor

:3—“& command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you & leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”

To fetch the reminders from the very feet of the priesthood chosen by God.

Personally into the presence of the ark of God, is only for those chosen of God. Speaks of God’s Love & Advocacy, Family, Camaraderie, Closeness & Intimacy among all parties.

Blessings No one else can experience!

Being chosen for such a task by others has potential to cause either haughtiness or humility in those chosen!

2Sam. 22:28—“You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.”

Ps. 18:27—“For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.”

Prov. 18:12—“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.”

2Tim. 3:1-5—“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

The BLESSING is also for others...As we transport our reminders to our “lodging place.”

The representatives take God’s blessing & honor home with them. They are reminders of God’s miraculous dealings, with ourselves & others. Reminders of His love for His people & nation & likewise His Church, the Bride of Christ.

These reminders are meant to be shared!

Argumentation:

Prov. 10:22—“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.”

Prov. 10:7—“The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.”

**Prov. 28:20—“A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”

**Ps. 146:1-10—“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven & earth, The sea, & all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless & widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. The LORD shall reign forever-- Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!”

**Heb. 6:7—“For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, & bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;”