Crossing Over

CROSSING OVER

Can you think of a day that you waited for with great anticipation? Christmas morning? A Family Vacation? Your Wedding Day?

Maybe it was a day that you anticipated with great excitement.

Maybe it was day you anticipated with great anxiety (The fear of the unknown, like the day before starting a new job, or closing on your first home)

Can you imagine the anticipation and excitement of the Israelites?

- After 40 years wandering in the wilderness?

- After 40 years of eating nothing but Manna?

- After 500 years of hearing about how God had promised this land to Abraham?

TEXT: JOSHUA 3:1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.

Today’s the Day!

- A New Day!

- A New Generation

- NO FEAR

Nothing but 100% Obedience & Faithfulness to the word of God!

(TS) Two things stand out to me in this chapter that I want to call your attention to:

1. The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord

2. The Jordan River

I. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD

Notice: The Ark is mentioned 10 times in 17 verses in Joshua 3.

Notice: The commands associated with the Ark

1. Follow It (vs 3)

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it." (Joshua 3:3)

When it moves - YOU move.

2. Keep Your Distance

"But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark" (Joshua 3:4)

That's about a 1/2 mile.

3. Do Not Go Near It (Joshua 3:4)

Why? Because it is holy! And we are not so holy.

But also - so everyone could see!

Remember - there’s 2 to 3 million people trying to follow the Ark. If they crowded too close, then only a few would be able to see it. But if they kept their distance, then all would be able to see it and follow the Lord.

What is so special about the Ark?

The Ark is first mentioned in Exodus 25 (The Ark of the Testimony)

The Ark Contained

1) The 10 commandments (The Precepts of the Lord)

2) Aaron’s Rod - which came to life (The Promises of God)

3) A jar of Manna (The Provisions of God)

The Ark represented the POWER of God... the PRESENCE of God. And You are to Follow it! (God is taking you where you have never been - vs 4)

The Ark pointed to the fact that as the people of Israel set out to cross the Jordan, invade, and possess the land, they must do so not in their own strength, but in God’s - for it was God Himself who was going before them as their source of victory.

One more thing: Exodus 26:34 says, "Put the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place."

Does anyone know another name for the Atonement Cover? Answer: The Mercy Seat.

Hebrews 8:1-2 says, "The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man."

Question: Where did Jesus sit?

Answer: There is only one seat in the tabernacle: The Mercy Seat. This is where Jesus sits.

The Ark: Represents JESUS (The Power, The Presence, the Promises, the Precepts, the Provisions of God!)

TEXT: JOSHUA 3:5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

Two more words that I would like to call your attention to: CONSECRATE & AMAZING

1. CONSECRATE

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves"

Question: What does the word “consecrate” mean? Answer: To set apart.

A military leader would have said, "Get your gear right", “Sharpen your swords", and "polish your shields!”

But God's ways are not our ways.

For God’s people, to consecrate yourself would mean to get spiritually prepared. Get your Heart right. Get your thoughts right. Get your focus right

(This is how we are to approach the Lord’s Table: Examine ourselves... Purify ourselves... Consecrate ourselves)

It is being rightly related to God that brings the power of God on our work and ministry.

And Note: To consecrate is to “be hallowed, set apart, prepare, dedicate.”

But here - there's an emphasis on personal responsibility: “consecrate YOURSELVES" (set YOURSELVES apart, prepare YOURSELVES).

God will do His part. You make sure you do YOUR part.

YOU & I:

Paul tells us in Romans 12: “I appeal to you… brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”