The importance of remembering God's faithfulness and the power of our testimony, encouraging us to venture out in faith, trusting in God's promises.
Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, we're going to dive into an exciting piece of Scripture from the book of Joshua that looks back at God's faithfulness, and helps us look forward with faith and hope.
Our passage today is Joshua 4, where Joshua commands the Israelites to build a monument from stones taken from the Jordan River as a reminder of God's miraculous deliverance. It reads:
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This passage reminds us not only of God's faithfulness in the past, but also of the power of the blood of the Lamb - our savior Jesus Christ - and the strength of our testimony.
As Watchman Nee once said, "Long-lasting victory can never be separated from a long-lasting stand on the foundation of the cross."
Let's open with a prayer.
Father God, thank you for the opportunity to gather here today and dive into your Word. As we reflect on your faithfulness, the power of Jesus' sacrifice, and the strength of our testimony, open our hearts and minds to better understand your love and grace. Guide us as we venture out in faith, trusting in your promises. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Let's get started!
As we delve into God's faithfulness in the past, we must first understand that God's faithfulness is a central theme in the Bible. It's a thread that weaves through every book, every story, and every testament of His love for us. God's faithfulness is His commitment to keep His promises, to always be there for us, and to never leave nor forsake us.
A clear demonstration of God's faithfulness: The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, and finally, they were on the brink of entering the Promised Land. However, the Jordan River stood in their way. But God, in His faithfulness, parted the river, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This was a miraculous act of deliverance, a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His people.
Extremely significant: This event was so significant that God commanded the Israelites to build a monument of twelve stones from the riverbed. This monument served as a physical reminder of God's faithfulness. It was a testament to future generations that God had delivered their ancestors and would continue to deliver them. It was a symbol of hope and assurance that God's faithfulness is unchanging and everlasting.
Not just a historical fact: It's a personal reality for each of us. Every one of us can look back on our lives and see moments where God has been faithful. Perhaps it was a prayer answered, a need met, or a situation turned around. These moments are our personal stones of remembrance, testifying to God's faithfulness in our lives.
A foundation for our faith in the present and our hope for the future: Because God has been faithful before, we can trust that He will be faithful again. His past faithfulness assures us of His present and future faithfulness. This assurance gives us the confidence to face whatever challenges come our way, knowing that God is with us and for us.
A call to faithfulness on our part: Just as God was faithful to the Israelites, He calls us to be faithful to Him. He calls us to trust in His promises, to obey His commands, and to follow His lead. Our faithfulness is a response to His faithfulness, a reflection of His love and commitment to us.
It's about who He is: God is faithful because faithfulness is part of His character. It's His nature to be faithful. He cannot be unfaithful because it would contradict who He is. Therefore, when we remember God's faithfulness in the past, we are not just remembering His actions; we are remembering His character. We are remembering who He is.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when God was very clearly faithful to you and how it affected your life and faith. This could also be a story about someone you know.
The power of the blood of the Lamb is a profound concept that weaves its way through the entire tapestry of Scripture, from the Old Testament sacrifices to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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