Sermons In Stone
Joshua 4:1-9 KJV And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, [2] Take you twelve men out
of the people, out of every tribe a man, [3] And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night. [4] Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: [5] And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: [6] That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? [7] Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. [8] And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. [9] And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
I. INTRODUCTION -- MEMORIALS FROM HISTORY
-President Ronald Reagan gave one of the best ‘Memorial Day’ speeches ever given on the 40th anniversary of the D-Day in 1984. D-Day was the invasion of France that led to the destruction and ultimate surrender of Nazi Germany.
“We stand on a lonely, windswept point on the northern shore of France. The air is soft, but 40 years ago at this moment, the air was dense with smoke and the cries of men, and the air was filled with the crack of rifle fire and the roar of cannon. At dawn, on the morning of the 6th of June, 1944, 225 Rangers jumped off the British landing craft and ran to the bottom of these cliffs.”
“Their mission was one of the most difficult and daring of the invasion: to climb these sheer and desolate cliffs and take out the enemy guns. The Allies had been told that some of the mightiest of these guns were here and they would be trained on the beaches to stop the Allied advance.”
“The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers [at] the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machine guns and throwing grenades. And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing.”
“Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. Two hundred and twenty-five came here. After two days of fighting, only 90 could still bear arms.”
“Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs. And before me are the men who put them there.”
“These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.”
-There are no victories that will ever be won without a fight. When we remember the victories, at that point we remember the heroes.
-So whether it is with a war involving nations or with a spiritual war involved in establishing churches in this world, we can never forget the memorials that have been built.
-Many of the memorials mean that there has been a cost that someone has paid for with sweat, blood, tears, and in some cases life literally has been forsaken to build this apostolic heritage that we enjoy in this generation.
II. THE HISTORY BEHIND THE TEXT
-In Biblical history, this time frame was one of the greatest moments of Israel’s history. After 430 years of slavery, Israel had left Egypt behind in the colossal defeat of the Red Sea. The harsh taskmasters of Egypt had been no match for God. The heavy work loads had not wilted them down it had made them stronger (much can be said about adversity making great men and women). Pharaoh and his armies had been no match for God.
-Amazingly enough, the greatest distracter among the Israelites was the seed of doubt that infected them about the time they started to go into the Promised Land. The minority of ten voices overwhelmed the majority of two voices in the early stages after the Exodus.
-Israel, because of their doubt, had to wander about in the wilderness for 40 years until the doubters met their demise. Now, young, strong hearts embraced the challenges that were to face the chosen of God as they approached Canaan.
-Joshua and the children of Israel now stand at the edge of the Jordan looking into a land that would have already been conquered except that doubt had ruled their fathers.
-The position that Israel now finds itself in is very similar to the one that Moses had faced at the Red Sea. Now Joshua has a group of people who have weathered the desert. It has toughened them. It has brought discipline to their lives. Joshua possessed a powerful instrument that was much more suitable for accomplishing the purposes of God.
• Never despise your deserts of tribulation.
• Never despise your deserts of spiritual dryness.
• Never despise your deserts of small things.
• Never despise your deserts of spiritual barrenness.
• Never despise your deserts of emptiness.
• Never despise your deserts of struggle.
• Never despise your deserts of ineffectiveness.
• Never despise your deserts of isolation.
• Never despise your deserts of temptation.
• Never despise your deserts of defeat.
-Now with the desert behind them, they are now crossing a river that will be the last geographical obstacle between them and their Promised Land. From this point on, their obstacles will be man-made such as walls, enemies, and giants.
III. RIVER CROSSING
-Now the voice of the Lord calls to Joshua and some instructions are given to him before Israel is to progress any further:
• Take some stones from the middle of Jordan.
• The stones have to come from the place where the priests’ feet have stood firm.
• Leave the stones in a lodging place.
-The stones were to be formed into a memorial so that Israel would never forget what they had come through to get to this point in their journey.
Deuteronomy 6:12 KJV [12] Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
-The Lord was impressing on Joshua that these stones were to have a voice. Yet, this sermon of stones were more for the eyes than for the ears. Far too often, we forget what we hear and God chooses to use something for us to see so that we do not forget.
A. The Challenge of the Priests
-We find the priests were faced with a great challenge on that day, one that is elaborated on in the previous chapter:
Joshua 3:15-17 KJV And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) [16] That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. [17] And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
-The priests stood in the Jordan until all the children of Israel passed through the parted river.
• They occupied a place of honor and danger (most see only the honor and never the danger).
• They had to endure the test of courage and of patience.
• They had to overcome their own weariness and discomfort as they held up the Ark. (Few realize the cost that is involved in the anointing that they get to walk by on the way to the Promised Land.)
• The presence of the priests held back the tide of the Jordan which was at a flood stage.
• The presence of the priests blessed others.
-The questions that I am forced to ask now are:
• What if they would have given in to weariness?
• What if one or two or three of the priests would have left their responsibility?
• What if they would have lost their courage when they looked at the walls of water?
-You ought to thank God from the depth of your soul if you have a pastor, or youth pastor, or elder in your life that is unwavering in his commitment to hold the anointing of God!
-The duty of the priests held back the water, kept the ground dry, and provided a safe passage.
-I am encouraging every pastor and minister to never give in to compromise, to weariness, and to laziness. I am encouraging you to be courageous and to patiently endure until the last person in your care has made it across.
• Have you ever wondered why that the shepherd of your soul has spoken sharply about hurrying along in your walk with God?
• Have you ever considered why a pastor urges and tries to provoke good works in your life?
• Have you ever wondered why a pastor is so insistent that you press forward quickly and without delay?
• Has it ever crossed your mind why he wants you to quickly let go of the world?
-It is because he is doing his best to get you out of the riverbed and into the Promised Land! You ought to do everything you can to help the servants of the Lord!
-God not only marks what we do, but He takes not of how we do it:
• 2 Chronicles 35:8 KJV And his princes gave willingly. . .
• Nehemiah 3:5 KJV . . . but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
• Nehemiah 3:20 KJV After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired. . .
-We must give our obedience to God and let Him take care of the outcome.
-I encourage every one who is actively involved in ministry to keep your feet in a firm place, to keep your hand on the handle of the Ark, and keep your head up.
B. The Challenge of the People
-However, just as there was a challenge for the priests there was also a challenge to the people. They were to pick up the stones and bring them out of the riverbed.
-In fact, Joshua chose one man from each of the twelve tribes and told them to hoist the stones up on their shoulders. These were not small stones but large enough to build a memorial.
-Consider with me the size of the memorials that we build in our lives. The size of the memorial will be a direct reflection of how valuable that God is in your life.
• Noah’s Memorial was an Ark.
• Abraham’s Memorials was found in his altars.
• Isaac’s Memorials flowed from his wells.
• Moses’ Memorial was the Law (which included the Tabernacle and it’s furnishings).
• Caleb’s Memorial was a mountain discovered in his youth but captured in his old age.
• David’s Memorial was a God-sized heart.
• Nehemiah’s Memorial was a rebuilt wall.
• Zerubabel’s Memorial was a rebuilt Temple.
• Jeremiah’s Memorial was a river of tears that flowed from his head.
• Ezekiel’s Memorial was a huge burning wheel that magnified God.
• Cornelius’ Memorial was alms and prayers.
-But just as there were men who memorials that placed them in immortality, there were others whose memorials hurled them into spiritual oblivion.
• Cain’s Memorial was of the lesser sacrifice of crops from the earth.
• Achan’s Memorial was of perishables in garments and gold.
• Esau’s Memorial was a full stomach and a wasted birthright.
• Solomons’ Memorial was the wisdom wasted on fools.
• Zedekiah’s Memorial was iron horns in dishonest hands.
• Judas’ Memorial was a bag of money that would buy a few trinkets.
• Herod’s Memorial was a fling with immorality that would rot his guts out.
-All in all, one must understand that we are building memorials with our lives.
-The challenge of the people was to bring the stones from the riverbed and to build the memorial.
III. A SERMON IN STONES
-Now we reach that crucial point to understand what these stones were all about.
-Why was it that God wanted Israel to use these stones to form a memorial?
• They would become important time marks in their memory.
• God did not want Israel to forget. . . . We often forget what we hear but rarely do we forget what we see.
• The stones would prompt their memory of what God had accomplished in the past.
• These stones would cause the present generation to ask questions about the previous generation.
• These stones would help Israel to see the power of God’s miraculous power and grace in the past.
-Why does God want us to remember?
• Because it is through others that some of our faith has been drawn out.
• Because we cannot afford to forget.
• Because forgetting opens us up to failure.
-Others may look on these stones, the world may look at the memorials with contempt, these stones are simple and elementary to the world but there is incredible power accompanies these memorials.
Hebrews 10:33 KJV Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
1 Corinthians 4:9-10 KJV [9] For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
A. Prayer
B. Holiness/Separation from the World
C. Worship
D. Doctrine
E. Heritage
IV. CONCLUSION -- WHAT MEAN YE BY THESE STONES?
-In our time, we cannot afford to forget what these stones mean to our faith, our heritage, and literally to our lives.
-To determine who the stones of remembrance are in your life, then ask yourself the following questions:
• Who are the key people in your life that influenced your relationship with God?
• What are the major goals that have pushed you along in life? Are they God-focused or man-centered?
• What have been the critical events that have turned you toward God?
-No doubt as I have recalled those in my own life you have thought of them in your life also:
• Receiving the Holy Ghost.
• Those early altars and a remarkable hunger for God.
• It is those first stumbling efforts at teaching a Sunday School class.
• It was that halting steps in the first sermon that was preached.
• It was the first soul that you won.
• That first song that you sang.
• It was that crucial call that came in your life, the very voice of God.
• The first time you wrote a song.
• It was the first Bible study that you taught at a kitchen table or a coffee table.
-Those are the sermons in stone. Those are the sermons that the devil would love for you to forget. We are spending our lives on those blocks of time, blocks of time become the blocks of stone that build the memorials.
-The stones demonstrate something from the past:
• A Love of God that extends beyond time and the grave.
• A Service to God that outlives all other human monuments of accomplishment.
• A Sacrifice to God that was paid for with a previous generation’s blood, sweat, toil, and tears.
• A Commitment to God that is unyielding in the face of every onslaught of the devil.
-If we lose the cost of the past in the ease of the present, then our heritage will be destroyed.
-There are a lot of things being tossed aside in this generation and it is absolutely imperative for the Church to be very careful about what is being tossed aside. There will always be a voice that will try to erode away what the “fathers” of previous generations have invested into us!
What mean ye by these stones?
• We mean that in this house. . . it has not been built merely to be something for people to see but rather a memorial to a Christ who has saved us!
• We mean that in this house. . . there will be the communion and the unity of the saints!
• We mean that in this house. . . there will be salvation for people who are weary, worn, and sad!
• We mean that in this house. . . there will be a platform for the message of John 3:5 and Acts 2:38!
• We mean that in this house. . . there will be a place for spiritual transformation and not for world reform (our world is reformed when it is transformed)!
-What stone?
Matthew 16:17-19 KJV And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Philip Harrelson
September 8, 2006
barnabas14@yahoo.com
