SOME PLACES WE NEED TO CROSS IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE
Joshua 3: 1-7, 13-17
Intro: By reading the first two chapters of the Book of Joshua we know that he has already made plans to conquer Jericho. But Joshua has come to the Jordan River and he realizes its time to cross but he is awaiting instruction from the Lord. The Lord tells Joshua when he sees the priest carrying the Ark of the Covenant that he should remove from his place and go. He gives specific instructions in verse 4 for the people to stay behind the Ark because they “had not passed this way heretofore”. No doubt there were some among the crowd that were children when they were brought out of bondage and they had seen the Red Sea part. And maybe there were some that had faith and some that doubted. But nonetheless they knew they had to cross Jordan to get to where they were going. I want to look at three different places in the Bible that people had to cross. I will look at one of these places twice. I want to preach on the subject, “SOME PLACES WE NEED TO CROSS IN OUR CHRISITAN LIFE.”
I. SOME OF US NEED TO CROSS THE RED SEA - (Exodus 14)
A. I believe there are a lot of people today that are dealing with their own Red Sea in their life
B. The Red Sea represents an obstacle in our spiritual life. We have the Red Dead in front of us and the devil closing in from behind
C. It seems there is no way to go. The word “Red Sea” means “the weedy sea”
D. A lot of people have become tangled up in their Red Sea and they cannot get out and they are struggling and try to cross in on their own accord
E. If people would do like Moses commanded the children of Israel to do in 1. (Exodus 14:13) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
F. If people would do this and wait on the Lord then they can cross the Red Sea and have VICTORY in their life
G. Some of us need VICTORY IN OUR LIFE but we have got to cross the Red Sea first
II. SOME OF US NEED TO CROSS MOUNT SEIR – (Deuteronomy 2:1-3)
A. Mount Seir was a place where Israel continually compassed around
B. In other words they were walking in circles and was getting no where
C. The word “Seir” mean “rough or wooded”
D. Seir was the only mountain that separated them from Canaan
E. Just on the other side of Seir was a road known as the “King’s Highway” but in order for them to get on the “right road” they had to cross Seir.
F. It may have been rough and there may have been some fell and straggled behind but it could have been when they go weary and thought about quitting Joshua would say
G. “Moses led God’s children, 40 years he led them, through the cold and through the night, though they said let’s turn back Moses said keep going, Canaan land is just in sight.”
H. While Canaan is not Heaven you can pass through Canaan on your way there
III. SOME OF US NEED TO CROSS JORDAN FOR TWO REASONS
A. First, for a testimony.
1. After Joshua crossed in chapter 3 he left a testimony in chapter 4
B. Second, that is where the Power of God is
1. Elijah and Elisha crossed Jordan. However, it was not until they crossed that Elisha got the mantle.
C. IF WE ARE EVER GOING TO HAVE A TESTIMONY OR HAVE ANY POWER FROM GOD WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CROSS SOME PALCE IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES!!
