I heard a message from a financial planner many years ago about creating a nest egg for our future. He actually spoke about the Israelites crossing over the Jordan, and how the children in years later asked their fathers…‘Dad, what do those rocks mean?’
The point was that when the Israelites grabbed the stone to make the monument, they grabbed the largest stones they could possibly struggle to carry. Not just some little rock. They used all their strength to create something that would stand the test of time.
He was talking about creating something financial. I got something spiritual from the lesson.
That message inspired me to write the following:
The Big Picture:
“Dad…what do those rocks mean?”
Create a memorial, a testimony unto the Lord in your life.
We need to make and leave a big impact for our future generations, by creating these monuments and memorials of faith, so that our children and childrens’ childrens’ children will know that we trusted in God, and that HE was with us, and that They can experience the same. And see the evidence we leave behind that they too will choose to follow the LORD JESUS CHRIST and commit to serving HIM.
Joshua 4:1-8; 19-24
We all have memories – Current, and past, from our youth
Memories
Family memories of something we did as a family
I remember the family vacation where we broke the week in 2. We stayed at OC for half the week and then at Willow Valley for the remainder of the week. We decided as a family that we liked Willow Valley better. Interesting isn’t it. At 10, I decided I liked the very place I proposed to my wife, and later had our wedding reception
I remember the first time crabbing, and I mean REALLY crabbing, with my Dad’s Hunting and Fishing buddy, Mr. Aston. I was with him in his boat, and Dad and my brother Brian were with Mr. Ormey Moore in the other boat. And we had a competition to see who caught the most crabs.
I remember going hunting with my father and Mr. Aston, learning from them both as well.
These are memories from my past that I cherish.
There are also
Spiritual Memories
Remember as a kid having a really bad day at home. I was just a mess. That night we had a church service. And I was just in an upset frame of mind. At the end of the service, the pastor gave an invitation to accept Jesus as my savior. I remember going forward and accepting Jesus, I looking back at my mom, who was in tears [of joy] and the words she said.. “I knew…I knew something was going on..”
Interesting how these memories mark us
Make us memorials of certain milestones along our path
Joshua – making memorials.
Look at 3 points
1 meaning
2 why important
3 how we can make them today
Background
After the exodus Israelites in the wilderness 40 years
Its time to go to the promised land
The Jordan is at harvest time, The Jordan is at flood stage
Priests are instructed to step into the water, once they do by faith step into the waters, the Lord will part and pile up the waters so that the Israelites will be able to cross the dry land
Once the Israelites cross over, and the priests stepped out, the waters came back to flood stage
That would be an interesting message and study sermon in itself, but what I want to talk about is what happened next. In Josh chapter 4. They made memorials
What are memorials
Someone once asked…Can you imagine what DC would look like if you removed all the statues, monuments and memorials?
What would we have…A nation without no history has no future? Perhaps?
Memorials are:
Visible reminders. They…Leave a trail. Make a record. Document what has happened.
The purpose of memorials is to create a reminder of something significant that has happened in the past
READ Josh 4:1-8, 19-24
God does impossible things…Yes?!
Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people in need. Donna was in need and saw the impossible come true. She was given a plaque to commemorate the day the home was dedicated to the LORD.
You can hang a plaque on the wall or you can pile 12 stones in the front yard
Here is what Memorials do.
Memorials, they are visible reminders to us, of how God has intervened
Memorials are Visible reminders that mark the cross over points, where God has done the thing that seemed impossible
Obvious question
Why are they important?
When the kids or people ask. Why are these stones here, Mom and Dad, Grandmom or Grandad? This gives us a chance to say how God has intervened in our lives
Think of someone significant in your life
An example can anchor one, as a memorial. And when you think of that significant person in your life, have you ever come into a situation and wondered what he or she would have done?
I am reminded of two such people. Of course, almost every day at work, when I have a
decision to make, I think of what my father had done.
But I also remember someone else in my life. My Grandfather. He always sat in the same pew at church. I remember him being asked to pray, and some folks cringed because my grandfather would pray for everything and everybody. He KNEW HOW TO PRAY! One time I remember a peer say OH NO when pappy started to pray. But you know what. I remember my grandfather as a man of faith. And even to this day, people who remember him tell me the same.
Memorials = Help us track our progress. A family with a limited history has a limited future.
Memorials = Create a visible reminder for generations to come. How has God intervened in our lives.
Memorials = Create a record to document these things in our lives where God has intervened.
Memorials = leave a trail to follow
Remind us of Gods goodness and power Vs 24 God is Mighty. Mighty
So that you might revere the Lord your God. It causes and creates a reverence for the Lord.
A PERSONAL MEMORIAL…My bible…
I have a bible that I was given on my Graduation from High School. I don’t actually remember it being given to me, but I do remember who gave it to me. It’s the one I’m using here today and every day since I came to you. I open to the first page, and I see where My grandfather wrote and gave it to me.
A visible reminder that he was inviting me to God.
It’s a visual reminder of a trail to follow.
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They Display God’s Power
Of how God has intervened
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How can you make them?
How can you make these memorials?
Obviously there are things that God has done for you that seemed impossible
Perhaps you can make memorials of those times, that will be passed on
In our house, we have a brick from a 75 foot chimney from the greenhouses of our family’s rose growing business. It has a piece of the original letterhead of that business. It is a reminder of a history of our family. This brick is a doorstop at our front door.
It leaves a record, creates the trail.
You must preserve the stories. Visible reminders of how God has intervened.
Maybe you make plaques, write stories, take trips with friends and family, and make an impact on someone else’s life.
Souvenirs of how God is part of your life
There are many other types of memorials. Baptisms, baby dedications. Pictures taken.
My wife Terri has made memorials for our children in Photographs.
Telling the stories over and over every Christmas when the family gets together.
Jot down your thoughts, record your story. Grab a souvenir
……
What are the things that you remember from your own childhood. Those are the things that your children and grandchildren are going to remember.
There are things that God has done for you that seem impossible
It is important for us to keep a record of the impossible things that God has done, so that people will see what God has done. So that when we look at those stones. We will be reminded.
* * * * *
On Monday, a very dear friend of mine’s father passed on. On Friday, I went to the funeral home to visit with him and his wife, and son and daughter. As I have now experienced it, I knew this was a very crucial time in the life of my friend and his family.
As I looked upon his father, I remembered meeting him, and shaking his hand the first time, at an Achievement Ceremony where I presented his Grandson with a medal of honor for a Royal Rangers Program.
I asked the grandson, Joshua, if he remembered that day, and he did. I told him that I had met his grandfather on that very day, and that his Grandfather was very proud of him, and that he should remember how proud his Grandfather and Father were of him when he sees that medal.
As we both stood there, there was a peace. And Josh told me, I’m gonna see him again. Because he knows Jesus.
That in itself is what it’s all about my friends.
Let me ask you this very pointed question…
..."When all is said and done and you leave this world...what is the most important thing you want to be remembered for?"
* * * * *
When asked this question, Terri’s sister Greta says this…
My answer...that would be my relationship to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...that above anything else the world would see that I was a continual work in progress and that my actions and reactions to life’s struggles mirrored Christ.
When all is said and done...nothing else will matter but our relationship to the Lord...the things that we achieve in the secular world...have absolutely no value in the end...our status on the job...our homes and cars...all our material possessions...have no value when we stand before God...only the free gift of salvation matters...and then you think...are we sharing with those people around us what God has done?...we should be so ecstatic that we can’t contain ourselves...we should shout it from the roof top...or from the highest mountain...People watch us unaware...so do our actions and reactions mirror Christ...the love, grace and mercy that HE bestows on us...that we don’t deserve...is overflowing...it’s the one thing that has no limit...it springs forth with living water for those who trust and believe...we need to openly share...we need to be mindful of those we entertain unaware...we need to let our light shine before men...that they see something different...something so awesome...that they know it comes from Christ...or that it causes them to question how we can have joy in midst of struggles and personal tragedy.
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< <
< < < I should also note that on April 12th, 2007, Greta passed on to meet the LORD at age 38. She had been struggling with Lupus for several years. And the LORD finally said, “COME HOME” > > >
* * * * *
Bill,
As I shared with you earlier...I awoke with tears streaming down my face and the thought of a sermon idea for you..."When all is said and done and you leave this world...what is the most important thing you want to be remembered for?"
My answer...that would be my relationship to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...that above anything else the world would see that I was a continual work in progress and that my actions and reactions to lifes struggles mirrored Christ.
When all is said and done...nothing else will matter but our relationship to the Lord...the things that we achieve in the secular world...have absolutely no value in the end...our status on the job...or expensive home and cars...all our material possessions...have no value when we stand before God...only the free gift of salvation matters...and then you think...are we sharing with those people around us what God has done?...we should be so ecstatic that we can’t contain ourselves...we should shout it from the roof top...or from the highest mountain...People watch us unaware...so do our actions and reactions mirror Christ...the love, grace and mercy that HE bestows on us...that we don’t deserve...is overflowing...it’s the one thing that has no limit...it springs forth with living water for those who trust and believe...we need to openly share...we need to be mindful of those we entertain unaware...we need to let our light shine before men...that they see something different...something so awesome...that they know it comes from Christ...or that it causes them to question how we can have joy in midst of struggles and personal tragedy.
I causes me to ponder the song...
"Because of This" by Mercy Me
Why do we do the things we do
How can we sing when there seems no reason to
How do we smile when there’s not much to smile about
When the world is down who are we to stand and shout
They wonder why we do the things we do
[CHORUS]
It’s all because of this
It’s all because of this
We’ve tasted love, tasted hope, tasted holiness
And they wonder why, we do the things we do
This song just really touched my heart when I was admitted to Lancaster Regional for physical therapy...it would be the last song I would listen to on my IPOD just before going down stairs for rehabilitation...I wanted those people who were discouraged and couldn’t see beyond their circumstance...to see something different in me...to this day...when I hear that song...I cry...because it truly touches my heart...I guess you could say...it hits home with me.
John 7:38
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I could go on and on...but I think I’ve shared the jist if what I am feeling in my heart...I just felt led to share this with you...and if you choose to use it someday...I hope it speaks to someones heart in a very personal and intimate way...
You have my permission to use in in whole or in part...
Love ya...and Keep pressing on!
Greta
* * * * *
So I ask you. What are you leaving behind when you are called home. What evidence and memories will those left behind be reminded about from your life?
Will they know that you had a personal relationship with the LORD?
Are there things in your own home that as others filter through your things, that will draw them to the LORD?
What memorials have you created?
Perhaps you should start making some, even today…
Let’s Pray
Joshua 4:1-8; 19-24
1And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
2Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
3And 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.
4Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
5And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
6That 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?
7Then 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.
8And 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.
19And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
20And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
21And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
22Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.
23For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
24That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
