TITLE: Getting Ready For The Next Step
TEXT: Joshua 3-5
THEME: Overcoming the grasshopper complex
P.S. I would describe transition as a A Time of Change; A Time for Commitment; A Time to Choose how we will embrace the changes that God brings into our lives.
INTRODUCTION:
Life is full of turning points. Times of change that prepare us for the road ahead and fulfill God’s purposes in our life.
How do we deal with transition?
Transitions are universal: young child into adolescence; teenager into young adult, school transitions, work transitions, grief, divorce, job relocation, physical transitions that come with age. ( Illustration optional- In preparation of this message I came across this humorous story
“Age changes things.” Who changed everything when I wasn’t looking? I’ve noticed lately that everything is farther away than it used to be. It’s even twice as far to the corner now, and they’ve added a hill! I’ve given up running for the bus; it leaves much earlier than it used to. And it seems to me that they are making the stairs steeper than in the old days, and have you noticed the smaller print the newspapers are now using? And there’s no sense in asking anyone to read aloud anymore, as everyone speaks so softly that I can hardly hear them. The material in clothes s so skimpy now, especially around the waist and hips, and the way they size the clothes is much smaller than it used to be. Why, I have to buy clothes two sizes larger than what I wear just so they will fit me right! Even people are changing. They are so much younger than they used to be when I was their age. On the other hand, people my own age are much older than I am. I ran into an old classmate of mine the other day, and she had aged so much that she didn’t recognize me! I got to thinking about my poor dear friend while I was combing my hair this morning, and in doing so, I glanced at my own reflection in the mirror…. Really now! They don’t even make good mirrors anymore. So tell me now… Who CHANGED things?
The basic definition of transition is a “passage from one state or stage to another.”
Some of these transitions are driven by time, others by experience. Our kids grow up, our bodies age - and nothing can stop the transitions that come with the passage of time. But other transitions present themselves to us through things like: an unexpected job offer, a first heart attack, a divorce, or the death of a parent. Or simply moving away for college.
I would describe transition as a A Time of Change; A Time for Commitment; A Time to Choose how we will embrace the changes that God brings into our lives.
The fact is this - change is inevitable, whether it is change we choose or change presented to us.
The secret to success in any transition is….ATTITUDE!
If we would realize the Promises of God in our lives, the very first thing that you and I must be ready to do is to move ahead obediently into transitions - even with all the uncertainty that comes with change.
Joshua was given the task of leading ISreal from one stage of living in the wilderness to crossing over the other side of Jordan into Canaan to live out God’s promise.
The Holy Spirit wants us to make transitions. The “other side” represents our God- given destinies, the plans and purposes of God for our lives.
How do we deal with transition?
The MEANING of the crossing (3: 1-4)
Every Transition in life is preceded by some kind of obstacle. For the ISrealites, the obstacle they faced was the Jordan river which flowed between them and the Promised Land. They could not even begin to fight the enemy until they crossed this major hurdle.
The stakes were high. There was no turning back. Behind them was the vast wasteland of the desert and barren mountains. They endured 40 painful years of God’s discipline and now it was time to move on.
1. This is just as a significant time as when they stood on the banks of the Red Sea.
2. Standing at the Red Sea was going to end 430 years of slavery, standing on the banks of the Jordan river, 40 years of wilderness existence was ending.
a. The end of 40 years of walking in a circle going nowhere fast;
b. The end of striving and never arriving;
c. The end of walking by sight
d. The end of Independent living
e. The end of never being assured of victory over the enemy
f. The end of being constantly reminded of past failures
g. The end of fear
h. The end of self centered existence where life was all about them;
This moment of transition would change Israel from a wandering nation to a settled nation, from a people living in hope of a promise to a people living in possession of the promise!
The ’crossing over’ was much more than moving the camp from one side of a river to the other. It was a time for COMMITMENT, a time of ending one era and entering another. To further complicate matter, a definite sense of uncertainty accompanied the crossing. On the other side of the river were walled cities, defending armies, and even ’giants’ - well equipped warriors. 40 years prior Israel had been presented with the same choice to make a transition and they refused! This time, Joshua was ready to move them forward.
Transition time is for the most part bittersweet experience. It can be freedom and fear all at the same time. It is scary to go from trusting our own resources and ourselves for life, to trusting God for life. From our own do-it-yourselves projects to trusting God to do it for us and through us.
The question is - will you cower in fear of what lies on the other side of the crossing or move forward in confidence to enter a new place of promise?
Maybe today will be your transition time, going from religion to relationship, from trying to trusting, from self-reliance to God reliance. THE ISSUE BEFORE US IN THIS PASSAGE IS WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THEM IN THIS TRANSITION TIME, BEFORE THEY CROSSED OVER FROM WILDERNESS LIVING TO CANNAN LIVING? I WANT US TO SEE FIVE THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THIS TRANSITION TIME. I BELIEVE WE CAN RELATE TO THESE THINGS AS WELL BEFORE WE CAN CROSS OVER.
1. KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD! Focus on His presence and be ready to FOLLOW His leading! Center on where God, by the Spirit, is leading you.
Joshua focused the attention of the Israelites on the Ark of the Covenant.
Do you know what the Ark was?
This was the visible symbol of the presence of God among the people of Israel. Customarily the ark was set in the Holiest of Holies in the center of the Tabernacle of worship. Only the high priest of Israel went into that room to present sacrifice before the Lord.
"Focus on the presence of the Lord," he told the people, "for he is the One who will lead us into Caanan."
As we prepare for the transitions, we must be centered on the Presence of the Lord and ready to FOLLOW. No longer do we look to a visible symbol of God’s presence among us, we have the Spirit in our hearts! God has a plan, a way for you to make it through that difficulty that has you frustrated. But will you humbly let Him lead?
He knows the way to reach that husband that seems so resistant to Christ.
Teen- He knows how uncertain you feel about the future and wants to lead you to the right college, the right marriage partner, the right career! He knows the way for you to cope with that cancer, even using it to create new intimacy with Himself.
Dad, He has a plan for the second half of your life as you desire to do something with more signficance than making money.
Mom, He has a plan for your marriage as you’re preparing for the challenges of parenting or as you move into the time of the ’empty nest.’
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He is an eternal God and knows every hair on your head, and so He lovingly says to you, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and HE will make you path straight.” ( Proverbs3:5-6)."
2. PREPARE your heart
REad –Josh 3:5-7 Consecrate means to set apart, make holy or “Sanctify yourselves…” It is the Hebrew word Hebrew – qadash – meaning to be set apart/ consecrated.
They had to do this in order for God’s miracles to among them. To the Hebrews – this meant washing their clothes and abstaining from sexual activity for a season. It was also a time of fasting.
Israelites were directed to get their hearts ready by renewing their understanding of their unique place as the ’people of God!’
The Bible describes us as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God," 1 Peter 2:9, NIV)
It is clear that our holiness is not earned, merited - in any self-created. It is the work of God in us. AND YET....We are always called to make the choice to be God’s own, to live in awareness of His Presence, and to avoid unworthy actions that would diminish His reputation or offend Him.
From our text, I am prepared to assert that in times of transition we need to become even more conscious of God’s Presence. Even holy people can renew their consecration.
3. MOVE OUT!
The day for stepping out arrives. Israel strikes her tents. The Levitical workers took down the Tabernacle. The priests step forward and shoulder the Ark. The sacred shofar sounds - announcing- Move out!
An awesome procession begins. I can hear the shuffle of a million feet, the bleating of sheep and goats. I can almost taste the dust as it rises. Down the center avenue of the camp towards the water’s edge the priests march. The river was overflowing its banks. It was an impossible barrier for a 1/2 million people.
What would happen?
Try to imagine what it must have been like to have been the priests at the front of the group carrying the ark. You are walking towards a river with no bridge, no way across. According to the Bible, it was not until their feet touched the water’s edge that the Lord stopped the flow!
Ever meet one of those people who are always preparing, but who never ’pull the trigger?’
There’s the person who is always working on another degree while still working at Wal-Mart, the guy who proposed to his fiancé 5 years ago, but still won’t set a date to get married, the Christian who talks about doing ministry, but never steps up and actually does it!
Transitions demand a moment of decision when all the preparation leads to putting it on the line and MOVING OUT! There is always this principle to be aware of:
The greater the potential for reward that is created by the choice, the greater the risk.
But are we really risking if we’re following God’s Presence and living a life of consecration? Sure we are! Israel was entering the Promised Land under God’s guidance. They had all the promises written down and stored in memory - BUT they still had to possess the land. There would be battles, there would be difficulties. There would be Jericho!
There comes a moment to commit to the process, to step out, to risk it all. In those moments we discover who God is, the depth of His love for us. Sometimes even more exciting is the opportunity to find out who we really are!
It may take some moments approaching desperation, moments when it is time to get our feet wet, but if we are living in the promises we can step ahead knowing that the Lord will make the way.
I urge you to make the kind of commitment to the things of God from which there is no retreat. As we move out to live in the new place of God’s provision, let’s be done with human efforts and solutions of men.
Let’s proclaim our total dependence on the Heavenly Father and our readiness to do what he directs.
Let’s take sight of the promises and complete the crossing. The source of our true confidence is summarized in this wonderful passage - "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6, NKJV)
The prophet Isaiah gives us God’s word: "When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end-- Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you..." Isaiah 43:2-3, The Message
let’s look at one more text today - read Joshua 4: 4-9
4. MAKE A TESTIMONY OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE – 4:1-5
These stones were to be a sign to future generations.
• It…
o Reminds us of the power of God
o Reminds us that we have poor memory
o Would be a reminder to future generations – v.21
Do not take likely the expereincs you have had in God through your life. Do not take for granted those times of provision, when God provided for you at the last minute. Cherish them. Hold on to them. Pass them on to your children! Let others know that God has been good to you!
These memorial stones would also TELL OTHERS WHAT GOD HAD DONE – v.7
Josh 4:6 "that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ’What do these stones mean to you?’ "Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever."
We can’t keep it a secret as to what God has done for us.
We need to establish memorials of the special times of God’s provision, not so that we can live in the past, but so that the miracles of yesterday can strengthen the foundation for the faith we need to face the challenges of the present day.
Memories can help us to have confidence in what God can do. The memories of God’s continuing provision in our lives strengthens other Christians as well. Take time to make memorials.
There is one final step, that Joshua had to make once he had crossed the Jordan and before he could fight his first battle,
5. SURRENDAR TO HIS COMMANDER IN CHIEF: 5:13-15
Joshua had a giant called Jericho to face but first he had to win the war in his own heart. There were two things that had to happen for Joshua to win that war before the battle began.
Verse thirteen, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand….” The phrase “ looked up” conveys an element of surprise. Wisely Joshua did not draw his sword, supposing I assume that if this individual were looking for a fight he would have already attacked. Instead he asked the man if he were a friend or a foe. Verse thirteen continues with, “And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
Now I don’t want you to miss his response, verse fourteen, “ So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” His response was not what Joshua expected he said, “Neither.” When God walks onto the scene he does not come to take sides….He comes to take over. We are not ask if God is on our side, but determine that whether we are on God’s side. The more appropriate question is, “Are we on the Lord’s side or against Him?” Today it is important as we face many battles – physically, emotionally and spiritual that we make sure that we are on the Lord’s side in all our confrontations.
When the messenger identified himself, “… Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Verse fifteen continues the story, “Then the Commander of the LORD’S army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.” What we have here is what is referred to as a “Christopany.” This is Christ appearing a man 1,400 years before he appears in Bethlehem as a baby. In shock and amazement and awe Joshua flung himself face down before the Lord. Joshua assuming that the messenger has a message from God he asks that he deliver it.
YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!
We are not told what the message is but we can deduce that was details of how the war of conquest was to be waged. But the greatest significance of this meeting with the Commander in Chief of the Lord’s Army is that Israel will not be fighting alone.
CONCLUSION
Let me ask you a question today. Have you identified the obstacle that is standing between you and the fulfillment of God’s will for your life?
Each of us comes to our own Jordan at some time in our lives. The Jordan River represents the full surrender that must precede the lifelong task of knowing God and living in His promise. The Jordan River represents a turning point. It is at our Jordan we die to our own plans and ambitions. Here we make a choice to face the enemies of our souls and take what God has promised us.
Have you made that chice? Will you risk miving into the promise that God is calling you to possess?
Soren Kierkegard, the 19th century Danish religious philosopher, tells a story about a town where only ducks live.
Every Sunday the ducks would waddle out of their houses and waddle down Main Street to their church. They waddled into the sanctuary and sat in their proper pews.
The duck choir waddles in and takes its place, and then the duck minister comes forward and opens the duck Bible.
He reads to them…“Ducks! God has given you wings! With wings you can fly! With wings you can mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine you! No fence can hold you! You have wings. God has given you wings and you can fly like birds.”
All the ducks shouted “AMEN!” and they all waddled home.
God has offered us all we need today. But are we complacent?
God called you to something great. He has predestined you to reach for your dreams. He has called you to fly. But do you choose to waddle?
As you prepare for your crossings, your transitions, take a lesson from Joshua....
1. FOCUS your eyes! Center on where God, by the Spirit, is leading you.
2. CONSECRATE your life, renewing your commitment to Him, listening carefully for Him.
3. WALK with your feet! MOVE OUT! Don’t go just half-way toward the challenge and give in to the temptation to quit. Look to the promise. Take courage from the Word. Join with others in pilgrimage!
4. REMEMBER! Celebrate the former victories and build your faith in the God who is at work in you today.
5. SURRENDER! Submit your plans, purposes, agedas to the Lord who has gone before you into battle!
Let’s cross the rivers and possess the promised land! Amen
Sing, Got Any Rivers You Think Are Uncrossable
Got any Rivers you think are uncrossable
Got any mountains you cannot tunnel through
God specializes in things thought imposible
He’ll do what no other friend can do
