_________________________________________________________________________-
Topic: Sunday Sermon Series – Living By Faith
Text: Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.- NIV
Title: Joshua’s Conquering & Rahab’s Saving Faith! (Part 3)
VII. Finally the Conquering faith of Joshua:
Joshua 3:1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.
A) Point?
1. Often, we have to wait before moving ahead with God!
B) Pause again?
Joshua 3:2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3a giving orders to the people:
1. Pause was very - Practical
2. Pause was very -Principled
Joshua 3:3b “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions…
a) Watch!
i. Be Ready to go when you see God Go!
ii. Don’t take a step until you see Him moving!
a. Prior generation:
Exo 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
iii. The Ark of the Covenant was symbolic of God's covenant with Israel, and a symbol of the Lord's presence.
iv. In essence when the ark moved, God moved. If the Ark moved, it meant that God was moving and Israel needed to follow.
v. The situation is still the same today. If God is moving, or leading in our lives, we need to follow.
vi. But what about the obstacles? River?
vii. Don’t focus on the obstacle, keep your eyes on the Lord.
viii. As God opens doors, parts the seas, we must be ready, willing, and able to follow!
C) Principle?
Joshua 3:3c you are to move out from your positions… and follow it.
1. Let God Go First!
Q: Why? For a very practical reason for it?
Joshua 3:4a Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.
Isaiah 42:16 I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.
G. Wagner - We are travelling onward, but the future is hidden from our eyes. We are not as those whose path lies across an extensive plain, and the boundary of whose vision is far away, but rather like those who are journeying in a deep valley, and who cannot see the storms that may be gathering behind the mountains. Our horizon is very limited. What Jordans we may have to cross we know not. But we have an ark, of which that which accompanied Israel is but a faint and feeble shadow — an ark that is a stronger pledge of God's faithfulness, a deeper manifestation of His love and power. The Christian's ark is Christ.
Frances Ridley Havergal- We have not passed this way heretofore, but the Lord Jesus has. It is all untrodden and unknown ground to us, but He knows it all by personal experience. The steep bits that take away our breath, the stony bits that make our feet ache so, the hot shadeless stretches that make us feel so exhausted, the rushing rivers that we have to pass through -- Jesus has gone through it all before us. "He was wearied with his journey." Not some, but all the many waters went over Him, and yet did not quench His love. He was made a perfect Leader by the things which He suffered. "He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Think of that when you are tempted to question the gentleness of His leading. He is remembering all the time; and not one step will He make you take beyond what your foot is able to endure. Never mind if you think it will not be able for the step that seems to come next; either He will so strengthen it that it shall be able, or He will call a sudden halt, and you shall not have to take it at all.
A) Not only a pause is to be exercised but also
B) A Piety – Reverence, Respect!
Joshua 3:4 But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
1.Reason?
a) Practical perhaps?
i. So they could see the ark– 2,000 cubits – 5.7 miles – 2 million people
ii. But more likely theological!
b) Piety = Show reverence
Exodus 19:12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death
Leviticus 10:3 Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: "'Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.'" Aaron remained silent.
i. God is always to be revered! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Proverbs 1:7
c) Purity
Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
i. Sanctification - ???asµ?? -hagiasmos -consecration, purification
d) Point?
i. If you don’t purify – He won’t part (the Jordan river)!
2 Timothy 2: 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
G. R. Leavitt - There are men and women with whom God will work, and there are men and women with whom He will not work. Who are those with whom God will work? As a general rule, those who sanctify themselves for His work; that is, separate themselves by a thoughtful detachment from other engagements to make this work of His the prior thing.
Anyway Joshua says…
Joshua 3:6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.
Joshua 3:7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
1. Stand in the water, ridiculous?
e) Purpose?
2. Exercise a practical, persevering, progressive faith!
a) This is how we are going to do this:
Joshua 3:9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.
Joshua 3:. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”
Dr. Woodrow Kroll -Joshua and his people were facing a risk. They needed to cross the dangerous, flood-swollen Jordan. God had previously opened the Red Sea when the people had to cross it, but this time the priests had to step into the water first and trust the Lord to open the way as they went. They had to get their feet wet and trust that God would honor their faith.
Dr. Woodrow Kroll -Many Christians dislike taking risks. They want the way opened before they move out for God. Often He graciously honors their desire. But we must remember that a risk is only a risk if God doesn't go with you. We need to step out and trust that God will confirm our faith at the appropriate time. If your way seems blocked today, step forward by faith. Be willing to get your feet wet and then wait for God to respond. God honors wet feet, not cold feet
Conclusion?
1. How about you?
2. Are you staring at the river, or ready to go in – ALL THE WAY?
3. GO ALL THE WAY WITH GOD, AND HE WILL BE WITH YOU!!
