“It’s Time to Cross the Jordan!”
Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Joshua 1:1-11
Sunday, July 7th, 2002
Life is full of unexpected twists, of unforeseen bends in the road and of unwanted detours. Very seldom does life ever go just as we plan. No. Instead, our plans are rerouted. We are sent down a new road, one which we never chose to travel. We are forced to make turns that we never desired. Change. Transition. It’s a part of every day life. We are in a world of change.
Life is the process of dealing with change. The question that we must ask ourselves is how do we cope with those changes? How do we adjust to them? Do we greet them fearlessly with a smile looking for the opportunity, or do we remain planted in the old paradigm more comfortable with the way things were? Do we open ourselves up to new beginnings or do we refuse to stretch ourselves, to be a little uncomfortable at times and to step outside our own worlds and create new ones?
You as a church today are in the midst of change. A year ago you were content. You had a minister who you loved dearly and never thought that she would be leaving so soon. But today, life has occurred. Change was inevitable. And you’re standing on the brink of the future. You’re tottering on the edge of new opportunities. Ladies and gentlemen, today is a new day. This is a new beginning. And while it is an exciting beginning, I recognize that it is also a difficult beginning for many. For many of you, today is a painful day.
Our text today is a powerful depiction of the human experience. It’s a story of a people, much like yourselves, who lived in community with one another. They worshiped together. They worked together. They ate together. They lived together. And they celebrated one leader, a leader they greatly revered, one they greatly loved, and one they did not want to lose. You’ve probably heard the story before. It’s the story of the Israelite people and their leader, Moses. Moses, we’re told was a leader who was unequaled. Never again would there be anyone like him. And when Moses died the people grieved. They missed him. They didn’t want him to go. And they certainly didn’t want a new leader.
Can you relate to them? I know you can. I am honored today to be following a great pastor. Today I want to celebrate Rev. Jennifer Green with you. She is a godly leader. She brought you to new heights both as a church and for many of you as individuals. Never again, will there be one like her and I know that she will never be forgotten by you. God brought Pastor Jennifer to you for such a time as this. Her gifts and graces were needed and the fruits of her ministry are evident as I look around. Grieve her loss. Shed tears. Celebrate her ministry among you and also her new ministry in Lyndonville.
But be ready, because God has great things in store for us a church because of the work that your previous pastors have done here in this place. I want to share something with you. Four years ago I took my first appointment as the pastor of the Whitesville and Stannards United Methodist Churches, south of Wellsville. I was a student at Houghton College and was entering my senior year. Every day I drove through this community. And from the very beginning God began speaking to me about you. I used to stop at Ace’s for coffee in the morning on occasion and just listen to the people. Somewhere deep down inside I knew that you were in my future. Whenever I drove by this church I felt a tug. At the time I didn’t know what it was. But there was something pulling me toward you. And here’s what’s more exciting, my wife Erica will tell you that every since we came into the United Methodist Church, she has known we would be here. When we left the interview with the PPRC Erica said to me, “I’ve never felt more comfortable around a group of people. This is right.”
I want to tell you that I believe that our presence here is part of God’s plan. This is no accident. We’re here for a reason. Just as God chose Joshua to continue the leadership of the people of Israel and to lead them into the Promised Land, so God has given me the honor of being your leader, your pastor. And I believe that there is a promised land ahead! It’s ours for the taking. But in order to do so we must overcome a major challenge. Do you remember what it was that separated the people of Israel from the Promised Land? It was the Jordan River. As long as they were on this side of the Jordan River things were safe, they were comfortable. They could visit Mount Nebo, where Moses died, to remember him. But if they were to cross that River they would be in danger. Things would get frightening. There were giants in the land. The people were afraid.
Ladies and Gentlemen: there are giants in the land ahead. There will be rough days. There will be times when you’ll want to turn back. But Listen to what God said to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous …. And again he says in verse 9, be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” The promise is yours today as well. Don’t be afraid. Yes, there are difficult times ahead. Yes, there are giants in the land. But the Lord God will be with us wherever we go! We have no need for fear!
Finally, here are God’s instructions to Joshua: “Pass through the camp and command the people: “Prepare your provisions; for in three days you are to cross over the Jordan, to go and take possession of the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess.”” The people had been wandering around in the wilderness for forty years waiting for this moment. You would think that they would be excited about finally moving into the Promised Land, wouldn’t you? But this was a change. And I’m sure that just like any other group of people, they did their share of worrying . This was a difficult thing for them to do. I don’t think they were overly excited. In fact I imagine that there were some who were leery about their new leader. “He’s not doing things like Moses did them.” “Moses would be more sensitive than this.” “Moses was a better speaker than this Joshua.” “I wish Moses were here.” Sound familiar? Some things haven’t changed that much over the past few millenniums. These people were probably every bit as resistant to change as we are today. But change was inevitable. And now it was time for them to make their move with their new leader. And they did. And God was faithful to them. The claimed the Promsied Land, but before they could they had to take that leap of faith and cross the Jordan River.
Folks, It’s time to cross Jordan! You’ve done what you’ve needed to do in the wilderness. And now God wants us to climb the wall of opportunity and jump!
As I stand here today I am excited about where God wants to take us! I am excited about the work that I know God has planned for us as a church. Many seeds have been planted. And there’s been a great deal of harvesting. But the years to come have a great deal of harvesting yet to be done! (CANEADEA: God wants to use this church as a beacon of light in the community around it to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are hurting.) (BELFAST: God wants to honor your commitment to support the community in prayer, service, fellowship and worship!) And God wants to bring many, many new faces into this place, so they can meet the same Jesus that has changed you!
Today we’re standing on the bank of the Jordan looking across the river uncertain of what lies ahead. One thing is for certain: change. Things will be different on the other side. We may have to do things like we’ve never done them before. We may encounter giants. There may be rough waters. But, through it all God will be with us.
Will you come with me? It’s time to cross the Jordan! Let us pray…
