WEBVTT 00:00:01.280 --> 00:00:06.400 The sermon text this morning comes from Joshua chapter 4. 00:00:06.639 --> 00:00:17.920 This would be a good morning to grab your chair Bible, or if you have your own Bible, to open it up, because I'm going to be referring to Joshua chapter 3 as well. 00:00:20.239 --> 00:00:21.920 We are in a new sermon series. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:33.039 We started last Sunday, and the sermon series is celebrating 40 years of God's faithfulness to Alexandria Presbyterian Church. 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:38.640 We have much to thank God for, and this morning we're going to see that once again. 00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:47.600 It historically goes to the days after 40 years of the Israelites wandering around in the desert. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:51.280 Now it was time to enter into the promised land. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:59.600 And so they the Israelites, probably, possibly two million people, a large group. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:08.560 They are waiting to cross over the Jordan River to take possession of that promised land. 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:13.519 And now, after having crossed over, we read in chapter 4. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:39.200 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priest's feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:46.000 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 00:01:46.159 --> 00:02:01.680 And Joshua said to them, Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:07.920 When your children ask in time to come, what do those stones mean to you? 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:14.400 Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:18.400 When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:24.000 So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever. 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:36.479 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded, and took up the twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the Lord told Joshua. 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:42.319 And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and they laid them down there. 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:52.879 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priest bearing the Ark of the Covenant had stood, and they are there to this day. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:03:04.960 For the priest bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua. 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:08.000 The people passed over in haste. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:14.400 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the Lord and the priest passed over before the people. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:24.319 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the people of Israel, as Moses had told them. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:32.639 About forty thousand ready for war passed over before the Lord for battle to the plains of Jericho. 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:43.759 On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses all the days of his life. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:51.120 And the Lord said to Joshua, Command the priest bearing the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:55.680 So Joshua commanded the priest, Come up out of the Jordan. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:04:12.560 And when the priest bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priest's feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all of its banks as before. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:22.000 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:28.959 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:37.120 And he said to the people of Israel, When your children ask their fathers in times to come, what do these stones mean? 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:39.920 Then you shall let your children know. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:43.839 Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground. 00:04:44.079 --> 00:05:03.839 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:10.399 This is the reading of God's holy, infallible, inerrant word. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:13.040 This is a powerful word. 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.600 We serve a powerful God. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:19.759 And he has sent us a powerful Spirit, the Holy Spirit. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:25.360 The one who authored these words, the one who illumines our minds this morning. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:28.079 Let's ask for his help. 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:35.279 Father, we pray that this day, this moment, your spirit would illumine. 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:41.600 Oh Lord, cast out the darkness in our minds so that we could actually understand. 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:46.639 Lord, cast out the doubt in our hearts so that we would actually believe. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:48.959 Lord, teach us. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:50.959 Teach us now from your word, we pray. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:52.079 In Jesus' name. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:53.040 Amen. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:06:07.519 Celebrating 40 years of God's faithfulness, this morning we are focusing particularly on God's faithfulness in providing sacred spaces for worship. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:11.120 There's a story to tell. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:12.720 Some of you know. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:20.959 We have been crossing over for 40 years in some very tangible, practical ways. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:32.399 We have faced raging rivers in this congregation that looked impossible to cross over yet but God. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:35.600 That's what this sermon is about this morning. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:46.879 Forty years after the Israelites had passed through the Red Sea, that God parted, but then that whole generation died, except a couple. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:49.199 Joshua was one of them. 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:50.480 Why did they die? 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:52.639 Why did they perish in the desert? 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:54.959 Because they didn't believe. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:58.240 Their hearts were full of a lot of unbelief. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:02.319 You see, you can be among the people of God and not be the people of God. 00:07:02.399 --> 00:07:05.439 You could be among the people of God and not believe the promises of God. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:09.519 You can be with the people, but are you of the people? 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:12.399 That's always a lesson from Scripture. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.439 But let's look back at Joshua 3 first for a few moments. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:32.800 And if this sounds familiar to some of you, it is, because these have been some of the classic text in the history of Alexandria Presbyterian Church and some of our previous crossing overs. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:38.319 The first point from Joshua chapter 3, we all have to learn how to wait. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:40.720 What do I mean? 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:53.680 I'm not going to read it just yet, but there they are, two million strong, and they come up to this raging river at flood stage, probably a mile wide. 00:07:53.839 --> 00:07:55.360 Okay, think about that. 00:07:55.680 --> 00:08:00.079 Some of you live along the Potomac River at different points, about a mile wide. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:06.879 And they're looking at this river, and surely some of them are thinking, God, why did you bring us here? 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:19.439 I mean, okay, you parted the Red Sea, you've fed us for 40 years in the desert, you've provided, but we haven't seen this. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.079 Does that sound familiar? 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.839 But we haven't seen this. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:29.199 This looks unpassable. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.919 And God says, Well, I want you to wait. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:36.159 I want you to reflect. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:39.840 I want you to see just how big a challenge this is. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.639 We don't like that, do we? 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:50.240 It would have been better the way we think, okay, when they come to the river, just do it now, Lord. 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:52.559 We're on a roll. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:54.720 Do it now. 00:08:56.320 --> 00:09:02.559 He said, No, I'm going to give you a few days to really think more about how impossible this is. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:07.919 And I'm going to give you a few more days to think about how great and powerful I am. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:10.240 It's good to wait. 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:13.840 For three days they lodged there before they crossed over. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.039 Time to think. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:18.080 Some of them, again, might have thought too much time to think. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:21.279 To look at this raging river at flood stage. 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:25.600 No doubt some of them were saying, saying, let's go back. 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:32.000 Let's go back to Sheetem, which was an oasis that they had already journeyed through. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:35.360 Do we really need this promised land? 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:40.080 Do you ever ask that question? 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:44.080 Do I really need all that God wants to give me? 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.600 Or do we settle? 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.519 I'll take just a little bit, Lord. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:54.240 Give me just a quart. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:56.559 I don't want the whole gallon. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:02.080 We've got to be careful when we start thinking like that. 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:05.039 Sometimes I think we do. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.480 F.P. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:11.200 Meyer, the great Baptist preacher, the 19th century, said this. 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:16.720 Many a saint since then has come to these river banks. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.200 There is that river. 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:22.000 There is always that river. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.080 Do you hear that? 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:26.480 That's a good quote. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:29.039 Isn't it true? 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.919 There are rivers ahead of you. 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:34.879 There are rivers ahead of us as a church. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.440 There's always that river. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:43.039 Not that it's continuous, but there is another river. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.759 And it's going to be hard. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:48.559 And you're going to wonder, how do we get over that? 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:54.960 How do we get through this, whatever this is in your life right now? 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:58.799 Waiting is hard. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:03.200 Lord, I need this resolved now. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:05.840 Let that sink in. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:10.799 What is it that you need you think you need resolved now? 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:15.279 Is it a diagnosis? 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.519 Is it a cure? 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:21.120 Is it financial breakthrough? 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:28.240 Is it family tensions on Mother's Day? 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:34.559 Is it a church going through a big transition? 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:37.519 What is it? 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:42.960 Waiting is not wasted time if you're seeking God. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:50.559 Waiting is not wasted time if you're seeking God for his leading and his empowering by his Holy Spirit. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:12:00.480 However, waiting is not a substitute for taking action when action is required, nor is taking action a substitute for prayerful waiting. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:04.000 This is just the way it works. 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:17.200 APC has had many divine seasons of waiting over the years, searching for places to worship, seeking a sacred space. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:20.320 I haven't done the math. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:25.600 Over 30 years ago, we were desperate for a place to worship. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:38.799 When we were meeting in a little office building in Old Town Alexandria, and after days of prayer and fasting and after seeking God, he opened up just the right place for this church. 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:50.000 It's on Russell Road, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a place that was just the right place for this church for five years. 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.960 And then we needed a new place. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:55.039 We came to a new river. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:13:01.120 And it seemed like a bigger river to me at that time than the last river. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:09.279 And we prayed and prayed, and we had days of prayer and fasting, and we waited on God, and we looked and worked really hard. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.399 We worked really hard, knocking on a lot of doors. 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:14.240 This is back before the internet. 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:20.080 And God provided a sacred place. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:22.879 It was called Delray Baptist Church. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:29.600 And he said, This is the place of worship I'm going to give this congregation for the next 25 years. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:35.200 But it unfolded chapters at a time. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:38.639 It kept us on our knees praying. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.879 It kept us waiting. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.720 Good waiting. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:50.320 And then after 25 years at Delray Baptist Church, there was another river. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:14:03.679 Where is the congregation at this point going to go find a building in the city of Alexandria that's going to be large enough to accommodate our present needs and our growing needs as we've seen we have needed? 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:07.840 And then God let us hear. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.600 But we didn't come immediately. 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:22.240 It was about a 10-year period of waiting on God, seeking God, and so much prayer. 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:31.279 We formed what was called a long-term committee that took several years to explore our options. 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:33.120 What would we do? 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.840 What would we do? 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.720 Would we just start planting other churches? 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:41.840 Would we continue to rent a facility? 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:44.639 We felt committed to the Lord to the city here. 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:46.240 What would we do? 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:48.879 And that committee worked hard. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:52.240 And this congregation prayed earnestly. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:56.480 And God said, I've got you. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:59.919 I'm going to take you over this nether river. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.440 I'll take you. 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:07.919 And so what a story it was that we're sitting in this space. 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:13.279 This space, this property, less than two acres where you park and where you worship here. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:17.600 Less than two acres, a property valued almost six million dollars. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:21.600 We got for six hundred thousand dollars. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.919 But God. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:25.759 God. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:29.120 This is a miracle. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.399 This is a miracle that we're sitting here. 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:41.759 God continues to cross over his people when they need to, where they need to, how they need to. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:48.559 And it's not just for the church, it's for you personally. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:52.000 It's for you individually. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.399 It's for you as a family. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:57.279 Are there rivers in your life right now? 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.799 Yeah. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:07.120 Don't rush in. 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:09.519 Don't rush in. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:11.840 Don't resort to your own strategies. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.120 Aren't you done with that, okay? 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:14.720 Have you had enough of that? 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:17.039 Just rushing in. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:20.559 Your strategies, your plans. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.240 Put them down. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.919 Take up his. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.080 But then there's a second point. 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:28.480 I'm actually preaching two sermons quickly, though. 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:31.519 We're still in Joshua 3. 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:36.960 There's a second thing that God told them to do, to consecrate yourselves before you go over that cross. 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:40.320 Consecrate yourselves, chapter 3, verse 5. 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:44.320 Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:46.320 That's a beautiful promise. 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:50.720 For tomorrow, God will do amazing things for you. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.799 But you have to consecrate yourself. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.159 What does that mean? 00:16:54.399 --> 00:17:00.240 It means to set yourself apart, to prepare yourself, to dedicate yourself to God's purpose. 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.919 That's what that means. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.759 Are you doing that? 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.440 Am I doing that? 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:08.799 Set yourself apart. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.920 Dedicate yourself. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.160 Prepare yourself. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:22.880 God, ask that we be holy vessels for his use. 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:37.440 And if you ask me, Pastor, are you saying that there are certain things that God does for people who prepare their hearts that he doesn't do for people that don't prepare their hearts? 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:39.279 I will say absolutely yes. 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:42.559 I will say absolutely yes. 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:46.240 I want you to hear me clearly. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.480 Perfect? 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.119 No. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:52.960 But consecrate yourself. 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.880 We see in chapter 3. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.319 Chapter 3, verse 2. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:13.279 At the end of the three days, the officers went through the camp and commanded the people as soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priest, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:16.720 Yet there should be a distance between you about 2,000 cubits. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.480 That's three football fields. 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:23.119 Don't get too close to the ark, it'll kill you. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.759 That's the holiness of God represented. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:29.200 That's the tabernacle of the presence of God in that ark of the covenant. 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.799 The ark is going to go before you. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:32.640 The priests are going to go before you. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:35.279 But you consecrate yourselves and you follow. 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.799 You follow. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:43.759 Then Joshua said to the people, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.440 Take up the Ark of the Covenant. 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:56.079 Verse 7, the Lord said to Joshua, Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that you, as I was with Moses, I am going to be with you, Joshua. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:59.599 And as for you, command the priest who bear the Ark of the Covenant. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:04.720 When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:10.160 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.440 Consecrate yourself. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:18.640 Third point, chapter three. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.400 The crossing over. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.640 The priest stepped into the river first. 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:25.200 Leaders, leaders lead. 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.799 Alright? 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:29.039 That's just the way it is in life. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.799 Leaders have to lead. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:34.799 We spend a lot of time in this church talking about how our leaders lead. 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.559 We talk about that a lot, don't we? 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:39.039 From the pulpit in the classroom. 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:45.359 Prayerfully, humbly, collaboratively. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.039 That's how leaders lead. 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:49.200 They lead by a life of faith and repentance. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:51.359 They lead by searching their own hearts first. 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:56.240 They lead by asking God to transform our hearts. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:20:05.519 And when leaders ask God to transform their hearts, God has a way of transforming the hearts of those who follow. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:08.000 That's what I've noticed. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:13.519 But you have to take the step into the river. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:16.960 You can't stay frozen out of fear. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.319 You got to move. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:22.880 You got to step out in faith. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.960 APC has had so many crossings. 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:31.519 We have to take the step at the right time by faith. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:38.160 Many occasions where we've had to wait, consecrate ourselves, and by faith step out. 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:41.519 I want to say the last thing before we drop over to chapter 4. 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.079 This is this. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.319 But none of these are the greatest crossings. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:46.559 What's the greatest crossing over? 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:50.880 Jesus tells us in John chapter 5, verse 24. 00:20:51.200 --> 00:21:02.960 But when you believe the word of God, when you take Jesus into your heart by faith, when you become saved, when you become a Christian, at that moment you cross over from death to life. 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:06.000 That's the biggest crossing over there is of all. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:09.039 Have you crossed over? 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:18.079 Have you yet crossed over from spiritual death to spiritual life by putting your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone? 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.400 That's the biggest crossing over. 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:25.519 All the other crossingovers don't matter much by comparison until you do that. 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:28.079 You ready for chapter four? 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:31.440 We're moving quickly. 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.880 Chapter 4. 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:38.160 I want to focus on the last paragraph printed in your bulletin. 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:42.400 We live in a city with many memorials, don't we? 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.720 What's your favorite? 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:58.960 People travel great distances to come to see the World War II memorial, to see the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.759 We have so many great ones. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:00.640 Right? 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:04.559 We probably had, I don't know, the greatest ones in the world. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:06.640 Just a few miles from here. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:14.400 How many times have Cher and I had gotten a car, just drive a few miles and just get out and walk around these beautiful memorials? 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:16.079 What's a memorial for? 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:23.920 To remember to honor the memory of a person or an event. 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:27.279 That is what a memorial is. 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.880 So we don't forget. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:42.160 So we don't forget as a nation the many people that gave their lives that we could enjoy our freedom in this country. 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:50.880 But that we don't forget that the Son of God gave the greatest sacrifice of all. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.519 That we don't forget. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:23:04.559 And so Joshua, on the Lord's instructions, the Lord said to Joshua, you tell this priest, when they stepped their feet in the water, and the priest always went first. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:07.599 What happened when they put their feet in the river? 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:10.079 The river stopped flowing. 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:12.640 It walled up on both sides. 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.119 A miracle. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:20.079 And then they carry the ark of the covenant. 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:30.000 God always goes before his people, with his people, and yes, behind his people to protect. 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:38.000 And Joshua says to the, I want one man from each tribe of the twelve tribes. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:44.480 Probably had to be a strong guy because he had to pick up a big stone from the riverbed, the dry riverbed. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:48.079 He had to pick up that stone and carry it. 00:23:48.640 --> 00:24:03.839 And initially they put together a monument in the river bed itself, but that monument ended up on the other side of the river as a place where people would see and remember what God did. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:13.279 Twelve large stones carried out of the Jordan Riverbed, placed on the other side at Gilgal. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:16.079 Do you know what the word Gilgal means? 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:20.079 The Lord has removed our reproach. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.599 There's a lot in that. 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:28.240 We don't have time, but the Lord has removed my reproach. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:36.240 My shame, my guilt, my mess. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:41.039 Don't forget that. 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:46.640 The Lord has removed it at the cross. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:25:05.680 And Joshua says to the people on instructions from God, take those twelve stones, put them together, make them a monument at Gilgal, so that generations down the road they will come and they will say to dad and mom, What do these stones mean? 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.680 Why are they here? 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:14.079 I mean, you have those signs that are monuments down the road in DC. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.559 You can get the history. 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:21.839 But there always needs to be an explanation to the meaning. 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:26.480 Don't let the kids try to figure it out for themselves. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.799 Can I say that on Mother's Day? 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:37.279 Don't leave it to your kids to figure this out on their own. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.279 You tell them. 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:42.720 You tell them what God has done for you. 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:46.079 You tell them the stories in your life. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:53.839 You tell them the stories of the ways that God showed up for you and did what only God could have done for your family, for you personally, or for your church. 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.960 You tell them. 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:56.720 Don't keep your mouth shut. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.680 God has done something great. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:11.359 Dan Allender, the Christian counselor, says, faith grows as we name the moments. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:17.039 Faith grows as we name the moments in which God appears in our life and rescues us. 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:22.160 And then we gain a sense of the meaning of those moments for the rest of our lives. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:24.880 Memory is the key to faith. 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.880 I think he's right. 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:33.039 Memory, remembering what God has done, is the key to faith. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:35.839 Don't let it just kind of slip away. 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:38.000 Oh, yeah, that was great that he did that. 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.039 Remember. 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.359 Memorialize. 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.720 That's what he says to do. 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:49.039 God has done something great. 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:51.759 So, in closing, just two points. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:55.440 The Lord alone is your deliverer. 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:59.599 The Lord alone is your provider. 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:04.480 For 40 years, God provided for the Israelites, the manna, the quail. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:08.799 God led them by the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:12.319 These stones are for future generations. 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.839 I want you to hear that. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:19.680 These stones are not just for you, they are for future generations. 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:29.279 These are the stories that you're going to tell your children, and these are the stories that you're going to tell your grandchildren, but make sure you tell them. 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.799 I was there. 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.759 I saw what God did. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.960 Tell the story. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:49.599 Tell your kids, tell your grandkids. 00:27:50.640 --> 00:28:02.640 I heard from I wasn't there because very few of you were here through some of these crossing overs in our church, but I've talked to people that were there. 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.920 And I know it's true. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:14.240 Exodus chapter 16, verse 32 and 33, after the Israelites were grumbling in the wilderness at that time. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:16.319 This is before this. 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:29.039 God says, and God, you remember they were grumbling, they didn't like the food, and God sent them manna, and they were grumbling and they were complaining, and they were more focused on what they didn't have than what they did have. 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:32.559 And God had to discipline them. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.519 That's part of it. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:38.240 If we don't listen. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:42.720 If we don't listen, He knows how to discipline us. 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:45.680 He knows how to get our attention. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:51.519 He said to them, and I love this phrase, and some of you might remember this from years past. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:29:01.599 He says, I want you to take an omer of manna, a small piece of manna that fell that morning in the desert. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:07.839 I want you to take that, and I want you to get a jar, put it in a jar to preserve it. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:12.240 And I want you to put that in the Holy of Holies later on when the temple is built. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.720 Get a jar. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:18.079 Do you have a jar? 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:24.880 Do you have some way to record the great deliverances of God in your life? 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:33.839 It seems that more often than not, when somebody comes into my office for the first time, they comment on all my stones. 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:36.319 What are all the stones for? 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:39.039 Well, they come from the bottom of Lake George. 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:41.839 That's our go-to special place. 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:45.119 In the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in a gorgeous river. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:48.079 They come from the riverbed of the Lake George where it's spring-fed. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:50.160 Beautiful, beautiful lake. 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:56.480 And my grandsons, my grandsons have pulled them out of the bottom of the lake for me. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:59.839 It's good to have strong grandsons. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:05.519 And they say, Poppy, will this be a good one this year? 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.079 Gotta look it over. 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.599 Yeah, that's a good one. 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:14.319 Let's take that one back home. 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:22.960 And every one of those stones in my office has a has a little tape on it with a name. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:30.319 Every one is a specific answer to a specific huge river in my life or in this church's life. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:32.559 I don't want to forget. 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.599 I don't want to forget. 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:41.119 Let's not forget. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:47.839 So we don't forget that He has provided for us. 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:53.759 In the future, when your children ask you, how did you cross that river? 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:56.400 You're going to have something to say. 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:03.519 May we all have stories to tell about our great God. 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:06.559 Whatever the river may be. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:10.960 By the way, the big the maybe the biggest one is, how did you get saved? 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:13.920 Have you told your kids that? 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:18.640 Do your kids know your salvation story? 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:23.039 I'm going to take a moment to pause. 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:33.039 Do your kids know your story of how Jesus saved you from your sin? 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.799 They should. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:39.920 There's no bigger story to tell. 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:43.759 It may be a church journey. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:47.039 It may be a health crisis that God delivered you from. 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:52.480 It may be something spiritual, emotional, physical danger that God delivered you from. 00:31:56.960 --> 00:32:01.279 So that you will know that only God, only God. 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:09.839 You know, as I've been reflecting on this sermon, prepping for this, I was thinking, this is stunning to me. 00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:15.279 In the city, in a big metropolitan area like Washington, D.C. 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:26.000 and even Alexandria City, the three most precious places of worship are all one mile apart. 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:33.759 I find that really strange but encouraging. 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:40.960