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Crossing the Jordan Joshua 3. 1. By faith, make appropriate preparations 2:24" We're sure the LORD has given us the whole country," they said. "The people there shake with fear every time they think of us."
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Crossing the Jordan Joshua 3
1. By faith, make appropriate preparations 2:24" We're sure the LORD has given us the whole country," they said. "The people there shake with fear every time they think of us." 3:1Early the next morning, Joshua and the Israelites packed up and left Acacia. They went to the Jordan River and camped there that night. 2Two days later their leaders went through the camp, 3-4shouting, "When you see some of the priests carrying the sacred chest, you'll know it is time to cross to the other side.
1. By faith, make appropriate preparations You've never been there before, and you won't know the way, unless you follow the chest. But don't get too close! Stay about half a mile back." 5Joshua told the people, "Make yourselves acceptable to worship the LORD, because he is going to do some amazing things for us." 6Then Joshua turned to the priests and said, "Take the chest and cross the Jordan River ahead of us." So the priests picked up the chest by its carrying poles and went on ahead. (CEV)
1. By faith, make appropriate preparations • When God speaks, we should take measures to act swiftly • “…to get the people ready to cross the Jordan River…” (1:2) • “True faith and godly works go hand in hand” Gene Getz
2. Hearing the leading of God 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.’”
2. Hearing the leading of God • When God asks you to do something impossible he usually shows you the how to do it ! • Remember if God wants you to do something, he will help you do it!
2. Hearing the leading of God “I prayed for faith and thought that some day it would come down and strike me like lightning. But faith didn’t seem to come. One day I read in Romans that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” I had up to this time, closed my Bible and prayed for faith. Now I opened my Bible and began to study and faith has been growing ever since.” D.L. Moody
3. Speaking out the things of God 9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.
3. Speaking out the things of God 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 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.”
3. Speaking out the things of God • 7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel…” As the Lord leads, exercise humble God-honouring faith • The Lord of all the earth
3. Speaking out the things of God • Psychological and spiritual release • Deeper conviction • Gives others the opportunity to hear God • Mobilizes a people for the Lord • Opportunity for added discernment • Opportunity for accountability and meaningful relationships
4. Just do it and watch God move with power! 14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest [The water in the river had risen over its banks, as it often does in springtime]. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing.
4. Just do it and watch God move with power! It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam (‘adamme’) in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
4. Just do it and watch God move with power! 2:10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
4. Just do it and watch God move with power! • Issue of War in the Old Testament • A Loving God • The Culture of the day • The life of Christ As the Lord leads, exercise humble God-honouring faith