Memorializing God's Faithfulness in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Bridge. My name is Kelby Davis, and I'm honored to lead you in worship today while Pastor Donnie is away. If you're a guest, welcome! Please visit the connections table for more information about our church. We have exciting events coming up, including church camp, Vacation Bible School, and the Men's Grill and Chill. Your support, whether through time, talents, or financial gifts, makes these events possible. Let's pray over our offering and ask God to bless our efforts to bring more people to know Jesus Christ.
Today, I want to talk about the importance of memorializing God's work in our lives. This idea came to me while reflecting on my own life and the memories that have shaped me. My six-year-old twins recently asked about how my husband and I met, which made me think about the significant moments that have defined my journey. This led me to Joshua 4, where God instructs Joshua to have the Israelites place stones as a memorial to remember how God delivered them.
In Joshua 4, God tells Joshua to choose 12 men, one from each tribe, to take stones from the middle of the Jordan River and set them up as a memorial. These stones were to serve as a sign for future generations, reminding them of God's faithfulness. This act of memorializing is deeply spiritual and serves to remind us of God's promises and His presence in our lives. Just as God placed a rainbow in the sky as a covenant with Noah, we are called to create our own memorials to remember God's work.
Memorials force us to look back and remember both the good and the challenging times. They help us see how God has been with us through every season. For example, the Ebenezer Stone in 1 Samuel 7:12 serves as a reminder of God's help in defeating the Philistines. Similarly, the Bright Star Memorial being constructed on the UTBB campus will serve as a reminder of God's presence during the tragic events of August 31, 2019.
As Christians, we are called to live our lives in a way that memorializes God's work. This can be through physical markers, like the stones in Joshua 4, or through our actions and how we live our lives. Whether it's through sharing our testimonies, serving others, or simply living out our faith, we are called to be living memorials of God's goodness.
This Memorial Weekend, as we remember those who have served our country, let's also remember the spiritual memorials in our lives. Let's think about the stones we are placing for future generations to see. Are we living in a way that honors God and points others to Him? Let's pray for the courage and boldness to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to be living memorials of His love and grace.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Memorials: Memorials serve as physical reminders of God's faithfulness and promises. Just as God instructed Joshua to set up stones as a memorial, we too are called to create markers in our lives that remind us and future generations of God's work. These markers can be physical objects or actions that reflect God's presence and faithfulness. [56:05]
2. Living Memorials: As Christians, we are called to live our lives in a way that memorializes God's work. This means sharing our testimonies, serving others, and living out our faith in a way that points others to God. Our lives should be a testament to God's goodness and faithfulness, serving as a living memorial for others to see. [01:02:40]
3. God's Promises: God's promises are eternal and He provides physical reminders of these promises, like the rainbow in the sky. We need to be attentive and look for these reminders in our daily lives. These signs serve to reassure us of God's covenant and His unwavering presence in our lives. [01:06:02]
4. Facing Challenges with Faith: Life is filled with both highs and lows, and it's important to recognize God's presence in all seasons. Whether we are experiencing joy or facing challenges, God is with us. Sharing how God has met us in these moments can encourage others and serve as a powerful testimony of His faithfulness. [01:08:16]
5. Passing Down Faith: We have a responsibility to pass down our faith and the stories of God's work to future generations. Just as the Israelites were instructed to set up stones as a memorial, we should create markers in our lives that our children and others can look to and ask, "What do these stones mean?" This helps ensure that the knowledge of God's faithfulness is preserved and passed down. [01:16:46]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:07] - Announcements and Offering
[35:31] - Introduction and Personal Reflection
[49:22] - Importance of Memorials
[51:45] - Joshua 4: Setting Up Stones
[54:44] - Biblical Examples of Memorials
[56:05] - The Significance of Stones
[57:18] - Joshua's Instructions
[58:49] - Personal Memories and Reflections
[59:40] - Spiritual Significance of Memorials
[01:02:40] - The Ebenezer Stone
[01:04:46] - The Bright Star Memorial
[01:06:02] - God's Promises and the Rainbow
[01:08:16] - God's Presence in Highs and Lows
[01:09:35] - Encouragement Through Memorials
[01:14:50] - Memorials of Sacrifice
[01:16:46] - Passing Down Faith
[01:17:31] - Closing Challenge
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 4:1-7 (NIV)
> When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight." So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
2. 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)
> Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
3. Genesis 9:13-16 (NIV)
> I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.
### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give Joshua regarding the stones from the Jordan River? (Joshua 4:1-7)
2. What was the purpose of the Ebenezer stone set up by Samuel? (1 Samuel 7:12)
3. According to Genesis 9:13-16, what is the significance of the rainbow in the sky?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose physical stones as a way to help the Israelites remember His faithfulness? (Joshua 4:1-7)
2. How does the concept of the Ebenezer stone in 1 Samuel 7:12 relate to the idea of memorializing God's work in our lives today? [01:02:40]
3. In what ways can the rainbow in Genesis 9:13-16 serve as a reminder of God's promises in our daily lives? [01:06:02]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when God met you in a significant way. How can you create a "memorial" to remember and share this experience with others? [01:08:16]
2. What are some practical ways you can live your life as a "living memorial" to God's goodness and faithfulness? [01:09:35]
3. How can you use your personal testimonies to encourage others in their faith journey? [01:10:13]
4. Think about the physical or symbolic "stones" you have in your life. How can you use these to teach future generations about God's work? [01:16:46]
5. How can you be more attentive to the signs and reminders of God's promises in your daily life, similar to the rainbow in Genesis 9:13-16? [01:06:02]
6. What steps can you take to ensure that your actions and lifestyle point others to God, especially during challenging times? [01:08:16]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your community to create their own memorials of God's work in their lives? [01:12:33]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Significance of Memorials
Memorials serve as physical reminders of God's faithfulness and promises. Just as God instructed Joshua to set up stones as a memorial, we too are called to create markers in our lives that remind us and future generations of God's work. These markers can be physical objects or actions that reflect God's presence and faithfulness. [56:05]
In Joshua 4, God tells Joshua to choose 12 men, one from each tribe, to take stones from the middle of the Jordan River and set them up as a memorial. These stones were to serve as a sign for future generations, reminding them of God's faithfulness. This act of memorializing is deeply spiritual and serves to remind us of God's promises and His presence in our lives. Just as God placed a rainbow in the sky as a covenant with Noah, we are called to create our own memorials to remember God's work.
Memorials force us to look back and remember both the good and the challenging times. They help us see how God has been with us through every season. For example, the Ebenezer Stone in 1 Samuel 7:12 serves as a reminder of God's help in defeating the Philistines. Similarly, the Bright Star Memorial being constructed on the UTBB campus will serve as a reminder of God's presence during the tragic events of August 31, 2019.
Joshua 4:6-7 (ESV): "that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."
Reflection: What physical or symbolic markers can you create in your life to remind you and others of God's faithfulness?
### Day 2: Living Memorials
As Christians, we are called to live our lives in a way that memorializes God's work. This means sharing our testimonies, serving others, and living out our faith in a way that points others to God. Our lives should be a testament to God's goodness and faithfulness, serving as a living memorial for others to see. [01:02:40]
Living memorials are not just about physical objects but also about how we live our lives. Our actions, words, and attitudes can serve as powerful testimonies of God's work in our lives. When we share our stories of how God has transformed us, we create living memorials that can inspire and encourage others. Serving others in love and humility also reflects God's character and points people to Him.
Consider how you can be a living memorial in your daily life. Are you sharing your testimony with others? Are you serving those in need? Are you living in a way that reflects God's love and grace? By doing these things, you become a living memorial that honors God and points others to Him.
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: How can your actions today serve as a living memorial that points others to God's goodness and faithfulness?
### Day 3: God's Promises
God's promises are eternal and He provides physical reminders of these promises, like the rainbow in the sky. We need to be attentive and look for these reminders in our daily lives. These signs serve to reassure us of God's covenant and His unwavering presence in our lives. [01:06:02]
God's promises are a source of hope and assurance for believers. Throughout the Bible, God has given physical signs to remind His people of His promises. The rainbow, for example, is a sign of God's covenant with Noah that He would never again flood the earth. These physical reminders help us to remember God's faithfulness and His commitment to His promises.
In our daily lives, we should be attentive to the signs and reminders of God's promises. These can come in various forms, such as a timely word of encouragement, a Scripture verse that speaks to our situation, or even a beautiful sunset that reminds us of God's creativity and care. By being mindful of these reminders, we can stay grounded in God's promises and find strength and hope in them.
Genesis 9:13-15 (ESV): "I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."
Reflection: What are some signs or reminders of God's promises that you have noticed in your life recently? How do they reassure you of His faithfulness?
### Day 4: Facing Challenges with Faith
Life is filled with both highs and lows, and it's important to recognize God's presence in all seasons. Whether we are experiencing joy or facing challenges, God is with us. Sharing how God has met us in these moments can encourage others and serve as a powerful testimony of His faithfulness. [01:08:16]
Life is a journey with many ups and downs. During the high points, it's easy to see God's blessings and feel His presence. However, during the low points, it can be challenging to recognize that God is still with us. Yet, it is often in these difficult times that we experience God's faithfulness and provision in profound ways. By reflecting on these moments and sharing them with others, we can provide encouragement and hope.
When we face challenges with faith, we demonstrate trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. This trust can be a powerful testimony to others who may be going through similar struggles. By sharing our stories of how God has been with us in both the good and challenging times, we can help others see that they are not alone and that God is faithful.
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's presence and faithfulness during that time? How can you share this experience to encourage someone else?
### Day 5: Passing Down Faith
We have a responsibility to pass down our faith and the stories of God's work to future generations. Just as the Israelites were instructed to set up stones as a memorial, we should create markers in our lives that our children and others can look to and ask, "What do these stones mean?" This helps ensure that the knowledge of God's faithfulness is preserved and passed down. [01:16:46]
Passing down faith to future generations is a vital aspect of our Christian walk. The Israelites were instructed to set up stones as a memorial so that when their children asked about them, they could share the stories of God's faithfulness. This practice ensured that the knowledge of God's mighty works was preserved and passed down through generations.
In our own lives, we should be intentional about creating markers and sharing stories that highlight God's work. This can be done through family traditions, storytelling, and even journaling. By doing so, we help future generations understand and appreciate God's faithfulness. It's important to create an environment where questions about faith are welcomed and answered with stories of God's goodness.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: What are some ways you can create markers in your life that will help pass down your faith to future generations? How can you start implementing one of these ways today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I want to challenge you to think about your life. Think about your God moments. Think about those times He has met you right where you needed Him to or paved the way for you before you even got there. Or the times He's led you out of something or into something. And I want you to ask yourself, are we picking up our stones and placing them in a way that memorializes God in a way that will stand for future generations to learn from?" [01:12:33]
2. "When God shows up, let others know he has led us out of the wilderness. He has provided manna for us. He sacrificed for us and performed miracles for us. But are we taking up our stones and are we placing them in a way that allows others to see how God has met us there in those moments?" [01:09:35]
3. "We are people who want our moments to be remembered. So Joshua tells them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. And when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were completely cut off and these stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." [01:00:22]
4. "Memorial weekend's a time to stop and to remember those who so bravely gave their lives for us. These are the type of memorials none of us ever wanna have to visit. But unfortunately, many do have to visit these type of stone memorials. And I just genuinely thank God for the men and the women who have made these type of sacrifices so that we can live in freedom." [01:14:50]
### Quotes for Members
1. "As Christians, we're called to pick up our stones and just place them in a way that honestly, that honors God. A place for all to see. We're called to do this for younger generations. We're called to do that for those maybe who are just coming to know Jesus Christ, for our neighbors and our friends and our coworkers and for anyone down the road who might look back and need a reminder that God's there." [01:12:00]
2. "The Bible is full of lessons on how we're supposed to memorialize God and the lessons that he teaches us. And, you know, we see this demonstrated in one of my favorite stories in my favorite books, the book of Genesis. Early on, we see it with Noah and the flood, right? What's he put in the sky? Good job, everybody. A rainbow, right? He puts a rainbow in the sky, right, to remind us of this promise that he will never destroy the earth again in a flood." [54:44]
3. "In today's scripture in Joshua 4, that's where we'll be if you want to follow along with me, if you have your Bibles and you want to read along. Joshua is being instructed by God to have this. The Israelites placed physical markers on the ground as a sign to future generations of all God has delivered them from." [56:05]
4. "The story of the Ebenezer Stone is another example in the Bible of where a stone is used as a reminder of God's presence. This story actually takes place, hundreds of years past of what we're talking about today in the book of Joshua. This is after the Israelites defeated the Philistines in battle, and Samuel, he sets up a memorial, a reminder so they would never forget who aided them in their victory." [01:02:40]
5. "I want my children to see these and to learn about how their freedoms have been fought for and protected by these men and women that these stones represent. But most importantly, I want them to see God in these sacrifices. I want these stones to point them to that cross right there. I want these stones to point them to the stone that has been rolled away at the empty tomb." [01:15:30]
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