Remembering God's Faithfulness: Miracles and Memorials
Summary
The sermon begins with a reflection on the miraculous event in Joshua 3, where Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The speaker emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of this miracle, where the river ceased to flow upon the priests' entry into the water, and connects it to the larger purpose of God's plan: to demonstrate His mighty hand so that people may know Him and fear Him. The speaker then transitions to the importance of remembering God's works and sharing about His greatness, as well as Jesus' power to save.
The sermon continues with a prayer for peace and a recounting of the command given to Joshua to have 12 men, one from each tribe, take stones from the Jordan as a memorial of God's presence and the miracle He performed. This act symbolizes the rest and protection God provides, even in enemy territory, and underscores the importance of relying on God rather than one's own strength.
The speaker then discusses the power of reminders, using the example of parents who tell their children "you know better" to guide them back on track. The Holy Spirit is likened to a reminder, and believers are encouraged to create reminders of God's work in their lives. The upcoming Christmas season is mentioned as an opportunity to remember the good that God has shown.
The sermon also touches on the need for Jesus to save and keep us, comparing our reliance on Him to Israel's dependence on the Lord. The speaker expresses gratitude for Jesus' guidance and sustenance, emphasizing His living presence with us and His unerring record of faithfulness.
The importance of remembering and being sustained by God's faithfulness is further highlighted through the examples of Moses and Joshua. The speaker notes the humility of Joshua and the significance of the memorials made of 12 stones, which remind us that God alone is responsible for our deliverance.
The sermon concludes with a discussion on the significance of baptism and the Lord's Supper as reminders of faith, paralleling the parting of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan with our journey from bondage to redemption. The speaker urges the congregation to remember and share the truth about Christ's work, using personal testimonies and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper as consistent reminders of God's work.
Key Takeaways:
- The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River serves as a powerful reminder that God's interventions in history are designed to reveal His might and character, leading us to a place of reverence and humility. This understanding should compel us to share the greatness of God and the saving power of Jesus, aligning ourselves with God's purpose to make Himself known to all people.
- The act of setting up memorials with stones from the Jordan River teaches us the importance of tangible reminders of God's faithfulness. These memorials are not just historical markers but are meant to inspire future generations to trust in God's provision and protection, even amidst adversities and enemy territories.
- Reminding others of God's faithfulness is a ministry accessible to all believers, not just those with teaching or leadership roles. The Holy Spirit acts as our divine reminder, and we too are called to be reminders to one another, reinforcing the truth of God's promises and His past faithfulness as a means to encourage repentance and reconciliation.
- Jesus is central to our salvation and daily sustenance, and our relationship with Him should be characterized by a continual remembrance of His death and resurrection, as well as His ongoing presence in our lives. This remembrance builds our trust in His never-failing guidance and provision for the future.
- The ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are not mere religious rituals but are profound expressions of our faith and remembrance of what Jesus has done for us. They connect us to the great acts of deliverance God has performed throughout history and remind us of our journey from bondage to the freedom of the Promised Land.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Joshua 3:14-17
- Joshua 4:1-9
- Matthew 23:12
#### Observation Questions
1. What miraculous event occurred when the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the Jordan River? ([06:04])
2. What was the purpose of the 12 stones taken from the Jordan River, and where were they placed? ([09:45])
3. How did the priests demonstrate their faith and obedience during the crossing of the Jordan River? ([12:22])
4. What does Matthew 23:12 say about humility and exaltation, and how does this relate to Joshua's leadership? ([15:03])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did God choose to perform a dramatic miracle at the Jordan River instead of a more subtle intervention? ([06:49])
2. How do the 12 stones from the Jordan River serve as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and power? ([09:45])
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit act as a reminder for believers, according to the sermon? ([19:55])
4. How does the comparison between the crossing of the Red Sea and the Jordan River illustrate God's consistent saving work? ([29:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's intervention in your life. How can you create a tangible reminder of that event to strengthen your faith? ([20:35])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of sharing about God's greatness and Jesus' power to save. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily conversations? ([07:38])
3. The speaker mentioned the role of parents in reminding their children of God's faithfulness. How can you actively engage in this ministry within your family or community? ([24:29])
4. Consider the upcoming Christmas season as an opportunity to remember God's goodness. What specific traditions or practices can you adopt to keep this focus? ([21:14])
5. The sermon highlighted the significance of baptism and the Lord's Supper as reminders of faith. If you haven't been baptized, what steps can you take to explore this important act of obedience? ([27:25])
6. How can you rely more on God's strength and provision rather than your own abilities, especially in challenging situations? ([11:03])
7. Think about someone in your life who might be discouraged or forgetting God's faithfulness. How can you remind them of God's promises and past faithfulness this week? ([19:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Revealing God's Might and Character
God's mighty acts throughout history are not just for awe but to reveal His character and lead us to reverence. By recognizing His power in events like the crossing of the Jordan, we are called to share His greatness and the saving power of Jesus with others. [07:40]
Joshua 4:24 - "He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."
Reflection: How can you actively share the stories of God's might and character in your life with someone this week?
Day 2: The Importance of Tangible Reminders
Memorials serve as tangible reminders of God's faithfulness, inspiring trust and reliance on Him. Just as the Israelites carried stones from the Jordan, we too can create physical or symbolic reminders to recall God's provision and protection in our lives. [14:25]
Joshua 4:6-7 - "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. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
Reflection: What tangible reminder can you create or identify in your life to remember God's faithfulness?
Day 3: Ministry of Reminders
Believers are called to remind each other of God's promises and past faithfulness. This ministry of reminders, supported by the Holy Spirit, encourages repentance and strengthens our collective memory of God's unchanging nature. [21:10]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: Who in your community can you encourage today by reminding them of God's faithfulness in their life?
Day 4: Continual Remembrance of Jesus
Our relationship with Jesus is sustained by continually remembering His sacrifice and resurrection. This remembrance is not just a mental exercise but a heartfelt trust in His guidance and provision, which never fails us. [28:35]
Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a daily practice of remembering Jesus' presence and His work in your life?
Day 5: Baptism and the Lord's Supper as Faith Reminders
The ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are profound expressions of faith, connecting us to God's acts of deliverance. They remind us of our journey from bondage to redemption and the ongoing work of Christ in our lives. [35:50]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?"
Reflection: How do baptism and the Lord's Supper personally remind you of your journey with Christ, and how can you share this with others?
Quotes
"God could have done many things to avoid a miracle but instead God caused this dramatic and memorable Miracle." [05:23]
"People need to know the Lord and we are to share about his greatness to share about the greatness of our savior so that people would know the Lord is mighty to save." [07:38]
"These Stones would be a sign that would remain among the people so that God's glory and greatness would be remembered across generations." [16:34]
"Reminding someone of the truth, something that they already know but are forgetting, can be more important than teaching them something new." [17:56]
"The Holy Spirit would also remind them of the things that Jesus said. Reminding is a Ministry of the Holy Spirit." [19:55]
"I have a couple of stones...I can look at this and remember exactly what was going on and how good and faithful God has been." [21:55]
"Jesus is the one who offers rest, what a wonderful Truth worth remembering. Jesus is the one who is sustaining us as we walk with him and he is the one worthy of being shared with the world, especially those who are closest. He's the one worthy of our devotion, of our trust, and he's the one ready to be received as Lord for all who are ready to walk with him." [36:05]
"Jesus commanded us to Remember by sharing in the Lord's Supper; every time we do this, we are really expressing the reality of what Jesus did, of what he's done, and we're sharing then the significance of his sacrifice for us." [28:06]
"The way of forgiveness is also the way to life, Jesus is the way to forgiveness and to life." [31:35]
"We are called to be this kind of people, a people who know what Christ has done for us, and a people who remember and share the truth with each generation." [26:41]
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