Memorials

Text: Joshua 4:1-10

Intro: This morning as we take time to remember those who have worked before us and reflect on the foundation that has been laid for us, we also need to take time to look at memorials of a different type. This memorial is one Joshua was told to build by the Lord, you see the small nation of Israel was about undergo its first major change, one in which the formal nation would be established. And Joshua was ready to lead them through. Chapters 3 and 4 deal with the Jordan River and its place in Hebrew history. It also has a very important part in our lives today, the crossing of the Jordan can show us some very eye opening facts about ourselves and what God wants for us and where He wants us to follow Him.

(1) What Joshua’s Memorial’s meant to Israel

(A) God removes an obstacle (The Jordan River)

(B) God appoints a leader (Joshua)

(C) God is present with His people (The Ark)

(D) God’s obedient Priests

Ill. I want you to go back with me to Egypt, where God began this journey with His people. God’s people had a choice, choose Him and spread blood over the door post and be redeemed or choose Egypt and ultimate death. God’s people left Egypt and headed to the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army in toe. At the Red Sea God redeemed His people by delivering them from the hand of Egypt. Through forty years of wanderings and a change in leadership, we have come to a new point in the life of Israel. Now at the Jordan God’s redeemed are shown a passage from Death (from wandering through the Jordan) to resurrection (the shores of Canaan).

(2) What Joshua’s Memorial’s meant to us

(a) God removes an obstacle (the fear of eternal death)

(b) God appoints a leader (Jesus)

(c) God is present with His people (the Holy Spirit)

(d) Gods obedient people

Ill. As you sit here this morning if you know beyond a shadow of a doubt there was a time in your life when you accepted Jesus as your lord and savior, you have a memorial today. A memorial that will stand the test of time, a memorial that will remain. You also have a memorial of a life left behind. You see just like the pile of stones left in the bottom of the Jordan and covered over by God Himself. You too have a life of sin covered over by the blood of Jesus Christ. And just as Israel was resurrected to a new life in Canaan, you too were resurrected to a new life in Jesus Christ.

Conc. Well this morning as we celebrate the Memorial Day for this church, I ask one question, can you point to a time in your life when established a spiritual memorial, a time when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you ask Jesus Christ into you life and accepted Him unconditionally as Lord and Savior. I’m not asking if you think so, or hope so, I’m asking if you know so, you can. You see when God directed Joshua to lead His people across the Jordan into Canaan, He simply ask them to follow Him to a new life. Well when God directed His son Jesus to the cross of Calvary, He was leading mankind back to Him. Just like the Hebrews had a choice to leave Egypt for the Promised Land or stay there and die. You may find yourself making a choice today, either accept Jesus and come to Gods Promised Land or continue to reject Him and face eternal death separated from God forever, you may not have another opportunity.