WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.459 Our first reading is Joshua 4, verses 1-7. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.199 And Joshua said to them, 00:00:31.539 --> 00:00:35.340 Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:38.340 and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, 00:00:38.859 --> 00:00:41.579 according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:43.780 that this may be a sign among you. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:46.420 When your children ask in time to come, 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:48.439 what do those stones mean to you? 00:00:48.900 --> 00:00:52.079 Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:54.719 before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:59.299 When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. 00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:03.640 So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever. 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:07.739 This past spring, Christina and I watched a movie. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:10.359 It was a critically acclaimed movie. 00:01:10.359 --> 00:01:16.920 And it was about a young man who had outrageous amounts of confidence, 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:19.079 to the point that it was toxic. 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:25.539 It was in some ways watching an accident for like two and a half hours. 00:01:25.679 --> 00:01:27.200 It was pretty intense. 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:35.700 The person with the confidence in himself ended up railroading just about everybody in his life. 00:01:36.859 --> 00:01:40.340 It was actually a bit of a crazy movie. 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:43.800 But it communicated something, I think, very profound. 00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:47.379 The power that confidence can make. 00:01:48.379 --> 00:01:51.439 Somebody who has confidence in their lives, 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:54.099 It can be a difference maker. 00:01:54.939 --> 00:02:00.079 Believing in something or someone can take a person of humble means 00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:04.459 and elevate them to heights that seem outlandish. 00:02:05.459 --> 00:02:09.060 An average person can become extraordinary. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:16.199 But it's important to consider that what's more important than having confidence 00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:18.780 is what you have your confidence in. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:22.819 This is what's the key bit in this. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:25.800 What is your confidence in? 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:27.240 Who is your confidence in? 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:30.659 So this is a question that I want to throw out there this morning. 00:02:30.659 --> 00:02:37.139 Hopefully it can sit with us as we open up Joshua chapter 3 and 4. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:42.019 Normally we don't take giant chunks of like two chapters of the Bible. 00:02:42.139 --> 00:02:44.479 This is 42 verses we're going to be looking at. 00:02:44.519 --> 00:02:49.300 But it's really one solid act or one solid scene. 00:02:50.079 --> 00:02:56.300 And it's important that we treat it as one kind of like movement in the story. 00:02:56.300 --> 00:02:58.400 So we're not going to read all 42 verses. 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:03.040 But be ready to flip back and forth and to follow along. 00:03:03.700 --> 00:03:05.700 And we're going to read the entirety. 00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:09.600 Or we're going to take a look at the entirety of this story. 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:12.420 So let me give you a bit of a summary. 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:13.780 Because we're not going to read the whole thing. 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:21.760 So last week the spies of Israel were told by Joshua. 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:22.980 It was a bit of a covert mission. 00:03:22.980 --> 00:03:25.460 Listen, cross the Jordan River. 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:27.040 They're on the east side of the Jordan. 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:29.200 If you can picture ancient Israel. 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:31.439 They're on the east side of the Jordan. 00:03:31.600 --> 00:03:32.560 They cross the Jordan. 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:35.879 They go a bit inland to the city called Jericho. 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:36.800 Now it's a walled city. 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:38.379 It's a strong city. 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:41.920 And these spies, they really get the lay of the land. 00:03:42.100 --> 00:03:43.920 I'll skip over the whole part about Rahab. 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:44.879 A wonderful story. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:50.060 If you weren't here last week, you can listen to the sermon or just read it yourself. 00:03:50.640 --> 00:03:52.620 But the spies come back. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:55.759 And they come back with a wonderful report for Joshua. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:58.439 They say, listen, these people, they're strong. 00:03:58.520 --> 00:03:58.900 They're mighty. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:03:59.360 Okay. 00:03:59.980 --> 00:04:02.460 But they are fearful of us. 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:04.240 Because God is on our side. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:07.120 So great news. 00:04:07.480 --> 00:04:10.080 Israel is going to cross into the promised land. 00:04:10.140 --> 00:04:12.520 Something that they didn't do 40 years before. 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:15.020 Because they themselves were the fearful ones. 00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:16.319 But now the tables have turned. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:17.759 They're going to make a move. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:19.340 They're listening to the Lord. 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:21.139 They are trusting in his promises. 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:22.560 God is with them. 00:04:23.219 --> 00:04:25.239 So they are at camp. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:26.979 And Joshua says, listen, it's time. 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:27.739 Okay. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:28.159 It's time. 00:04:29.359 --> 00:04:31.739 Take up the tent pegs. 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:33.879 You know, clean up. 00:04:34.479 --> 00:04:35.259 Pack up. 00:04:35.799 --> 00:04:36.679 Let's go to the Jordan. 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:42.799 And what we see is that the Lord is going to give very, very specific instructions 00:04:42.799 --> 00:04:47.159 to get them through the Jordan into the promised land. 00:04:47.160 --> 00:04:48.880 And really it boils down to this. 00:04:49.780 --> 00:04:52.780 The priests are going to be told to take the Ark of the Covenant. 00:04:53.020 --> 00:05:01.360 This box that is, it contains the stone tablets that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:02.660 He gave the Ten Commandments. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.460 If you're familiar with the story, just think Ten Commandments. 00:05:05.580 --> 00:05:06.120 They're in there. 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:10.300 There's also a staff that was used by Aaron, Moses' brother. 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:17.439 And the priests were to take this Ark and wade into the Jordan. 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:22.300 Now we're going to see later on that there's something remarkable about the Jordan at this time of year. 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:23.420 But they wade into the Jordan. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:29.639 The water is stopped up some like 18 miles north of where they are. 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:30.860 18 kilometers, rather. 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:32.019 North of where they are. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:37.000 And the entire people cross the Jordan into the promised land. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:46.180 At the end of it, Joshua says to some key people, he says, listen, we need 12 men, one from each tribe. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:52.699 As you're going through, pick up a stone off of the riverbed and bring it across the Jordan. 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:54.719 I'm going to set up a memorial. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:58.819 And this is, by and large, the big movement of the narrative. 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:02.719 So it's just a bit of a summary of the story. 00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:05.019 So it's a remarkable story. 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:07.759 It's actually packed with so much details. 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:13.079 I was telling Christine this morning that one of the things you have to do when you're preparing a sermon, 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:15.539 you have a lot of good ideas. 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:24.240 And you end up having to go to the editing room and you leave like juicy bits on the editing floor. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:25.480 Like you have to cut out some parts. 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:26.500 And I've had to cut out a ton. 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:29.220 And this story is worth your time. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:33.600 It's worth your time to dig in and to read slowly and often. 00:06:34.660 --> 00:06:43.040 But one thing I want to draw your attention to in Joshua 3 and 4 is how God will give his people confidence. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:53.500 Not confidence in themselves as if they all of a sudden are just in need of a good pep talk, a good shot in the arm, so to speak, 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:58.040 so they can recognize how strong of a people they are. 00:06:58.640 --> 00:06:59.259 Not at all. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:02.420 He will give them great confidence in him. 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:06.300 So we're going to look at this story. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.319 I summed it up. 00:07:07.580 --> 00:07:15.220 So we're not going to look at it necessarily chronologically as it's written, although we will somewhat follow that. 00:07:15.620 --> 00:07:24.280 Instead, we're going to look at three key things, three key details in the story that actually go beyond this story. 00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:28.039 And they become themes or types that we see throughout the Bible. 00:07:29.239 --> 00:07:30.299 These three things. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:34.500 The ark, the Jordan, and the stones. 00:07:34.739 --> 00:07:36.919 The ark, the Jordan, and the stones. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:39.459 And again, what is your confidence in? 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:43.059 This is the question that I want to ask as we get into it. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:45.819 So let's look at it, the first point, the ark. 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:49.540 We'll read Joshua 3, verses 2 and 6. 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:50.800 And this will be on page 14. 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:58.420 At the end of three days, the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:04.220 As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:07.840 then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:13.299 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about two thousand cubits in length. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:18.039 Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go. 00:08:18.659 --> 00:08:20.679 For you have not passed this way before. 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:23.199 Then Joshua said to the people, 00:08:23.919 --> 00:08:29.000 Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:31.379 And Joshua said to the priests, 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:35.100 Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people. 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:38.820 So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:42.340 Like I mentioned, the ark of the covenant, it's this ornate box. 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:46.259 It has some key objects from Israel's wanderings through the desert. 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:49.120 It is very sacred to them. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:55.220 But what is the most important part of the ark of the covenant is what it represents. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:58.560 And it represents the very presence of God amongst his people. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.740 God is everywhere. 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:03.700 He's omnipresent. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:12.620 But he chooses a physical means to convey a reality, a spiritual reality to the people. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.100 That he is amongst them. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.379 That he is their God. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:19.680 And he delights in being with his people. 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.799 Dwelling with his people. 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:25.440 And the ark is this representation of the presence of God. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:30.220 So consider how the Israelites must feel. 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:39.560 They have a bit of a different posture going into the promised land than they did 40 years ago. 00:09:40.380 --> 00:09:45.780 Nevertheless, one of the biggest things that Israel will have to overcome in the promised land 00:09:45.780 --> 00:09:48.160 isn't how strong and mighty these people are, 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:51.900 but it's their perception of how strong and mighty these people are 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:55.260 in light of their own weaknesses and their shortcomings. 00:09:56.160 --> 00:10:00.660 So right off the bat, right off the bat, God is going to communicate to his people, 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:02.440 I am with you. 00:10:02.560 --> 00:10:04.980 And more than that, I am going to go before you. 00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:08.060 It shouldn't be lost on us. 00:10:08.140 --> 00:10:15.800 That God is understanding the weakness of the people to give in to their fears. 00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:19.159 And he is saying, I will go before you. 00:10:19.959 --> 00:10:21.019 He asks you a question. 00:10:21.099 --> 00:10:24.559 What confidence would this give to the average Israelite? 00:10:24.699 --> 00:10:28.379 Especially thinking, like, is this going to be the same thing that happened with Moses? 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:33.080 Okay, we're getting a bit farther than Moses did 40 years ago. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:34.759 But it's the same people. 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:37.059 Are we going to quake in our boots? 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:39.399 Is this going to be a repeat of what happened? 00:10:39.939 --> 00:10:42.860 And yet the Lord is saying, I will go before you. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:47.139 I'm going to be the strong and mighty one. 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:55.039 Listen to what Joshua continues to say, starting in verse 9 and going to verse 11 of chapter 3. 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:58.480 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:02.599 Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.579 And Joshua said, 00:11:05.199 --> 00:11:08.699 Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you, 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:17.539 and that he will, without fail, drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:20.759 the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:27.259 Behold, the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:29.439 Did you catch that? 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:35.819 The people of Israel will know that the living God is amongst them, 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:41.039 and that he will, without fail, he will, not they will, he will, without fail, 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:44.980 conquer the land on their behalf. 00:11:45.819 --> 00:11:47.299 This is what the Ark is pointing to. 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:50.559 This is what God is trying to impress upon his people. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:12:00.100 That he is the one who is the real strength behind their armor, behind their swords, behind their spears. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:04.600 He's the real one, even though they're the ones that are going to go to battle. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:05.899 He is the one who's going to fight. 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:08.659 He is the one who is going to give them the land. 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:10.600 This is what the Ark is pointing to. 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:17.899 In case you potentially don't really buy it, in 42 verses of chapter 3 and 4, 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:24.000 the Ark of the Covenant, or the Ark of the Testimony, or the Ark of the Lord, however it is, 00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:26.840 but the Ark, is mentioned 17 times. 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:33.080 As you read the Bible, just in general, if you see something come up again and again and again, 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:37.600 and you ask the question, why is this showing up so often? 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:43.879 It's the Lord communicating something to you, to me. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:47.240 17 times in 34 verses. 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:51.040 It's a remarkable repetition that we see here. 00:12:51.040 --> 00:12:55.200 The Lord is communicating to his people that they are to have confidence, 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:57.759 confidence, but confidence in him. 00:12:58.580 --> 00:13:02.020 Confidence in his presence as he goes before them. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:07.840 In many respects, the people of Israel will be spectators. 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:15.680 God is inviting them to watch and behold and be mesmerized at what he is about to do. 00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:21.940 And on the point, interestingly, that this God is the ever-living God, 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:28.160 it is a subtle way that Joshua, who is merely a mouthpiece for God, 00:13:28.900 --> 00:13:36.180 that the Lord is saying, I am the living God, and not their gods, not the Canaanite gods. 00:13:36.900 --> 00:13:38.060 I am the living God. 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:40.460 All the other gods are not living. 00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:41.860 They are false. 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:44.140 They are not strong. 00:13:44.280 --> 00:13:44.800 They are weak. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:48.180 I'll just pause here just for a second, 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:54.799 because now we begin to see how this is a timeless portion of scripture for us today, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:59.079 because God is subtly but very clearly communicating to the people, 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:04.459 when you find yourself tempted to trust in other gods, they are dead. 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:09.539 And friends, we have this propensity to do that ourselves. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:15.759 To look to other things that promise that they will come through for us. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:19.500 People that give us guarantees that if we follow them, 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:21.779 if we emulate them, 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:23.719 if we pay them enough, 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:25.779 if we trust them enough, 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:27.139 they will come through, 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:31.519 that they will be something akin to or greater than the ever-living God. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:35.099 Notice what God says again. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:38.179 Here, or what Joshua says about God. 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:41.639 Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you, 00:14:41.739 --> 00:14:44.319 and that he will, without fail, 00:14:44.959 --> 00:14:48.779 drive out from before you the people in the land of Canaan. 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:53.279 How often do we trust things 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:56.919 and think that without fail they will do the things we want? 00:14:58.419 --> 00:15:05.419 You see, again, the problem isn't about having confidence or not having confidence. 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:07.519 It's about what our confidence is in. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.739 Is your confidence in the right things? 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.519 In the right people? 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.799 Or, do you find yourself, 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:17.419 if you're being honest, 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:18.939 worshipping, 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.759 not the living God, 00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:23.699 who without fail will save your souls, 00:15:24.239 --> 00:15:26.099 but instead a false 00:15:26.099 --> 00:15:28.739 knockoff, 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.639 a Timu God, 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.419 a fake God, 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:33.199 a dollar store God. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.920 You know, 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:39.320 one of the commentators that I used, 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:41.160 he talked about how 00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:42.600 us, 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.220 here in the West, 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.540 we have this problem of, 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:46.680 this is his words, 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.100 not mine, 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.340 punifying God, 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.960 making him tiny, 00:15:51.800 --> 00:15:54.280 reducing him to something 00:15:54.280 --> 00:15:56.240 completely other than what he is. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.080 And this is, 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:57.360 I think, 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:59.560 what God is getting at when he says that, 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.399 that the living God, 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:02.600 compared to the other gods, 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.200 this is, 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.779 this is who I am. 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:10.180 We need to recognize who God is, 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.379 that he is mighty, 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:14.559 and he is the only one that can truly help us. 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:17.500 He is the only one that is able to help us, 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.779 and he is willing to do so. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.500 So, 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:23.240 we need to come to him with a proper posture. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:26.200 There's this bit here that it talks about, 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:29.639 if we go back in verses two to six, 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:33.360 they are to have a great distance between them and the ark, 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:33.820 which is, 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:34.740 on one hand, 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.820 this multitude of people, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:40.240 they're kind of going down to a lower part, 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:42.820 so the ark literally is their guide, 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:46.620 but there is also a holiness factor around the ark, 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.500 and who God is. 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:47.639 So, 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:49.279 that is why Joshua is saying, 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:49.480 listen, 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.560 consecrate yourselves, 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.399 which is to say, 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.639 prepare to, 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:56.159 to interact with, 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.639 and experience the holy God. 00:16:59.279 --> 00:16:59.560 So, 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.860 don't interact with, 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.680 with the holy God in a profane way, 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.460 which isn't to say, 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.480 profanity, 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.180 we're swearing, 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.420 or anything like that, 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.019 it's just to say, 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.140 not holy. 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.780 So, 00:17:09.860 --> 00:17:11.300 the people are to consecrate themselves, 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:11.820 they are to, 00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:13.840 to ritually clean themselves, 00:17:14.020 --> 00:17:15.820 and to abstain from profane things. 00:17:17.020 --> 00:17:19.160 They are to have the right posture before this God. 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:25.240 God will delight in showing up. 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.300 This is who he is. 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:28.220 So, 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:30.800 the priests go down into the Jordan, 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:33.300 and then we see something remarkable happen, 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:35.280 as they wade into the waters. 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:37.060 Look with me at verses 14 and 17, 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:39.579 and this will be our second point. 00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:43.259 Verses 14 to 17 of chapter 3. 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.259 So, 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:47.079 when the people set out from their tents, 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:48.579 to pass over the Jordan, 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:50.759 with the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant, 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:51.539 before the people, 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.599 and as soon as those bearing the Ark, 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:56.160 had come as far as the Jordan, 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:58.700 and the feet of the priests bearing the Ark, 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:00.559 were dipped in the brink of the water, 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:03.319 now the Jordan overflows all its banks, 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.759 through the time of harvest, 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:07.339 the waters coming down from above, 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.079 stood and rose up in a heap, 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.699 very far away at Adam, 00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:13.519 the city that is beside Zarethan. 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:17.039 Those flowing down toward the Sea of Ereba, 00:18:17.199 --> 00:18:17.859 the Salt Sea, 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:19.359 were completely cut off, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:22.500 and the people passed over opposite Jericho. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:25.419 Now the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:28.079 stood firmly on dry ground, 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:29.379 in the midst of the Jordan, 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:32.899 and all Israel was passing over on dry ground, 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.939 until all the nations finished passing over the Jordan. 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:38.900 The Jordan, interestingly, 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:41.200 this little parenthesis here, 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.860 it's in the flooding season. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.779 So for us, I mean, 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:46.320 we don't understand how, 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.039 maybe you do, 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:51.860 how kind of the Jordan River works. 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.039 In some places, 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:54.480 it's a very small river, 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.380 it's almost like a brook. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:58.720 It would be very easy to ford the river, 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:00.900 but in the flooding season, 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:05.660 it becomes a very fast-moving river. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.620 It overflows the banks, 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.259 and the banks, 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:12.960 at least in this area of ancient Israel, 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.440 they were full of brambles. 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:14.740 I mean, 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:16.460 many of the commentaries I used 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:18.259 described it as almost like a jungle. 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:22.200 So not only would the waters flood the banks, 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:25.200 but they would hide this overgrown, 00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:28.100 very difficult area to get through. 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:31.259 You need like a machete to make your way through. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:33.179 And we see that the spies, 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.599 two young, strong men, 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.919 they could ford the river. 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.519 Maybe they went a bit north. 00:19:38.959 --> 00:19:40.240 Maybe they were just excellent, 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:43.619 strong, swimming young men, 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.959 and they just crossed it. 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.639 But can you cross 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:49.879 a flooded, swollen river 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.879 with young people, 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.539 with children, 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:55.220 with weak people, 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:57.480 with people that are very, very elderly, 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.319 with a great mass of people? 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:02.319 Joshua, the narrator, 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:02.940 is telling us, 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.299 absolutely not. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.099 This is the worst time 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:07.019 to cross the Jordan. 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:08.960 So, 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.119 God, 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.279 what we see here, 00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:13.740 is choosing to bring Israel across 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.339 into the Promised Land 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.559 into such a way 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.480 as to expose 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.539 their weaknesses, 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.899 their physical weaknesses, 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:22.299 and more importantly, 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:22.980 his greatness. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:27.720 We'll see at the end of chapter 4, 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:29.240 the Red Sea is mentioned, 00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:31.059 but it's important to mention it now. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:33.659 Just as when Israel was weak, 00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:36.240 they were fleeing Egypt, 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.639 and they were faced 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:39.039 with the Red Sea in front of them, 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:40.500 and Pharaoh's army behind them, 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:42.359 God brought them through the Red Sea, 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:44.259 so too will he bring them through 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.659 another body of water, 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.500 the Jordan. 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.740 But something else is at play here. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.440 I think this is a wonderful thing 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:50.940 to consider. 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.879 The Jordan, 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:55.060 this is the first instance 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:56.140 where we're going to read 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:57.220 about the Jordan 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:59.660 having some serious significance 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:02.160 in the story of the Bible. 00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:03.460 But throughout the Bible, 00:21:03.780 --> 00:21:04.640 the Jordan River 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:07.260 is a bit of a transitional place, 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.960 a transformational place. 00:21:10.800 --> 00:21:11.880 So what do I mean? 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:16.400 The Jordan is a place 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:18.940 in various narratives 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:20.560 where people go 00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:23.000 and they cease to be the same 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.660 when they leave. 00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:25.540 In this case, 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.340 the people of Israel 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:27.640 prepare to cross 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:29.160 the Jordan, 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.960 coming out of the Jordan 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.900 on the other side. 00:21:33.040 --> 00:21:33.560 Interestingly, 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.900 in the text, 00:21:35.040 --> 00:21:35.840 they go in 00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:37.120 as the people of Israel, 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.640 but when they come out 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.180 of the Jordan, 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:40.860 the narrative says 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.320 that they are 00:21:41.320 --> 00:21:42.759 the nation of Israel. 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:45.060 No longer are they 00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:46.440 wandering people, 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:47.640 but we start to see 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:49.220 a nationhood 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.680 emerge 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.960 after they come through. 00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:53.620 They're transformed 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:54.680 by going through 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.240 the Jordan 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.140 in the same way, 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:56.880 similarly, 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.920 in the Red Sea 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:58.940 that they are slaves, 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.600 they go through 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.400 and they're freemen 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.840 on the other side. 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:03.620 But as we continue 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:05.039 to read the biblical story, 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.460 we see other such 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.480 transitional, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.799 transformational actions 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.799 happening at the Jordan. 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.759 If you are familiar 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.720 with the Bible story, 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.559 some of these names 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:17.319 will ring a bell. 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.819 Others, 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.940 if this is new to you, 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.619 no problem. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.379 It just means 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.019 that you're getting 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.240 a bit of a snapshot 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.339 into some future 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:24.859 Bible reading. 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.180 Naaman, 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.700 he was a wicked king 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.559 who had leprosy. 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:31.519 He gets cleansed 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.399 of his leprosy 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:34.420 by bathing in the Jordan. 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:36.820 Elisha, 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.380 the prophet, 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.080 is taken from 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:40.160 this earthly life 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.080 and taken up 00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:41.560 into heaven. 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:43.000 Where does this take place? 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.080 It takes place 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:45.000 at the Jordan. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.740 And likewise, 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.080 in that same story, 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:49.560 his successor, 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.340 Elisha, 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.480 he is blessed 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.480 with a double portion 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.519 of spiritual strength. 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.740 He comes there 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:56.560 less than 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:59.320 when he leaves. 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.500 He is transformed. 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.400 And most importantly 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:03.980 for us, 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.519 we see John 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.519 baptizing where? 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.940 In the Jordan 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.880 for the remission 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.620 of sins. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.759 And who comes 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.500 to get baptized 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.819 by John the Baptist? 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.620 But Jesus himself. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.460 Okay? 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.599 Not that Jesus 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.460 had sins, 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.740 but that he 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.940 so identified 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:23.799 with humanity 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:25.360 that he 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.420 was baptized 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.620 for the remission 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.460 of sins. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.660 And he comes 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:31.019 up out of the water 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.319 and this voice 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:32.779 from heaven 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.379 declares, 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:33.920 behold, 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.799 this is my son 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:36.599 whom I am well pleased. 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.400 And we start 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.379 to see the beginning 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:39.900 of the new covenant 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.059 being inaugurated 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.579 where God 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.500 is going to 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.859 transform 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.639 not just 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.619 a few people 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.299 or not just 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.400 one nation, 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:48.980 but all 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.480 who would come 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:49.839 to him. 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:52.459 So it's not just 00:23:52.459 --> 00:23:53.179 that the Jordan 00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:54.039 is this place 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.099 that just so 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:56.199 happens to find 00:23:56.199 --> 00:23:57.359 itself in various 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.059 narratives through 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.539 the Bible. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:23:59.799 But again, 00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:01.699 God is helping 00:24:01.699 --> 00:24:03.059 us to see 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.459 that he is going 00:24:04.459 --> 00:24:04.919 to be doing 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.939 something remarkable, 00:24:06.179 --> 00:24:06.419 something 00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:07.679 transforming 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:10.980 amongst his people 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.879 with this body 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:12.359 of water. 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:15.299 See, 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.119 God transforms 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.379 us. 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.659 This is the story 00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:18.059 of Scripture. 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.399 He is always 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:20.859 looking to heal. 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.599 He is always 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.639 looking to 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.259 cleanse. 00:24:23.479 --> 00:24:24.039 He is always 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.039 looking to 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.259 take individuals 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.019 and bring them 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.879 into a family. 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.559 He is always 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.379 looking to 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:31.779 transform people 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:33.659 from death 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.339 and decay 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:35.079 to life 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.799 and flourishing. 00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:36.779 This is what 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.679 God is doing 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.359 and we're seeing 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.259 this in the story. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.839 This is who 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.419 God is. 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:43.519 We are seeing 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.220 his character 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.159 expressed in 00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:45.899 his actions. 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.339 This is what 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:48.759 we are called 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.379 to have confidence 00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:49.659 in. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.839 This is what 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.379 we are called, 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.220 the Israelites 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.959 are called to 00:24:52.959 --> 00:24:53.899 see and to 00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:54.399 recognize. 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.279 They are no 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.220 longer a people 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.699 wandering. 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:57.519 They are a 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.220 nation. 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.519 And God 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.019 has done it 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.220 all. 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.740 It's incredible. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.519 He transforms 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.199 otherwise 00:25:04.199 --> 00:25:05.539 untransformable 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:07.359 people who 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:08.220 desperately need 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.859 transforming. 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.639 But, 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.559 we need to 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:15.019 also remember 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.559 that, 00:25:16.459 --> 00:25:16.639 yes, 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.459 God transforms, 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.579 but we have 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.139 a problem. 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.259 We forget 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.079 what he does. 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.740 He does 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.419 some wonderful 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:24.879 acts. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.519 Maybe you 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.199 yourselves have 00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:27.240 had these 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.359 incredible moments 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.919 with the Lord 00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:29.699 in Scripture, 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.699 at church, 00:25:31.159 --> 00:25:31.539 where you're 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.480 just sure, 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.099 as sure, 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.699 as sure, 00:25:33.699 --> 00:25:34.559 that God 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.199 has showed up 00:25:35.199 --> 00:25:35.740 in your life. 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.399 That you had 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:38.139 a heavy heart 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:38.759 because of 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.859 hidden sin, 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.479 because of 00:25:40.479 --> 00:25:41.279 the weight 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:41.859 of shame, 00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.419 and he had 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.159 lifted it 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:43.819 off of you, 00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:44.359 and you are 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.399 light as a 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:45.619 feather, 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.240 and yet, 00:25:46.439 --> 00:25:47.259 that was way 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.759 back then, 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.659 and I can't 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.299 for the life of me 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.899 remember what 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.939 that's like. 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.199 And we have a 00:25:52.199 --> 00:25:52.979 propensity then 00:25:52.979 --> 00:25:54.179 to, again, 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.740 going back to our 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.199 first point, 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.939 not trust in the 00:25:56.939 --> 00:25:57.899 ever-living God, 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:59.000 but trust in 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.299 false gods, 00:26:00.479 --> 00:26:01.699 in Timu gods, 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.039 in dollar store 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.419 gods, 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.619 in that we 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.759 have this problem 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.019 of punifying God. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.139 So, 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.359 what does God 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.079 do with us 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.579 who have 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.660 very faulty 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.119 memories? 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.599 He helps us 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:15.079 to remember, 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.940 and this leads 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.319 us to our 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:17.019 third and final 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.359 point, 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.259 and we're going 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.480 to look at 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.980 the stones. 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.059 Joshua chapter 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.440 four, 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.359 verses four to 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:22.779 seven, 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.319 and now we 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:24.839 are on page 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.359 18. 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.200 Then Joshua 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.680 called the 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.299 twelve men 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.879 from the people 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.339 of Israel, 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:30.859 whom he had 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.220 appointed, 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.420 a man from 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.319 each tribe, 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.460 and Joshua 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.079 said to them, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.920 Pass on before 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.500 the ark of 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.980 the Lord your 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.480 God into 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:37.880 the midst 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.460 of the Jordan, 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.900 and take up 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.500 each of you 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.539 a stone upon 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.140 his shoulder, 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.319 according to 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.759 the number 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.480 of tribes 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.059 of the people 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.640 of Israel, 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.059 that this may 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.900 be a sign 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.519 among you. 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.420 When your 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.220 children ask 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.720 in time to 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:50.960 come, 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.339 what do those 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.059 stones mean 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.480 to you? 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:54.500 Then you 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:54.880 shall tell 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:55.640 them that 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.160 the waters 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.819 of the Jordan 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.359 were cut 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.960 off before 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.500 the ark 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:58.859 of the 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.119 covenant 00:26:59.119 --> 00:26:59.500 of the 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.700 Lord. 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.839 When it 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.299 passed over 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.740 the Jordan, 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.880 the waters 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.579 of the Jordan 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.000 were cut 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.279 off. 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.559 So these 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.319 stones shall 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.279 be to the 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.980 people of 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.659 Israel a 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.200 memorial 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.439 forever. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.740 The entire 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.679 nation crosses. 00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:15.839 A remarkable 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:17.079 miracle 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:19.839 has been 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.419 done by 00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:20.839 God. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.099 It is a 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.619 supernatural 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.259 act, 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:23.819 which is just 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.500 to say that 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:26.539 the God 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:26.819 who has 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.559 created heaven 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.220 and earth, 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.319 who is the 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.220 uncreated one, 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.859 enters into 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:34.479 his creation, 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.019 the natural 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.479 order of 00:27:35.479 --> 00:27:35.719 things, 00:27:35.959 --> 00:27:36.539 and does 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:36.879 something 00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:37.679 supernatural. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.500 And all 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.139 of Israel 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.899 goes through 00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:42.500 and right 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.139 off the bat, 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:44.039 right away, 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.819 God, 00:27:44.959 --> 00:27:46.240 anticipating their 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.659 propensity to 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.000 forget, 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.559 says, 00:27:48.979 --> 00:27:49.459 as you're going 00:27:49.459 --> 00:27:49.779 through, 00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:50.799 grab a big 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.199 stone. 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:52.319 And we 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:52.899 think it's 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.339 big because 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:53.699 they had to 00:27:53.699 --> 00:27:54.419 hoist it on 00:27:54.419 --> 00:27:54.899 their shoulder. 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.039 Get a big 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.479 stone from 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.640 the riverbed 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.220 to the other 00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.700 side, 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.039 and we're 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.860 going to 00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:02.000 erect a 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.720 memorial to 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.019 help you 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.420 remember. 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.640 The nation 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.319 that we are 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.779 seeing, 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.660 that is being 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.420 formed in 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.019 the story, 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.420 all of a 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.220 sudden has 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.099 a bit of a 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.799 national history 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.220 developing. 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.279 And here's a 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:15.680 wonderful thing 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.400 about memorials. 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:16.860 We still do 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.279 them today, 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.059 and they are 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.519 wonderful. 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.400 They inform 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:20.980 us of what 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.660 happened in 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.240 the past. 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.259 They remind 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.039 us of what 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.559 is worth 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.259 remembering, 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.360 and call us 00:28:26.360 --> 00:28:26.880 to action 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.480 in the 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.100 present and 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:28.520 the future. 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.160 Memorials 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.680 aren't just 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.940 there to 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.800 remember the 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.220 past. 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.400 They help 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:33.600 us. 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.360 And sometimes 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:36.200 the memorials, 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.860 they remember 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:38.600 a horrific 00:28:38.600 --> 00:28:40.040 event. 00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:41.820 If you've 00:28:41.820 --> 00:28:42.240 ever had a 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.980 chance to 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.560 go to 00:28:43.560 --> 00:28:43.980 Israel, 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.260 there's a 00:28:45.260 --> 00:28:45.880 museum called 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.540 Yad Vashem, 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.200 and it is 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.500 a very, 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:48.860 very, 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:49.460 you don't 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:49.980 go there 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.480 like you're 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:50.600 going to 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:51.000 go to the 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.380 science and 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.860 tech museum. 00:28:52.020 --> 00:28:52.500 It's not a 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.900 great time. 00:28:53.360 --> 00:28:54.000 But you go 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.340 there, 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.220 and you 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.460 witness the 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.299 horrors, 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.460 you remember 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:58.980 the horrors 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.860 of the 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.160 Holocaust, 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.480 and then 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.779 you leave 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.140 there, 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.100 hopefully in 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.680 such a way 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:06.019 as to never 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.759 want to see 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.500 them again, 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.380 that you're 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.779 willing to 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.539 fight against 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.799 evil. 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.360 Likewise 00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:14.340 with Vimy Ridge, 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.620 the memorial 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.500 in Vimy Ridge. 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.160 I've never 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.620 been there. 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.180 I've been to 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.500 Dieppe, 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:18.819 and it was 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.460 very moving. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:21.160 But Vimy Ridge, 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.799 I've been told 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.400 by people that 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:22.980 have gone there, 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.380 it is an 00:29:24.380 --> 00:29:24.980 incredibly 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.940 somber 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.160 place to 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.400 go, 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:27.839 and they 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.680 have intact 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.360 preserved 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.700 trenches. 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:31.660 And you 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.099 go there, 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.420 and you 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:32.980 see the 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.259 cost of 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:34.640 life, 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.380 and the 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:36.180 horrors of 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:36.559 war, 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.519 and the 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.279 idea is 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.700 that peace 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.180 is worth 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.019 fighting for, 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.319 and that 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.220 freedom is 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.940 not free. 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.819 Memorials have 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.680 this remarkable 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.839 way of 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.519 helping us 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.079 to remember 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.680 the past, 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.539 and then 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.579 acting upon 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.299 it in the 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:52.619 future. 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.659 You know, 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.099 that old 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.519 adage, 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:55.980 those who 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.700 forget the 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.119 past are 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.480 doomed to 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:57.859 repeat it, 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.279 I think it 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.759 rings somewhat 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.039 true. 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:00.460 I think 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.279 memorials help 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.619 us to 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.859 remember the 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:03.220 past. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:03.859 So what we 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.460 see here, 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.119 the memorial 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.339 that Joshua 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:07.879 is setting 00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:08.359 up is 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:08.899 similar. 00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:09.759 It is to 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.500 remind the 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:10.940 people of 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.519 Israel that 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:12.980 their God 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.339 is the 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.879 ever-living 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.379 God, 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.539 and that he 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.099 did something 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:17.139 so incredibly 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:17.759 miraculous, 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.099 and that if 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:19.399 he could 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:20.299 stop an 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.259 entire river 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.859 in flooding 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.279 season, 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.399 in a 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:23.759 miraculous 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.200 way, 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.460 what are 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.740 these walls 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.419 of Jericho 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:28.159 really made 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:28.480 up to 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.700 him? 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.200 They're 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.539 nothing. 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:30.720 We'll see 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.619 soon, 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.240 in a couple 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.559 weeks, 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.000 that that's 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.619 exactly what 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:33.980 they are. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.159 That God, 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.599 if he can 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.079 do the 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.539 miraculous, 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.059 there's 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.779 nothing, 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.180 there is 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.220 nothing that 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.779 he can't 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.000 do. 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.659 But Israel 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:43.559 constantly is 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:43.940 forgetting. 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.399 In fact, 00:30:44.919 --> 00:30:45.700 Israel's greatest 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.859 weakness is 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.740 forgetfulness. 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.000 That's the 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.740 biggest impediment 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.079 to their 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.359 faith. 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:52.079 It is not 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.000 the Philistines, 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.380 okay? 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.019 It is not 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.779 Goliath. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.019 It is not 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.099 Assyria. 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.000 It is not 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.720 Babylon. 00:30:59.480 --> 00:30:59.900 It's not 00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:00.599 Rome. 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.519 It's their 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.460 propensity to 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:03.960 forget. 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.640 They're always 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:07.099 forgetting. 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:08.400 And when 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.779 panic sets 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.359 in, when 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.059 things scare 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.700 them, they 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.359 don't turn to 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:12.880 the ever-living 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:13.200 God. 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.539 What do they 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.019 turn to? 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:15.380 They turn to 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:15.920 the false 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:17.200 gods, the 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.819 Timu gods, 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.220 the dollar 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.920 store gods. 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.620 And God 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.259 says, okay, 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:21.940 let them 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.400 save you. 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.480 And they 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:24.920 don't. 00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.019 And Israel 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.819 finds itself 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:29.279 constantly in 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.500 a cycle of 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.200 destruction, and 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.920 finally they call 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.400 it to the one 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.319 true God, and 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:33.880 because he is 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.360 kind and 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.200 merciful, he 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:35.740 acts. 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.360 And then the 00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:38.299 same cycle 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.860 happens again. 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.460 They forget. 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.640 And friends, 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.980 this is not 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.799 just Israel's 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.420 problem, this 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:44.059 is our 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.920 problem too. 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:47.220 It's our 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.860 problem as 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.120 well. 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.100 You know, the 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:51.220 Israelites, they 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.860 pass through the 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:52.600 Jordan, a 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.440 remarkable thing. 00:31:53.560 --> 00:31:54.180 They're given a 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:55.519 memorial to 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.259 remember God's 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.320 mightiest acts. 00:31:59.060 --> 00:31:59.480 And you know, 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:01.720 I'm sure it 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.460 worked for a 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.700 time, and then 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.420 they fell away, and 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.259 they came back, and 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.180 they were reminded. 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.620 This is what God 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:07.900 does. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.900 It's an act of 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.600 his kindness, and 00:32:09.600 --> 00:32:10.360 he gives us a 00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:11.180 memorial as well. 00:32:12.100 --> 00:32:12.860 Every time we 00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:14.320 gather around the 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.619 Lord's table, we 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:19.000 remember that God 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:20.779 the Father sent 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:22.619 God the Son to 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:25.299 take upon himself 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.299 human flesh to 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:27.839 live and to die, to 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.539 take upon our 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.939 sins, to pay the 00:32:29.939 --> 00:32:31.119 penalty, to be 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:32.819 physically crucified, 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.720 to stay in a 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.480 grave for three 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.339 days and rise 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.659 again to new 00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.279 life, and then 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.099 ascend to heaven 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.960 and then give us 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:41.700 God, the Holy 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:43.019 Spirit, as a 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.920 down payment and 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:45.039 a promise of 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:46.619 the incredible 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:47.759 glory that awaits 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.139 us. 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.139 This is a memorial 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:52.319 so that we leave 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.879 here, and Monday 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:55.319 we get into it 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.139 with our spouse. 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.740 We're disappointed 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.720 by a child. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:33:00.039 We're frustrated by 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.700 a co-worker. 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.619 There's self-hatred 00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.420 going on in our 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:04.379 own lives, and 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.160 then all of a 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:05.920 sudden, Tuesday and 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.079 Wednesday come, and 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.379 we have forgotten 00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:09.879 the ever-living God. 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:10.720 Okay? 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.359 We have forgotten 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:13.799 him, and we 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:15.599 have confidence, we 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.639 strive to find 00:33:16.639 --> 00:33:17.679 confidence in other 00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:18.819 things, in our 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.399 self, in our 00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:21.000 prowess, in our 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.959 ability to solve 00:33:21.959 --> 00:33:24.899 problems, and in 00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:26.479 the end, it might 00:33:26.479 --> 00:33:27.399 work for a moment, 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:29.259 but it will never be 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:31.839 an enduring thing 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:33.319 that truly solves 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:33.959 our problems. 00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:37.219 Will you turn to 00:33:37.219 --> 00:33:38.079 the ever-living God? 00:33:38.139 --> 00:33:38.819 Will you remember 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.079 him? 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:39.980 So that when we 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:42.119 come on Sunday, we 00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:43.519 are reminded afresh. 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:44.079 It's like a 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.460 memorial. 00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.079 This is like the 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:46.099 twelve stones here, 00:33:46.139 --> 00:33:46.480 in a way. 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.179 We are reminded, 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.259 hold on a second, 00:33:49.899 --> 00:33:51.559 we have a God, and 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.659 Lord, we are sorry 00:33:52.659 --> 00:33:54.059 for punifying you, 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.480 for treating you 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.319 this big, and 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:56.939 treating you like 00:33:56.939 --> 00:33:57.359 you're a dollar 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:57.960 store God. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.339 And we come to 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.000 the table, we hear 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.720 God's word, and 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.240 then we come to 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.359 the table, and 00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:04.500 we're reminded who 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.659 it is that fights 00:34:05.659 --> 00:34:06.259 our battles. 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:08.780 Listen, what 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:11.199 problems are you 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:12.079 not trusting God 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.360 for? 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.119 Where is there 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:16.039 hopelessness in your 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.340 life? 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:20.159 What habitual 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:21.619 sins and 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:23.860 issues and 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.780 things that 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.679 frustrate you and 00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.420 bring shame upon 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.099 your life to no 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.360 end, what 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.840 things have you 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.780 just given up on, 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.500 and you're not 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.039 looking to the 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.619 Lord for help 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.420 anymore? 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:33.460 Because, you know, 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:34.500 the flip side of 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:35.639 having confidence in 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.519 the wrong thing is 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:37.420 not having confidence 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.099 at all and being 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.420 hopeless. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.960 Are you trusting in 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:42.760 this one true God, 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.820 this ever-living God, 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.539 to fight your 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:44.940 battles? 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.960 Friends, he wants 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:47.320 to fight them for 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.539 you. 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:49.099 He is eager. 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.639 He is eager to be 00:34:50.639 --> 00:34:51.179 trusted. 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:54.760 His heart towards 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:56.940 you is much 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.219 stronger than your 00:34:58.219 --> 00:35:00.099 desire to seek him 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.340 out. 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:01.760 He wants to 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:02.239 cleanse. 00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:03.819 He wants to 00:35:03.819 --> 00:35:05.939 transform. 00:35:06.259 --> 00:35:06.659 He wants to 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.259 bring you from 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:08.239 this earthly 00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:09.939 frustration to 00:35:09.939 --> 00:35:10.639 this heavenly 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:12.539 city that he 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.059 has promised 00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:13.339 you. 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:15.259 Are you 00:35:15.259 --> 00:35:15.859 trusting him? 00:35:16.879 --> 00:35:17.379 Will you 00:35:17.379 --> 00:35:17.919 trust him? 00:35:19.979 --> 00:35:21.099 Listen, the 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:21.639 Israelites are 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:22.559 reminded with a 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:24.259 memorial, if God 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:25.099 can stop the 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:26.059 river some 18 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:27.039 kilometers north of 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.639 us so that we 00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.559 can, as a full 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.839 people, cross 00:35:29.839 --> 00:35:31.219 over and become a 00:35:31.219 --> 00:35:31.759 nation on the 00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:32.240 other side. 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.180 He can fight our 00:35:33.180 --> 00:35:33.440 battles. 00:35:33.520 --> 00:35:33.980 But here's the 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:35.200 wonderful thing for 00:35:35.200 --> 00:35:35.780 us to remember. 00:35:36.580 --> 00:35:38.100 If God did not 00:35:38.100 --> 00:35:40.460 even withhold his 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:44.080 own son, what 00:35:44.080 --> 00:35:44.820 victory, what 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:47.860 prayer will he not 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.580 answer for you? 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.960 What strength will he 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.860 not give you when you 00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:52.780 need it to endure 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:53.340 suffering? 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.140 Okay? 00:35:57.180 --> 00:35:58.800 Listen, hold God to 00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.280 the test. 00:36:00.220 --> 00:36:01.920 Not in a bad way 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.680 like Satan tries to 00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:03.420 tempt Jesus, okay? 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.039 Just to be clear. 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:06.240 But hold him to 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.660 his word. 00:36:08.080 --> 00:36:08.340 Pray. 00:36:09.620 --> 00:36:10.260 Ask him for 00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:10.720 strength. 00:36:11.560 --> 00:36:12.340 Ask him to show 00:36:12.340 --> 00:36:12.740 up. 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.300 Confess to him that 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:16.220 you have been 00:36:16.220 --> 00:36:17.220 punifying him. 00:36:17.660 --> 00:36:18.039 You have been 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:18.900 treating him small. 00:36:19.560 --> 00:36:20.080 And that you have 00:36:20.080 --> 00:36:21.240 given up on 00:36:21.240 --> 00:36:22.080 victory in your 00:36:22.080 --> 00:36:22.539 life. 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:22.619 faith. 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.800 You'll show up 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:27.019 day in, day out, 00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:28.079 week in, week out, 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:29.500 year in, year out, 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.279 to church, okay? 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:30.679 Whatever. 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:32.199 God might show up. 00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:32.860 He might not show 00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:32.940 up. 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.340 I'm going to go 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:33.900 through the motions. 00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.639 That's all I have. 00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:34.940 Okay. 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.000 Okay. 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.960 But confess that to 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.119 him. 00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:38.119 And watch what he 00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.699 will do. 00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:40.779 God the Father has 00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.719 not withheld his 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:42.460 only son. 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.759 He has suffered in 00:36:44.759 --> 00:36:45.759 your stead upon the 00:36:45.759 --> 00:36:47.960 cross to pay for 00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.639 your sins. 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.199 friends. 00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:50.559 There is no 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.400 situation too 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.739 hopeless. 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.159 Let us trust in 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:53.259 him.