Reset Series: Remember

Reset Series

Remember - Part 5

January 28, 2018

Joshua 4:4-3, 6-7, 12-13, 21-24 NLT

4 When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 "Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3 Tell them, 'Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.'"
6We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' 7 Then you can tell them, 'They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord's Covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever."
12 The armed warriors from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh led the Israelites across the Jordan, just as Moses had directed. 13 These armed men—about 40,000 strong—were ready for battle, and the Lord was with them as they crossed over to the plains of Jericho.
21 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future, your children will ask, 'What do these stones mean?' 22 Then you can tell them, 'This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the Lord, your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea* when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord's hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever." Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
This morning in this final message in the “Reset Series” (How this year can be different) our text reveals the power of remembering. Before we get to the meat of the message I want to share a brief story about a thief who was reminded “Jesus was watching him!”
The story goes that a burglar had been casing a particular house for some time. Finally, he saw the owners leave for what appeared to be an extended camping trip. That night he broke in through a basement window and was trying to find his way in the dark when he hears a voice say, “I see you and Jesus sees you!’ He freezes in his tracks briefly and scans with his flashlight.
His flashlight beam falls on a parrot in a cage and as soon as the parrot is illuminated it says, “I see you and Jesus see you!” Startled but relieved the burglar laughs and says, “Hush up stupid bird!”
But once again the voice, "I see you, and Jesus sees you!" The burglar and his flashlight final locate the basement stairs, only to spot an enormous slavering Doberman waiting at the top
Just then the parrot says, "Sic 'em, Jesus!" OK – not back to our text and the message …
For 2018 to be different it is imperative that I establish memorials to jog me to remember. This will lead me ….

1. To Recall – Joshua 4:6-7

We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' 7 Then you can tell them, 'They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord's Covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever." NTL
For this year to be different I must establish memorials to recall:

1. The Struggles (v.3)

Tell them, 'Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.'" NLT

• These were not pebbles or even rocks – more than likely boulders as large as a man could singularly carry because they were making a memorial a monument to commemorate the crossing.
• Those who were there that day would recall the effort the struggle to extricate them and those who would see them later would reflect on this as well.
• These stones of remembrance could serve to remind them of the struggles:

Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes, you will see them. Isa 30:20 NIV

• Conflict can build character
  • We often overlook that the young man Joshua became a leader and his character & leadership skills were developed through the desert journey for 40 years!
• Our Struggles should build strength
  • Every struggle you and I face whether it’s a boulder or a flood is meant to produce strength, trust, and perseverance. Every struggle will become a story either how you got stronger or …

Ultimately God’s purpose of building the memorial was for them to recall…

1. The Triumphs (v.7) 'They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord's Covenant went across.' NTL

Remember God’s miraculous invention – the Jordan was at flood stage

• When you faced walled cities – strongholds you, you need to recall the what the Lord has done!
• When you face Giants/ problems larger than you, you need to recall what the Lord has done!
• When you face rivers and circumstances that seem uncross able we must recall what the Lord has done!

The next thing this text reveals to us is that it is imperative that I establish memorial to reminder me …

1. To Be Ready – Joshua 4:12-13

The armed warriors from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh led the Israelites across the Jordan, just as Moses had directed. 13 These armed men—about 40,000 strong—were ready for battle, and the Lord was with them as they crossed over to the plains of Jericho. NTL
What we must not miss is that the Israelites weren’t native. They understood that the enemy was laying down just because of one victory or invention – they crossed over the Jordan “ready for battle…”
They were ready for battle for two purposes –

1. To Defend (v.13)
2. To Conquer (v.13)

Same is truth for us. God has instructed you to be ready for spiritual battle because the enemy has not laid down ….
Eph 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. NIV

• Ready to defend against the devil’s schemes
  • Uses the physical and natural things to attempt to attack us to defeat us spiritually. (arguments, misunderstand, fear, etc.)
• Ready to defend against spiritual forces
  • Here we must lift up the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit – Word of God.
  • The week of Prayer and Fasting was an application of this truth for me

Finally, it is imperative that I establish memorials to jog me to remember that will lead me ….

• To Reverence – Joshua 4:23-24

23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea* when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord's hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever." NTL

1. Leads to obedience (v.8) So the men did as Joshua commanded them (and Joshua was following the Lords command!)
   • If we reverence God, we will obey him and follow his lead
   • Whatever he says to you do it! Remember delayed obedience is still disobedience
   • Our acting on faith at his commands shows our reverence for who he is!
   • Faith in obeying him …

1. Leads to Worship (v.24) might know that the Lord's hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.
   • He (God) desires to display is glory and power through us when that happens we are in awe of HIM!

Play igniter video “Endless Possibilities”
Conclusion:
Pray for those in a struggle/battles to see differently as events that God will shape to their good and his glory
Pray anticipation of both the battle and the victory head