God gets the glory when He clearly leads through supernatural intervention. Here’s how it’s done.
Joshua 3: Israel Crosses the Jordan
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp
3 and commanded the people, "As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it.
4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."
5 Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
6 And Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
7 The LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
8 And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'"
9 And Joshua said to the people of Israel, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God."
10 And Joshua said, "Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan.
12 Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man.
13 And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap."
14 So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,
15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),
16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho.
17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.
Joshua 4: Twelve Memorial Stones from the Jordan
1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua,
2 "Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man,
3 and command them, saying, 'Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.'"
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe.
5 And Joshua said to them, "Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel,
6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?'
7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."
8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the LORD told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there.
9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day.
10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people passed over in haste.
11 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people.
12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the people of Israel, as Moses had told them.
13 About 40,000 ready for war passed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho.
14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.
15 And the LORD said to Joshua,
16 "Command the priests bearing the ark of the testimony to come up out of the Jordan."
17 So Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up out of the Jordan."
18 And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.
19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
21 And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?'
22 then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.'
23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,
24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."
Things to think about…
Joshua was exalted in the eyes of the people as Moses was exalted, Josh 3:7. Note that the same thing is said by Joshua before the Jordan parting as was said by Moses at the Red Sea parting “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you”, vs 5. This was to confirm Joshua’s leadership by showing that the same God was with him as was with Moses. The world needs to see God’s obvious power and presence in the lives of Christians. It goes without saying the church needs to see the Lord’s obvious power and presence in the Pastor, Elders and Leadership of the church. Pray it is so.
There was to be a distance of 2000 cubits between the people and the ark of the covenant, Josh 3:4. Why? It says in order that they might know where to go. The Lord is to lead His people. But more than this, God is also separate, He is holy. There is a distinct difference between Him and fallen humanity. We are called to show this difference in what we say, do and believe. Praise God our Lord Jesus draws us into the Lord’s presence, and we are brought near through His blood.
Joshua had faith as he proclaimed that the Lord would do a miracle. Note that the priests and the ark are standing in the middle of the riverbed while Israel passes over on dry ground, Josh 3:17. The Lord is in the midst of our trials. If He were not then surely the waters of doubt, fear and despair would flow over us. Let’s keep trusting in Him by letting Him take care of the miracles that are needed for whatever deliverance is required. Keep praising His name.
The twelve memorial stones of Josh 4 were taken from the middle of the riverbed and set on the bank on the Jericho side of the bank. One was taken by each tribal leader. The children of generations to follow would ask what the stones meant, Josh 4:6,21. This was an opportunity to speak about the God who leads and delivers His people. What stories do you have that you can pass onto your children? Stories of deliverance, guidance, and blessing. We all need to have a testimony, a memorial, which we leave as a witness to the faithfulness of our God when we have come through a time of trial or been led and needed His clear direction.
The point of it all is given in Josh 4:24 “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever”. Amen. May it be true of our witness before those who don’t presently know Him in Ipswich and surrounding areas.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
For Cell Groups.
Reading was from Heb 10:1-17 - Title “What can you offer?”
1. The writer of Hebrews, likely Paul, says that the law was a shadow of the “good things to come”, vs 1. What does this phrase mean? Was there something wrong with the law?
2. Shadows are fine. They can provide many things including shade. But they point to an object that casts the shadow, something more substantial. Christ is the Cornerstone of the building. We are the living stones. Jay spoke about standing outside on the porch or verandah, but not be part of the building inside. What are ways some people can do this as part of being religious?
3. Jay asked what you are striving for in this life. What is important or valuable to you. Are you getting value for your money and time? If Christ has done the most important thing, He has made us perfect, but we are being perfected vs 14. What does this verse mean?
4. As Christians we are now slaves of righteousness and not slaves to self. We have been bought with the blood of Christ. As such we are to offer ourselves up as “living sacrifices, which is our spiritual (reasonable) worship (service) to God,” Rom 12:1. How is this achieved by you?
Prayer Points
1. Heavily rain affected areas – especially NSW.
2. Recharge leader for our Friday night ministry
3. Wedding and baptisms on the 18th April.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
5. New families as they settle into church.
6. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
7. Getting drawings into council.
8. Sunday’s message – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. More visitors to church on Sunday.
2. We praise God for the rain but pray for those affected by potential flooding in Sydney and surrounding areas.
3. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
4. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
5. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Last Recharge event for this term on Friday night. Get youth to invite their friends, 6:30pm Friday to 8:30pm.
2. Wedding and baptisms coming up 18th April at Church and Colleges Crossing
3. Good Friday service 2nd April 9:00am and Easter Sunday service 4th April 9:30am.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
