1 00:00:14,139 --> 00:00:17,339 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,660 --> 00:00:27,039 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,380 --> 00:00:41,020 Lord, we just bless your holy name tonight, God. We thank you, God, for this 5 00:00:41,700 --> 00:00:45,579 spring-like weather, even though we suspect it won't last. 6 00:00:46,719 --> 00:00:50,039 But we praise you for it, God. 7 00:00:50,619 --> 00:00:56,380 You are the one that manages and created all of creation, Lord. 8 00:00:56,439 --> 00:01:02,159 And we thank you, Lord, for the warm, and we thank you for the cold, and we thank you for everything. 9 00:01:02,759 --> 00:01:06,140 We just give you praise and glory tonight, Lord, 10 00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:12,439 for your word as we delve into Joshua, God. 11 00:01:12,620 --> 00:01:17,920 And we pray that as you've been doing with this group here, Lord, that you would just make your 12 00:01:17,939 --> 00:01:21,540 your scriptures come alive, Lord, to us. 13 00:01:22,659 --> 00:01:29,099 Just anoint them, Lord, and get them into our hearts, Lord, and our minds, Lord, and help us 14 00:01:29,099 --> 00:01:35,459 dig deeper, God, into the text, Lord, and draw closer to you 15 00:01:35,459 --> 00:01:41,640 through it. We pray, God, for your spirit to be here tonight, Lord, amongst us, Lord, 16 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:48,439 to open up our hearts and minds, Lord, be with us in our conversation and discussions, Lord. 17 00:01:48,959 --> 00:01:52,040 And we give you all the glory in Jesus' name. Amen. 18 00:01:54,000 --> 00:02:00,159 All right, so tonight we are in Joshua 3, crossing into the promise. 19 00:02:02,219 --> 00:02:06,159 I feel like I feel like it's been 20 00:02:07,219 --> 00:02:13,120 forever since the Israelites have kind of been on the on the edge of crossing over, right? 21 00:02:13,340 --> 00:02:17,819 You know, we've been talking about, they're right here. 22 00:02:17,939 --> 00:02:19,099 They're at the end of their journey. 23 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:20,879 They're getting ready to cross over. 24 00:02:21,039 --> 00:02:25,180 And this has been going on for for for quite a number of chapters. 25 00:02:25,539 --> 00:02:28,300 Well, I'm here to tell you that tonight is the night. 26 00:02:28,699 --> 00:02:30,719 OK, tonight is the night. 27 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:34,460 And it's it's an it's an exciting. 28 00:02:34,460 --> 00:02:37,120 It's an exciting bit of scripture. 29 00:02:37,860 --> 00:02:42,319 So, you know, Israel, you know, is on the edge of the promised land. 30 00:02:42,539 --> 00:02:46,919 They've been wandering for for 40 years, as we know. 31 00:02:47,460 --> 00:02:51,400 And the Jordan River is the final obstacle 32 00:02:52,500 --> 00:02:57,379 that is in front of them before they can receive God's promise. 33 00:02:57,740 --> 00:03:03,539 And God is calling them to take that step of faith, take that leap of faith 34 00:03:03,539 --> 00:03:11,319 and to trust him even though this this this river is is right in front of them. 35 00:03:11,460 --> 00:03:12,979 So let's take a look here. 36 00:03:13,379 --> 00:03:17,699 What we have, you know, what, you know, they 37 00:03:18,459 --> 00:03:22,000 the major moments thus far in what we've been studying. 38 00:03:22,379 --> 00:03:24,300 So they were they were delivered 39 00:03:25,199 --> 00:03:29,419 from Egypt through the Red Sea, which was parted in a similar way 40 00:03:29,419 --> 00:03:31,800 that that the Jordan will be parted. 41 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:37,879 They they witnessed the new covenant and the 10 commandments on on 42 00:03:37,879 --> 00:03:39,379 and the foot of Mount Sinai. 43 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:44,879 They were in the wilderness for testing and rebellion over that 40 years. 44 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:50,159 They experienced the death of the unbelieving generation that did not cross over. 45 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:52,039 Moses just died. 46 00:03:52,479 --> 00:03:58,639 And now Joshua is appointed as as their new as their new leader. 47 00:03:58,639 --> 00:04:03,539 And as I was as I was studying and meditating on this, this 48 00:04:03,539 --> 00:04:08,539 this piece of scripture, you know, I was thinking to myself, 49 00:04:08,819 --> 00:04:12,599 God, God was taking me to that place of, you know, you know, 50 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:17,420 what are what are these threshold moments, you know, in my life 51 00:04:17,420 --> 00:04:20,519 or in our lives that we face? 52 00:04:20,699 --> 00:04:25,220 What are you know, what are my what are my personal Jordans? 53 00:04:25,220 --> 00:04:30,160 The Jordan Jordan rivers for me, you know, whether it's big decisions 54 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:35,639 that that were in front of me or transitions or career moves or family 55 00:04:35,639 --> 00:04:39,220 or a relation or spiritual, you know, callings. 56 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:40,720 You know, what are these? 57 00:04:40,879 --> 00:04:45,360 What are these moments, you know, that I can just, you know, say, wow, 58 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:49,360 I can I can relate to what was happening in in their minds? 59 00:04:50,140 --> 00:04:54,120 You know, so often, you know, I could relate to the 60 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:59,300 Israelites by, you know, wandering, you know, in the desert of indecision, 61 00:04:59,300 --> 00:05:03,500 you know, with something and not taking that step of faith 62 00:05:03,500 --> 00:05:06,160 that God wants me to. 63 00:05:06,620 --> 00:05:10,920 But I know that God, you know, calls me and calls us 64 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:14,339 and was calling the Israelites to move forward 65 00:05:14,879 --> 00:05:17,240 regardless of what they saw 66 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:22,920 in front of them, regardless of what was visible to them. 67 00:05:23,459 --> 00:05:26,759 You know, and I think this idea of crossing over, 68 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:31,240 you know, whether it be our personal Jordan rivers or theirs, 69 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:36,959 you know, really requires this this this trust and this faith in God. 70 00:05:37,899 --> 00:05:39,720 And, you know, by nature. 71 00:05:40,980 --> 00:05:43,160 We like safety nets, right? 72 00:05:43,319 --> 00:05:47,399 We like to know that, OK, well, if I make this move, 73 00:05:48,639 --> 00:05:51,360 you know, I got to know that there's there's something 74 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,139 that's going to keep me from from falling or in this case, 75 00:05:55,139 --> 00:05:57,100 keep me from from drowning. 76 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:00,860 And what faith means is it means stepping forward 77 00:06:00,860 --> 00:06:06,740 and trusting God when he's taking us into unknown territory, 78 00:06:06,740 --> 00:06:11,319 because that's exactly what what was happening with with the Israelites. 79 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:15,800 So let's let's jump into the text and we're going to we're going to go 80 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:20,779 verses one to four as they're preparing for the crossing. 81 00:06:20,779 --> 00:06:22,439 So early in the morning, 82 00:06:22,540 --> 00:06:26,540 Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittam 83 00:06:26,540 --> 00:06:31,879 and went to the Jordan where they camped before the cross, 84 00:06:32,300 --> 00:06:33,060 before crossing over. 85 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:36,180 After three days, the officers went throughout the camp, 86 00:06:36,439 --> 00:06:38,100 giving orders to the people. 87 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:43,220 When when you see the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, your God 88 00:06:43,220 --> 00:06:46,120 and the Levitical priest carrying it, 89 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:50,399 you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 90 00:06:50,779 --> 00:06:53,439 Then you will know which way to go 91 00:06:53,439 --> 00:06:56,879 since you have never been this way before. 92 00:06:57,519 --> 00:06:59,300 But keep your distance 93 00:07:00,559 --> 00:07:03,420 of about two thousand cubits 94 00:07:04,300 --> 00:07:07,940 between you and the Ark and do not get near it. 95 00:07:10,559 --> 00:07:14,779 So. Three days of waiting before they they crossed 96 00:07:14,779 --> 00:07:22,319 and you know, how often does God call us to wait when we're in a position? 97 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:24,879 I hate waiting. 98 00:07:26,019 --> 00:07:27,620 I mean, I hate I hate waiting. 99 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:29,879 I really I really do. 100 00:07:30,060 --> 00:07:31,240 I mean, I really don't. 101 00:07:31,439 --> 00:07:34,240 I don't like the wait, you know, wait for things. 102 00:07:34,399 --> 00:07:39,100 I'm patients is something that that I that I am continually growing in. 103 00:07:39,100 --> 00:07:41,620 And I feel like as I get older, I'm getting more patient. 104 00:07:41,980 --> 00:07:43,560 But I like I like to do things. 105 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:47,959 So, you know, you know, I want to want to do something, you know, 106 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:51,160 whether it's in the kingdom or whether it's at work, whether it's at the family. 107 00:07:51,199 --> 00:07:53,860 I don't like that that that waiting period. 108 00:07:53,899 --> 00:07:59,540 But often God calls us to wait to prepare our hearts for things 109 00:08:00,099 --> 00:08:02,319 and so that we can get ready. 110 00:08:02,500 --> 00:08:08,920 And he gave in very specific instructions to to the Israelites about this. 111 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:16,180 The arc being the very presence of God leading and guiding, you know, 112 00:08:16,259 --> 00:08:19,759 and they're saying, keep your follow, but keep your keep your distance. 113 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:24,319 Looking at this 114 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:30,600 at the river here, I wish I wish I had a pointer, but I don't have a pointer. 115 00:08:30,839 --> 00:08:35,080 This is a this gives you a little bit of idea of of where they were. 116 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:39,019 You know, you could see there shitam where where they came down 117 00:08:39,839 --> 00:08:42,879 from and where they crossed over. 118 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,799 And there's a couple other versions of of this, this map, 119 00:08:46,860 --> 00:08:50,179 you know, that that I'm going to that I'm going to show you. 120 00:08:50,639 --> 00:08:53,460 But, you know, this was this was, you know, 121 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,240 me, when I'm thinking of the Jordan, I'm thinking, oh, a nice river. 122 00:08:58,700 --> 00:09:02,659 And it was just kind of this beautiful, beautiful area. 123 00:09:02,659 --> 00:09:07,120 Yeah, I mean, that's that's not a nice looking area. 124 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:08,100 It's very rough. 125 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:11,080 And I'm going to show you something in a little bit that gives you a little bit 126 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,840 more more perspective on it. 127 00:09:14,139 --> 00:09:17,299 But they're at the edge of of of the Jordan here. 128 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:23,179 They're on the brink of of crossing over the passageway 129 00:09:23,179 --> 00:09:28,600 from what was the wilderness where they were a place of trials, 130 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:32,000 a place of testing, you know, a place of, 131 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:37,100 you know, it was just, you know, dry place to a promised land 132 00:09:37,100 --> 00:09:42,200 where a place of abundance and a place of rest for them. 133 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:46,460 You know, the river, you know, to me also looked like, 134 00:09:46,460 --> 00:09:52,100 you know, this this passageway from kind of death, death to life. 135 00:09:52,500 --> 00:09:55,519 You know, the desert, you know, when you think of a desert 136 00:09:55,519 --> 00:10:00,379 and you think of where where they were, there's not much life growing there. 137 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:03,220 There's not much life to be had there. 138 00:10:03,779 --> 00:10:09,340 A place of desert and death into a place of promise and life. 139 00:10:09,620 --> 00:10:14,539 You know, just as Jesus did for ourself, where we took where he took us 140 00:10:14,539 --> 00:10:16,899 from a place of death. 141 00:10:17,940 --> 00:10:21,100 Into a place of life and acceptance. 142 00:10:21,100 --> 00:10:28,500 This gives you another little perspective on, you know, on this land. 143 00:10:29,159 --> 00:10:33,659 And what I what I didn't realize, you know, when I was thinking of this 144 00:10:33,659 --> 00:10:38,559 was these these these mountains on on either side. 145 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:42,679 I don't know if you've ever been in mountains like that, but I have. 146 00:10:43,379 --> 00:10:49,700 And they're scary and they're big and they're hard to navigate through. 147 00:10:50,220 --> 00:10:53,960 And they're not easy, easy to go through. 148 00:10:54,500 --> 00:10:58,620 And the other thing that I didn't realize was how. 149 00:11:00,980 --> 00:11:02,659 How low it was. 150 00:11:02,899 --> 00:11:07,059 I mean, it's actually about fourteen hundred feet. 151 00:11:08,159 --> 00:11:10,940 Below below sea level. 152 00:11:11,519 --> 00:11:13,820 So it is not. 153 00:11:15,139 --> 00:11:19,799 A place of easy terrain for them. 154 00:11:20,399 --> 00:11:23,799 And to add to that, at this point in time, 155 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:27,320 scripture tells us that the river was in its flood stage. 156 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:34,500 So it was even bigger and more powerful than than normal. 157 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:39,919 So the other thing that I had thought of as as I was considering this river 158 00:11:39,919 --> 00:11:45,340 and looking at this river is this idea of, you know, going under the water, 159 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,779 not into the water, but kind of under this water through. 160 00:11:49,799 --> 00:11:53,799 Is this more or less this idea of of baptism and immersion? 161 00:11:54,639 --> 00:11:58,779 And and the Jordan, the Jordan is really associated with this, 162 00:11:58,779 --> 00:12:04,679 this this purification kind of representing the washing away of the old life and the new. 163 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:13,399 And I believe that what the Israelites did here in this in this landmark crossing 164 00:12:13,399 --> 00:12:18,360 and what they did is they kind of created this area that was really viewed as 165 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:22,480 as a very, very spiritual area for the for the Jews, 166 00:12:22,539 --> 00:12:28,000 because this is actually the spot where where John the Baptist baptized Jesus 167 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:30,399 in the Jordan right in there. 168 00:12:30,399 --> 00:12:35,480 So there's there's a lot happening within this. 169 00:12:35,759 --> 00:12:39,580 But again, you know, I tried to, you know, 170 00:12:40,519 --> 00:12:45,840 it's easy to read through read through these stories and just kind of. 171 00:12:47,279 --> 00:12:50,679 You know, go through them in a very liturgical way 172 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:55,600 and a reading in a systematic way without really putting yourself 173 00:12:56,200 --> 00:13:02,500 in their shoes and trying to imagine what they were feeling going through this. 174 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:06,980 So you got to think that there was some level. 175 00:13:07,779 --> 00:13:10,000 Of anticipation, right? 176 00:13:10,539 --> 00:13:12,700 So they were they were anticipated. 177 00:13:12,879 --> 00:13:18,179 We're finally moving out of the desert and moving into this promised land. 178 00:13:18,659 --> 00:13:23,379 But along with that, there had to be this this uncertainty, 179 00:13:24,179 --> 00:13:29,700 this this idea of nervousness, you know, our anxiety or even fear 180 00:13:30,220 --> 00:13:34,440 of where they were at, because, you know, not only was the river big 181 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:38,940 and in flood stages, but on the other side of the river, 182 00:13:39,580 --> 00:13:44,039 it was not a you know, they weren't rolling out the red carpet and saying, 183 00:13:44,039 --> 00:13:45,320 hey, welcome, guys. 184 00:13:45,779 --> 00:13:50,080 These were hostile, hostile nations, hostile nations. 185 00:13:50,680 --> 00:13:54,799 So there had to be a bit of all of that going on in their mind. 186 00:13:55,360 --> 00:14:00,720 I think, you know, when I get into a situation where I know I'm making a big move, 187 00:14:00,779 --> 00:14:05,779 I often reflect, you know, I reflect on, OK, how did God get me here? 188 00:14:05,899 --> 00:14:11,299 What did I go through to get to this place where God God brought me? 189 00:14:11,460 --> 00:14:15,279 So were they, you know, remembering their time in the wilderness? 190 00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:19,679 Were they, you know, reflecting on, you know, their failures 191 00:14:19,679 --> 00:14:21,879 and kind of getting down on that? 192 00:14:22,039 --> 00:14:27,620 Or were they remembering when God, you know, God moved so so mightily? 193 00:14:28,419 --> 00:14:30,059 You know, did they have hope? 194 00:14:30,559 --> 00:14:35,000 Was there was it was there this idea of OK, we've spent the last 40 years 195 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:40,200 doing this and now we're moving into this this this hopeful situation 196 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:44,740 where everything, everything is going to change the possibilities 197 00:14:44,740 --> 00:14:47,220 that that that were in front of them. 198 00:14:47,220 --> 00:14:51,679 And was there a level of excitement that that went along with that? 199 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:55,059 I'm sure there was a myriad of emotions 200 00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:59,340 that that they were going through as as they sat there 201 00:14:59,340 --> 00:15:01,740 and looked at what was in front of them. 202 00:15:02,419 --> 00:15:05,879 So let's let's continue five through six. 203 00:15:06,399 --> 00:15:09,980 We're we're God's talking about the preparation here. 204 00:15:10,139 --> 00:15:13,740 So Joshua told the people, consecrate yourselves 205 00:15:13,740 --> 00:15:17,500 for tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things among you. 206 00:15:17,919 --> 00:15:21,159 Joshua said that a priest take up the ark of the covenant 207 00:15:21,159 --> 00:15:23,320 and pass on ahead of the people. 208 00:15:23,340 --> 00:15:26,340 So they took it up and went ahead of them. 209 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,840 So this idea of of consecrating, 210 00:15:32,039 --> 00:15:36,879 consecrating oneself, it's a it's a it's a it's a big word. 211 00:15:37,379 --> 00:15:42,460 But it's it's a it really is a simple, simple thing 212 00:15:42,460 --> 00:15:47,559 of, you know, setting ourselves apart for God. 213 00:15:47,899 --> 00:15:51,360 You might have an area of your life that you have to say, 214 00:15:51,419 --> 00:15:55,279 I need to really consecrate this, you know, to God, 215 00:15:55,360 --> 00:16:00,379 because it's taken a position in my life that's that's too big 216 00:16:00,379 --> 00:16:04,320 or is is above, you know, my spiritual things. 217 00:16:04,779 --> 00:16:09,200 You know, the Jews had had their spiritual processes of cleansing 218 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:13,600 and, you know, all of this, you know, was it a matter of really, 219 00:16:13,620 --> 00:16:16,799 you know, looking at this idea of, of, of, you know, 220 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:21,000 consecrating, you know, what's behind and looking to what's 221 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:24,720 what's in front of obedience and preparation? 222 00:16:26,180 --> 00:16:27,460 Exodus 19. 223 00:16:28,019 --> 00:16:31,799 Oh, I mean, I got to look that up here because I cut that off. 224 00:16:34,460 --> 00:16:37,600 Exodus, Exodus 19 10. 225 00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:42,419 Says in the Lord said to Moses, go to the people and 226 00:16:42,419 --> 00:16:47,259 consecrate them today and tomorrow, have them wash their 227 00:16:47,259 --> 00:16:50,600 clothes and be ready by the third day, because on the 228 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:54,740 third day, the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the 229 00:16:54,740 --> 00:16:56,659 sight of all the people. 230 00:16:58,199 --> 00:17:02,960 Romans 12 one says, therefore, I urge you brothers and 231 00:17:03,019 --> 00:17:07,900 sisters in the view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as 232 00:17:07,900 --> 00:17:12,700 living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. 233 00:17:13,319 --> 00:17:15,880 This is your true and proper worship. 234 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:23,019 So when we set ourselves apart as holy for God, we are 235 00:17:23,019 --> 00:17:25,920 consecrating ourselves to Him. 236 00:17:26,220 --> 00:17:30,079 So Joseph was really laying this out in front of them and 237 00:17:30,079 --> 00:17:35,599 saying, consecrate yourself because this is a big, this is 238 00:17:35,599 --> 00:17:36,299 a big moment. 239 00:17:36,519 --> 00:17:38,000 Really check your hearts. 240 00:17:38,079 --> 00:17:42,319 If you have things that you haven't surrendered to God or 241 00:17:42,319 --> 00:17:47,940 you haven't fully given over to God, consecrate them to God 242 00:17:47,940 --> 00:17:48,720 now. 243 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:51,599 Here, I had it right in front of me. 244 00:17:51,619 --> 00:17:53,759 Sorry about that, guys, could have pulled it right up. 245 00:17:54,319 --> 00:17:55,339 So let's keep going here. 246 00:17:55,339 --> 00:17:57,000 Verses seven through eight. 247 00:17:57,359 --> 00:18:02,099 This is where God affirms Joseph Joshua as leader. 248 00:18:03,940 --> 00:18:08,980 And the Lord said to Joshua, today I will begin to exalt you 249 00:18:09,539 --> 00:18:12,480 in the eyes of Israel, of all of Israel. 250 00:18:12,980 --> 00:18:17,579 So they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 251 00:18:18,299 --> 00:18:22,539 Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the covenant, when you 252 00:18:22,539 --> 00:18:27,799 reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the 253 00:18:27,799 --> 00:18:28,099 river. 254 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:32,039 This is a huge, huge statement. 255 00:18:33,519 --> 00:18:38,400 I mean, how often do we read in Scripture, you know, that God 256 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:40,019 is exalting someone? 257 00:18:41,220 --> 00:18:43,640 So that's a big, it's a big thing. 258 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:51,039 And to say that he is going to be with Joshua like he was 259 00:18:51,039 --> 00:18:52,079 with Moses. 260 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,019 That's some big shoes to fill, right? 261 00:18:58,220 --> 00:19:04,240 And there are comparisons in Scripture to Moses. 262 00:19:05,299 --> 00:19:07,359 You know, obviously we're getting comparison right here 263 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:13,299 with Joshua, but Elijah, Jeremiah, Jesus, Matthew, the 264 00:19:13,299 --> 00:19:20,740 gospel writer was making a case in his gospel about 265 00:19:20,740 --> 00:19:25,779 Jesus being the second Moses in comparison to him. 266 00:19:26,079 --> 00:19:30,720 So this is not something that you gloss over when you read 267 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:30,900 it. 268 00:19:30,980 --> 00:19:36,619 It's a big, big declaration that God is making here. 269 00:19:37,660 --> 00:19:44,220 And what a faithful leader Joshua must have been, that 270 00:19:44,220 --> 00:19:48,279 God so knew his heart that he would make a statement like 271 00:19:48,279 --> 00:19:54,420 that, because that to me is a big, big thing. 272 00:19:54,619 --> 00:20:00,839 You know, God establishes and empowers leaders who are 273 00:20:00,839 --> 00:20:04,980 faithful to him and following him and are trusted. 274 00:20:05,700 --> 00:20:07,920 And he knows their heart. 275 00:20:11,059 --> 00:20:13,500 Let's get into the last grouping here. 276 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:14,460 It's a long one. 277 00:20:14,599 --> 00:20:17,900 I kind of packed this all together because this is kind 278 00:20:17,900 --> 00:20:20,839 of the meat of what we're going to be getting at here. 279 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:25,740 So this is 9 through 17, you know, where we really see 280 00:20:25,740 --> 00:20:28,579 God's power that's on display. 281 00:20:29,759 --> 00:20:33,160 Joshua said to the Israelites, come here and listen to 282 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:35,599 the words of the Lord, your God. 283 00:20:36,319 --> 00:20:40,220 This is how you will know that the living God is among 284 00:20:40,220 --> 00:20:44,460 you and that he will certainly drive out before you 285 00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:48,019 the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Purites, 286 00:20:48,700 --> 00:20:52,039 the Gigerishites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. 287 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:57,799 See the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the 288 00:20:57,799 --> 00:21:00,599 earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 289 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:06,119 Now, then choose 12 men from the tribes of Israel, 290 00:21:06,559 --> 00:21:07,839 one from each tribe. 291 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:12,059 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the 292 00:21:12,349 --> 00:21:17,490 Lord, the Lord of all the earth set foot in the 293 00:21:17,490 --> 00:21:21,289 Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut 294 00:21:21,289 --> 00:21:24,589 off and stand up in a heap. 295 00:21:25,430 --> 00:21:28,809 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, 296 00:21:29,009 --> 00:21:31,690 the priest carrying the ark of the covenant went 297 00:21:31,690 --> 00:21:32,349 ahead of them. 298 00:21:32,630 --> 00:21:36,109 Now the Jordan is at its flood stage all during 299 00:21:36,109 --> 00:21:36,789 the harvest. 300 00:21:37,349 --> 00:21:40,589 Yet as soon as the priest who carried the ark 301 00:21:40,589 --> 00:21:43,589 reached the Jordan and in their feet touch the 302 00:21:43,589 --> 00:21:47,849 water's edge, the water from upstream stopped 303 00:21:47,849 --> 00:21:48,450 flowing. 304 00:21:48,910 --> 00:21:53,569 It piled up into a heap and a great distance away at 305 00:21:53,569 --> 00:21:58,470 a town called Adam in the vicinity of Narathen 306 00:21:59,149 --> 00:22:02,170 where the water flowing down to the sea of 307 00:22:02,170 --> 00:22:07,289 Erebeth, that is now the dead sea, was completely 308 00:22:08,269 --> 00:22:09,269 cut off. 309 00:22:09,269 --> 00:22:14,450 So the people crossed over opposite to Jericho. 310 00:22:15,150 --> 00:22:18,009 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of 311 00:22:18,009 --> 00:22:20,690 the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and 312 00:22:20,690 --> 00:22:24,789 stood on the dry ground while all Israel passed 313 00:22:24,789 --> 00:22:28,430 by until the whole nation had completed the 314 00:22:28,430 --> 00:22:30,430 crossing on dry ground. 315 00:22:31,109 --> 00:22:35,029 Joshua gathers the people and announces that God 316 00:22:35,029 --> 00:22:39,569 will demonstrate his power by stopping the Jordan 317 00:22:39,569 --> 00:22:41,329 when the priests step in. 318 00:22:42,130 --> 00:22:48,450 So the all that they must have been experiencing 319 00:22:48,450 --> 00:22:52,029 here, I mean just imagine, you know, you know, 320 00:22:52,029 --> 00:22:56,990 God goes before them, the ark, you know, the 321 00:22:56,990 --> 00:22:59,990 Lord, the Lord himself, you know, and God 322 00:22:59,990 --> 00:23:04,410 reveals his power and his work right in front 323 00:23:04,410 --> 00:23:04,769 of them. 324 00:23:05,009 --> 00:23:08,609 And this is something too that is a special moment 325 00:23:08,609 --> 00:23:12,230 because it's what distinguishes the God of 326 00:23:12,230 --> 00:23:16,250 Israel from false Gods and other Gods is his 327 00:23:16,250 --> 00:23:19,170 power and how he acts. 328 00:23:20,730 --> 00:23:23,670 So God stops the river and the waters are pulled 329 00:23:23,670 --> 00:23:27,930 back and they are experiencing the kind of 330 00:23:27,930 --> 00:23:31,910 all in reverence that their grandparents and 331 00:23:31,910 --> 00:23:33,390 parents saw. 332 00:23:34,470 --> 00:23:36,829 None of them, you got to remember, none of these 333 00:23:36,829 --> 00:23:40,869 would have been alive to see the Red Sea parted 334 00:23:40,869 --> 00:23:42,829 when they came out of Israel. 335 00:23:43,109 --> 00:23:43,549 They wouldn't have. 336 00:23:43,549 --> 00:23:45,190 They wouldn't have seen the plagues. 337 00:23:45,690 --> 00:23:47,869 They wouldn't have seen God speaking on 338 00:23:47,869 --> 00:23:48,250 Sinai. 339 00:23:48,690 --> 00:23:52,269 All they would have had was their parents and 340 00:23:52,269 --> 00:23:55,529 grandparents talking about it, which is powerful. 341 00:23:55,970 --> 00:24:00,450 The oral tradition within the Jewish community is 342 00:24:00,450 --> 00:24:03,009 still to this day, a powerful thing. 343 00:24:03,309 --> 00:24:08,809 But as I see this, this was God giving this 344 00:24:08,809 --> 00:24:13,369 next generation, their own encounter with him, 345 00:24:14,529 --> 00:24:19,890 their personal encounter with him, because the 346 00:24:19,890 --> 00:24:24,970 Lord knows the importance and the power of 347 00:24:24,970 --> 00:24:30,009 firsthand encounters with him and passing that 348 00:24:30,009 --> 00:24:32,609 down to the next generation. 349 00:24:33,349 --> 00:24:37,930 Psalm 78 4 reads, we will tell the next 350 00:24:37,930 --> 00:24:41,930 generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, 351 00:24:42,829 --> 00:24:47,109 his power and the wonders that he has done. 352 00:24:48,850 --> 00:24:53,049 So to have this kind of impact on them, you 353 00:24:53,049 --> 00:24:58,170 know, God intended for them to to see it and 354 00:24:58,170 --> 00:25:02,289 experience it and to be able to tell others 355 00:25:02,289 --> 00:25:06,269 about it so that others would hear about it and 356 00:25:06,269 --> 00:25:11,369 know and trust in God and obey him and talk 357 00:25:11,369 --> 00:25:13,930 about the wonder of this. 358 00:25:14,509 --> 00:25:19,650 And isn't this how the miraculous word of 359 00:25:19,650 --> 00:25:25,390 Jesus spread was by those who experienced firsthand 360 00:25:26,850 --> 00:25:29,509 what God had done, what Jesus had done. 361 00:25:30,309 --> 00:25:33,670 And they were so impacted by this that they went 362 00:25:33,670 --> 00:25:36,970 out and changed the world from it. 363 00:25:37,849 --> 00:25:42,690 So this is this is God working here in in 364 00:25:42,690 --> 00:25:43,490 their midst. 365 00:25:46,889 --> 00:25:48,849 The water stopped flowing. 366 00:25:49,049 --> 00:25:50,609 The river had piled up streams. 367 00:25:50,910 --> 00:25:53,009 The priest had gone gone apart. 368 00:25:53,210 --> 00:25:56,250 They've removed this obstacle and it mirrors this 369 00:25:56,250 --> 00:25:59,329 the Red Sea that they had all heard about and 370 00:25:59,329 --> 00:26:02,609 they're face to face with with the power of 371 00:26:02,609 --> 00:26:06,529 God and they're taking that that that step of 372 00:26:06,529 --> 00:26:09,849 faith into into the water. 373 00:26:10,850 --> 00:26:21,089 And how often have we seen miracles happen as we 374 00:26:21,089 --> 00:26:23,910 step out and take that step of faith, whether 375 00:26:23,910 --> 00:26:28,170 it's praying for someone, whether it's, you know, 376 00:26:28,410 --> 00:26:32,769 being obedient to God in faith in some way. 377 00:26:33,410 --> 00:26:39,049 God God wants that obedience and then miracles 378 00:26:39,049 --> 00:26:40,849 follow after that. 379 00:26:41,089 --> 00:26:43,450 So this was a significant, significant 380 00:26:43,450 --> 00:26:45,529 obstacle for them. 381 00:26:46,230 --> 00:26:48,829 It was it was it and they they took that step 382 00:26:48,829 --> 00:26:49,210 of faith. 383 00:26:49,529 --> 00:26:51,450 And the other thing to consider is, you know, 384 00:26:51,589 --> 00:26:54,869 we you know, I think about this in my mind 385 00:26:54,869 --> 00:26:58,170 as I'm going through the scripture and I'm not 386 00:26:58,170 --> 00:27:03,329 realizing that there were at least two million 387 00:27:04,230 --> 00:27:06,230 Jews crossing over here. 388 00:27:06,230 --> 00:27:11,049 So this didn't just happen, you know, in in the 389 00:27:11,049 --> 00:27:14,390 blink of an eye, two million people. 390 00:27:15,589 --> 00:27:19,470 I was at I was at an event one time back back in 391 00:27:19,470 --> 00:27:22,710 the 90s down down in Washington, where they 392 00:27:22,710 --> 00:27:26,369 said there were there were a million, a million 393 00:27:27,230 --> 00:27:28,430 followers of Jesus. 394 00:27:29,549 --> 00:27:35,150 And man, that was some and trying to get to the 395 00:27:35,150 --> 00:27:35,710 trains. 396 00:27:37,750 --> 00:27:38,910 It was insane. 397 00:27:39,549 --> 00:27:41,210 I mean, it was insane. 398 00:27:41,710 --> 00:27:44,089 The amount of people in a crowd like that just 399 00:27:44,089 --> 00:27:45,990 doesn't move, move fast. 400 00:27:46,769 --> 00:27:50,630 So there there are some some experts to say they 401 00:27:50,630 --> 00:27:53,329 were they were they were far in excess of two 402 00:27:53,329 --> 00:27:53,609 million. 403 00:27:53,750 --> 00:27:57,349 But two million is definitely a safe, a safe 404 00:27:57,349 --> 00:27:57,789 number. 405 00:27:58,910 --> 00:28:01,910 You know, faith means acting on God's promises, 406 00:28:01,910 --> 00:28:07,630 even when circumstances appear impossible, when 407 00:28:07,630 --> 00:28:10,450 what's in front of us looks impossible. 408 00:28:10,849 --> 00:28:13,829 That's where faith is important the most. 409 00:28:15,130 --> 00:28:19,650 So crossing this Jordan for them mark the end of 410 00:28:19,650 --> 00:28:23,069 their wandering and the beginning of their 411 00:28:23,069 --> 00:28:23,990 inheritance. 412 00:28:24,950 --> 00:28:28,150 You know, God was not only delivering Israel 413 00:28:28,150 --> 00:28:31,950 from from something, he was leading them into 414 00:28:31,950 --> 00:28:33,289 something greater. 415 00:28:33,450 --> 00:28:36,289 He wasn't just taking them out of the desert, but 416 00:28:36,289 --> 00:28:40,009 he was leading them into into something even 417 00:28:40,009 --> 00:28:40,529 greater. 418 00:28:41,329 --> 00:28:44,170 And for this generation, this became their 419 00:28:44,170 --> 00:28:46,750 testimony for for God. 420 00:28:47,109 --> 00:28:50,650 The promised land of Israel was this physical 421 00:28:50,650 --> 00:28:51,750 inheritance. 422 00:28:53,390 --> 00:28:57,109 And for us, we have this great spiritual 423 00:28:57,830 --> 00:29:01,589 inheritance through through Jesus, you know, just 424 00:29:01,589 --> 00:29:04,230 as Israel, you know, entered into the land by 425 00:29:04,230 --> 00:29:08,309 trusting in God, we receive our inheritance 426 00:29:08,309 --> 00:29:12,529 through Jesus, our inheritance in his kingdom 427 00:29:12,529 --> 00:29:15,269 through faith, through faith in Christ. 428 00:29:19,030 --> 00:29:24,350 First Peter 1 3 to 4 says, praise be to the 429 00:29:24,710 --> 00:29:28,809 God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in his 430 00:29:28,809 --> 00:29:33,269 great mercy, he has given us new birth into a 431 00:29:33,269 --> 00:29:36,009 living hope through the resurrection of Jesus 432 00:29:36,009 --> 00:29:39,150 Christ from the dead and into the inheritance 433 00:29:40,110 --> 00:29:45,990 that can never that can never perish, spoil or 434 00:29:45,990 --> 00:29:46,529 fade. 435 00:29:50,510 --> 00:29:53,170 Matthew 25 34. 436 00:29:53,569 --> 00:29:58,150 This is an excerpt from from the parable of the 437 00:29:58,150 --> 00:30:01,650 sheep and the goats and and Jesus, you know, 438 00:30:02,130 --> 00:30:06,509 invites those who who were in be obedient, 439 00:30:06,690 --> 00:30:10,289 invites the sheep, inherit the kingdom prepared 440 00:30:10,289 --> 00:30:13,630 for you from the foundation of the world. 441 00:30:15,029 --> 00:30:17,849 Inherit this kingdom, this great spiritual. 442 00:30:18,309 --> 00:30:20,930 So as they were looking at this at the 443 00:30:20,930 --> 00:30:23,750 abundance of this land that God God was 444 00:30:23,750 --> 00:30:26,950 providing for them and transitioning from this 445 00:30:26,950 --> 00:30:31,029 desolate desert into this the land flowing with 446 00:30:31,029 --> 00:30:33,430 milk and honey, as they say into this great 447 00:30:33,430 --> 00:30:36,670 land, we have such a greater, greater 448 00:30:36,670 --> 00:30:40,190 inheritance that that's in front of us from 449 00:30:40,190 --> 00:30:40,630 God. 450 00:30:43,630 --> 00:30:46,009 They were faced with obstacles that that 451 00:30:46,009 --> 00:30:48,690 they could not overcome on their own. 452 00:30:48,890 --> 00:30:53,690 But God always, always, always provides a way 453 00:30:54,270 --> 00:30:54,890 for us. 454 00:30:56,250 --> 00:30:59,369 And he asked that we trust him enough to step 455 00:30:59,369 --> 00:31:01,509 forward as he leads. 456 00:31:02,309 --> 00:31:05,829 Just like with the arc leading, he will lead 457 00:31:05,829 --> 00:31:06,130 us. 458 00:31:06,509 --> 00:31:07,089 He's not asked. 459 00:31:07,170 --> 00:31:10,089 He's not asking us to go out without him. 460 00:31:10,150 --> 00:31:12,450 He is leading us. 461 00:31:15,509 --> 00:31:19,069 The Promised Land was a temporary physical 462 00:31:19,069 --> 00:31:22,069 inheritance and we have this greater eternal 463 00:31:22,069 --> 00:31:23,650 inheritance through through Jesus. 464 00:31:23,930 --> 00:31:28,930 As I as I looked at this at the teaching of 465 00:31:28,930 --> 00:31:31,890 them entering, you know, these four things 466 00:31:31,890 --> 00:31:35,250 really, really stuck out to me, this idea of 467 00:31:35,990 --> 00:31:41,170 preparing for what God has for me, you know, 468 00:31:41,170 --> 00:31:43,869 whatever that be, whether it's a small 469 00:31:43,869 --> 00:31:46,150 step, whether it's a big step, whether it's a 470 00:31:46,150 --> 00:31:48,769 major transition, whether it's a Jordan 471 00:31:49,289 --> 00:31:52,750 River, whatever it is, that my heart would be 472 00:31:52,750 --> 00:31:56,410 prepared, that I would be centered around Jesus, 473 00:31:56,609 --> 00:32:00,630 that I would be trusting in his spirit to 474 00:32:00,630 --> 00:32:03,529 guide me and trusting that God God is not 475 00:32:03,529 --> 00:32:06,569 leading me into somewhere where he is not 476 00:32:06,569 --> 00:32:09,650 going to be and that he would give me the 477 00:32:09,650 --> 00:32:16,869 courage to step forward in faith and this 478 00:32:16,869 --> 00:32:20,549 idea of participating with God when he 479 00:32:20,549 --> 00:32:21,029 moves. 480 00:32:22,289 --> 00:32:25,130 So many times we're saying, you know, God, 481 00:32:25,569 --> 00:32:28,289 you know, move, let your, you know, let your 482 00:32:28,289 --> 00:32:31,150 spirit move here, you know, create revival 483 00:32:31,150 --> 00:32:33,150 here, do this and do that. 484 00:32:33,750 --> 00:32:38,309 And God's Spirit is within us. 485 00:32:39,190 --> 00:32:44,410 He dwells within us where we go, his presence 486 00:32:44,410 --> 00:32:48,609 goes, where we go, the environment changes. 487 00:32:49,210 --> 00:32:52,769 So God is wanting us to participate in these 488 00:32:52,769 --> 00:32:56,369 movements with him, not just sit there and 489 00:32:56,369 --> 00:32:59,430 watch and that's what the Israelites were doing. 490 00:32:59,529 --> 00:33:02,509 They were participating with what God was 491 00:33:02,509 --> 00:33:08,289 doing, something that would be talked, that's 492 00:33:08,289 --> 00:33:11,170 thousands of years later, they participated 493 00:33:11,170 --> 00:33:13,650 with God, with God in this. 494 00:33:15,269 --> 00:33:18,670 So that is Joshua 3. 495 00:33:20,410 --> 00:33:24,390 I think there's a lot to talk about in here. 496 00:33:24,750 --> 00:33:29,349 So we will, we'll break down into, into 497 00:33:29,349 --> 00:33:32,970 groups and kind of have some, have some 498 00:33:32,970 --> 00:33:36,750 chatting and see what God opens up, right? 499 00:33:36,750 --> 00:33:38,910 We can, a lot of stuff to wrestle with, 500 00:33:38,910 --> 00:33:40,170 wrestle with in here. 501 00:33:43,990 --> 00:33:46,529 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life 502 00:33:46,529 --> 00:33:49,029 Church as we praise God and discuss his 503 00:33:49,029 --> 00:33:49,369 word. 504 00:33:50,069 --> 00:33:52,309 Don't forget to join us for worship live 505 00:33:52,309 --> 00:33:54,190 Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. 506 00:33:54,450 --> 00:33:55,549 Eastern on YouTube. 507 00:33:56,369 --> 00:33:58,630 Be blessed and have a great day.