MERE STONES/Reminders-II—Joshua 4:1-24(:1-5)
Our 4" circular Ikebana Vase:
Inscribed on the bottom of it, from top to bottom, is the name of the potter's business—'Turn & Burn Pottery'—Seagrove, NC—John 3:3—a Christian Fish symbol.
I am immediately taken to Seagrove, NC(A rural location which has a little under 100 active potters & clay-workers within a 20 square mile area) & immediately transported to wonderful times with our kids.
Reminders—Seemingly insignificant things—can make all the difference in a person’s life!
Joshua had twelve stones removed from the Jordan River as a memorial to the crossing.
Memorials or Spiritual Reminders hold a great deal of significance to God’s people.
What is significant about spiritual reminders?
The potential of spiritual reminders.
“God’s works of wonder ought to be kept in everlasting remembrance, & means devised for the preserving of the memorial of them...that those who could not or would not , read the record of it in the sacred history, might come to the knowledge of it by the monument set up in remembrance of it, of which the common tradition of the country would be an explication; it would likewise serve...a standing evidence of it to those who in after-ages might question the truth of it.”—Matthew Henry
“God always chose that which was most proper & significant, rather than that which is pompous or curious...”—Matthew Henry
We have found previously that...
Mere Stones/Reminders can transport us to a Position of....
1. UNIQUE ACCOMPLISHMENT(:3, 5)
*Mere stones can take us to...OR...
2—Mere Stones/Reminders can transport us To a Position of...
BLESSING(:3)
Explanation:(:3)Honor
:3—“& command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you & leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”
To fetch the reminders from the very feet of the priesthood chosen by God.
Personally into the presence of the ark of God, is only for those chosen of God. Speaks of God’s Love & Advocacy, Family, Camaraderie, Closeness & Intimacy among all parties.
Blessings No one else can experience!
Being chosen for such a task by others has potential to cause either haughtiness or humility in those chosen!
2Sam. 22:28—“You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.”
Ps. 18:27—“For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.”
Prov. 18:12—“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.”
2Tim. 3:1-5—“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
The BLESSING is also for others...As we transport our reminders to our “lodging place.”
The representatives take God’s blessing & honor home with them. They are reminders of God’s miraculous dealings, with ourselves & others. Reminders of His love for His people & nation & likewise His Church, the Bride of Christ.
These reminders are meant to be shared!
Argumentation:
Prov. 10:22—“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.”
Prov. 10:7—“The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.”
**Prov. 28:20—“A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”
**Ps. 146:1-10—“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven & earth, The sea, & all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless & widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. The LORD shall reign forever-- Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!”
**Heb. 6:7—“For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, & bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;”
**Deut. 2:7—“For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.”’”
**1Jn. 5:4—“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.”
**Rev. 15:2—“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, & those who have the victory over the beast, over his image & over his mark & over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.”
**Rom. 5:1-6—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; & perseverance, character; & character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
**Mat. 5:3-16—“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile & persecute you, & say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice & be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out & trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp & put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, & it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works & glorify your Father in heaven.”
Illustration:
*Your attention is drawn to someone who is embarrassed because they can’t afford the small amount of groceries that have been rung up/You have a few dollars in your pocket & pay the difference/The person is very thankful!/You have become a blessing to one & others around you/BLESSING
As a kid, I played in the creek behind our house/Occasionally I would see a (large rock10-12” across)/I would get excited if I saw a hollowed-out place near the bottom of the rock in the sand/I would excitedly turn over the rock expecting a crawfish—that was the Prize/I was hoping something ‘good’ would be under it!/Just the sight of the rocks from the bank of the creek is enough to recall the former ‘blessings’/A Position of BLESSING
A forgotten coupon in your purse, for an item that you usually buy anyway—A Thank You Jesus moment!!/BLESSING
Application:
?Do ‘Reminders’ transport you to God’s BLESSING(s)?
?Are you Blessed in your Christian journey?
?Do ‘Reminders’ transport you to realignment with God?
Reminders can make all the difference in a person’s life!
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Ikebana Vase from Turn & Burn Pottery—A reminder of good times in the Lord!
Action:
Mere Stones/Reminders can transport us to a Position of....
2. BLESSING(:3)
1. UNIQUE ACCOMPLISHMENT(:3, 5)
Presented 10/09/2016pm to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
Pts. 1-3 Presented 01/16/2000pm to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Rd.
Whigham, GA 31797
