Take The Step

TAKE THE STEP

Joshua 3.1-4.24

S: Faith

C: Purpose of the Community – Stepping forward in Faith

Th: A People with Purpose

Pr: WE ARE TO MOVE FORWARD IN FAITH.

TS: Our study in Joshua will direct us on how to handle obstacles that are in the way of God’s promises.

Type: Inductive

The ____

I. PURITY (1-6)

II. PRESENCE (7-13)

III. PATH (14-17)

IV. PILES (1-14)

V. PASS OVER (15-24)

PA: How is the change to be observed?

• Be pure.

• Look for God’s presence.

• Move.

• Always remember – never forget.

Version: ESV

RMBC 25 June 06 AM

INTRODUCTION:

ILL Forget

An elderly couple, a husband and wife were having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to their doctor to get checked out, just to make sure nothing was wrong. The doctor explained to them that when you get too many things on your mind, you will have problems with your memory. He suggested that they might want to start making notes to help them remember things. They thanked the doctor and left.

Later that night while watching TV, the man got up from his chair and started toward the kitchen. His wife asked, "Where are you going?"

“I’m going to the kitchen to get some ice cream,” he answered.

She asked, "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream too while you are there?"

He said, "Sure."

She asked, "Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?"

He said, "No, I can remember that."

“Well, I would also like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down because I know you’ll forget."

“No, I won’t forget,” he assured her.

"Well, I also want some whipped cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down."

He was obviously irritated, but he managed to say rather nicely, "I don’t need to write that down. I can remember that."

About 20 minutes later, he returned with a plate of bacon and eggs.

She stared at it for a moment and then said, "I knew you were going to mess it up - You forgot my toast."

How is your memory?

Are you remembering the important things?

1. Do you remember how God has worked in your life?

Do you remember your initial steps of faith?

And do you remember how God has continued to do work in your life, encouraging you toward Christlikeness, always working for your good?

These are some of the themes that we will see in our study of Joshua.

Today is our third study, and as a matter of reminder and context…

2. In our first study in Joshua, God calls on Joshua to demonstrate the courage to possess the promise.

Over and over again, Joshua is encouraged to be strong and courageous.

He is to go forward and claim that which God has promised – the land.

He needs to never fear because God is with him.

3. In our second study, we discovered the importance of faith when the spies were introduced to an unusual ally.

Joshua sent spies to scout out the first city that would be their assignment to overtake.

Interestingly, when they arrived, they discovered that the people in Jericho knew they were doomed.

Yet, in spite of the overwhelming evidence that the Israelites were worshipping the true and living God, they refused to forsake their gods of wood and stone.

All, except one, that is.

All except Rahab.

So, what we discovered is that God sets up this meeting with Rahab in order to save the one that demonstrated faith in Him, even when no one else would in that city of Jericho.

The God that is evident here is the God we worship today.

He is a great God of compassion and grace.

This brings us to today’s study, so…

4. Our study in Joshua 3 - 4 will direct us on how to handle obstacles that are in the way of God’s promises.

OUR STUDY:

First, there was an issue of…

I. PURITY (1-6)

5. It was time to get ready.

When it is time for war, most military leaders would say, “Sharpen your swords, men! Polish your shields.”

It would be a matter of logistical readiness.

But not with this general.

And not in this case.

For these people, readiness was a matter of spirituality.

You see…

6. Being right with God was the ultimate priority.

(5) Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."

The way of readiness was the obtaining of pure hearts.

It was confessing sin.

It was laying aside of hatred and hurts.

It was a lifting of hearts toward God.

It was trusting in the sovereign I AM.