FHBC Sermon Notes

 In this chapter, we encounter another fulfillment of one of God's promises. Israel was crossing the Jordan. The time to enter the promised land had come.

The Significance of Crossing the Jordan

This story mirrors the original exodus from Egypt. Just like the first time in the crossing of the Red Sea, there is here as well a parting of waters. Just as with the Red Sea, they again cross on dry ground. Not muddy ground, but dry ground. 

Why would God want to reinact that event? By doing so God was restablishing the power and protection, that special relationship that he had demonstrated in the first exodus. Remember that only Joshua and Caleb here  were present at the first exodus, so again he performs this great demonstration of his power. He the God who delivers, redeems them, calling them to a unique relationship with himself. 

Though this is a significant event, only a few verses are given to the actual crossing. What is the focus, is not what happened, but how it happened. Specifically the nature of how God relates to his people. 

1. God's activity in and through his people reveals his presence among them.

The Israelites would not have crossed this river without God's help. Unless God acts there is not inheritance. V. 10 Reveals why God does this. The purpose for this power is that his people might know him. This is not a head now ledge, but instead a knowledge that is so intimate that it is the same word used to describe the relationship a husband has for his wife. 

What would they know?

• That the Lord God is with them, in contrast to the idol gods of other peoples. Gods made of stone and wood. Israel's God was present, the almighty and great Living God. Who could part a river at just the moment with the feet of the priests touch them, only a living God.  Why is it important that they understand his power? Because they needed to be reminded when things got difficult after this.
• That the Lord God was a holy God. God manifests his holiness here in v. 5. The ark was given specific instructions on which the presence of God would be. God reminds them they they are to be a holy people set aside. They were the people of the covenant. He demonstrated his love by provided and protecting them, from which they must worship him and him alone. He is the God that fulfills promises, his promises.
• It is true that his people would not remain holy, ultimately straying. But God's presence would return, it did return. In the man Jesus, the Son of God himself brought the presence of God to all people's nations and tongues. Conquering death itself, God has made himself known. Even now the presence of God is here, found in his Holy Spirit, in dwelling in the lives of the people of church. Here, right now amongst us is the presence of God. AMEN!

Do we long to have God's presence among us? Do we want to see his power displayed? Then let us submit to his spirit. God what at work in Israel, he is at work in us as well. That same power is amongst us!

2. God's activity in and through his people confirms the victory he has secured for them.

God dis not set them across the Jordan only to leave them there. No this was a promise a demonstration of what was to come. Every battle can be faced, because the victory has been secured. God has conquered death itself through the works and life of our savior Jesus, the Son of God!  Nothing can separate us from the great love of God. WE HAVE VICTORY! Let us not fear as we go in this world of anything it brings. We are simply catching up to the will the our Lord God has already bought to bear. 

What do we know?

• That God is worthy of our praise.
• That we are to trust the God who greater than any. 
• That we should obey Him. Just as Jim shared with our children, to love our God is to obey him. 

We are his children, his spirit amongst us, let us show our love of him in the life we live always.