Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Joshua 3:1–8 (2)

Introduction:

· Taking a Trip: You never know what lies ahead: fun? Excitement? Storms? Breakdown?

· Your theme: “AMAZING”: The “Amazing” journey as God leads Israel from desert to PL.

LET’S LOOK AT HOW GOD LEADS US, AMAZES US, AND REASURES US.

I) God Leads His People Forward

A. God Goes Ahead of His People (vv. 2-4, 6)

i. The Ark of the Covenant is God’s Presence Leading His people (vv. 2-3, 6)

1. The Ark of the Covenant was God’s presence, holding his people together

2. In this Major event in Israel’s life…God leads his people forward (vs. 4)

ii. Wherever we go, God will lead you

1. EXAMPLE: Choose Your Own Adventure Books

2. Learn to: Follow God (Obedience? Be who HE wants you to be)

B. God Calls His people to Follow Them

i. God’s people had to trust God’s Leading

1. As well, Israel had to learn to trust God’s guiding (vs. 4a)

2. EXAMPLE: GPS might give “bad” directions…but we trust!

3. EXAMPLE: Good (you make the team) bad (parents get divorced)

ii. God’s People remained at a distance from a Holy God (vs. 4b)

1. Yet Israel stays half-mile behind God (why?) because God is HOLY

2. EXAMPLE: Science laboratories that are “ultra-clean”

AND THAT TAKES US TO THE SECOND PART OF THIS. GOD IS HOLY, AND AWESOME – AND HE PROMISES THAT HE WILL DO AMAZING THINGS.

II) God Amazes His People With His Power

A. God’s AMAZING power…

i. “Consecrate” yourselves (vs. 5)

1. “Consecrate”: prepare, realize God’s AWESOME power

2. God’s power isn’t a magic trick, but a cause for worship, reverence

ii. God’s Amazing Works: (vv. 8, 12-17)

1. Standing in the Jordan River as it allowing Israel to walk through

2. Then: Jericho! Conquering a land, and receiving homes, fields

B. God’s Amazing Mission

i. Jesus is our greater Joshua who is still doing amazing things!

1. A greater Joshua sends his church into the world… not to conquer the world, but to make disciples!

2. Jesus, the head of his church leads us forward in this work!

ii. Jesus our greater Joshua calls us to share this mission!

1. EXAMPLES: Bolivia; Essenburgs, in Japan

2. How about you: When God calls us to follow, he calls us to tell people about Jesus – and he does the amazing work of changing people’s hearts!

WE’VE LOOKED AT HOW GOD LEADS US, HOW HE AMAZES US, AND FINALLY WE NEED TO HEAR HOW GOD REASSURES US.

III) God Assures Us that He Will Be With Us

A. God’s Promise to His People

i. A change in leadership:

1. Joshua: A new leader, uncertain how his leadership will be received

2. Israel: A new leader means uncertainty

ii. God’s Gracious Promise (vv. 7-8)

1. God will affirm Joshua as leader, promising to be with him

2. God will reassure Israel that He has never left them.

3. EXAMPLE: Battle? Threats? Even disobedience?!

B. God has Kept that Promise to His People

i. God keeps this promise today (vv. 3)

1. “How could God be with His people – if sinful people can’t get close?

2. Priests guarded God’s presence allowing only the pure to get close

3. Jesus is a priest who trades spaces with us so we are pure!

ii. Therefore: God WILL always be with us

1. Whatever lies ahead, wherever God leads you…HE will go with you,

2. EXAMPLE:

Transition:

Conclusion

asd