Preparations for Tomorrow

Sermon Title:

Preparations for Tomorrow

Text:

Joshua 3:1–5 (Key Verse: v.5)

“And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” — Joshua 3:5 (KJV)

Behavioral Aim

By the end of this message, hearers will understand that what God does tomorrow is directly connected to how we prepare today, and they will commit to intentional consecration before the Lord.

Introduction

Family, we are standing at the edge of a transition.

Israel has wandered forty years. Moses is gone. A new leader has risen. And a promise that once felt distant is now within sight.

But between where they are and where God is taking them stands an obstacle—the Jordan River.

This is not just water. This is fear. This is uncertainty. This is the last barrier before promise.

And before God parts one drop of water… Before He performs one miracle… Before He moves one obstacle…

Joshua gives one command:

“Sanctify yourselves.”

Not sharpen your swords. Not build your strategy. Not call a meeting.

But get yourselves right with God.

Background of the Text

Joshua rises early in the morning (v.1). That tells us something—this is intentional leadership.

They move from Shittim and camp by the Jordan (v.1–2). They don’t cross immediately. They wait.

Why? Because timing matters in God’s plan.

The officers instruct the people to watch the Ark of the Covenant (v.3). The Ark represents the presence of God.

God is saying:

“Don’t move until My presence moves.”

Then Joshua speaks the key word in verse 5:

“Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

In other words: Tomorrow’s miracle depends on today’s preparation.

Relevant Question

What if the delay in your breakthrough is not because God is unwilling— but because He is waiting on your preparation?

Sermon Movement I: Tomorrow’s Wonders Require Today’s Consecration

Joshua does not promise comfort. He promises wonders.

But wonders come with a condition.

“Sanctify yourselves.”

Consecration means:

To set yourself apart

To cleanse yourself

To realign your heart with God

God says:

“I’m not pouring new wine into old vessels.”

You can’t cross into promise carrying yesterday’s mess. You can’t step into tomorrow holding on to yesterday’s habits. You can’t expect God to do wonders while refusing to do the work of surrender. Application: Before God changes your situation, He wants to change you.

Sermon Movement II: God Always Prepares His People Before He Moves Them

God could have parted the Jordan instantly.

But instead, He prepares:

Their hearts

Their focus

Their obedience

Because unprepared people mishandle miracles.

If God gives you what you’re not ready for:

You’ll idolize it

Abuse it

Or lose it

Consecration is God’s mercy. It keeps you from stepping into blessing unready.

Application: What God is preparing you for is bigger than where you’ve been.

Sermon Movement III: Your Obedience Unlocks God’s Wonders

Notice the timeline:

Sanctify today → Wonders tomorrow

Not the other way around.

Too many people say:

“God, if You bless me, I’ll get right.”

But God says:

“Get right, and I’ll bless you.”

Obedience is not a suggestion. It is the key.

When the people consecrated themselves:

The Jordan rolled back

The priests stood on dry ground

The people crossed safely

But it all started with obedience before evidence.

Application: Faith is trusting God enough to prepare before you see results.

Conclusion

Joshua understood something powerful:

Before God changes geography, He changes people.

Before He opens rivers, He cleans hearts.

Before tomorrow’s wonders show up, today’s preparation must take place.

And the same God who spoke through Joshua is speaking to us now:

“Sanctify yourselves.”

Sermon Close

Joshua didn’t say next week. He didn’t say someday. He didn’t say when conditions improve.

He said—

TOMORROW!!

That means what you’ve been praying about is closer than you think. That means what you’ve been fasting for is already on God’s calendar. That means what you’ve been crying over is about to turn into a testimony.

But hear the order of heaven:

Sanctify yourselves… because TOMORROW the Lord will do wonders among you.

Not because you earned it— but because you prepared for it.

So tonight, we let go of yesterday. Tonight, we break old patterns. Tonight, we wash our hands and purify our hearts.

Because TOMORROW needs a clean vessel. TOMORROW needs surrendered people. TOMORROW needs faith that’s already packed its bags.

Somebody shout TOMORROW!! Say it again—TOMORROW!! Say it like you believe God is already moving—TOMORROW!!

I don’t know who this is for, but God told me to tell you:

The Jordan you’re facing will not stop you TOMORROW. The door that looked closed will open TOMORROW. The miracle that’s been delayed is scheduled for TOMORROW.

So lift your hands, open your mouth, and declare:

I’m ready for TOMORROW I’m prepared for TOMORROW I’m consecrated for TOMORROW

Because the same God who brought us this far is about to show Himself strong—

TOMORROW!!