12 Stones to remember by

Twelve Stones to remember by

Last weeks sermon (our Call out of the wilderness)

1. It was a time of wondering with no real advancement.

The area where they wandered could easily have been crossed in a few weeks to months.

In the Christian walk we must always be advancing!!!

2. It was a time of complaining and no sense of praise.

This period was marked with murmuring and rejection from the people.

2. It was a time of complaining and no sense of praise.

3. It was a time of miracles without recognition of the God of Miracles.

Red Sea, Pillars of smoke and fire, Manna, Quail, Water from rocks

In the Christian walk we must be a people of Praise.

4. It was a time where hope was fleeting and despair was normal.

There was despair on every occasion (God called Moses up to the mountain, Happy Occasion)

3. It was a time of miracles without recognition of the God of Miracles.

In the Christian walk we must recognize the mighty hand of GOD.

4. It was a time where hope was fleeting and despair was normal.

In the Christian walk we must exemplify the Hope that we have through and in Jesus Christ.

Two middle-aged couples were enjoying friendly conversation when one of the men asked the other, "Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?"

"Outstanding," Fred replied. "They taught us all the latest psychological techniques, such as visualization, association and so on. It was great. I haven’t had a problem since with my memory."

"Sounds like something I could use. What was the name of the clinic?"

Fred went blank. He thought and thought, but couldn’t remember. Then a smile broke across his face and he asked, "What do you call that flower with the long stem and thorns?"

"You mean a rose?"

"Yes, that’s it!" He turned to his wife, "Hey Rose, what was the name of that memory clinic?"

In Psychology, memory is an organism’s ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. In the Bible, the Greek word to remember is aletheia. Aletheia literally means to "not forget."

So truth, in the Bible, literally means to not forget. To know the truth means to remember.

Let us not forget what failing to trust in God will bring us!

A. Don’t make the same mistake of letting Man hijack God’s plan.

1. The first time they stood at the edge of the Promised land.

a. They were commanded to look at what was there not whether to go!

Numbers 13:17–20 NKJV

Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Numbers 13:17-

b. Ten didn’t bring a military report but a civilian report. (Standing on an aircraft carrier)

Numbers 13:27–31 NKJV

Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”

Numbers 13:27-

c. The people decided and left God out.

Numbers 14:1–2 NKJV

So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!

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B. Allow God to lead you through His leaders

1. By keeping their eyes on God. ()

Joshua 3:3 NKJV

and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.

2. By allowing God to lead you into new areas.

Joshua 3:4 NKJV

Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”

Joshua 3:

2000 cubits would be about 1/2 mile. Don’t run ahead of God

3. By preparing your hearts for whats ahead.

Joshua 3:5 NKJV

And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

Joshua 3:5

Sanctify: Set yourself apart for a miracle of God.

4. Leaders be ready to lead.

Joshua 3:6 NKJV

Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

Joshua 3:

C. A memorial to remember by.

Men approach and build the memorial.

How many of you have something to help remind you of your relationship with God.

Jewelry, Emblems on your car, Crosses on you clothing, Scripture written on desktops, Christian Artwork.

Jewelry, Emblems on your car, Crosses on you clothing, Scripture written on desktops, Christian Artwork.

1. Building a memorial is dirty work (It takes effort)

2. Building a memorial requires us to work with others.

3. Building a memorial calls us out of the crowd.

4. Building a memorial is encouragement for those around us.

5. Building a memorial is spiritual food for the generations to come.

We are here today because those that have gone before have built a memorial of service to this community. In 1905 someone had a vision to start a Church, they met in various locations until 1955 when another vision brought them to this piece of property where we are today, in 1962 a vision came to fruition for an educational building, that original Church building was destroyed in 2000 and another vision was cast to build bigger and better and to remain right here in the mill community. Those visions were cast and lead by men with names like Frank Coyle, Grady Carpenter and Fulton Boswell, and more Deacons and members than I can begin to mention.

But the vision isn’t complete and in some ways it’s harder than ever to cast.

The world is captivating our people

It’s taking their time.

It’s taking their talents.

It’s taking their tithes.