What Do These Stones Mean?

19 The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month. Then they camped at Gilgal, just east of Jericho. 20 It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. 21 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”

Joshua 4:19-24

INTRODUCTION:

A- What is the significance of Memorial Day?

Since the earliest ceremonies in small American towns following the Civil War, we have gathered on Memorial Day to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. As in those early days of laying wreaths and placing flags, our national day of remembrance is often felt most deeply among the families and communities who have personally lost friends and loved ones.

This national holiday may also be the unofficial start of the summer season, but all Americans must take a moment to remember the sacrifice of our valiant military service members, first responders and their families. Memorial Day is a day of both celebration and grief, accounting for the honor of our heroes and reflecting on their tragic loss.

While the act of honoring those who have bravely paid the supreme sacrifice to protect our communities and nations is a worthy endeavor, I believe that the scriptures give us a greater reason to set aside a time for memorial.

B- The need for a proper focus and practice:

I- WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE SOURCE OF OUR LIBERTY ().

Joshua 4:21–23 NLT

21 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over.

A- Man is not the source of our liberty.

1- God had provided excellent leaders for Israel’s exodus experience.

a- Moses and Aaron led the Israelites out of Egypt.

b- Moses, Aaron and many others led through the difficulties in the wilderness.

c- After the death of Moses, God raised up Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land.

d- While these men led God’s people to follow God’s plan during difficult days, they were not the source of Israel’s liberty!

2- God has given our nation brave individuals to lead the way since our nation’s beginning.

a- We have many men who bravely led, while others bravely fought for our freedom in the Revolutionary War.

b- Many brave men led and fought during every other war we have faced.

Many like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others led as framers of the USA.

Many paid the ultimate price!

Fatalities from U.S. Wars and Conflicts

American Revolution (1775-1783)......4,435

War of 1812 (1812-1815).......................2,260

Mexican War (1846-1848)....................13,283

Civil War (1861-1865).........................620,000

Spanish-American War (1898-1902) ........385

World War I (1917-1918)......................116,516

World War II (1941-1945)......................405,399

Korean War (1950-1953)..........................36,574

Vietnam War (1964-1975).........................58,220

Gulf War (1990-1991)......................................383

Afghanistan War (2001-present)..................2,381

Iraq War (2003-2012).....................................4,500

None of these are the source of our liberty!

B- God is the source of our liberty. ().

Joshua 4:23 NLT

23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over.

1- God is the source of liberty and freedom.

a. The answer of the Israelites to the question “What Do These Stones Mean?” is key: “the Lord God” dried up the river!

b. As U.S. citizens, we need to memorialize all that God has done for our nation.

c. As Christians, we need to remember that God has heaped grace on to of grace upon us!

Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, to provide freedom from the penalty, power, and ultimately the presence of sin.

God has provided for our needs daily.

We need to take time to reflect on the fact that our liberty comes from God alone! While we may honor our fallen heroes, we must make sure that God gets the glory for our liberty!

()

2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

()

John 8:36 NLT

36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

II- WE NEED TO BEAR WITNESS TO ALL OF GOD’S WORK ON OUR BEHALF ().

Joshua 4:22–24 NLT

22 Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”

A- We must bear witness for our own remembrance.

The Israelites actually built two memorials:

one in the river

one at Gilgal (their first encampment).

Over the centuries, the Israelites were instructed to use physical memorials, special days, and meals and feasts to remind them of God’s works on their behalf.

These memorials were always to point them to the amazing God they served and how he was taking care of them. ()

Deuteronomy 6:11–12 NLT

11 The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, 12 be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

Like the Israelites, you and I have a tendency to forget about the specific things that God has done for us.

We need to use various forms of memorials to help us remember.

Days like Memorial Day, Easter, Christmas, etc.

Special events

The Lord’s Supper

B- We must bear witness to our children for their benefit.

1- The Israelites were to use these memorial to teach their children about two things: ()

Joshua 4:23 NLT

23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over.

a. The Lord’s special deliverance in the crossing of the Jordan River.

b. The Lord’s deliverance in crossing the Red Sea.

c. This was designed to train the children about the mighty works of God and that He was the source of their freedom.

()

Deuteronomy 6:1–3 NLT

1 “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

()

Deuteronomy 6:20–25 NLT

20 “In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ 21 “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand. 22 The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. 23 He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors. 24 And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. 25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.’

d. You and I must be diligent in teaching our children about the Lord and His works and ways.

()

Ephesians 6:4 NLT

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

()

Proverbs 22:6 NLT

6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

C- We must bear witness to the unbelieving world to bring them to Christ.

1- Part of the reason for the memorials was to point all nations to God.

()

Joshua 4:24 NLT

24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”

2- The world needs to hear about the salvation and freedom that is available in Christ!

()

Matthew 28:18–20 NLT

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

()

Mark 16:15 NLT

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

()

Acts 1:8 NLT

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

CONCLUSION:

Song: “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

By Samuel F. Smith

My country, 'tis of thee,

Sweet land of liberty,

Of thee I sing;

Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims' pride,

From ev'ry mountainside

Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,

Land of the noble free,

Thy name I love;

I love thy rocks and rills,

Thy woods and templed hills.

My heart with rapture thrills

Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze

And ring from all the trees

Sweet freedom's song;

Let mortal tongues awake;

Let all that breathe partake;

Let rocks their silence break,

The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to thee,

Author of liberty,

To thee we sing;

Long may our land be bright

With freedom's holy light.

Protect us by thy might,

Great God, our King!

Music: From Thesaurus Musicus, London, 1744

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