Sermon Tone Analysis

What Do These Stones Mean?

Joshua 4:19-24

Joshua 4:19-24

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 ().

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.

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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!

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

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.

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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: ()

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.

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d.

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

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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.

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

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CONCLUSION:

Song: “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

By Samuel F. Smith

1.

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!

2.

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.

3.

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.

4.

Our fathers' God, to thee,