sf138 - What Are These Stones - Part One Worship Preaching And Theology (Joshua 4 19-24)

Joshua 4:19-24

Introduction

Scriptural context

Forty years of aimless wandering were about to come to an end

The people of Israel stood on the bank of the Jordan River. The Jordan separated the past from the future.

Ø The slavery of Egypt from the success of Canaan

Ø The defeat of the wilderness from the victory of God’s promise

Ø The poverty of the desert from the plenty of the promised land

The Jordan represented both comfort and challenge!

It was the time of the Spring floods. (Joshua 3:15)

Ø Snow melts of Mt. Hermon and the river can become 90-100 wide and 12 feet deep

Ø Rapid currents that were known to carry many to a watery death.

God instructs His people to construct a memorial

Ø Because he knows we tend to forget

Ø He knows the question will come...What are these stones?

Historical context

Two years ago this body of believers gathered to establish a New Testament Church.

In the earliest days of this fellowship we determined to seek to build this church upon the foundation that Christ has set in His Word.

The foundation that is based on God’s Word and His gospel. I could not agree with Charles Spurgeon more when he writes:

“Some preachers evidently do not believe that the Lord is with their gospel, because, in order to attract and save sinners, their gospel is insufficient, and they have to add to it inventions of men. Plain gospel preaching must be supplemented, — so they think. If the gospel must be a failure unless we attract the people by some extraneous method, it is a poor business. If your gospel cannot bring the people to hear you, and if, when they come, your gospel will not impress and convert them, well, then, give it up. If you are not conscious of a supernatural power and presence with the Word of the Lord, let it alone.”[1]

I am deeply indebted to Dr. Mark Dever and his book The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, for much of the material I will use in this series of messages.

Join me as I seek to answer the question, “What are these stones?” We will set forth ten stones over the next three weeks they are worship, preaching, Biblical theology, the gospel, conversion, evangelism, church membership, church discipline, church leadership, and growth?

1A. The Stone of Genuine Worship (Psalm 100:1-5)

God is both the object and subject of our worship. Worship is all about God. Therefore, His glory is to be the primary goal of our worship.

1B Notice how we are to worship

We are to Celebrate God's Presence (100:1-2)

Ø With our music (Psalm 100:1; 98:6; 33:2)

"Shout" = sound the trumpets!

Ø With our mouths (Psalm 100:2; 95:2)

We are to Anticipate God's Blessings (100:4)

Ø We are to come to worship with a thankful heart (Psalm 100:4a; 116:17; 102:1-2)

Ø We are to continue in worship with a happy heart (Psalm 100:4b; 68:26; 106:1)

2B. Notice whom we are to worship (100:3)

He is the God of the Covenant "the Lord Himself is God" (100:3a)

Ø He is the God who keeps His promises (Genesis 12:1-3)

Ø He is the God who cares for His people (John 14:1-3)

He is the God of Creation (100:3b)

Ø Everyone and everything were made by Him and for Him! (Colossians 1:16)

He is the God of Compassion (100:3c)

Ø He knows us intimately (John 10:14-15a)

Ø He loves us passionately (John 10 15b)

3B. Notice why we are to worship

There is an essential reason - His Goodness! (100:5a)

Ø 1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 34:8 - "good" = speaks of some thing that is of value

There is an eternal reason - His Love! (Psalm 100:5b; 106:1)

Ø Forty-one times the Bible tells us to praise God for His love.

There is an enduring reason - His Faithfulness! (Psalm 100:5c; 108:4; 119:90)

Ø Twenty times the OT reminds us that He is a Faithful God!

Four parts of worship

(1) We prepare to worship;

(2) We hear God speak;

(3) We respond to God;

(4) God sends us forth.

2A. The Stone of Expository Preaching (2 Timothy 3:14-4:4)

1B. The nature of God’s Word (3:15a)

Ø The Scriptures are the “sacred writings” (3:15) - “ta hera grammata”

Ø The Scriptures are “inspired” (3:16) – Plenary Verbal Inspiration

2B. The necessity of God’s Word (3:15b, 17) - “Profitable” (ophelimos) useful

Ø The means of the new birth (3:15b; Romans 10:17)

Ø Teaches us about God and how to live – “Teaching” (Psalm 119:9-11)

Ø Exposes our sin – “Reproof” (Hebrews 4:12)

Ø Sets us straight – “Correction” (Psalm 119:104-106)

Ø Trains us in righteousness – “Training in righteousness” (John 17:17)

3B. The neglect of God’s Word (4:1-4)

Ø The seriousness of the preacher’s commission (4:1)

Ø The subject of the preacher’s commission (4:2a)

Ø The scope of the preacher’s commission (4:2b) -There is no “off season” for preaching.

Ø The urgency of the preacher’s commission (4:3-4)

3A. The Stone of Biblical Theology (Deuteronomy 5:6-10)

“The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.”[2]

1B. God is an all-knowing God – Omniscient (Psalm 139:4)

2B. God is an ever-present God – Omnipresent (Psalm 139:8)

3B. God is an all-powerful God – Omnipotent (Job 42:2)

4B. God is a never changing God – Immutable (Hebrews 13:8)

5B. God is a self–existent God – Eternal (Psalm 90:2)

6B. God is a limitless God – Infinite (Job 11:7-8)

7B. God is a creating God (Hebrews 11:1-3)

8B. God is a holy God (Psalm 5:4)

9A. God is a loving God (1 John 4:8)

10B. God is a just God (Job 34:12)

11B. God is a sovereign God (Psalm 135:5-6)

Joshua 4:19-14

1A. The Stone of Genuine Worship (Psalm 100:1-5)

1B Notice _________________ we are to worship

We are to celebrate God's presence (Psalm 100:1-2; 98:6; 33:2; 95:2)

We are to anticipate God's blessings (Psalm 100:4; 116:17; 102:1-2; 68:26; 106:1)

2B. Notice __________ we are to worship (100:3)

He is the God of the Covenant "the Lord Himself is God" (100:3a)

Ø He is the God who keeps His promises (Genesis 12:1-3)

Ø He is the God who cares for His people (John 14:1-3)

He is the God of Creation (Psalm 100:3b; Colossians 1:16)

He is the God of Compassion (Psalm 100:3c; John 10:14-15)

3B. Notice ____________________ we are to worship

There is an essential reason - His Goodness! (Psalm 100:5a; 1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 34:8)