Joshua 3:1-7 The Be Attitudes of Dependance on the Lord

Joshua 3:1-7 The Be Attitudes of Dependance on the Lord

1And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

2And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;

3And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

4Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

6And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

7And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

The Be Attitudes of Dependance on the Lord

I. Be Patient and wait upon the Lord (v.2-3)

II. Be Wise – Know thy way (v.4)

a. Ecclesiastes 11:10

b. Proverbs 4:20-21

III. Be Sanctified (v.5)

a. Spiritual preparation

i. For the minister of the Lord to prepare spiritually

1. (1 Samuel 7:3) – Abandon Idols

a. Return to the Lord with your whole heart

b. Put away idols and strange gods

c. Prepare you hearts to receive the Lord

d. Serve him only

e. He will deliver you

2. (2 Chronicles 29:15) - Cleanse God’s Temple

a. Ministers of the Lord

i. Sanctify themselves

ii. Be obedient

iii. Cleanse the house of the Lord

1. Search out any uncleanliness

2. Remove any uncleanliness from the temple, and anything it touched

3. Then made you offer

4. Worship in song (rejoice)

3. (Luke 1:17) Return to the Lord

a. The Lord will turn the hearts of the repentant

b. By the Spirit of the Lord

c. By the Word spoken by his ministers

4. (2 Timothy 2:21-22) - Personal purification

a. Purify yourselves

i. Flee youthful lusts

ii. Follow righteousness, faith , charity, peace, fellowship

b. Sanctification = Set yourself apart (ceremonially washing and purification), washed in the blood of Jesus!

i. Isaiah 16:5

IV. Be Expectant (v.5) (Psalm 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.)

a. See what God has done

i. Miracles of Joshua

1. Jordan divided (Joshua ch.3)

2. Jericho taken (Joshua ch6)

3. Sun and Moon Stayed (Joshua 10:12-13)

ii. Job 26:10-12 - 10He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.

iii. Psalm 62:11 - God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

V. Be Obedient (v.6)

a. Walk in agreement with the Lord (Amos 3:3 - Can two walk together, except they be agreed?)

VI. Be Confident in the Word of the Lord (v.7)

a. Romans 5:5-6 - And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Closing – I’ve done what I can do here... now it is up to you.

· Do you know of this Confidence in the Lord today?

· Do you trust in Jesus?

· Are you depending upon his grace?

· Do you believe in Jesus?

Stand up if you do… Closing prayer