We’re About to Cross Over” (Joshua 3:1-5)

“We’re About to Cross Over” (Joshua 3:1-5) INTRO: Israel and the wilderness. Great Miracles – water; manna; quail Great Revelation – 10 Commandments; Pillar of Cloud/Fire Great Restrictions – Obedience Demanded; Limited resources High Tensions – Complaints about Moses; Wife’s Color PERHAPS GOD WANTED TO ELIMINATE EGYPT BEFORE... 2020 in review. Great Miracles – families together; Communities closer; lives spared. God’s Glory Revealed – prayer; virtual worship; God’s word preached everywhere. Restrictions – shelter in place; restaurants, bars closed; can’t find Lysol anywhere High tensions – Racism; Social Injustice; Ahmaud Arberry; George Floyd; Anjanette Young. Now we’re preparing to enter a new year. But what will it look like? Who should we follow? READ Joshua 3:1-5. PRAY “We’re About to Cross Over.” The Israelites are camped at the Jordan river. Other side is the promised land. To get to the Promised Land you first must Cross Over the Jordan. Fear; Failure; LACK OF FAITH.

But before you Cross Over you have to learn: THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING GOD - 3-4A The ark of the covenant – no longer the pillar of cloud. The ark contained – God’s Standard of Right Living-The 10 Commandments God’s Authority and Power - Aaron’s Rod; God Sovereignty to correct and guide. God’s Provision for Existence - Manna The Bread of Life SO, The ark symbolized the Lord Himself is going to lead His people...and we have to FOLLOW Him. ILLUS: Pete and Cindy in the Malakal Flood. FOLLOW MY STEPS. John 14 – We don’t know the way...I AM THE WAY When you see – We have to keep our eyes on God. He knows the new territory. We’re About to Cross Over!

FOLLOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF REVERENCING GOD – 4B The people were commanded to maintain a distance. REVERENCE. He is not the “man upstairs.” He is close to you but still demands reverence from you. ILLUS: Father playing with his children. Angels see Him and are in His presence AND they REVERENCE Him. REVERENCE IS OBEDIENCE. ILLUS: Angels OBEY! The distance allowed them to FOLLOW Him, not follow the crowd. ILLUS: Politically; Denominations; Church Members. We must give God the reverence He is due by FOLLOWING HIM. God is Holy; God is Sovereign; God is Almighty

Following – Reverencing THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUSTING GOD – 5 To trust God means to EXPECT that He’s gonna do what He promised. He’s not like an earthly deadbeat Dad who shows up on occasion. He does what He said He will do. He always shows up. He does His part but you have to do your part. Consecrate yourself. To Consecrate yourselves is spiritual. New territory – not sharpen your swords; prepare your glock. Consecrate yourself - God is leading us, taking us somewhere that the military mind is not needed; Consecrate yourself - God is guiding us into new territory where human weapons are invalid. Weapons of our warfare... We Must Trust Him. ILLUS: Rochelle’s Birthday Dinner-I consecrated myself. She Trusted Me. God wants YOU to EXPECT Him to guide and protect you as you Cross Over into 2021.

CLOSE: In order for us to Cross Over we must learn the: IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING GOD IMPORTANCE OF REVERENCING GOD IMPORTANCE OF TRUSTING GOD