Never Forget Joshua 4:1-24 8/19/12 AM Joshua Series J7

Padre Island Memorial

Omaha NE Air Force Chapel Memorial

A Tree in Donna’s Memory

Masada – A Jewish memorial to national freedom “Masada shall never fall again.”

Never Forget How Great Our God Is Let’s read Joshua 4:1-24 together.

I. What Happened? (vs. 1-20)

II. What Was the Meaning of the Stones? (vs, 6,7, 21-24)

The Stones Were: Pertinent – They came from the river. Prominent – They were set up in public. Productive – They generated questions and created curiosity. Promotional – They pointed to the great works of God. Permanent – They lasted into the next generations.

III. What Were the Results of the Sign? (vs. 24) To: Their Children Their Enemies Themselves

What Lessons Should I Learn? The Value of Memorials The Value of Children The Value of a Testimony for My God

What Lessons… –The Value of Memorials – Visual Aids from History – Rocks are Real – History Real – Don’t take it for Granite! –The Value of Children – Why go to all the trouble of constant teaching? Family devotions, guarding our entertainment, bringing them to Sunday School and church AM, PM, Wed? They ARE the next church – the next “us” – They will stand before God too. –The Value of a Testimony for My God In Preaching In Music In Witness In Life’s Priority and Purpose In My Schedule In My “Stuff”

These are Memorials. Family Altar Family Reunions Christian School Yearbooks Church Directories Deacon’s Care Groups Baptism The Lord’s Supper The Local Church –Not simplistically a Home Church, but the visible, called-out ones in an entire locality, meeting and growing together for fulfilling God’s purpose in this age – Evangelism – Edification – Discipleship – Fellowship - Worship

Can you think of any more stones of memorial? Scars Buildings Dates Pictures People Testimonies Israel’s everlasting feasts