‘STONES!’ ‘From Defeat to Victory’ Joshua 19 th June 2011

THE MEMORIAL STONES Joshua 4:1–5 Joshua 4:9–20 Joshua 3:16,17 “up in one heap... while all Israel crossed on dry ground”.

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEMORIAL STONES Joshua 4:6-7; Joshua 4:21–24; There were 2 Purposes… The stones were to remind Israel and succeeding generations that God is a God of great power and glory and it was He who brought them over Jordan.

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEMORIAL STONES Joshua 4:21-23 ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed.

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEMORIAL STONES The purpose of these stones was not only to remind Israel of what God had done, but… So people would fear the Lord… Joshua 4:24 “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEMORIAL STONES Joshua 5:1 Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer, because of the sons of Israel.

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEMORIAL STONES The purpose of these stones was not only to remind Israel of what God had done, but… So people would fear the Lord… Joshua 4:24 “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEMORIAL STONES Joshua 5:1 Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer, because of the sons of Israel.

THE ULTIMATE RESULTS Judges 2:8–15 Judges 2:12 (NIV) 'They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger…'

WHAT APPLICATION DOES THIS HAVE FOR US TODAY? Deuteronomy 6:12–15 (NIV) Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.

WHAT APPLICATION DOES THIS HAVE FOR US TODAY? Deuteronomy 8:7–14 (NIV) For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

WHAT APPLICATION DOES THIS HAVE FOR US TODAY? Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

LIFE RESPONSE 1. What evidences are there in my home, in my personal life, that God exists and that I am dependent upon Him for my life and existence? 2. In what ways do I talk about the Lord? As a living reality? As just a part of my life? Someone we talk about because we are supposed to?

LIFE RESPONSE 3. In what ways can I convey to my children a reverence and respect for the Lord? 4. In what ways can I convey to my children that everything we have comes from Him?

LIFE RESPONSE 5. What memorial stones are there in my home and family life that are constant reminders of the greatness and power of God?