Magnificent Reminder Of The Cross 21
Josh. 4:1-11, 18-24
The geographical location of Israel helps us comprehend the magnitude
of this miracle. The Jordan River plunges from 1,200' above sea
level to 1295' below sea level in 130 miles and
at the point where Israel crossed the valley is 4 miles wide.
Josh. 3:15, says, The Jordan overflows all its banks during
the whole time of harvest. The
canyon was flooded from bank to bank. No wonder the Canaanite
were unconcerned.
a. The priests step into the edge of the water and this raging
torrent comes to a halt and all
of Israel crosses into the promised land on dry ground. God commands
them to gather 12
stones to build a monument, a reminder of this magnificent even.
That was not the
only reminder of Gods power, greatness and perfect care
given to Israel.
(A) There were others. 10 plagues, Crossing of the Red Sea, Pillar
of fire and the
cloud all of which were constant reminders that Jehovah was their
strength and
Provision. And what about the events at Mt. Sinai. The mountain
shook, rumbled
with lightening and thunder so fiercely the people trembled. Yet,
here at Jordan they
are commanded to erect yet another reminder of Gods greatness.
Why? Why the constant erecting of such monuments and reminders?
God knows man is prone to forget what he should remember. In astonishment
you might ask, Forget? How could anyone forget all those
marvelous events?
(a) It is incomprehensible that they would ever forget. Yet, they
did. The fact of
their forgetfulness is demonstrated in the prophets. Their constant
call was,
Remember God, remember Gods Law, remember, remember
and turn
away from your sin and rebellion.
Can the same be true of us today? And can it be said with the
same degree of astonishment and for the same reasons? Thats
a good question, How could we, who have been enlightened,
tasted salvation, received the new covenant ever forget Christ?
How?
How treat lightly His expression of love on the cross? But, we
do and the apostle Paul writes about that ingratitude in Heb.
10:29, talking about Christians ...who trample the Son of
God underfoot, counting His blood of the covenant by which they
were sanctified a common thing, and have insulted the Spirit of
grace?
God gave Israel those reminders and recorded their fickle history
as a reminder for us not to follow their shameful example. 1 Cor.
10:11?12, ...all these things happened to them as examples,
and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of
the ages have come. Its so important God said it a
second time in Rom 15:4, For whatever things were written
before were written for our learning.
(1) What are we to learn, remember? Dont forget to remember.
Remember to remember who you are, Whose you are. Remember how
and why and when He redeemed you from your sin. Hold His shed
blood as the holiest and most sacred thing in your life. Thats
what the Lords Day is about.
(1) God has given us a Memorial Day. A day of remembrance
But it does not happen just once a year, as Americas Memorial
Day does. The Christians Memorial Day occurs on the 1st
day of every week.
(2) The Lords Day is a reminder of the most glorious event
in the history of mankind. That day is made more meaningful by
another memorial within that memorial. Its called the Lords
Supper, 1 Cor. 11:23-26.
(2) Its purpose is commemorative. Matt 26:26?29, Jesus
took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples
and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took
the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink
from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for many for the remission of sins. This is
our memorial. It brings to our memory in a tender, vivid way,
the virgin birth, pure life, the saving words, the death, burial,
resurrection, ascension and coronation of Jesus for our sins =
And it is a constant reminder that He is coming back to take us
home with Him.
(3) We are to hold in it reverence and cherish it as the most
priceless thing in our lives. We must not treat it lightly or
take it for granted. It is to be the most sacred memory in our
hearts.
(4) Thats what the apostle Paul is referring to in 1 Cor.
11:27-30. Question? Where are you, in your mind, heart during
this covenant meal?
What are you thinking about? Your hair, make up, car, business?
3. Or do you stand beneath the cross. Your face stained with tears.
Tears of love and gratitude. Heartbroken because He is there because
of you. Poem, I Nailed my Savior There. Rom 5:8, God
demonstrated His own love toward us in this way. While we were
still sinners, He sent Christ to die for us. Thats
what the Lords Supper is all about Our covenant meal celebrating
Jesus & our salvation in Him. Heb. 10:25-29. When did Christians
assemble? Why did they assemble? Where are you every 1st day of
the week?
(1) Ive Seen Christians cry at Ball Games. Movies, TV. Scene
on the screen was one of love, compassion, sadness. Never seen
a Christian moved to the point of tears while partaking of the
Lords Supper. Did you? I wonder why?
(2) Communion made possible by a love so great it could not give
anything less than its very best. A sermon on the Love of
God that I could never match with my unlearned, finite, inept
efforts to move you into the arms of God.
(3) If Gods sermon of the cross wont move you to give
it all to Him, then nothing I could say will ever do that.
(2) For 52 Sundays every year a sermon on love has been preached
at this table. And many have slept through it. A sermon that says,
I love you that much. I love you enough to see My Son suffer
and die for you. Want to see Gods hatred for sin.
Noahs flood, Fires of Sodom and Gomorrah. Look at the Cross.
Not see the real love of God in Glory of Eden or beauty of nature.
Need to look at the Cross.
(1) Magnificent reminder that God is, Christ died, Love is dynamic,
Prayer is powerful, Faith is the victory and the love of God knows
no limit.
(2) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 04/14/2002 am
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