Sermon Notes - Joshua 3 - Littleby Baptist Church - August 17, 2025

1.        The first two chapters have been about preparing for the adventure.

a.        First we had God helping Joshua prepare.

b.       He was not ready.

c.        God needed to encourage him.

d.       He told Joshua to be strong and courageous.

e.        Several times in fact.

f.          Told him to not be afraid.

g.        To not be discouraged.

h.        Because God was with him.

2.        God’s encouragement worked.

a.        Joshua took charge.

b.       He told the people to get ready.

c.        They were going to cross the Jordan river.

d.       They had to gather provisions.

e.        He reminded some of their commitment.

f.          All of the leaders were on board.

g.        They saw that God was with Joshua.

h.        They were ready to follow God and follow Joshua.

3.        Then last week we saw Joshua send out some spies to scope out the Promised Land.

a.        It had been 40 years since he had seen it.

b.       Things had changed.

c.        He wanted to be prepared.

4.        Through their adventure, we saw that God had been at work.

a.        The Canaanite people were afraid.

b.       They knew that the Israelites were coming.

c.        They knew that their God had parted the sea 40 years earlier.

d.       They knew that their God had helped them defeat armies.

e.        The people of Cannan believed that they were going to be conquered.

f.         It was not if, but a matter of when.

g.        The Spies that Joshua sent believed it.

5.        When we know that Jesus is with us.

a.        When we truly trust that our God is with us.

b.       We know that our salvation is secure.

c.        We know that no matter what, we will spend forever with Him.

d.       We know peace beyond understanding.

e.        When we trust that God has called us to something.

f.          We have wisdom that comes from our God.

g.        We have Joy that is not based on our lives.

h.        We have His love that fills us.

i.          But we have to believe it.

6.        Joshua believed.

7.        The leaders believed.

8.        The spies believed.

9.        The people of Israel are on the move as we pick up in chapter 3.

10.   Joshua 3:1

a.        The spies returned.

b.       They gave an encouraging report.

c.        The people in Cannan are ready to cave.

d.       Let’s go.

e.        Let’s not waste a single moment.

f.          Let’s camp by the river until God moves us.

11.   Joshua 3:2

a.        As they sat at the Jordan River, they would have questioned how they were going to cross.

b.       A river running through a gorge.

c.        Not as big as the sea some of them may remember crossing through as young children.

d.       But still a formidable challenge lays before them.

e.        As they sit there staring at the river.

f.          Then after 3 days.

12.   Joshua 3:3

a.        We are going to sit here until God moves.

b.       We are going to let God lead.

c.        The promise is that God is going to give the Israelites the land.

d.       Not that they will take it.

e.        That means God needs to initiate the action.

f.          When God moves they will follow.

13.   Too often we try to do things on our own.

a.        In our own time.

b.       In our own strength.

c.        With our own abilities.

d.       Sometimes we do ‘ok’.

e.        Other times we mess things up good.

f.          Wonder what the results would have been if we had waited on God?

g.        Who knows.

14.   The people needed to wait on God.

a.        And then follow.

15.   Joshua 3:4

a.        Don’t crowd the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord.

b.       Stay far enough back so you can see it.

c.        Stay back so you can see the miracle.

16.   Joshua 3:5-6

a.        They had to prepare themselves.

b.       They had to get ready.

c.        For us that starts with repenting of our sins and following God.

d.       Beyond that, it would mean giving our time to our God.

e.        Making Him a priority each day.

f.          Dedicating time to openly and passionately praying to Him.

g.        Reading the Bible to learn what it means.

h.        These things help us to be prepared for Him to use us.

i.          To be ready.

17.   Joshua 3:7

a.        God reassures Joshua that the people will know that God is using him.

b.       The people will see a confirmation of God moving in Joshua’s life.

18.   This is the same as when we see the calling God has placed in someone’s life.

a.        When the giftings they have been giving are confirmed by their use.

b.       Whether it is by the gifts being used by playing an instrument.

c.        Going above and beyond in hospitality.

d.       Teach a class, serve as a Deacon, serve at Camp.

e.        Or someone called to serve as a missionary or pastor.

f.          It is all part of God working in them for others to see.

19.   Joshua 3:8

a.        God has Joshua, His spokesperson, tell the priests what to do.

b.       They are to walk to the edge of the water, stand in the edge of the water and stop.

c.        God is using Joshua.

20.   Joshua 3:9-10

a.        Joshua wants to make sure the people are listening.

b.       He is sharing what God wants them to hear.

c.        A God that is among them.

d.       A God that is about to give them what is promised.

e.        A God that is about to change their lives.

21.   We are reading the Word of God.

a.        That is how Our God is speaking to us.

b.       We should be making it a priority.

c.        Not just our time on Sunday as we gather.

d.       But each day.

e.        Carve time out.

f.          If you spend no time now, spend 10 minutes.

g.        If you spend 10 minutes, I would like to challenge you to double it.

h.        But if you can spend 30 minutes or more a day with the Word of God

i.          It is a life changer.

22.   Joshua 3:11

a.        God will do amazing things, when the Ark goes ahead of the people.

b.       Meaning when they are trusting in God.

c.        When they are following His leading.

d.       When they are submitting to His teaching.

e.        Trusting in Him.

f.          If the people follow God, they will receive the land from all of those mentioned in verse 10.

23.   If we have given our lives to Jesus.

a.        We cannot point to a piece of land we will receive.

b.       Or be able to count on a certain blessing in our bank account.

c.        But we can trust that the author and perfector of our faith will be with us.

d.       We can count on the fact that He will grow our faith.

e.        We can trust in the Hope we have in our Jesus.

f.          Knowing that we have a perfect eternity with Him.

24.   Joshua 3:12

a.        Choose 12 men, and we don’t talk about why until we get to the next chapter.

b.       This has to do with picking up a stone and building a memorial but we will talk about that next week.

25.   Joshua 3:13

a.        The priests are going to carry the ark into the Jordan River, and it is going to part.

b.       Very similar to the parting of the Red Sea.

c.        God is going to make it so that the people can cross the Jordan River.

d.       The soldiers.

e.        The woman.

f.          The children.

g.        And all the animals.

h.        God is performing a major miracle.

i.          The people needed to have faith to see God at work.

26.   Faith

a.        We have to have faith to see God at work.

b.       Luke 17:6

c.        If we have faith, God can work.

d.       It doesn’t take overwhelming perfect faith.

e.        It simply takes a small amount of faith.

f.          Faith in Jesus.

g.        Faith that He is God.

h.        Faith that He is who He says He is.

i.          Faith that He can do what He says He can do.

j.          Faith that He will do what He says He will do.

k.        Then trust that His will will be done.

l.          Faith the size of a mustard seed.

27.   Joshua 3:14-17

a.        Now all that faith is being put to the test.

b.       They are stepping forward.

c.        They are walking into the water.

d.       And the water downstream stood still.

e.        The people crossed the Jordan River opposite of Jerrico.

f.          This was no knee-deep creek.

g.        There was no bridge.

h.        They were traveling with women, children, and animals.

28.   They trusted in their God.

a.        He worked a miracle.

b.       They crossed on dry ground.

29.   Thinking through the last couple of chapters.

a.        The people could have been full of anxiety, fear, and they could have been discouraged.

b.       Instead, they had strength, courage, and faith.

30.   As we sit here this morning.

a.        We all have things going on in our lives.

b.       The question is, what is going to impact us as we head out on our adventure?

c.        The fear, anxiety, doubt, and discouragement?

d.       Is all of that going to hold us back?

e.        Is it going to keep us from answering God’s call?

f.          From sharing the Gospel with a friend or a loved one.

g.        From responding to a call to ministry.

h.        They can keep us from stepping out in faith when God is showing us a better way to live our lives.

i.          Instead, God is showing us that through faith, strength, and courage we can follow Him.

j.          We can respond to the call on our lives.

k.        Whether it is to be a witness to our friends.

l.          To go into ministry.

m.     Or to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savoir.         

n.        We need to trust God.

31.   If any of these, are you this morning, I am here to talk and pray with you.

a.        If you would like to know more about Jesus.

b.       To accept His amazing gift that sets you free from sins.

c.        I would love to talk with you.