Sermon Notes - Joshua 4 - Littleby Baptist Church - August 24, 2025

1.        Joshua and the people were on the move.

a.        The had heard that God had been working on the Canaanites.

b.       They moved to the edge of the Jordan.

c.        There they waited on God.

d.       They were ready.

e.        They were prepared.

f.          They did all they could do.

g.        They did not try to swim across the Jordan.

h.        They did not try to build a bridge.

2.        They waited on God.

a.        He promised to give the land to them.

b.       They waited on God to initiate the action.

3.        We need to remember that God’s blessing come in His way and in His time.

a.        Waiting is hard but is necessary.

b.       The people waited.

c.        Until God gave Joshua the directions.

4.        Then God worked.

a.        The Priests picked up the Ark.

b.       They carried it into the Jordan River.

c.        The water stopped.

d.       A miracle happened.

e.        Similar to the parting of the Red Sea.

5.        They had to have faith.

a.        We have to have faith.

b.       Not that God will answer our every wish like a Jeanie in a bottle.

c.        But that He will fulfill His promises.

d.       That he will answer our prayers.

e.        According to His will.

f.          We need to have faith that our God is with us.

6.        As we continue in our adventure with Jousha and the Israelites.

a.        Chapters 3 and 4 are tied together.

b.       You might recall we looked a verse last week and I said that we will talk about that next week.

c.        Joshua 3:12

d.       God had Joshua choose 12 men.

e.        As we move to chapter 4, we step back to that point, and we will dig a bit deeper.

7.        Joshua 4:1

a.        The entire nation has crossed.

b.       The priests are still standing in the middle of the Jordan river.

c.        The water is still stopped up.

d.       And God talks to Joahua.

8.        Joshua 4:2

a.        Here is the link to verse twelve from chapter 3.

b.       The 12 men have been chosen.

c.        They know they are supposed to do something.

9.        Joshua 4:3

a.        These men are to take 12 stones from where the priests are standing.

b.       They are going to carry them to where they are going to camp.

10.   Joshua 4:4-7

a.        He calls the men.

b.       Tells them to do as God has commanded.

c.        And tells them why.

d.       These men have been selected.

e.        They have been called for something special.

f.          They will pick a stone.

g.        Hoist it on their shoulder for their tribe.

h.        Then be part of building a memorial.

i.          In order that the future generations will know what God has done for them.

11.   God is fulfilling His promise and giving the land to the people.

a.        Many will remember the stories of the Red Sea and the Jordan River.

b.       But here will be a memorial.

c.        Something that people can see with their eyes.

d.       A symbol of God’s salvation.

e.        Not something to worship.

f.          But something to help them remember.

12.   Today, when we look at the cross.

a.        It should help us remember what our Lord has done for us.

b.       We do not worship the cross.

c.        To the Jewish people it was a curse.

d.       A horrible thing.

e.        It is simply a couple of pieces of wood or a piece of metal.

f.          But it is a symbol of our Lord Jesus deciding that He will die for our sins.

g.        That He willingly gave His life for us.

h.        Something we can look at, hold on to, or even wear to remember His sacrifice.

13.   Joshua 4:8-9

a.        The men did as God had ordered.

b.       Joshua went one step further and had stones placed where the Priests stood.

c.        A second memorial.

14.   Joshua 4:10-11

a.        These verses once again tie chapter 4 with the end of chapter 3.

b.       The people had crossed.

c.        The guys had carried stones from the river.

d.       Guys had carried stones and stacked them near the priests in the middle of the Jordan river.

e.        As they finished.

f.          The Priest carried the Ark of the Covenant across.

15.   Joshua 4:12-13

a.        Confirmation, a reminder.

b.       That the 2 ½ tribes have crossed the Jordan as they had committed to.

16.   Joshua 4:14

a.        Joshua 3:7

b.       God fulfilled His promise to Joshua.

c.        God was leading the people through Joshua.

d.       He was performing miracles and using Joshua as the spokesperson.

e.        People were seeing God at work in Joshua.

f.          The people respected Joshua.

17.   We continue to see examples in the Book of Joshua of God fulfilling His commitment to Joshua and the people.

a.        When He does it has an impact.

b.       It has given Joshua confidence.

c.        It has resulted in the people having faith.

d.       The people are seeing Joshua as God’s leader.

18.   When we trust in God.

a.        We see Him fulfill His promises to us.

b.       It can give us confidence.

c.        If we trust Him and let Him handle the situations in our lives.

d.       He does take care of them.

19.   What comes to mind is situations at work where people are, how shall I put it, less than truthful about you to others.

a.        Over the years I have found, it does no good to try to fight the battle yourself.

b.       Going toe to toe does not always help.

c.        Normally it makes it worse.

d.       Make your point in a debate, state your argument, make your case…

e.        But when someone stabs you in the back, fighting it only makes it worse.

f.          Give it to God.

g.        Turn the other check and trust in Him.

h.        It is hard, but this has worked in my favor more times than not.

i.          It takes time and patience.

j.          But it does work.

k.        People tend to see the truth after a while.

l.          Trust in God and His timing.

20.   Joshua 4:15-18

a.        Once again God spoke through Joshua.

b.       He could have used the chief priest.

c.        But He wanted to solidify Joshua’s leadership.

d.       The miracle of the Jordan River came to an end.

21.   Joshua 4:19

a.        The exact location is uncertain.

b.       Likely not too far from the Jordan River as the guys were carrying those stones.

c.        Not too close to Jericho as they will be here for a little bit and have a few things to take care of.

22.   Joshua 4:20-24

a.        The message that Joshua had shared with the 12 men from each of the tribes.

b.       He is now sharing with everyone.

c.        This memorial.

d.       Made from stones form the bottom of the Jordan.

e.        Is for the future generations to remember what our God has done for us.

23.   But the real purpose is verse 24 – re-read it.

a.        God did not do these events just so that the Israelites would worship Him.

b.       He did not part the Red Sea or stop the Jordan River just to save His chosen people.

c.        It was so that the world would see and recognize that He is God.

d.       And not that they would fear Him as a lump on the floor cowering before Him.

e.        That they would recognize His majesty.

f.          That they would honor Him and accept the redemption He is offering.

24.   Psalms 130

a.        A cry for mercy.

b.       Trusting in the forgiveness of God.

c.        Encouraged to put our Hope in the Lord.

25.   When I think about this today.

a.        Our Lord is an Awesome God.

b.       His standard is strict.

c.        None of us can live up to it.

d.       We will all perish for the sin in our lives.

e.        But out of love our God provided a way, when there was no way.

f.          He sent His son Jesus to this earth for us.

g.        Jesus lived a perfect sinless life.

h.        He gave up His life on that cross for us.

i.          Paying for our sin.

j.          Paying our debt.

k.        But then, He defeated death.

l.          Giving all who have put their faith in Him new life.

m.     If you have not put your faith in Jesus and would like to, I would love to talk with you.

26.   If you are a follower of Christ.

a.        What has God done in your life that you need to remember?

b.       What has He done that you need to hold on to?

c.        Something that can strengthen your faith?

d.       Something that can encourage you to put your hope in the Lord.

e.        Something that may remind you of the calling His has given you?

f.          Hold on to that reminder.

g.        And follow Jesus wherever He leads.

h.        Step out in faith as He leads.

i.          If you feel God is calling you to do something new, I would love to talk to you.