Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham. You're going where you've never been before. You've never passed this way before. You have a past, but you have a future, and maybe you're concerned about your future. Maybe you don't know what's going to happen next.
On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about the moments in life when we cross over into God's blessings.
Now, here's Dr. Graham with his message. What do these stones mean? Take God's word and turn with me in your Old Testament to the book of Joshua and the third chapter. A defining moment, someone said, is a point in your life when you are urged to make a pivotal decision, or when you experience something that fundamentally changes you, and not only changes you, but as followers of Jesus, changes you and your family.
Forever, and that's what Joshua three and four is about.
Now we talked about coming to the Jordan River. Israel has been in the desert wandering for forty years. An entire generation has died out, and now a new generation is ready to take the land that God has given them—the promised land. And remember, the promised land for us as believers today is the promised life that God has given us. This life of abundance, this life of blessing that we've been promised in Christ, and to live a victorious Christian life—not defeated by circumstances or conditions in our lives, but living in the abundance that is Christ.
It doesn't mean that it's always easy; that there are not battles that we fight. Certainly, Israel, when they when they cross over into the land of promise, there were big battles to fight. And enemies to defeat, and when we cross over into this promised life in Jesus Christ, there are certainly burdens we bear and battles that we fight.
So it's not it's not perfect. It won't be perfect until we get to heaven, and we do know the end of the story because in the end of the story, we are going to be in His presence forever.
Now, I want to talk to you about. These miraculous moments in our lives, momentous moments in our lives, when we cross over into the blessing of God. The big problem that Israel was facing that day, that you could be facing, is that there was a big river right in front of them. It was the Jordan River. And it was the spring season, the harvest season, and so the river was swollen, and it was a raging river, and they had no human way in order to get to the other side.
So, how is Joshua going to lead the people across this raging river?
Something supernatural is about to happen. Miraculously, that river is going to part, and the people are going to walk over on dry ground, just as forty years earlier they had walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. God is giving now a new generation a miracle of their own, the supernatural. Do you believe in the supernatural? Do you believe in the miraculous?
I do. The miraculous is what happens beyond human experience, human effort, or human explanation. It is when God does something in our lives that we cannot explain. It is indescribable, but when it happens. Especially when you look back in your life, when it happens, you realize it was the hand of God moving in your life.
Even if you may not have known it at the time, it is indescribable but unmistakable. And so, if you are going to experience this miracle in your life and the supernatural power of God to get you where you are and into the future that God has planned for you. We discovered earlier in this text that you're going where you've never been before. You've never passed this way before. You have a past, but you have a future, and maybe you're concerned about your future.
Maybe you don't know what's going to happen next. Maybe you have questions about what God is doing in your life right now, and. You need the hand of God to move. You need to see God move in your life.
So, how do you do that?
Well, we saw initially that we are to prepare our hearts. We're to prepare ourselves for what God is going to do. The Scripture says, "Sanctify yourself, Joshua three. Dedicate yourself. Consecrate yourself unto God.
For tomorrow, the Lord is going to do wonders among you." So get ready to move and get ready for the miracle by preparing yourself spiritually in prayer, in devotion, in dedication, and get yourself ready to go to the other side. But there's a second thing that we all need to do, and that is to focus on Christ by following the Ark of God.
Now, here's where we're going to read the Scripture, beginning at verse eight. Of Joshua three, and as for you, command the priest to bear the ark of the covenant. When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan. And Joshua said to the people of Israel, "Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God." Very critical that we hear from God, that we listen to God. And Joshua said, "Here is how you shall know that the living God." Don't you love that?
We serve a living Lord, a risen Savior. Our God is alive, and He said, "You will look to this living God among you, and He will, without fail." How many of you know that God is faithful, that He has never failed you yet? And without fail, he will drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Gergesites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites, and the Termites, and no. But verse eleven: Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing before you into the Jordan. You haven't been there yet, but God is already there in your future.
And God is leading you forward. That's the title of this series.
Now, therefore, take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. That is, these men would represent the two to three million people. They were to be unified together and going across.
So, twelve from each tribe, one man from each tribe. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord. The Lord of all the earth shall rest in the waters of the Jordan. The waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap. And so, when the people set out from their tents, remember these are nomads living in the desert, to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people.
And as soon as those bearing the ark, watch this. As soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped into the brink of the water, now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of the harvest.
So this was a courageous move on their part to step in to move forward, and the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap from far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down. The Sea of Arabah—that's the Dead Sea, the Salt Sea—were completely cut off, and the people passed over opposite to Jericho. That is, they went through. And now the priest bearing the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground, and in the midst of the Jordan, and all of the Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over Jordan. That's an epic story, and they experience this miracle—a miracle that enabled them to cross over into the land that God had given them.
Now, the question is: What in the world is this? Is this about? What is it really about? It's more than the miracle. The children of Israel possessed this ark, and the ark was made of wood and overlaid with gold.
There are two cherubim angels on the top, the mercy seat where God and man met. The ark of the covenant went everywhere the people of God would go and led them forward. Inside the ark of the covenant were memories from the past, mementos important. Memories from the past. One was the law of God, the tablets, the Ten Commandments, and then there was the rod of Aaron that budded miraculously, and then there was a pot of manna.
God's children, Israel, were miraculously fed in the wilderness with manna, a divine bread that God sent them for provision each day.
So, what you have inside this ark. The law of God, and on top of the ark is the mercy of God, the mercy seat. You have the law of God and the love of God represented in this ark.
So you have God's precepts in the law. Then with the rod that budded, you had God's power, a demonstration of God's power that they carried with them, and then the pot of manna, a demonstration of God's provision. And so we have all of that in Christ. In fact, you are going to discover that the ark is all about Jesus. The ark represents Jesus Himself.
You have God's provision, God's power, and God's principles or God's precept. And people would men would carry the ark with the children of Israel through the desert, then through the Jordan River, and then throughout the land of promise. Got it? That's what it is, but what does it mean? Jesus is the ark, and God led the children of Israel to take that ark on these poles and the priests to start.
And it did take some courage to step into the water before it was splitting open.
So these priests led the way, and as they carried the ark, the waters began to divide. And in the midst of the Jordan River, they were separated from the people by design by about three thousand yards. Three thousand yards, and so it was about a half a mile. Why the separation?
So that everyone could see it. All these people could look and and see the ark. There was also a sense of the need of of separating the ark from the people. The ark was going before them. You know, we need reverence for God in our generation, a fear of Almighty God, not a fear that causes us to run from Him, but that causes us to run to Him and run for Him.
The fear of the Lord, and so you know, God's not your homeboy. Jesus is not your your buddy, but He's the Holy God. That we worship, Hallowed be your name. Jesus taught us to pray. And so, while God is a Father who loves us in sympathy and security and holds us dear, our Father is a holy, the holy God.
So when I see this Ark out separated, I realize that there is a uniqueness. In fact, there were people in the Old Testament who actually died just touching the Ark inappropriately, because the the Ark. Are you listening? The ark represents the presence and the power of God, and so to get to the other side of wherever we're going in our lives, we must look to the ark. Hark, the ark!
We must keep our eyes focused on God. You are listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message. What do these stones mean? Did you know that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion?
It's a study of God's Word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text DEVO D E V O to five nine seven eight nine and begin receiving Dr. Graham's devotional every day. Again, text DEVO D E V O to five nine seven eight nine. Every day, people around the world are hearing the truth of Jesus Christ through PowerPoints, broadcast, podcast, television ministry, and digital outreach.
Often during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and friends like you help make that ministry possible. That's why this month we want to say thank you for your gift of ten dollars or more by sending you Dr. Jack Graham's book, Destiny. In this encouraging resource, Dr. Graham walks through the life of Joseph to show how God is always working even through painful and confusing circumstances to accomplish His greater purpose.
To give your gift and request your copy, text OCT O C T to five nine seven eight nine. That's OCT O C T, as in October, to five nine seven eight nine.
Now let's get back to today's message. What do these stones mean? In the New Testament, we're told in the Book of Hebrews, chapter twelve, verse one, that we are looking unto Jesus. Who is the author and the finisher of our faith?
So, with all the resolutions that we make and all the dreams that we have, we really have one job as followers of Jesus, and that is to keep our eyes on the art, to keep our eyes on God, to keep our eyes fastened and fixed on our Lord as we go forward. Because with all the distractions and things and all the fears that Can you imagine? I mean, this this had never happened before. These children of Israel were were brave and bold, and they were following their commander Joshua. But ultimately, they were believing God for a miracle in their lives, and the miracle comes.
Remember what a miracle is: something that God does that we can't explain, without explanation, without human experience or effort. When God's hand moves, we know it is Him, and we know it is Him because we're looking to Him, and we're believing Him, and He makes a way for us. I love the words that my friend Don Mowen wrote years ago: "God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see." Because I know my God will make a way for me. He will be my guide and hold me closely to His side with love and strength for each new day.
He will make a way. He will make a way. So as you look at your uncharted paths right in front of you, when you look at perhaps obstacles like a big river that looks uncrossable. You need a miracle. You need God to move in your life.
Get your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on the power and the presence of God in your lives, and and move forward. Just keep trusting God. You will listen to this. You will never go anywhere God has not gone before you.
Amen. You see, it's not only before us, but it's behind us, and we're going to get to that in just a second. But, but. You know, really, the only reason we should be looking back is to see the goodness and the grace of God that has followed us all the days of our lives. Surely the psalmist said, "Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." So, really, the only real good reason to look back too much is just to see those mercies of God that are chasing after us every single day and.
And to give thanks for the faithfulness of God and the goodness of God in our lives, Amen.
Okay, so now, so focus on the ark. Focus on Jesus. If you want to cross over, if you want the miracle for God to move, and then when you cross over, when you get there, God says, "Stack some stones." Okay, what do you mean, Pastor?
Well, look in chapter four of Joshua. What happened when they got on the other side? When God gave them the miracle they needed? When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, "Take twelve men from the people, each one a man from the tribe, and command them, saying, 'Take twelve stones.'" From here, out of the midst of the Jordan, remember the Jordan is dry now.
So he said, "Go out, get twelve stones from the very place where the priest's feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you, and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight. That place was called Gilgal, which means a circle.
So the the they were camped; they were circled up." And Joshua, this is verse four. Call the twelve men from the people of Israel whom he appointed a man for each tribe. And Joshua said to them, "Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God in the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone. This was a big stone on the shoulder, according to the number of tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask.
Okay, are you ready for this?" When your children ask in time to come, what do these stones mean? When you tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. Verse twenty-one. And he said to the people of Israel, When your children Ask their fathers. Pay attention, dads.
I mean, it goes for moms too. But dads, listen to this: When your children ask their daddies in times to come, what do these stones that you have stacked up here mean? Then you shall let your children know. Israel passed over the Jordan on dry ground, for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up for us until He passed over. And then, watch this, verse twenty-four: so that all the peoples of the earth, tell your family, tell your children, and till the whole world hears.
So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of God is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever. Hallelujah! That is our calling now, because we have come through to the other side. We have followed Jesus. We have safely arrived to a place that God has promised us.
And now God says, "Stack up some stones." What's He saying to us? Stack some stones. Always testify of what God's done in your life. Never forget the poured-out blessings of God upon you and your family, and dads and moms. We have this incredible opportunity to raise up another generation, so that when our children ask us, "Why do you follow Jesus?" or "What has God done in your life?" why Why are we here?
When your children ask you the big questions of life, you can point them to Jesus, and you can tell them of the one who saved you, the one who has changed you. You know. It's important that we have markers and memories. We even keep them around our house, you know, things that happened in the past. Maybe some are trophies.
Well, God has given us trophies from the heart, victories that we have won in Christ. And and and yes, let's let's share the good times. Let's share the joy with our with our children of all the victories that we've had, the successes in life, and all the rest. But God has called every man and every woman in this place to tell their children, and then ultimately our children's children, of the God who is to be loved and followed. This is on us, dear people.
This is on you and me. We are only one generation away from the end of Christianity as we know it, unless. We tell our families and teach our children well, and then beyond our families, as I read that last verse, so that the whole world will know this is what we do. Because he said, "Go into all the world and make disciples. Go everywhere, preaching the gospel." Of Jesus Christ, we've seen miracles.
I've seen many miracles in my life, and so have you. When God answered that prayer, when God gave you that open door and opportunity, when God took you places you never imagined you would go. When God blessed you with those children, when God blessed you with the family, when when God moved in you in your life and and brought you back to Him, you were maybe you were away from God, a long way away. You were a prodigal living far from God, but He chased you down. His His mercy and His love wouldn't let you go, and it was a miracle, and you had a new beginning in your life.
Stacks of stones tell the story. Let people know what Jesus has done in your life.
So you want a miracle in your life? When your children ask, "What do these stones mean?" You tell them about the Ark. You tell them about Jesus. You tell them about what He's done in your life.
So that in God's plan and God's purposes for them, they will carry the faith, the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, from generation to generation. You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, "What Do These Stones Mean?" We want to tell you about an encouraging resource available this month from PowerPoint Ministries. It's Dr. Jack Graham's book, Destiny. Have you ever wondered if God really has a purpose for your life, or questioned what He might be doing through the seasons of disappointment, waiting, or uncertainty?
In Destiny, Dr. Graham explores the life of Joseph to reveal how God's sovereign hand is always at work, even when we can't see it. This powerful resource will help you trust God's plan, find peace in a difficult season, and move forward with confidence and hope. And when you give a gift of ten dollars or more to help share the biblical truth around the world through PowerPoint, we'll send you Destiny as our thanks. To give your gift and request your copy, text OCT O C T to five nine seven eight nine.
That's OCT O C T as in October to five nine seven eight nine. Let me remind you that you can join Dr. Graham for his daily devotion. It's a study of God's word that will help you grow in your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and show you how to navigate through the challenges of life. To sign up, text DEVO D E V O to five nine seven eight nine, and begin receiving Dr.
Graham's devotional every day. Again, text DEVO D E V O to five nine seven eight nine. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today? Proverbs twenty three seven says. For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
That's why it's so important that you keep your mind full of positive, faith-building thoughts. And one way to begin is by counting your blessings. Start with your salvation. Too often we forget about what Christ has done for us on the cross. We take it for granted.
Really think about that sacrifice, the love of Jesus, and what He has done for you. What it means for you personally to be free from your sin and on your way to heaven. Where would you be without the grace of God? Remind yourself daily that you have been born again and forgiven, and now free. Remind yourself that God loves you with an everlasting love; that He will never let you go.
Remember that God is the one who provides healing and provision, protection, and all the blessings of life. You can also be encouraged by God's plan for your life. Think about the divine purpose He has planned for you. Think about the family and friends He has placed around you. About the job, the education, and the opportunities that He's given you.
Another way to take a faith-filled, positive outlook on life is to fill your mind with Scripture. This is the very best way you can think noble thoughts, God's thoughts after Him, which is the Word of God. According to Ephesians five eighteen, we are to speak to ourselves with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Offer praise to God. Sing your favorite songs of worship or praise and hymns of faith.
Write out and place encouraging scripture verses in your wallet or in your purse, your car, on your mirror, at lunch, wherever you are, where you will find the word of God getting into your life.
So today, my challenge for you is to think about what you've been thinking about each day, and then begin filling your mind with the thoughts of God, His provision, His promises for your life. And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift of ten dollars or more, we will send you Doctor Graham's book Destiny as our thanks. Just text OCT to five nine seven eight nine. And join us again next time as Dr.
Graham brings a message about how God can work a miracle in the circumstances of your life. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.
