In Shadow of a Memorial

In Shadow of a Memorial

Joshua 4:1-7 (NIV)

4     When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”

4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

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I.         Introduction

II.       A Memorial Looks Back at Shadows of the Past

A.      Looking Back at the History

B.      Looking Back at the Hardship

C.      Looking Back at the Heroes

III.     A Memorial Looks Ahead at Shadows of the Future

A.      An Example Set Down for the Future

B.      An Expectation Set Up for the Future

C.      An Excitement Set on Edge for the Future

IV.    A Memorial Looks Within at Shadows of the Heart

A.      Holding Meaning

B.      Holding a Mirror

C.      Holding a Measuring Tape

V.      Conclusion

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[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.