Sermon Tone Analysis

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Emotion
Anger
Disgust
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Joy
Sadness
Language
Analytical
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Anger
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“WHAT MEAN YE THESE STONES?”[1]
Joshua 4:1-7
 
SUBJECT:      Joshua
TITLE:        “WHAT MEAN YE THESE STONES?”
PROPOSITION: 
OBJECTIVE:   
 
*INTRODUCTION*:
1. Read the text (Joshua 4:1-7).
2. Regarding the text:
   (1) Biblical period = “conquests.”
(2) Joshua, following in the footsteps of Moses, now leads Israel.
(2) The spies have probed the land and brought back a “good report” (2:24).
The land has been “delivered into their hands.”
(3) Israel received from God instructions on crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3) and of other duties required.
A.
This would be a /magnifying/ (exalting) of Joshua (v.
7).
B.
12 men were selected.
a.
One from each tribe.
b.
Each one was to take a stone from the midst of the Jordan.
i.
This is where the Jordan WAS flowing.
ii.
These stones were of significant size.
iii.
The stones were to be kept overnight in their lodging place.
iv.
The stones were used to make a monument.
C.
Joshua was instructed to take another twelve stones and stack them where the priest’s who carried the ark stood in the Jordan as they rested with the ark (4:9).
(4) Joshua said the stones were meant to be a */sign/* (v. 6) among them.
A.
A sign is something that declares or signifies a matter.
B.
Signs are more than just a startling or unexplained occurrence.
C.
God’s people were used to erecting stone monuments.
3. We see in the children of Israel that true Biblical faith is one that is determined to do *WHAT* God requires, *HOW* God requires, *WHEN* God requires.
4. Construction of this stone monument was a significant moment!
We seek to make a spiritual application to New Testament times.
*DISCUSSION*:
*I.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STONES*.
     1.
They were to be a sign.
(1)  Future generations would see the stones and:
              A.
Know that something caused them to be stacked.
B.
Know they meant /something /to /somebody/.
C.
They would ask someone about their significance
         (2)  Joshua provides the answer to the questions to come (v.
7).
(3)  The stones were to be a memorial to God forever (4:7).
2.
The purpose was not necessarily apparent but it was explained leaving Israel  the option of /obeying/ God or /disobeying/ Him.
     3.
A proper reverential fear of God does not happen in the hearts of men by accident.
* *
*II.
RELIGIOUS FAITH MUST BE MAINTAINED*.
1.
God wants faith in Him to be maintained throughout all the generations.
(1)  The stones would mean a certain thing to the “fathers” and they were to mean the exact same thing to the “children.”
(2)  Time, wind and weather might mar or decay the appearance of the stones, but the reason for their being raised would not.
     2.
Every generation owes it to the next to teach them about spiritual matters.
(1)  The primary responsibility for such rest in the home.
              A.
Deut.
6:6-9.
B.
The home is (or should be) the best environment.
(2)  You do not have to travel far in Bible history to read of the failure of a generation of parents to pass their knowledge on.
“There arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”
(Judges 2:10).
3.
Bible is full of examples of parents who guided their children as God desired and those who did not.
(Cf. 2 Tim.
1:5)).
4.
Poem: HERITAGE OF THE LORD (attached)
     5.
Parents will “reap what they sow!”
     6.
God expects faith to be maintained from one generation to the next and the responsibility lies square upon the shoulders of each and every man and woman.
(1)  Younger generations will somehow ask us the question, “what do these stones mean?”
         (2)  Will you be able and will you provide an answer.
*III.
WHAT ABOUT THE “NEW TESTAMENT AGE?”*
     1.
We live under a /“better/ covenant established upon /better /promises” (Heb.
8:6) according to the inspired Hebrews writer.
2.
Jesus stressed that certain things were said by men of God in times past, but He would lift those teachings to a higher level (Cf.
Matthew 5:21,22; 28; 32; 34; 38).
     3.
Being under this new law there are no stone monuments such as:
         (1)  No feasts.
(2)  No festivals.
(3)  No ceremonies.
4.
BUT, There are “stones” erected by God in the Christian system that people need to know the meaning of.
(1)  The gospel.
What does it mean?
              A.
Gospel = good news.
A message for your eternal good.
B.
Gospel = “God’s power to save” (Rom.
1:16).
C.
The gospel means that souls separated from God by sin can be purified and reunited with the Father (1 Pet.
1:22).
D.
Will following generations know what the “gospel” means?
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