Living to Cross

Joshua 3:17-18

1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Theme:

The Israelites were baptized into the life of faith under Moses, through the Red Sea (Bitter water). An entire generation lived and experienced the wilderness journey, before crossing the Jordan (Rushing) into the promised - land.

This is the mirror journey that every believer in Christ takes. We are baptized into this faith through the symbol of water, and live a truly wilderness journey, until we cross the Jordan (spiritual) into the holy land (Heaven).

Some Observations:

I. Far too many do not live to cross; they are rather settled in this wilderness.

A. We would do well to remember what our baptism signified. (Rom.6)

B. We must see ourselves as pilgrims as Peter said. (1 Peter 2:11)

II. Christians are to have right thinking if they are to have right living.

We cannot ignore or neglect this time and place for a future state. We need to live in this world with an expectation that what we do now, matters there.

A. The Christian life should be a life of thanksgiving and joy, with a definite purpose to make the most of everyday. (Psalm 100 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.”)

B. We should be hard working, hard playing, helping, trustworthy people, who display a different reason for living.

Some Practical Admonitions:

1. Live out – all that salvation represents. (Phil.2:12-13)

a) Without complaining. 2:14

b) Shining as lights. 2:15

2. Holding to faithfulness that our labor is not in vain. 2:16-18