CROSSING OVER

 

Joshua 1:2 – Moses, My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them- the children of Israel.

 

Mile High Swinging Bridge – 228Ft. long, over 80 Ft chasm, elevation of the bridge – one mile

 

Steve Backland – I wish things were like they used to be.

 

How do we cross over into this New Season? What do we need to enter into this New Season?

 

1.     BE COURAGEOUS

 

The Lord calls forth courage in Joshua three times:

 

Joshua 1:6 – Be strong and of good courage.

 

Joshua 1:7 – Only be strong and very courageous.

 

Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage.

 

The people of God encouraged him as well:

 

Joshua 1:18 – Only be strong and of good courage.

 

John Wayne – Courage does not mean we’re not afraid. It means we saddle up and ride forward anyway.

Where does courage come from?

 

It comes from the Word of God: Joshua 1:8 – This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night.

 

It comes from the Presence of God: Joshua 1:5 – I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

 

It comes from the people of God: Joshua 1:16 – So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

 

Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

 

Harriet Tubman – On my Underground Railroad, I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger.

 

2.     TAKE A STEP OF FAITH

 

Joshua 3:11 – Behold the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan.

 

Joshua 3:13 – And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off.

 

As the priests stepped into the Jordan River, the water stopped flowing, and the people of Israel crossed over on dry ground.

 

The priests stepped into the flood waters of the Jordan by faith. God had spoken. They obeyed.

 

3.     REVERANCE HIS PRESENCE

 

Joshua 4:20 – And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal.

 

Joshua 4:21 – Then he spoke to the children of Israel saying, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, what are these stones?

 

Joshua 4:22 – Then you shall let your children know saying, Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land

 

Joshua 4:23 – For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over.

 

Joshua 4:24 – That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.

 

1 Peter 2:5 – You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.

 

Discussion Questions

 

1.     What does courage look like in your life? (from your past or your present)

 

2.     Have you ever taken a step of faith? Share about how you got the courage to take that step.

 

3.     What does a healthy “awe” of God look like in your life? What are signs that you are walking in the fear of the Lord or that you are not?

 

4.      What are some of the testimonies of your past that give you courage and faith to step into a new season?