Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Remember the Lord's Work!

Bryan Schneider · January 22, 2022

Joshua 4

sharonrpc.org/sermons/remember-the-lord-s-work

Summary

After Israel crosses the Jordan, God commands twelve representatives to carry stones from the riverbed and establish a lasting memorial at Gilgal.
Joshua also sets stones where the priests stood, so the memorials direct attention to the ark and the Lord who stopped the overflowing river.
The stones are designed to provoke children's questions and give parents an opportunity to recount God's mighty historical work.
Forgetfulness is a great enemy of faith because God's ordinary pattern is not constant spectacle but faithful witness to the decisive works he has already done.
Israel hurries across in reverent dependence, while the ark's holiness and the armed eastern tribes emphasize both God's presence and the serious work ahead.
The timing near Passover connects the Jordan crossing with the exodus and reinforces that salvation and entrance into the land are acts of God's mercy and power.
The memorial teaches all nations that the Lord's hand is mighty and teaches Israel to fear him rather than trust its own strength.
The Lord's Supper is the church's Christ-given memorial and sign, directing believers to remember his death, victory over the grave, grace, and covenant faithfulness.

Why does God command one representative from each tribe to carry a stone?
How do the memorials direct attention away from Israel's achievement and toward the ark and the Lord?
Why are children's questions central to the purpose of the stones?
How can forgetfulness weaken faith even without an explicit rejection of God?
Why should believers not expect spectacular miracles to be God's ordinary method of sustaining faith?
What does Israel's hurried crossing reveal about reverence and purposeful obedience?
How does the crossing's Passover timing connect it with the exodus?
What are the two stated purposes of the memorial in Joshua 4:24?
What concrete reminders can help a household recount God's faithfulness without replacing Scripture?
How does the Lord's Supper surpass the stone memorial by directing the church to Christ's death and victory?

Memorial stones: Physical witnesses established to provoke remembrance and teaching about God's stopping of the Jordan.
Ark of the covenant: The holy covenant chest signifying God's throne and presence, before which the river waters were cut off.
Remembrance: Deliberate rehearsal of God's identity, promises, and saving works so faith is not eroded by forgetfulness.
Intergenerational teaching: Parents and elders answering children's questions by recounting God's covenant acts and their meaning.
Fear of the Lord: Reverent awe, trust, and obedience produced by knowing God's holiness, authority, and mighty power.
Passover: Israel's covenant feast remembering deliverance from Egypt, celebrated as the people entered the land.
Lord's Supper: Christ's sacramental meal of remembrance, nourishment, communion, and proclamation of his death.
Covenant faithfulness: God's reliable fulfillment of his promises and his people's corresponding call to remember and keep their vows.