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Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church  
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: November 23, 2021
Series: FOUNDATION STONES 
Lesson 1: The Bible   
Scripture Text: Joshua 4:1-8

 “And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, 2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, 3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night. 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: 5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: 6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? 7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. 8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there” – Joshua 4:1-8.

“19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. 20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. 21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? 22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: 24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever” - Joshua 4:19-24.

 

INTRODUCTION


It is one of the climactic events in all biblical history. The Israelites had waited forty years, but now the time had come. It is a nostalgic moment as they stride across the riverbed of the Jordan, which was opened for them by the miraculous power of God. Behind them, they leave the wearying decades of meandering around in a barren wilderness and the tragic memories of countless funerals for an entire generation of people who would not trust God's promises. Slavery in Egypt and the bare survival of nomadic life are bygone experiences now.
A new and welcome chapter opens before them! Before them lay a land richer than their dreams, more fruitful than their hopes, and more beautiful than their imagination. 

It must have felt surreal to finally stand in Canaan, kind of like when you unlock the door to your first home. You've envisioned it, planned for it, imagined what you will do with it…but when you step in that front door, your emotions soar! Their joy had been magnified by recent events. When they arrived at the Jordan, they found it impossible to cross. But God intervened, performing a miracle that paralleled the miracle of the Exodus from Egypt. God rolled back the waters of the Jordan River, just as He had done with the Red Sea. God meant what He had said through Moses years before. Here was His signature again, in the same way, to assure His people that He was good to His word.

Can you imagine what that moment was like as they crossed over into Gilgal? You can almost hear the shouts of adoration see feel the excitement that had captivated this great group of worshippers! However, there is one important act that calls for our attention. After Israel crossed, God gave Joshua some very specific instructions, recorded in Joshua 4:1-3: “1And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight’” – (NKJV). Joshua did exactly what he was told, sending these select 12 men back to the riverbed of the Jordan where they were to bring back 12 stones—stones that at one point were buried and unreachable were now divinely accessible.

 Twelve men hoisted heavy stones on their shoulders from Jordan's floor and then piled them together in the Promised Land, by God's command. They were stacked there as a sign, an unmistakable marker of God’s power to overcome any obstacle to His will.

Since stones don't naturally stack, there would come a day when there would be a generation of Israelites who would ask their fathers for an explanation for this phenomenon. Here's the message that God wanted that generation to get: “… let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: 24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God forever” – Joshua 4:22-24.

Jehovah wanted the generations to come to be aware of the meaning of these foundation stones. They needed to know that His power is available to make possible their impossibilities. Additionally, He wanted them to know His purpose for their lives because their future successes were inextricably linked to their submission to His will. 

In the New Testament Church, we also have received foundation stones! In Ephesian 2 verse 20 we read the following, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”  A chief cornerstone is the mainstay and linchpin upon which a firm foundation must be laid. Jesus Christ is our Chief Cornerstone upon Whom all the fundamentals of our faith are laid, and the teaching of the New Testament apostles and prophets is the non-negotiable, foundation stones upon which our Christian faith must be anchored. There is a real enemy who wants us to neglect these stones, however, we must continue to earnestly contend for truth despite the attempts of the wicked one. Every member of United Apostolic Church needs to know without doubt that the doctrines of God’s Church are not man’s idea – they are absolute foundational TRUTHs from God’s Word.

Tonight, we will explore the First of the FOUNDATION STONES that we will be exploring in throughout this series.

 

THE FIRST FOUNDATION STONE – THE BIBLE

 

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a  discerner of the thoughts and intents  of the heart" - Hebrews 4:12. Everything eventually loses its power – except for the Word of God! 

There is a powerful principle that we see in Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The Word of God is a LAMP that shines ahead of us, our responsibility is to obey God and walk as far as LIGHT will take us, and when we do this, we will realize that we always have sufficient LIGHT! 

The Bible is God's Word:

  • The Word of God is settled. There will be no modernization or revocation of it.
    • “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” – Psalm 119:89.
    • “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” – Mat. 24:35.
  • Anyone who comes to know and understand the contents of the Bible will be blessed.
  • Anyone who ignores the Bible will do himself harm.
  • "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" - 2 Timothy 3:16
  • “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." - 2 Peter 1:21
  • Voltaire, the noted French infidel who died in 1778, said that in one hundred years from his time Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. But what has happened? Voltaire has passed into history; while the circulation of the Bible continues to increase in almost all parts of the world....” - (Testimony cited by Sidney Collett in All About the Bible)
  • Voltaire declared that within 100 years only a few Bibles would be found in museums.

The Bible Must be Studied to be Known

  • There is no substitute for a careful and constant study of the Bible, for it is by Scripture that we know God.
  • God gave His Word to bring moral and spiritual guidance to man.
  • It is important to know and understand what the Bible says for itself before studying what men think about the Bible.
  • The very words of the Bible will convict of sin and lead to paths of righteousness.
  • Some men take portions of the Bible to support their ideas, but God’s plan is that we would know the whole message of His Word.
  • Firsthand reading of the Bible is necessary for studying the Bible.
  • A lack of reading the Bible equals to a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures.
  • 2 Timothy 3:15-17 shows the importance of the Word of God: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

     Doctrine – What to believe 
     Reproof – What not to believe 
     Correction – How not to behave
     Instruction in Righteous – How to behave


WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORD?


In the New Testament, there are two major words that refer to the WORD OF GOD. The Greek words LOGOS and RHEMA are not merely synonyms for the same idea, but both have precise Biblical meanings.

LOGOS is a broad term, often used in a technical theological sense. It generally refers to the totality of the Word of God, and to Jesus Christ, who is not only “God in flesh” but the living LOGOS, or “the Word made flesh.”

RHEMA, on the other hand, focuses attention on a specific word – a precise direction of Scripture for a particular person or circumstance. A “Rhema word” is not separate from Scripture, but a part of the whole of God’s Word. It is the Holy Spirit that brings specific verses to us since God is the Author of all Scripture.

The Word of God, whether referred to as Logos or Rhema, is inspired, eternal, dynamic, and miraculous. Whether the Word is written or spoken, general or specific, does not alter its essential character. It is in the Word that we meet God, and our response to the Word is our response to Him! If we say NO to the Word, we’ve said NO to God!

The Word of God is a living and active power. It is both recorded truth (LOGOS) and our moment of truth (RHEMA). Some say that LOGOS is the written Word, while RHEMA is the spoken Word – but this can lead to error and extremism. It is better said that LOGOS is the TOTAL revelation, while RHEMA is a SPECIFIC revelation. 

Many churches pride themselves in teaching from the Bible, and in having their theology (“LOGOS”) correct but often, they ignore the “NOW WORD” (“RHEMA”) of God. Churches are indeed supposed to PREACH the Word, but they are also supposed to PRACTICE the Word! It is the responsibility of the ministry to encourage the release of the Rhema word and firmly ground it in the Logos word so that the congregation is truly Apostolic, and the Holy Spirit is in full control. This is why there is so much division in denominational Christianity and why churches have so many different teachings. The devil can quote scripture too! We must believe in the Bible and obviously teach the Bible, but it must be believed and taught in the power of the Holy Spirit!

  • “10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” - “Acts 19:10-20
  • “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” - 2 Thessalonians 3:1.
  • “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” - 2 Timothy 2:9.
  • “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” – 2 Peter 1:20-21.
  • John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word (LOGOS), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 And the Word (LOGOS) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The Word was “made flesh” in Jesus and if we are His disciples, the Word is to be “made flesh” in us!
  • “But be ye doers of the word (LOGOS), and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” - James 1:22. We need to be a church that PREACHES the Word of God! But that is not enough – we need to be individuals that LIVE the Word of God!
  • OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD’S WORD CAN’T BE CONFINED TO THE CHURCH BUILDING – IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN DAILY!
    • Watch the trend in the New Testament – as the WORD (LOGOS) multiplies, the CHURCH multiplies! “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” - Mark 16:20.
    • “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” - Hebrews 4:12.  THAT IS POWERFUL! BUT BACK UP A FEW VERSES AND NOTICE THAT THE WORD (LOGOS) CAN BE LIMITED BY UNBELIEF …
    • “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word (LOGOS) preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” - Hebrews 4:2. UNLESS THE LOGOS WORD IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE FAITH OF A “NOW WORD” (RHEMA) FROM GOD, IT PROFITS US NOTHING!
    • “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (RHEMA) of God” - Ephesians 6:17. Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit in resisting Satan in the wilderness, responding to each of the temptations by quoting Scripture. The verses he chose revealed and destroyed the lies of each temptation. In the same way, we can use Scripture to destroy the lies that tempt us. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (RHEMA) that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” - Matthew 4:4.
    • “If ye abide in me, and my words (RHEMA) abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” - John 15:7.
    • “While Peter yet spake these words (RHEMA), the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word” - Acts 10:44.
    • “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word (RHEMA) I will let down the net” - Luke 5:5.
    • We need to get into the Word of God daily! The Bible is a non-negotiable Foundation Stone in living for God.
    • GETTING A “NOW WORD” FROM GOD HELPS US OVERCOME THE PARALYZING “LOGIC” OF THE FLESH THAT TRIES TO BIND US!
      1. Corinthians 1:20 (KJV), “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen”
      2. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (MSG), “Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus.”
      3. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV), “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ.”
      4. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT), “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”

The Bible says that all of the promises of God are "Yes" in Jesus. Think about that …

  • Joshua 1:5 – when God tells Joshua, “I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,” THAT IS A PROMISE TO ME!
  • Exodus 15:26 – when God tells Moses, “I am the Lord that healeth thee,” THAT IS A PROMISE TO ME!
  • Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) – when God tells Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” THAT IS A PROMISE TO ME!
  • Deuteronomy 28:2 – when God tells Israel, “All these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee,” THAT IS A PROMISE TO ME!
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