We have never been this way before
Dr. Roberto MirandaSUMMARY:
The sermon is based on Joshua 3:1-17, where God commands the Israelites to cross the Jordan River and enter the promised land. The speaker emphasizes the phrase "because you have never passed this way before" and relates it to the current situation of the congregation, suggesting that they are on the brink of something new and that God is calling them to a higher level of spiritual growth. The speaker also acknowledges the complexity of prophetic messages and the need to approach them with humility and care. Ultimately, the sermon encourages listeners to trust in God's guidance and to be open to the unknown future that lies ahead.
The speaker reflects on the story in Deuteronomy about the Israelites entering the promised land and how it relates to their own congregation. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to rest and reflect on their journey before moving forward. He also highlights the significance of following the living, active, personal presence of God and being led by the Holy Spirit. The form of their church needs to conform to the essence and vision of the Spirit, not the other way around. They need to be flexible and mobile, ready to go wherever God leads. The speaker also shares his personal decision to take a sabbatical for rest and reflection.
In this message, the speaker talks about the importance of following the Holy Spirit as our guide, especially in times of new beginnings. He emphasizes the need for reverence and respect for the Presence of the Holy Spirit and the importance of sanctification and consecration in every aspect of our lives. The speaker also expresses a desire for authentic signs and wonders that validate God's Ministry and call, rather than exaggerations or lies. He prays for the impregnation of the Holy Spirit upon the congregation, fertilizing them with supernatural Power to fulfill their destiny.Joshua 3:1 says: “And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.”
I’d like to emphasize especially that verse 4 that says: “since you have never been this way before.” And so, they are leaving half a mile in between the entire congregation and the ark. So that ark was half a mile in front of the congregation as they were moving towards the river.