Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready!

“Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready” – Crossing the Jordan

I. Introduction

• Opening greeting and call to readiness for the Word of God.

• Reference to the recent week of prayer and fasting as preparation.

• Sermon title: “Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready.”

• Text reference: Joshua 3:1–5.

• Key verse: “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

• Connection to the new year (2026) as a “new season” — a place we’ve not passed before.

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II. Two Extremes in the Life of Faith

1. Extreme #1: People who think everything depends on God alone.

   • Passive faith; no personal effort (e.g., expecting blessings without action).

2. Extreme #2: People who think everything depends on themselves.

   • Self-striving faith; no prayer or reliance on God.

3. Balanced truth (Joshua 3:5):

   • Human responsibility → “Sanctify yourselves.”

   • Divine power → “The Lord will do wonders.”

   • A biblical tension: God acts, but we prepare.

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III. Historical and Scriptural Context

1. Israel at the Jordan River.

   • On the threshold of the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering.

   • Consequence of earlier unbelief and disobedience.

2. The Ark of the Covenant.

   • Symbol of God's presence and holiness.

   • Instructions: follow it at a distance — reverence before a holy God.

3. The Crossing.

   • Jordan River in flood (½ mile wide); an impossible situation needing a miracle.

4. Spiritual parallel for 2026.

   • Represents transition into a new season filled with both blessings and unknowns.

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IV. Our Part: “Sanctify Yourselves”

1. Meaning of consecration.

   • To set apart, make holy, dedicate to God's purposes.

   • Synonyms: sanctify, purify, make acceptable to God.

2. Illustration: The church drums.

   • Ordinary objects made sacred through dedicated purpose.

   • Believers are called to the same — living for God’s glory.

3. Practical applications of consecration.

   • Self-examination and repentance of sin.

   • Renew commitment to God and His house.

   • Live holy lives — avoid spiritual compromise.

   • Commitment to consistent church involvement and ministry.

   • Stop gossip, negativity, and complaining; unity and obedience bring blessings.

   • Financial consecration: honor God with firstfruits.

   • Lifestyle consecration: avoid ungodly influences; guard media and relationships.

   • Relational accountability and transparency (illustrated through phone example).

   • Personal humility and ongoing sanctification — asking God to search the heart.

4. Examples of sacrifice and faith.

   • Pastor’s story about his wife leaving a high-paying law job to serve in ministry.

   • Lesson: Consecration often means sacrifice, but God multiplies what’s surrendered.

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V. God’s Part: “The Lord Will Do Wonders”

1. Nature of God's wonders.

   • Miracles, provisions, and supernatural acts demonstrating His glory.

   • Miracles reveal who God is, not just what He does.

2. Hope from Scripture (Romans 15:4).

   • Old Testament lessons written for our learning and to build hope.

   • The same God who parted the Jordan acts today.

3. Faith declaration for 2026.

   • God calls what is not as though it were — the promises are already in motion.

   • Prophetic declarations for the year:

     • Growth in intimacy with God.

     • Healing and restoration (“this sickness is not unto death”).

     • A rising young generation with holy passion.

     • God will rebuke the devourer.

     • Restoration of faith to believe again.

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VI. Conclusion and Call to Response

• Call for the congregation to stand, receive, and respond in faith.

• Affirmation that their fasting and prayer were part of consecration.

• Encouragement that God will release blessings long awaited.

• Exhortation to pray, worship, and believe for God’s wonders in 2026.