A sermon from Joshua 3:5 on why God calls His people to get ready before He moves. It shows that preparation does not earn God's presence, but makes room for it. It aims to bring a weary, dry believer to humble himself and ask God to revive him.
"And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
Joshua 3:5, NKJV
Overview
The Law of Preparation begins at the edge of the Promised Land. The Jordan is in flood, and Joshua tells the people to sanctify themselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders. The big idea is plain: preparation does not make God move. It makes us ready when He does.
The sermon first shows the law at work in the natural world, then asks four questions: what preparation is, why it matters, where we do it, and how. It gives honest reasons: we need renewal, our souls grow dry, we drift, we forget, and we need God to revive us. It teaches consecration as being set apart from what is common, and dedication as being set apart to God. It also says what consecration is not.
It closes with a way to respond, a list of steps for the week, a challenge for leaders, six small group questions, and an altar appeal. It also points ahead to a message on fasting.
Use it for personal reading, as a sermon outline, or as a base for a small group. Read it slowly, and pray the prayer it asks for: Lord, revive me.
Lessons
01The Law of PreparationWhat you are ready for shapes what you can receive.In short. A law works every time, and the natural world runs on preparation: the farmer, the master, the builder, the ant, the soldier, the athlete and the bride. Preparation is not earning, and it is not fear of missing out. It is making room in faith, and it is obedience, not pride. It aims to turn a believer from waiting passively to getting ready.
02What, Why, Where, HowMaking room for what God has promised, before you see it.In short. This part answers four questions: what preparation is, why we need it, where we do it, and how. We prepare because God is holy, and because we are weary, dry, distant and forgetful. Preparation changes us, not God. It aims to bring a dry believer back to a living closeness with God, and to pray, revive me.
03Consecrate and DedicateSet apart from, and set apart to.In short. Consecrate means to be set apart from common use. Dedicate means to begin using something for its purpose. Separation without dedication leaves you empty, and dedication without separation leaves you divided. It aims for a life that is both cleared of what competes and given to God.
04What Consecration Is NotNot earning, not ritual, not a one-time moment.In short. Consecration is not earning, not ritual, not a single altar call, and not changing the outside while the heart stays the same. It also warns against the idea that God will move and we only need to show up. It aims to move a believer from passivity to real obedience of the heart.
05The Law in ScriptureHow God's people prepared before He moved.In short. Israel dug ditches in a dry valley, Hezekiah cleaned the house of God, and the believers tarried in the Upper Room until the Holy Ghost fell. In each case the people prepared and God did what only He can do. It aims to build faith that is ready to act before it sees the answer.
06The Root IssueWhy we do not prepare, even when it is clear.In short. Many do not prepare because they want the blessing without the cost, trust their routine, or would rather pray revive them than revive me. Unprepared people are often not rebellious, only full of activity, noise and self. It aims to help a believer empty what fills him so God has room.
07ApplicationA response, a week of action, and questions for leaders and groups.In short. This part gives four steps to respond: receive, respond, release and rest. It gives practical steps for the week, a challenge for leaders to go first, and questions for a small group. It aims for one real change this week: a daily time with God, something removed, an altar rebuilt, a wrong made right.
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