AS WE GET INTO THIS THIRD CHAPTER OF JOSHUA TONIGHT WE FIND 
JOSHUA AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CAMPING ON THE BANKS OF 
THE JORDAN RIVER. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN RIVER IS 
CANAAN, THE LAND THAT GOD HAD PROMISED THEM, A LAND THAT 
FLOWED WITH MILK AND HONEY. AS THEY STAND ON THE BANKS 
OF THE JORDAN RIVER, THEY ARE FACED WITH WHAT SEEMS TO BE 
“A RIVER OF IMPOSSIBILITY ”. IN OREDER TO ENTER THEIR 
INHERITANCE, THEIR LAND OF PROMISE, THEY MUST CROSS THE 
JORDAN RIVER. I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THERE WAS NO BOAT 
TO CARRY THEM OVER OR ANY BRIDGES THAT THEY COULD WALK 
ACROSS. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN WORSE THE RIVER WAS AT 
FLOOD STAGE.

(Josh 3:15 KJV)  And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the 
feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for 
Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

THE SNOW IN THE LEBANON MOUNTAINS WERE MELTING AND 
FLOWING DOWN INTO THE JORDAN RIVER CAUSING IT TO REACH 
FLOOD STAGE. 

ISRAEL WAS FACING A RIVER OF IMPOSSIBILITY.  AS ISRAEL FACED 
THIS RIVER OF IMPOSSIBILITY THERE WAS TWO STEPS THAT  THEY 
COULD TAKE:

1. A STEP OF UNBELIEF OR

2. A STEP OF FAITH.

UNBELIEF SAY’S WE CAN’T CROSS OVER, LET’S GO BACK TO WHERE 
IT’S SAFE.

FAITH SAY’S LET’S GO FORWARD, GOD WILL MAKE AWAY. IN FACT

(1 John 5:4 KJV)  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this 
is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

(Heb 11:6 KJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that 
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that 
diligently seek him.

ISRAEL WAS ABOUT TO GO THROUGH A TRANSITIONAL STEP IN 
THEIR LIFE WITH GOD. THE WORD TRANSITION IS DEFINED AS A 
PASSING FROM ONE CONDITION OR PLACE OR ACTIVITY TO 
ANOTHER.  

LET’S BE HONEST NONE OF US LIKE THOSE TRANSITIONAL STAGES 
IN OUR LIVES. WE DON’T LIKE CHANGES. BUT CHANGES ARE 
NECESSARY FOR LIFE TO PROGRESS. 

 GOD WAS ABOUT TO TAKE THEM TO A PLACE  THAT THEY HAVE 
NEVER BEEN BEFORE.

THE LATTER PART OF VERSE FOUR TELL’S US YOU HAVE NOT BEEN 
THIS WAY BEFORE.

GOD IS ABOUT TO TAKE SOME OF YOU THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT TO 
A NEW DEMINSION OF FAITH. A NEW LEVEL OF SPIRITUAL LIVING. 
PLACES THAT YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE.

THERE ARE SOME OF YOU HERE TONIGHT THAT ARE FACING WHAT 
SEEMS TO BE RIVERS OF IMPOSSIBILITIES. IT MAY BE A HABIT THAT 
YOU HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME. IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM 
WITH YOUR TEMPER. IT COULD BE THAT  THERE IS A SIN THAT YOU 
CAN’T SEEM TO GET THE VICTORY OVER. IT COULD BE IN YOUR 
FINANCES OR YOUR HEALTH OR A HOST OF OTHER THINGS. WHAT 
EVER KEEPS YOU FROM LIVING THE LIFE THAT GOD PROMISED YOU 
IS A RIVER OF IMPOOSIBILITY.

(John 10:10 KJV)  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to 
destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more 
abundantly.

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF CHRISTIANS IN THIS BULDING TONIGHT:

1. THE CHRISTIAN THAT IS AN OVERCOMER.
2. THE CHRISTIAN THAT IS BEING OVER COME.

1. THE CHRISTIAN THAT IS LIVING IN VICTORY,
2. THAT CHRISTIAN THAT IS LIVING IN DEFEAT.

1. THE CHRISTIAN THAT IS FULL OF JOY.
2. THE CHRISTAIN THAT HAS NO JOY.

1. THE CHRISTIAN THAT HAS A TESTIMONY. 
2. THE CHRISTIAN THAT HAS A COMPLAINT.

IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTAIN THAT IS AN OVERCOMER, LIVING IN 
VICTORY A LIFE FULL OF JOY THAT IS A TESTIMONY TO A LOST WORLD, 
YOU CAN CHANGE THAT TONIGHT BY TAKING  A STEP OF TRANSITION.
YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING ON THE WRONG SID OF JORDAN TO LONG IT’S 
TIME FOR YOU TO CROSS OVER. 

THERE MAY BE A THIRD KIND OF PERSON HERE TONIGHT. THAT IS THE 
PERSON THAT IS NOT A CHRISTIAN AT ALL. YOU HAVE NEVER ACCEPTED 
JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR. YOU HAVE NEVER ASKED JESUS TO FORGIVE YOU 
OF YOUR SIN. WELL TONIGHT YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO CROSS OVER 
AND LEAVE A LIFE OF SIN BEHIND.

FOR JOSHUA AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TO CROSS OVER THE JORDAN 
RIVER, MEANT ENTERING A NEW KIND OF LIFE IN THE PROMISE LAND. 
IT MEANS THE SAME FOR YOU AND ME, TO CROSS OUR RIVERS OF 
IMPOSSIBILITIES MEANS TO ENTER INTO A NEW LIFE  IN THE LORD JESUS.

(Deu 6:23 NIV)  But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the 
land that he promised on oath to our forefathers.

THERE ARE FOUR STEPS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE TO CROSS OVER THE 
RIVRS OF IMPOSSIBILITIES INTO A NEW LIFE WITH THE LORD JESUS. 

STEP # 1 * PREPARATION

WEBSTER’S NEW COLLEGIATE DICTIONARYDEFINES  PREPARATION
AS THE ACTION OR PROCESS OF MAKING SOMETHING READY FOR 
USE OR SERVICE OR GETTING READY FOR SOME OCCASSION.

PREPARE = TO MAKE READY BEFORE HAND FOR SOME PURPOSE, 
USE, OR ACTIVITY. PLAN IN ADVANCE.

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO 
FAIL AT SOMETHING. NOTHING, ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING. NO 
PLANNING OR PREPARATION IS NEEDED TO FAIL. BUT, IF YOU WANT 
TO SUCCEED YOU MUST PLAN AND PREPARE.
 
THE QUESTION IS WHAT DID JOSHUA DO TO PLAN AND PREPARE TO 
CROSS OVER THE JORDAN RIVER ?

I BELIEVE THE CLUE IS IN THE FIRST VERSE !!
(Josh 3:1 KJV)  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.

JOSHUA WAS AN EARLY RISER. IN JOSHUA 6:12 WE ARE TOLD THAT 
JOSHUA ROSE EARLY IN THE MORNING. CHAPTER7:16 SO JOSHUA 
ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING CHAPTER 8:10 AND JOSHUA ROSE 
UP EARLY IN THE MORNING. 

JOSHUA WAS AN EARLY RISER.

(Psa 63:1 KJV)  A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O 
God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh 
longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME YOU DON’T LIKE TO GET UP EARLY. I’M A LATE 
SLEEPER. I LIKE TO SLEEP. I REMEMBER A FEW WEEKS AGO THE LORD 
WOKE ME UP AT THREE IN THE MORNING. I LAY THERE IN BED TRYING TO 
GO BACK TO SLEEP. THE LORD HAD AWAKENED ME TO GET UP AND GO 
PRAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DIDN’T WANT TO GET UP AND GO PRAY, NOT AT 
THREE IN THE MORNING. I LAY THERE FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES AND 
FINALLY GOT UP TO PRAY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY.

THEN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I WAS AGAIN AWAKENED BY THE LORD. I 
SAID “ LORD I’M NOT PASTORING A CHURCH NOW CAN’T I SLEEP. I JUST 
WANT TO THANK GOD THAT HE’S WILLING TO WAKE ME UP IN THE 
MORNING TO SPEND TIME WITH ME BEFORE I START MY DAY.
THIS IS THE SECRET TO CHRISTIAN SUCESS TIME WITH GOD.

Josh 3:2  And it came to pass after three days,

IT TAKES TIME TO PLAN AND MAKE PROPER PREPARATION: LET ME 
GIVE YOU THREE REASON WHY YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS TIME:

FIRST REASON:  WE NEED TO LISTEN TO GOD. GOD HAS SOMETHING TO 
SAY TO US.

SECOND REASON:  WE NEED TO LEARN FROM GOD. THERE ARE MANY 
THINGS THAT GOD WANTS TO TEACH US.

THIRD REASON: WE NEED TO LEAN ON GOD. GOD IS OUR SOURCE OF 
UNFAILING STRENGTH. BUT IF WE NEVER LISTEN TO GOD WE WILL NEVER 
LEARN FROM GOD, THEREFORE WE WILL NEVER LEAN ON GOD. THE MORE 
YOU LISTEN, THE MORE YOU LEARN, AND THE MORE YOU WILL LEAN ON 
GOD.

GOD IS PREPARING YOU AND ME TO MOVE FORWARD INTO GREATER 
THINGS.

Josh 3:3  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. 

YOU WILL NEVER CROSS OVER THE RIVERS OF IMPOSSIBILITIES 
UNTILL YOU GET UP FROM THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE  AND GO 
AFTER WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED YOU. AS YOU PREPARE 
REMEMBER KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD. THE WORD OF GOD 
SAY’S “ WHEN YOU SEE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE 
LORD YOUR GOD ” THEN YOU SHALL REMOVE FROM YOUR 
PLACE, AND GO AFTER IT. 
 
STEP # 2 IS SEPARATION

VERSE 5 SAY’S “ SANCTIFY YOURSELVES ”  WHY SHOULD WE SANTIFY 
OURSELVES ? THE REASON IS “ FOR TOMORROW THE LORD WILL DO 
WONDERS AMONG YOU ”.

THE WORD SANCTIFY MEANS

6942. qadash, kaw-dash'; a prim. root; to be (causat. make, pronounce or observe as) 
clean (ceremonially or morally):--appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, 
keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X 
wholly.

SANCTIFY = TO SET APART TO A SACRED PURPOSE OR TO RELIGIOUS USE: 
TO FREE FROM SIN: 

WE WILL NEVER SEE OR EXPERIENCE A MOVE OF GOD UNTILL WE HAVE 
PREPARED OUR SELVES AND SANCTIFIED OURSELVES FOR A MOVE OF 
GOD.
THERE WAS THIS SISTER IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS FAMOUS FOR HER 
GOSSIPING. SHE CAME TO THE PASTOR ALL BROKEN UP AND SAID, “ I 
WANT TO LAY MY TONGUE ON THE ALTER FOR THE LORD ”. THE PASTOR 
SAID, “ SISTER OUR ALTER IS ONLY 14 FEET WIDE BUT WE’LL DO THE BEST 
WE CAN ”. 

2 Cor 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the 
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, 
saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Cor 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse 
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear 
of God.

I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING TONIGHT. GOD CAN 
ONLY CLEANSE  YOU AND FORGIVE YOU OF THE SINS THTA YOU 
ARE WILLING TO PART WITH. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT WANT 
TO ENJOY THE BLESSING AND LIFE OF GOD, BUT DON’T WANT TO 
PART WITH ALL OF THERE SINFUL WAYS. 

HOLINESS IS NOT AN OPTION IT  IS A COMMAND OF GOD !
   
(1 Pet 1:14 NIV)  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had 
when you lived in ignorance.

(1 Pet 1:15 NIV)  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

(1 Pet 1:16 NIV)  for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

WE HAVE TO MAKE UP OUR MINDS TONIGHT THAT WE ARE GOING 
TO BE A HOLY PEOPLE. THE WORD OF GOD SAY’S 

2 Cor 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the 
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

(Heb 12:1 NIV)  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of 
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily 
entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

(Heb 12:2 NIV)  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 
who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down 
at the right hand of the throne of God.

STEP # 3 IS ANTICIPATION

(Josh 3:12 KJV)  Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, 
out of every tribe a man.

(Josh 3:13 KJV)  And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the 
priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the 
waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that 
come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

(Josh 3:14 KJV)  And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, 
to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the 
people;

(Josh 3:15 KJV)  And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the 
feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for 
Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

(Josh 3:16 KJV)  That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up 
upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that 
came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: 
and the people passed over right against Jericho.

(Josh 3:17 KJV)  And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD 
stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over 
on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

WHEN I SAY ANTICIPATE I MEAN THAT WE SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO 
SOMETHING AS CERTAIN. WE SHOULD ALREADY SEE A PATH THROUGH 
OUR RIVERS OF IMPOSSIBILITIES. WE NEED TO EXPECT SOMTHING TO 
HAPPEN ON OUR BEHALF. GOD IS STILL A GOD OF MIRICLES. HE THE SAME 
YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. OUR GOD NEVER CHANGES NOR DOES 
HIS WORD EVER CHANGE. 

THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TODAY IS A PEOPLE THAT DON’T EXPECT 
OR ANTICIPATE A MOVE OF GOD. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE SAY TO ME, “ I 
DIDN’T EXPECT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN ”.

THIS REMINDS ME OF THE DAY THAT I PRAYED FOR MY DAD. MY DA IS AN 
ALCOHOLIC. WE HAD VISITED MY DAD AND WERE GETTING READY TO GO 
HOME. I WANTED TO PRAY FOR MY DAD THAT DAY BEFORE I LEFT. I 
WANTED TO PRAY FOR HIS DELIVARANCE. I ASKED HIM IF I COULD PRAY 
FOR HIM, HE JUST LAUGHED AND SAID SURE, NOTHING IS GOING TO 
HAPPEN. BUT, YOU SEE I EXPECTED SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. I TOLD MY 
DAD WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO. I’M GOING TO LAY MY HANDS ON YOU  
AND YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL THE HOLY GHOST POWER COME ALL OVER 
YOU. HE JUST LAUGHED AGAIN, BUT HE DIDN’T LAUGH LONG. WHEN I 
LAYED MY HANDS ON MY DAD AND STARTED PRAYING, HE BEGAN TO 
SHAKE AND CRY. YOU SEE I ANTICIPATED A MOVE OF GOD ON MY DAD. 
TWO WEEKS LATER WE VISITED HIM AGAIN. AS IWAS WALKING OUT THE 
DOOR I TURNED AND ASKED MY DAD IF I COULD PRAY FOR HIM AGAIN. 
THIS TIME HOWEVER, HE JUMPED UP OUT OF HIS CHAIR AND RAN OUT THE 
BACK DOOR SCREAMING, NO, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LAY ANOTHER 
HAND ON ME, YOU”RE NOT PRAYING FOR ME ANYMORE. YOU KNOW WHY 
HE WOULD’NT LET ME PRAY FOR HIM THE SECOND TIME ? WHEN I 
PRAYED FOR HIM THE FIRST TIME SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HIM AND HE 
WAS AFRAID THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN.

FOLKS WHEN YOU HAVE PREPARED YOURSELF AND SANCTIFIED 
YOURSELF THEN ANTICIPATE AND EXPECT A MOVE OF GOD. 

VERSE 13 SAY’S AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, AS SOON AS THE SOLES OF 
THE OF THE FEET OF THE PRIESTS THAT BEAR THE ARK OF THE LORD , 
THE LORD SHALL OF ALL THE EARTH, SHALL REST IN THE WATERS OF 
THE JORDAN; 

SOMETIMES CROSSING A RIVER IS JUST A MATTER OF PUTTING YOUR 
FOOT DOWN. 

SOMETIMES YOUJUST HAVE TO PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN AND SAY DEVIL 
I’VE HAD ENOUGH. AT OTHER TIMES IT’S JUST A MATTER OF STANDING 
WITH AN UNSHAKEABLE FAITH ON THE PROMISES OF GOD.

STEP # 4 IS COMMEMORATION

(Josh 4:1 KJV)  And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over 
Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

(Josh 4:2 KJV)  Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

(Josh 4:3 KJV)  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.

(Josh 4:4 KJV)  Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the 
children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

(Josh 4:5 KJV)  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:

(Josh 4:6 KJV)  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?

(Josh 4:7 KJV)  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.

MEMORIALS ARE IMPORTANT. THEY STAND AS A LAND MARK OF WHAT 
GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES DOWN THROUGH TIME. 

(Psa 103:2 KJV)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

(Psa 103:3 KJV)  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

(Psa 103:4 KJV)  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee 
with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

(Psa 103:5 KJV)  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is 
renewed like the eagle's.

HOW SOON WE FORGET WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US. WHILR THERE 
ARE SOME THINGS WE NEED TO FORGET , GOD’S BLESSINGS ARE 
NOT PART OF THEM. WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING IN OUR LIVES 
TO REMIND US OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVE. NOT ONLY TO 
REMIND US, BUT TO TESTIFY TO THE FUTURE GENRATIONS OF WHAT 
GOD NOT ONLY HAS DONE, BUT CAN AND WILL STILL DO.

SOME DAY YOUR CHILDREN WILL COME AND ASK YOU WHY DO WE 
GO TO CHURCH ? WHY DO WE READ THE BIBLE ? WHY DO WE PRAY ?
WHY DO WE PAY OUR TITHES ?  WHY DO WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP 
GOD ? 

THIS WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN 
ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE AND AT THE SAME TIME 
LEAD THEM TO A SAVING FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS. 

THESE STONES NOT ONLY SERVED AS A TESTIMONY THE CHILDREN 
BUT ALSO TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

Josh 4:24  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.
 
EVERY CHRISTIAN THAT EVER LIVED STOOD AS A MEMORIAL AND 
TESTIMONY TO A LOST AND DIEING WORLD OF GOD SAVING POWER.

CONCLUSION:

ARE YOU READY TO CROSS YOUR RIVERS OF IMPOSSIBILITIES ? ARE YOU 
READY TO CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE ? ARE YOU READY TO ENTER 
A NEW LIFE AND EXPERIENCE WITH GOD ? THE NEXT STEP IS UP TO YOU, 
WILL YOU MOVE OUT FROM WHERE YOU ARE ? WILL YOU FOCUS YOU 
FAITH ON JESUS AND FOLLOW HIM TO THE OTHER SIDE ?

James Mooney
e-mail MOONEJO@concentric.net






 
CROSSING THE RIVERS OF 
IMPOSSIBILITIES
JOSHUA 3:1-17