LEGACY

Legacy, Our Story #1

Pastor Brandon Cross

Woodland Church

Sunday, November 1, 2026

(Joshua 4:1-7) “And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 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.’ Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

MAIN IDEA:

We need to understand and appreciate all that God has done in us and through us in order to pass His story in our lives along to all generations who follow us as well as to provide evidence of His greatness to the world around us.

1.  Memorial Stones (Verses 1-3): Twelve stones representing the tribes were set up as a permanent, visible reminder of God’s power in drying up the Jordan River.

• Reminder of His presence 
• Reminder of His unlimited power
• Reminder of His promises

APPLICATION: 

We need to be intentional about recalling, proclaiming, and celebrating the history of what God has done in us and through us on a regular basis to remind and encourage ALL generations in the Church of His faithfulness.

2.  Intergenerational Education (Verses 6-7): The stones were specifically designed to spark curiosity in future generations, allowing parents to share the story of God’s miraculous provision.

• Encourages curiosity
• Creates conversations
• Creates bonds

APPLICATION: 

Being intentional to create “memorials” to God’s work in our lives and in our fellowship are critical to tying generations together and to perpetuating God’s mission for the Church in us and through us.  

3.  “Crossing Over” (Verses 10-14): This event marked a transition from wandering to possessing the Promised Land, symbolizing a new era of faithfulness.

• Promise fulfilled (transition from survivor/refugee to victor)
• Spiritual renewal 

APPLICATION:

Faithfully recalling God’s faithfulness and celebrating His work in us and through us opens the door for His promises to be fulfilled and prepares us for “NEW” seasons of His work through us.

4.  Global Testimony (Verses 19-24): The miracle was not only for Israel but intended to demonstrate God’s power to all nations of the earth.

• Evidence of God’s power 
• Evidence of His favor
• Evidence of His Plan

APPLICATION: 

When we recall God’s work in and through us and allow Him to “shine” through us, we present evidence of His power, favor, and plan for our lives. A transformed life is the best evidence of the power and presence of God in this world. 

MAIN IDEA RECAP:

We need to understand and appreciate all that God has done in us and through us in order to pass His story in our lives along to all generations who follow us as well as to provide evidence of His greatness to the world around us.

QUESTION:

How do we do this?

We preserve and pass on God’s story by building intentional memorials of remembrance that invite curiosity and point future generations and the watching world directly to His power. 

CALL TO ACTION:

1. Gather Physical or Tangible Markers (“Stones”)

• Modern application: Create “Ebenezer” (stone of help) moments in your own life such as journaling answered prayers, saving meaningful keepsakes, or marking milestones where God carried you through a hard season. 

2. Live In a Way That Provokes Questions

• Be visible in your faith: When we live with gratitude, joy, and reliance on God instead of quiet complacency, younger generations and observers naturally notice the difference and ask why we handle life the way we do.

3. Tell the Story of God’s Character, Not Just History

• Shift focus to God’s hand: The goal is not to glorify our own strength or resumé, but to declare His active intervention. As Joshua 4:24 states, the purpose is “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, and that you may fear [revere] the Lord your God forever.”

4. Guard Against Spiritual Amnesia

• Keep the narrative alive: Passing the story down actively bridges the gap between what God did “then” and who He is “now,” ensuring that faith is freshly rediscovered—not just inherited as a dead tradition.