What's the most important thing you've ever forgotten? Maybe it was an anniversary, a doctor's appointment, or your car keys. We are people prone to forget, which is why God established memorials throughout Scripture to help His people remember His mighty works.

In Joshua 4, we find the Israelites standing at a pivotal moment in their history. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, they've finally crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land—on dry ground, no less. God commands Joshua to take twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed and set them up as a memorial at Gilgal. These stones weren't just souvenirs; they were conversation starters for future generations who would ask, "What do these stones mean?"

The answer reveals the dual purpose of this memorial: "that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and that you may fear the LORD your God forever." The stones pointed outward as a testimony to surrounding nations and inward as a reminder to God's people. They connected the miracle at the Jordan with God's earlier deliverance at the Red Sea, creating a thread of divine faithfulness running through Israel's history.

As we examine this passage alongside Hebrews 3-4, we discover that the Jordan crossing itself points forward to something greater. Moses led enslaved people out of Egypt but couldn't bring them into God's rest because of their unbelief. Joshua succeeded in bringing them into Canaan, but even that wasn't the ultimate rest God had in mind. Both were foreshadowing Jesus, who offers true rest—freedom from slavery to sin, from aimless wandering, from exhausting striving, and ultimately from death itself.

True belief isn't just intellectual assent or cultural Christianity. It means abandoning all hope in our ability to earn what God has promised and casting ourselves fully upon Him. This kind of belief leads to action, prioritizes obedience over strategy, and sustains perseverance through difficulty. When life feels heavy, our determination alone isn't enough, but fixing our eyes on what God is doing gives us strength to continue.

What memorials have you established in your life to remember God's faithfulness? Perhaps it's Sunday worship, personal testimonies, or meaningful objects that remind you of spiritual milestones. These safeguards help us resist the "death by a thousand nudges" that can erode our faith when we're not looking. Our remembrance stokes the fires of our belief, which leads us into the rest God promises through Jesus, our great high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses and invites us to approach His throne with confidence.

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What rivers of impossibility are you facing right now? The story of Joshua leading Israel across the Jordan offers a surprising message of hope for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges.

This powerful exploration of Joshua 3 reveals that beneath the dramatic miracle of waters parting lies something even more remarkable - the unseen currents of God's faithfulness flowing through history. Like children playing with beach toys, we often focus on what's happening above the surface while missing the stronger forces moving underneath.

God deliberately chose flood season - the worst possible time - for Israel to cross the Jordan. Why? Because our moments of greatest difficulty often become the stage for God's most dramatic displays of power. When waters rise around you, it might not be evidence of God's absence but the setup for His most magnificent work.

The beauty of this story lies in how little faith was required. The priests carrying the ark weren't asked to wade into deep waters on blind faith - they simply needed to put their toes at the water's edge. That small act of obedience triggered God's supernatural response, stopping the river's flow for fifteen miles upstream and creating not just a narrow path but a wide highway of dry ground.

This pattern reaches its fulfillment 1,400 years later when Jesus would be baptized in this same stretch of the Jordan River. The God who parted waters for His people would ultimately send His Son to pass through the waters of judgment, creating a path for us all.

Whatever flood-stage challenge you're facing, God isn't asking for heroic faith - just enough trust to put your toe in the water. Take that small step today and discover the solid ground that comes from following the One who goes before you.

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What if your greatest shame became your greatest testimony? The story of Rahab challenges everything we think we know about who belongs in God's family.

Joshua 2 takes us to an unexpected location—the house of a prostitute in Jericho—where two Israelite spies find refuge as they scout the Promised Land. But this isn't just any woman; Rahab is a foreigner who demonstrates extraordinary faith despite her background. With soldiers searching the city for these men, she hides them and makes a stunning declaration: "I know that the Lord has given you the land...for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath."

The beauty of this narrative lies in its contrasts. Rahab likely learned about God through conversations overheard from clients—her very brokenness positioned her to hear about God's mighty works. When she lets the spies down from her window with a scarlet cord, she becomes the means of salvation not just for herself but for her entire family. This cord, reminiscent of the Passover blood, marks her home as a place where anyone who enters will be saved from coming judgment.

Throughout Scripture, Rahab continues to be called "the prostitute" even while being honored in the hall of faith (Hebrews 11). Why? Because "in Christ, your past must be remembered as a testimony, but it will never define your future identity." Her story culminates beautifully in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, where she appears simply as "Rahab"—the mother of Boaz, a man of exceptional character, and an ancestor of Christ himself.

This powerful message reminds us that faith often exists in simple acts of sacrificial kindness, that no one is beyond redemption, and that God delights in writing incredible stories through unlikely people. Where might you be hiding your past and wounds instead of putting God's incredible grace on display? Your story matters, and it might just be the testimony someone else needs to hear.

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

The journey from the wilderness to the Promised Land represents one of Scripture's most pivotal transitions—and in this illuminating exploration of Joshua 1:1-9, we discover how God orchestrates leadership transitions that advance His unchanging mission.

When Moses dies, God doesn't pause to mourn or reassess. Instead, He immediately commands Joshua: "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go." This remarkable moment teaches us that while leaders may change, God's purposes never falter. Four times in this passage, God commands Joshua to "be strong and courageous"—a refrain that echoes through the ages to every believer facing uncertainty.

The backstory makes this moment even more profound. Forty years earlier, twelve spies explored Canaan, but only Joshua and Caleb trusted God's promise despite seeing formidable obstacles. That failure of national faith resulted in an entire generation missing their inheritance. Now, Joshua leads a younger generation (everyone under 20 except himself and Caleb) into their destiny.

What does follow-worthy leadership look like? Through Joshua's example, we discover four essential qualities: immediate obedience without hesitation, complete dependence on God while taking action, willingness to invite necessary sacrifice, and openness to meaningful encouragement. These same qualities appeared perfectly in Jesus, whose name in Greek is the equivalent of "Joshua" in Hebrew—a connection that reveals God's consistent character across Scripture.

Most compelling is Joshua's challenge to the tribes that had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan. Though they had settled into comfort, he called them to leave everything behind temporarily to help their brothers secure their inheritance. This powerful picture reminds us that receiving God's blessings isn't our final goal—helping others experience His promises is our ongoing mission.

As we navigate our own wilderness-to-promise transitions, remember that every Christian is called to lead somewhere. Your next step of courage might be someone else's pathway to freedom. Where is God calling you to be strong and courageous today?

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

The paradox at the heart of Christian life can feel impossible to resolve: how can we strive diligently for holiness while simultaneously experiencing deep peace? In this final sermon on 2 Peter, we explore the apostle's parting wisdom to believers awaiting Christ's return and a world "in which righteousness dwells."

Peter challenges us with seemingly contradictory instructions: "Be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish and at peace." This tension between extreme effort and complete rest captures the unique essence of Christian spirituality. While acknowledging that some spiritual truths are "hard to understand," Peter warns against both abandoning Scripture as too difficult and manipulating it to fit our preconceptions.

The solution emerges in Peter's final charge: "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Grace isn't simply a one-time gift but a dynamic reality we continuously grow into. As we mature spiritually, we discover how to pursue holiness while resting in Christ's finished work.

This message offers three practical applications: First, don't waste your waiting time – invest it wisely in eternal purposes. Second, embrace the paradox that while perfection remains beyond reach in this life, genuine transformation is guaranteed for true believers. Finally, find peace by becoming a better receiver of God's grace rather than striving to achieve it through your own efforts.

Unlike Buddha's reported final words—"strive without ceasing"—Christ's last declaration was "it is finished." Our spiritual journey isn't about endless effort but about learning to live from the victory already won for us. What would change if you truly believed God is keeping you while enabling you to participate in your own spiritual growth? How might this understanding transform your daily walk with Christ?

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

Have you ever made Kool-Aid and noticed how the sugary goodness settles to the bottom if left unstirred? That's exactly what happens to our spiritual lives when we forget the urgency of Christ's return. In this powerful message from 2 Peter 3:8-13, we explore how easily Christians can become "settled" rather than "stirred" in their faith.

Peter writes specifically to believers—not unbelievers—warning about scoffers who mock the promise of Christ's return by saying "all things continue as they were from the beginning." These "doubt evangelists" deliberately overlook God's past judgment through the flood and His promised future judgment through fire. When we adopt their thinking, even subtly, our spiritual fervor settles to the bottom of our lives.

What feels like God's slowness is actually His extraordinary patience. With stunning imagery, God is depicted as still "inhaling" before the exhale of judgment, giving time for repentance. This patience isn't a sign of His inability or reluctance but of His incredible grace toward us. The day of the Lord will come "like a thief"—unexpectedly and without warning—with the heavens passing away with a roar and everything exposed.

We're witnessing unprecedented spiritual movements globally: massive revivals across Africa, Asia, and South America; Bible translations reaching completion in nearly all known languages; and even young men returning to churches in America seeking godly direction. These aren't ordinary times—they're extraordinary moments calling for extraordinary faith.

When asked how they feel about Christ's return, some believers responded with "fear" and "judgment" while others said "excitement" and "hope." This stark contrast reveals much about whether our faith is settled or stirred. Rather than merely waiting passively, Peter calls us to both "wait for and hasten" Christ's coming through lives of holiness and active participation in God's mission.

What would change if you truly believed Jesus might return today? Would you live differently? Would your priorities shift? Don't let the spiritual nutrients of God's truth settle unused at the bottom of your life. Take up Peter's challenge to be stirred in your faith, living with joyful anticipation of the day when righteousness will dwell in new heavens and a new earth.

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

What happens when knowledge becomes more important than faith? In this penetrating exploration of 2 Peter 2, we confront the uncomfortable reality of false teaching and its destructive influence in our lives.

The sermon begins with a fishing story that captures our relationship with Scripture. Sometimes we throw out a perfect cast net that catches nothing, while a tangled mess somehow brings in fish. Similarly, our approach to God's word shouldn't depend on our expertise but on our willingness to swim under whatever net the Holy Spirit casts.

At its heart, this message examines how false teachers operate—secretly introducing destructive ideas that appeal to our desires for comfort, success, and sensuality. They promise freedom while being enslaved themselves. The metaphor is striking: false teachers hand you a spoon to dig out of your prison while Christ stands nearby holding the key. Most dangerously, their deception doesn't explode like a short-fused firework; it slowly leads you down a path until you're far from truth.

What makes this message uniquely powerful is its challenge to the knowledge-centered Christianity prevalent in Bible Belt culture. Through biblical examples like Noah (who built a boat before ever seeing rain) and Lot (who made terrible decisions yet remained righteous through faith), we see that God values faith over expertise. Noah is called righteous not because he knew everything but because when he had nothing to go on except God's word, he said, "That's enough for me."

The sermon concludes with a profound insight: God isn't terribly concerned that we get everything right; He's concerned that we never stop running to be made right. This distinction changes everything about how we approach our spiritual lives. Are the voices speaking into your life drawing you closer to Jesus or further away? Are you pursuing knowledge as your salvation, or are you pursuing Christ with the knowledge you have?

If you've ever felt that intellectual understanding of Scripture should be enough, or if you're wondering how to discern true teaching from false, this message offers both challenge and hope. Listen now and discover why swimming under God's net is always better than trying to throw your own.

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

At the end of life, what truly matters? In this profound exploration of 2 Peter 1:16-21, we discover that Peter—facing his own mortality—chose not to impart new knowledge but to remind believers of timeless truths they already knew.

Against our culture's obsession with novelty and innovation, Peter presents a radical alternative: the gospel never grows old, no matter how familiar it becomes. He recounts his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, where he witnessed Christ's glory firsthand and heard the voice of God proclaim, "This is my beloved Son." Yet remarkably, Peter suggests that Scripture provides even greater certainty than this supernatural encounter.

The sermon unpacks three foundations for unwavering faith: standing on what the apostles' eyes saw, what their lives proved through decades of persecution, and ultimately, the same thing they stood on—God's unchanging Word. As Charles Colson observed about the apostles' testimony: "Twelve of the world's most powerful men couldn't keep a lie going for three weeks during Watergate, yet twelve apostles maintained their testimony for forty years despite torture and death."

For those struggling with spiritual doubts or difficulties, this message offers profound comfort. We don't necessarily need new truths to navigate life's challenges—we need to recall the old ones that have sustained generations of believers. Like a lamp shining in darkness, God's Word provides just enough light for our next step.

The message concludes with Winston Churchill's remarkable funeral planning. After "Taps" signaled day's end, a second bugler unexpectedly played "Reveille"—time to wake up. While mourners witnessed his life's sunset, Churchill wanted to remind them he was experiencing the dawn of something new. What stories of God's faithfulness will you share before your own sunset comes?

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

We explore the revolutionary concept that every Christian stands on equal footing with the apostles themselves, not through our own merit, but through the righteousness of Christ.

• God has granted believers "all things that pertain to life and godliness" through knowing Christ
• Many Christians experience a "false start" by trying to earn God's approval rather than beginning with faith
• Faith must come first, followed by supplements like virtue, knowledge, self-control and love
• Our relationship with Christ isn't about striving but about taking what He freely gives
• The Christian life includes "becoming partakers of the divine nature" - uniquely receiving rather than just giving
• When we build properly on the foundation of faith, God promises we "will never fall"
• God desires not just to admit us to heaven, but to "richly provide" our entrance into His kingdom

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence." - 2 Peter 1:3

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

Ever felt like your spiritual growth has hit a plateau? In this exploration of 2 Peter, we discover the apostle's urgent final message written from prison as he faces execution under Nero's persecution. Peter, the disciple who once denied Jesus but ultimately gave his life for the gospel, reminds us that true spiritual growth doesn't require new revelations or secret knowledge—it demands remembering and applying the transformative truths we already possess.

The letter opens with an astounding declaration: everyday believers share "equal standing" with the apostles themselves. This radical equality exists not because of our spiritual achievements but through "the righteousness of our God and Savior." Peter then outlines qualities that should mark a growing believer's life: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. These characteristics aren't optional add-ons but evidence of genuine faith.

Most striking is Peter's fierce warning against false teachers who "secretly bring in destructive heresies." These deceptions rarely announce themselves as obvious lies—they begin with subtle twists of scripture that lead to devastating spiritual consequences. As one pastor noted during our discussion, "Your ability to justify your behavior is unmatched by anything, except for the grace of God." This sobering reality calls us to vigilance in a media-saturated age where algorithms learn our weaknesses faster than we recognize them.

The letter culminates with Peter addressing skeptics who mock Christ's return. His response—"with the Lord one day is as a thousand years"—reframes our impatience and reminds us that God's apparent delays always serve his redemptive purposes. This perspective transforms how we approach each day, living with urgency but not anxiety, actively waiting for Christ's return while fully engaging with those around us.

What would change if you knew Jesus was returning in an hour? How might your priorities shift? Join us as we unpack Peter's timeless challenge to grow in grace and knowledge while standing firm against false teaching. Whether you're new to faith or have walked with Christ for decades, 2 Peter offers both encouragement and warning for your spiritual journey.

If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.