Historically, large and thick walls were built to protect from invading armies, but God can break down all walls.

1. The Day the Walls Came
Down
© 2023 Tim Martens
United Church of God-Northwest Arkansas
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2. The Great Wall of China
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4. Castle Moat with Bridge
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5. 5

6. The Children of Israel to Cross the Jordan
River and go into the Promised Land
Joshua 1:2
2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go
over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which
I am giving to them—the children of Israel.
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7. Joshua 3
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Children
of Israel gathered near the Jordan River –
preparing to cross over the river into the
Promised Land.
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8. Must Cross the
Jordan River to get
to Jericho
About 5 miles from
the Jordan River to
the city of Jericho
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9. The Children of Israel Crossed the Jordan
River
on Dry Ground
Joshua 3:17
Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the
Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan;
and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the
people had crossed completely over the Jordan.
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10. 40 Years Earlier the children of Israel Left
Egypt and Crossed the Red Sea on Dry
Ground
Exodus 14:22
So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on
the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on
their right hand and on their left.
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11. Passing through the Red Sea was a Type of
Baptism
I Corinthians 10:1-2
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that
all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through
the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in
the sea,
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12. Jesus was Baptized in the Jordan River
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be
baptized by him.
…
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from
the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon
Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is
My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
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13. The Children of Israel were circumcised after
crossing the Jordan River into the Promised
Land
Joshua 5:8
So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the
people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till
they were healed. 9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “This
day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”
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14. Joshua 6:1-3
Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the
children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. 2 And
the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into
your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. 3 You
shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall
go all around the city once. This you shall do six days
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15. Joshua 6:4-5
4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’
horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march
around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the
trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long
blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of
the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great
shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And
the people shall go up every man straight before him.”
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16. Built on a Hill
…
Lower Wall
Houses built into
side of lower wall
Upper Wall
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17. Joshua 6:22 CEV
“Rahab kept you safe when I sent you to Jericho. We
promised to protect her and her family, and we will keep
that promise. Now go into her house and bring them out.”
The two men went into Rahab's house and brought her
out, along with her father and mother, her brothers, and
her other relatives. Rahab and her family had to stay in a
place just outside the Israelite army camp. But later they
were allowed to live among the Israelites, and her 17

18. Children of Israel to Follow God’s Law in New
Land
Joshua 1: 7-8
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to
do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded
you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may
[b]prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not
depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and
night, that you may observe to do according to all that is
written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and
then you will have good success. 18

19. We are Also Instructed to Walk in God’s Law
Ephesians 4:17-18
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you
should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk,
in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding
darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of
the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of
their heart;
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20. Put off the Old Man -- Our Former Self
Ephesians 4:21-23
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by
Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off,
concerning your former conduct, the old man which
grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be
renewed in the spirit of your mind,
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21. We have a high calling – and a high Reward
Colossians 3:1-4
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand
of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the
earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in
God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also
will appear with Him in glory. 21

22. The New Man is Different than the Old Man
Colossians 3:5-7
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the
earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things
the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of
disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked
when you lived in them.
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23. Get Rid of Our former Behavior – Replace with
Good
Colossians 3:8-10
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your
mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off
the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image
of Him who created him,
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24. The New Man strives to meet a Righteous
Standard
Ephesians 4:24
24 and that you put on the new man which was created
according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
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25. The Berlin Wall Separated East from West
The Berlin Wall had divided the city in half for nearly 26 years.
Built, and officially closed on August 12, 1961, to prevent
disaffected East Germans from fleeing the relative deprivations of
life in their country for greater freedom and opportunity in the
West, the wall was more than just a physical barrier. It also stood
as a vivid symbol of the battle between communism and
democracy that divided Berlin, Germany and the entire European
continent during the Cold War.
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26. The Berlin Wall Was Torn Down
On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan stood just
100 yards away from the concrete barrier dividing East
and West Berlin and uttered some of the most
unforgettable words of his presidency: “Mr. Gorbachev,
tear down this wall.”
The Berlin Wall was torn down on November 9, 1989
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27. Our Sins are a Wall Between Us and God
Isaiah 59:2 ERV
It is your sins that separate you from your God. He turns
away from you when he sees them.
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28. Sins Get in the Way of Our Prayers
John 9:31 ESV
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone
is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to
him.
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29. Do Not Let Sins Hinder Our Prayers
1 Peter 3:7 New King James Version
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding,
giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as
being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers
may not be hindered.
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30. Walls of History
The Great Wall of China – over 2,000 years ago
The walls around the ancient city of Jericho
The walls around the city of Jerusalem
Medieval Castle Walls – from 500 to 1500 A.D. during the
Middle Ages in Europe, Japan, and China
The Berlin Wall
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31. Breaking Down the Walls that Separate Us
from the Kingdom of God
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
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32. There is a Huge Reward for Believers
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
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33. The Day the Walls Came
Down
© 2023 Tim Martens
United Church of God-Northwest Arkansas
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