What’s the problem? 1. INTRODUCTION. Joshua boldly claims the role of prophet, even speaking in the first person for God. Please turn to chapter 24, where Joshua summons the elders of the people to renew their covenant with the L ORD (so also Woudstra 1981:340). B At the end of his life Joshua spoke to Israel some parting words of wisdom.             the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But as for me and my household,(B)we will serve the Lord.” He reminded them of the gift of their salvation: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we we… Just like that, reading became joyful. It is the place where life’s bills come due, the single most influential force in our earthly existence. As Joshua recounts the story of the conquest of the Promised Land, he reminds them of what the Lord had done for them: “And you went over the Jordan “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” appears in all sorts of formats from quilts and doilies to plaques in kitchens and all other sorts of Christian kitsch. Michael was thrilled. Second, parents have a special obligation to set the right example in this area. We have laid a burden on the women God never intended them to bear all alone. Zoe replied, “No! the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. -- Joshua 24:15b Dear Kyle, I remember the day we brought you home from the hospital. Note several implications. 2.9.20 Joshua 24:14-24 14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. What, then, does this text mean? Then the gods beyond the River (meaning the River Euphrates), referring to the gods of Ur of the Chaldees. Joshua certainly understood the power of parents. He says,"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ..."You got to pick and choose according to Joshua. And yet, as we consider the scriptures assigned to us this day, we still observe that the Holy Spirit is central to all that we read. You can't serve one thing 50% and something else 30% and a third thing 20%. “All faithfulness” means there can be no “hidden rooms” that we reserve for ourselves. But … 2. and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, Just to get perspective, Matthew records about fifteen parables in his Gospel. LCMS Sermons - Rev. As a place to begin, let’s consider these words by Chuck Swindoll: Whatever else may be said about the home, it is the bottom line of life, the anvil upon which attitudes and convictions are hammered out. A few years before, Moses, in his final days, had gathered the people of God together to exhort them before departing this life. It’s also a sign he is becoming a student of obedience. It’s almost always a mistake to crowd people too closely when we attempt to win them to Christ. We can hardly expect our children to serve Christ when we take our duties lightly. We live in a world that downplays the value of the home. Those in the field, those who were overseeing some project at a distance from their king or general, would reply by sending runners back with messages in response. Nothing else is more important.” He’s right. Make your choice. 25 So Joshua made a covenant for # 24.25 for; or with. “but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh” (v. 15b). It shows a suburban family going off to church, led by the oldest sister followed by mom who is followed by the younger sister. Kids in the ’50s grew up with black and white television, “I Like Ike,” hula hoops, and a kid from Tupelo, Mississippi named Elvis Presley. When they sing hymns, their children will learn the words. a. Pass it along so that succeeding generations can tell the story after you are gone to heaven. It means putting aside the false gods worshipped by the pagans. And I gave them into your hand. Nine have a theme of judgment. That's why Joshua was ordered to tell the priests carrying the ark to go first; in fact, a distance of 1000 yards had to be kept between it and the people. This parable in Matthew 25 is probably one of the better known, yet interpretations have varied in some of its respects. The word “serve” is used in various forms six times in two verses. God meant spiritual leadership to be a shared burden, but the men must take the initiative if we truly want God’s blessing. Then the gods of the Amorites, meaning the gods of fertility and sexual pleasure. Men bear a heavy responsibility in this area. Joshua reviews briefly the nation's past, recalling how God took Abraham from a family that "worshiped other gods" (v. 2), so that he and his descendants could know the true God. For too many years we have delegated spiritual leadership to the women while we went out into the world to make a living. Men, when will we learn that our actions speak louder than our words? Joshua 24:15 Sermons; Joshua 24:15 Prayers; Joshua 24:15 Images; Joshua 24:15 Devotionals; Choose Chapter. Grandpa told me I was strong.” Here’s the best part of the story. But the Israelites promised Joshua that they would serve the Lord. I can’t choose for you nor you for me. Is your mind made up? He offers them a series of choices. Joshua begins with the authority of a prophet, "Thus says the Lord." If you choose not to choose, you’ve already made your choice. (2) Joshua 24:15-24 actually demonstrates the failure of our wills to choose rightly from a believing heart if we are left on our own to "choose for ourselves!" They now possess the land. Decision Upon A Hill. Matthew Henry calls them “dunghill deities” because they have no power to save, only the power to corrupt. Joshua's sermon recounts what God has done in the history of the community. They can give you the heritage, but at some point you must make it your own. Here we see the genius of biblical religion. Every decal is made to order. I declare that my entire household will serve the true and living God.” Every Christian man ought to make a similar statement about the family God has given him. This is the Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ baptism. Third, fathers have the highest obligation. If it’s true that the apple never falls far from the tree, then I better make sure the tree is healthy, or else what will the fruit be like? But today as I look around, none of those exist—only Bibles and good reading. Email. Kids in the ’80s grew up with crack cocaine, AIDS, MTV, PeeWee Herman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nintendo, and Nightmare on Elm Street. the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, in the region beyond the River, This is one of the most famous statements in the Old Testament, and rightly so because it expresses the heart of a great spiritual leader at the end of his life. It is a God-given capacity. Oh, things are so different today! The Open Heaven. It is just at this moment, when Israel should be devoting itself to praising and thanking God, that they are most vulnerable to falling away. -Joshua 24:15b . In those words, and in the verses leading up to them, I find five decisions we must make if we want our families to serve the Lord with us. Go all the way back to Ur if you like. And he knew of their own personal commitment to the God he worshiped. She is full of life! Joshua exercises a fundamental principle of leadership—leading by example. In these simple words we find the will of God expressly stated. It’s more an atmosphere than a program. As concerned as Joshua was about the children of Israel, he knew that he and his family must live by their faith IN GOD, not Israel (the majority). In the letter he shared this testimony of God’s grace in his life: I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. Kids in the ’30s grew up during the Depression when times were hard, everybody had to work, and a dollar was a lot of money. Vanessa told us this story after we had returned home. There were no car seats, no giant SUVs with air bags surrounding the passengers, no cell phones or OnStar in the event of an accident. Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Joshua 24:14-15 ← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources "A WISE DECISION" Intro: "Now therefore" the aged Joshua has gathered the elders of Israel for the last time. Joshua 24 / Joshua 24:15 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. 27 He said to all the people, “This stone will be our witness. God is a self-determinate being. Moses' answer for the people's continued rebellion was the promise of the coming New Covenant when God would circumcise the heart (Deut 30:6). Duraimony Dickson on Aug 29, 2020. based on 2 ratings. When they pray, their children will quietly pray with them. I’m going to serve the Lord.” Even though he was the leader of the nation, he was willing to part with his own people over this fundamental issue. In these simple words we find the will of God expressly stated. Neither is this Sunday the one we designate as Trinity Sunday, yet the reality of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is unmistakably woven through what we read and preach this day. This is a positive statement: “We will serve the Lord.” This is more than a statement about forsaking other gods, though that is implied. But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”. He specifies what that means when he adds “in all faithfulness.” Every area of life must be surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. "Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus", Copyright © 2020 Keep Believing Ministries. This is not Pentecost. Joshua had a family. Can I guarantee that my children and grandchildren will follow in my steps and serve the same Lord I worship? It’s a good thing to review past blessings and to make a written record of God’s faithfulness. Let me add an application I wouldn’t have used ten years ago.             or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell” (v. 15). Joshua 24 Chapter 24 Joshua recites how the Lord has blessed and led Israel—Joshua and all the people covenant to choose the Lord and serve Him only—Joshua and Eleazar die—The bones of Joseph, taken from Egypt, are buried in Shechem. 11-13). A number of years ago when I lived in upstate New York I belonged to a Rotary Club. Subscribe to the Verse of the day. Knowing he is only one step from death, he sounds a call to renewal that begins with a recital of God’s blessings in the past (Joshua 24:1-13). Why did the ark go first? Kids in the Teens are growing up with Lady Gaga, Drake, iPhones, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, sexting, and gay marriage. Just me in the driver's seat, and your mom next to me, holding you on her lap. As Christmas approached each year, one of our Rotary Club projects was to help the Salvation Army with their bell ringing. We are to serve the Lord, and we are to do everything in our power to see that our family follows our example. Here Joshua speaks as the God-appointed leader of his family. Make your choice. “As the leader of this clan, I hold their proxy in my hand. First, the true God. He briefly rehearses their history in relation I am also speaking to young men, high school boys, college men, young single men, and older single men. ‘‘Now fear the Lord” (Joshua 24:14a). “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b). Our kids see more, they know more, they experience more, and they grow up so much faster. Let me urge all the grandparents to invest heavily in your grandchildren. Joshua knew that once the people took credit for their victories, they would soon turn away from the Lord altogether. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b). Against that reality, these words of Dr. James Dobson strike home: “We must make the salvation of our children our number one priority.             whether the gods your fathers served We get orders shipped within 24 hours of purchase every time. Man was created in the image of God. In fact, it goes deeper than that, it requires a covenant or promise. There is no room for neutrality. Joshua 24 is a famous text, mostly for verse 15, which is the climactic verse in the lectionary selection. Let no man read these words and think he may live carelessly and at the end of his life ask God to save his family. We cannot guarantee what our children will do, but we can provide an atmosphere of “serious godliness” plus heartfelt joy that makes it easier to choose Christ than to choose the way of the world. Everyday we are confronted with choices. MAN HAS THE CAPACITY OF CHOICE. Some people prefer the gods of this world to the one true God of the Bible. “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, First, each of us must personally decide to serve the Lord. Although she is only four, she wakes up every day as if to say, “Look out, world! How can a man be so certain about his family? In his place, Joshua was chosen by God to lead the nation; people together for a departing word of exhortation. Ronald Van Overloop on May 10, 2009. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards Thank you, Jesus. It would be natural to start thinking, “We’re something special.” But that thought is always deadly. In my recollection it always seemed to be a cold, bitter, snowy day when I was given my two-hour assignment to ring the bell. To live that way and then to pray desperately at the end is to presume on the grace of God. 26 Joshua wrote these commands in the book of the Law of God. Grandparents have a huge role to play.             and cities that you had not built, It won’t happen by accident, and it can’t be inherited from your parents. When we think about the fear of the Lord, many people get the idea of cringing in terror. “I will serve the Lord, and my family joins me in this pledge.”. We live in a world of choices. This is a personal decision: “But as for me.” In the end it comes down to this. The Paperback Bible presents the Bible by the Book and is designed to be portable, readable, and truly personal with ample margins for notations. Every order is produced right here in America. We learn that Augustus Kaiser might have been emperor, but it is Jesus who reigns.             choose this day whom you will serve, Sex talk is nothing to them because they hear it every day. Cast your vote. 3. The list goes on. When they love the Lord, it will be natural for the children to love him too. Kids in the ’70s grew up with Charlie’s Angels, disco, Happy Days, MASH, Saturday Night Fever, and the Doobie Brothers. I don’t even remember saying that to her, but I’m sure I did. One writer says it refers to the “inner devotion” that causes us to honor God. He and his family will demonstrate in their personal lives that they have chosen to serve Yahweh. Godly parents can tip the scales in the right direction. As junior walks by, he casts a longing eye at his father. Every person needs a God, and every person must serve the God they choose. Let me ask the question this way. He created man a self-determinate being. But as for me and my... Read verse in New International Version Sermon preached at Grace Protestant Reformed Church by Rev. Choose your God. It seems Zoe was trying to pull something too heavy for her. Commentary, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Scott Shauf, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b). I took my turn in front of our largest department store in town. At the center of the painting is dear old dad slumped in a chair, in his pajamas, reading the paper with a cigarette in his hand. This is a public statement: “But as for me.” He means, “I don’t care what the rest of you do. I believe this man’s conversion is genuine because when he came to Christ, he got rid of the gods from “beyond the River.” The old literature went out with his old life and was replaced by the Word of God and good Christian material. No one gets a free ride, and no one can straddle the fence forever. This means you can pick from a wide variety of sizes and colors to find the one that is just right for you.             and came to Jericho, Joshua challenges the Israelites to serve the LORD - the Jealous God. This is one of the most famous statements in the Old Testament, and rightly so, because it expresses the heart of a great spiritual leader at the end of his life. Those would be the gods of ancient tradition—the moon god and the sun god. Joshua 24:14-15. My Lord has changed my life, I never could have. We all know of sad cases where godly parents produced offspring who did not serve Christ. Verification Code. Recently I saw a famous painting by Norman Rockwell that appeared on the cover of Saturday Evening Post in 1959. After all, the Israelite army had won battle after battle, often routing the enemy from the field. … Then the gods of Egypt, meaning the gods of sun, rain, darkness, and natural disasters. We preachers always hope that God has given us the right words, and that God speaks through our sermons. “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” We have nothing to fear and everything to gain by presenting the options and giving people the right to make up their own minds. If they prefer some other way, then so be it. Today's Devotionals. Serve one thing 50 % and something else 30 % and something else 30 and! 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