Own It! (Part 1)

Introduction:

This year’s theme: “Own It”. Many of you familiar with the story of Jim Elliot. An American missionary to Ecuador who was martyred along with four of his friends in 1956.

Five years earlier, he wrote after preaching a sermon the following in his personal journal.

“I am learning that loud preaching and long preaching are not substitutes for inspired preaching.”

Prayer....

Following his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples that everything written in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to him and is fulfilled in Him.

Today, consider “Own It” or “Owning Your Faith” from an O.T. perspective.

Scripture Reading: Joshua 24:14-33

Joshua 24:14–33

Background: The Pentateuch and the book of Joshua contain two great acts of salvation:

- Deliverance out of Egypt / - Deliverance into the Promised Land

In this closing scene of Joshua’s leadership, we discover three actions necessary for “Owning It”, having a faith that was sufficient from the Patriarchs to living in a Post Modern World.

Three actions: Recall / Renew / Realize

Recall

Although we begin with reading verse 14, you will miss the full meaning of this passage if you fail to RECALL...

GOD’S ACTIVITY & INTERVENTION IN THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL.

24:1 - tells us that the people were gathered at Shechem

24:2-13 Survey of Israel’s History up to the present

a) Historical Significance of Shechem

Abraham (God’s promise to Abram - I will give you this land)

Jacob (bought land, dug a well there / same well Jesus would engage the Samaritan women in conversation)

Illustration: If Stan was discussing the Battle of Gettysburg on the location in PA.

In Recalling the events in their life as a nation, Joshua seeks to connect the historical significance to their..

b) Present & Personal Lives

24:29-33 Surprising Conclusion

Three Funerals (Joshua, Joseph, Eleazar) - illustration God’s faithfulness to His promises/ buried in Canaan!

In a world where “America Runs” on Dunkin and technology brings us events in real time, history is what happened 5 minutes ago.

Hebrew concept on recall / remember - a bring to memory with the purpose of applying it in the present.

To “Own It”- reflect on How God has intervened and acted in your life as a child of God.

Review: Let’s go to the second word...

RENEW (restore, to extend further)

Joshua 24 features a Covenant Renewal. Now that the people are settled in the Promised Land will they continue to live as the people of God?

To “Own It”, comes with not just with benefits, but responsibilities and obligations.

24:14-15

a) Two Imperatives (Commands based on the previous indicatives)

Fear the LORD (reverence, awe)

Serve the LORD (ahab - labor, work for)

“Owning Your Faith” requires obedience :

sincerity - transparency, w/o hypocrisy, mixed motives

faithfulness - completeness / PS.86 (David -give me an undivided heart)

24:15

b) The Call for a Response

“…choose this day...”

choose - examine, test / day- unit of time, sunrise to sunset

Although your conversion was a one time decision, your sanctification (ownership & growth in Christlikeness) calls for a daily response.

ROM.12:1-2 (to present or offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…)

present - verb, active (subject is performing action), to place at one’s disposal

Recap: RECALL / RENEW...

Third word: REALIZE

24:19 - Joshua’s surprising /shocking reply to the people

“You are not able...” (capable, have the power)

Owning Your Faith is a work accomplished only by God’s Grace

Owning Your Faith is the result of countless smaller decisions that you make each and every day.

PHIL.2:12-13 (work out - present imperative, accomplish, bring about)

Conclusion:

In the months leading up to my surgery, many people would ask me, “How do you feel about having open heart surgery?” (I am not looking forward to it, but have a real peace about it)

About a month after the surgery, my oldest son commented how his faith in the Lord was strengthened by watching me, especially on the morning of my surgery.

“Owning Your Faith” is accomplished by God’s grace as we make our way to the ultimate Promised Land as we Recall, Renew, and Realize every day!