Joshua 24: A Good Leaders Farewell

Introduction

We find ourselves today marked by the goodness of God.

There is no person who can take credit for what we have before us today. Yes, it is evident that I have prayed. It is true that I asked others to pray. I have spent time with those who I trust to ask tough questions and be vulnerable to the calling God has placed on my life.

I am also aware that you can think about what God has been doing in your life and conclude the same truth that I have.

Change has been previlent in this church,

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

I will not be one to shy away of the feelings that I have on a day like today surrounded by people I truly care about and truly care about me. (Thank you) Wife and Kids, Mom Sister, Friends Adopted Family and My New Church Family who are blessed to get to know and walk through life together.

It feels good, we are here to celebrate, and yet there will be a time where we will move beyond feelings and it is then that we will continue to see the goodness of God. God has not changed now that we are here. It has been evident to me in that this church has trusted God. It is upon our faith in the unchanging God that we declare, God is good

Foothills Calvary- Unified by our mission… Love God, Love Each Other, and Make disciples

If you were to look at most evangelical churches this would be the same across the board, there may be some variation of the last one.. make disciples, impact community etc.

These are good things Loving God, Loving People, and discipling impacting our communites.

My one continual thought is how? How do we love God?

I can imagine a lot of people would love to answer this in their own personal way.

I find this encouraging that so many are bold today that they would be willing to share how we can love God. Yet be cautious.

Spurgeon- “If God has spoken listen! If the Lord has recorded His words in a book, search its pages with a believing heart.If you do not accept is as God’s inspired Word, I cannot invite you to pay any perticular attention to it.”

There should be a giant seperation between loving God and loving others. (Mac)

Isaiah 6:1–5 “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!””

They are linked but it is the Love of God that all else flows. Even so that I would say if one is having a hard time loving others it is begins with his/her relationship with God. It creates a false sense of requirement, loving people come from the abundance of the forgiveness God has given us.

This was the exact case with the children of Israel.

We find ourselves in Joshua chapter 24, Joshua is at the end of his life. There is a renewal of the covenant the people are making with God

This is where we find Joshua give his farewell charge to Israel. Joshua desires to see the his people love God

From His farewell we must apply these three things to our lives

God is faithful (Look what God has done& remember it)

Vs 1-13

Review of Israel History

Only by God was any of this possible

All the works of God to bring the children of Israel out- the term here can be defined as redemption, redeemed

Do not make sense and are only by the Soveriegn will of God

We are not children of Israel but we are adopted into the redemptive work of God through Jesus (redemption has not changed.) Take some time here.

God Goodness on Display (Love Letter)

Christ

Hebrews 12:1–3 NASB 2020

Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God is Holy (it is here the the Bible defines our love for God)

Vs. 14-19

Fear the Lord

The point driven home in this one statement is becuase of who God He is, there is an amount of awe given to Him fearful at times

My times of Awe- Wedding Day, There was a sense of awe (Florida Game), Israel (Caiphas dungeon)

God has revealed Himself, we respond in servanthood

Sincerity and Truth

this is how we respond, this may have been Israel greatest problem they lacked integrity they had truth the word of God

Abundant in mercy and truth- ambassadors for God

God is Just (Our sin is no joke)

Vs. 20-28

Their decleration now required action,

The same if for us today… We say we will love God and choose him… we must remove that which is foreign to a personal relationship with Jesus. Incline-turn to

Conclusion

Vs. 29-33

Servant of the Lord

This is what made Joshua a good leader he could say he had done those things He was charging Israel to do.. it had a great affect.

God’s plans will always achieve His purpose.

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23–27 NASB 2020

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.