Time to Choose PO

Tell Them What you are going to say

Introduction

"Tuesday is Election Day. The campaigning and political ads will finally come to an end, but it's the aftermath of the election that concerns me.

For some people, politics has become a religion. They kneel at the altar of political ideologies, offering prayers to the gods of partisanship. Elections, protests, and boycotts have become their sacraments, while those with opposing views are seen as devils and demons. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are either revered as high priests or reviled as embodiments of evil.

With such deep faith in their ideology and such intense disdain for those with differing political views—I am deeply concerned about the post-election landscape.

People have made a choice, and I submit to you that it is a misguided choice. They have chosen to elevate politics to a divine status, forsaking the true God—the creator of the universe, the redeemer of all creation, the savior of humanity, and the giver of the Holy Spirit to all believers.

"As we await the results and learn who will be our next president, let us, as Christians, remember that we face a choice far more significant than who will occupy the Oval Office for the next four years. We are confronted with a choice with eternal implications. In the mist of that choice, we explore the theme: 'Time to Choose.' The central message of today's sermon is:

Central Message

You must choose whom to serve—God, political ideologies, or something else. You cannot serve multiple masters. You cannot remain on the fence or claim neutrality. You must decide whom you will serve. Will it be God? A political ideology? Or something else? But know this you will serve something, or someone.

You must choose whom to serve—God, political ideologies, or something else. You cannot serve multiple masters.

To support this central message we are going to examine three main points

Main Points

God is in Control: He provides for His people.

God Keeps His Promises: We reflect on His faithfulness.

It is Time to Choose: Make the conscious decision to serve God above all.

Say It

"Today's scripture opens with God reminding the people of Israel of His sovereignty. Let's examine the first few verses of our text to see how God communicates His sovereignty and recounts all that He has done for Israel. As we reflect, remember this key point:

God is in Control and he provides for his people.

Joshua 24:1–12 NIV

1 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 2 Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. 3 But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac, 4 and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. I assigned the hill country of Seir to Esau, but Jacob and his family went down to Egypt. 5 “ ‘Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out. 6 When I brought your people out of Egypt, you came to the sea, and the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen as far as the Red Sea. 7 But they cried to the Lord for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time. 8 “ ‘I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived east of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave them into your hands. I destroyed them from before you, and you took possession of their land. 9 When Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. 10 But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand. 11 “ ‘Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The citizens of Jericho fought against you, as did also the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I gave them into your hands. 12 I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow.

Illustration

"Years ago, you might remember seeing bumper stickers that said, 'God is my co-pilot.' Well, let me be clear—if God is the co-pilot and you're in charge as the pilot, I don’t want to be on that plane. I don't believe any of you hold a pilot's license, and frankly, even if you've been flying for 40 years, that doesn’t matter. In any scenario where the choice is between a human pilot and God, I am going to choose God every single time—without hesitation.

God should never be relegated to the role of co-pilot; He must always be the one steering our course. Sure, if you insist on flying the plane yourself, God will allow it, but it’s a guarantee you’ll veer off course. Only God ensures we’re always headed in the right direction." We see this fact illustrated in our study text.

Explanation of text

In this opening segment of Joshua 24, God recalls for the Israelites how he has led and provided for them. He begins by reminding them of His call to Moses and Aaron,

One of the most important declarations God makes to Israel is when he tell them, ‘You did not achieve this with your own sword and bow.’

when the Israelites tried to handle battles themselves, they where defeated.

Question

If God is in control, then why are we facing such difficulties as a nation?

Answer

Israel frequently found themselves in dire situations.

When Israel followed God's commands, they thrived, when they turned away and chose their own path, there was adversity.

Today, we see similar patterns. Often, we treat God as a co-pilot—someone to call upon in emergencies but otherwise left in the background.

Historically, our nation has experienced times of revival and spiritual awakening, periods when the church prospered by fully placing God in charge. This prosperity had a positive ripple effect on the nation.

Yet, no nation has ever fully followed God's path. Thus, steering a nation towards God falls on the church.

Application

After this election, regardless of the outcome, things might feel uncertain or even out of control. If you find yourself feeling this way, resist the urge to seize control. Instead, let go and let God be the pilot. Imagine the direction our nation could take if we, as Christians across all political spectrum, truly let God lead.

Remember, God is sovereign. He is in control and He provides for His people, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Trust in God and be intentional about your prayer life. If you're facing uncertainty or chaos, pray for God to enter into it and bring peace. Pray for peace in your life, our community, and in our nation.

God has made many promises regarding what will happen if we follow Him. He did not promise material wealth as some preach. He promised spiritual prosperity—a joy that surpasses all understanding, a joy that transcends mere happiness. This is the joy of being in God's will, a joy grounded in His faithfulness and love. God has promised us this and God always keeps his promises.

Let's examine how God reminded Israel of His faithfulness, as we look further into the text.

God keeps his promises

Joshua 24:13 NIV

13 So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’

Explanation of text

God made a covenant with Abraham to give his descendants a specific territory, not only did God fulfill His promise by giving them this land, but He also provided them with cities already built and farmlands already cultivated.

Time in the wilderness

However, we should note that the journey to the Promised Land could have been much shorter.

Their delay was a result of choosing fear over faith, fearing the inhabitants of the land instead of trusting in God’s promise.

Question

If God promised Israel the land, why are there still conflicts over it today

Answer

Israel never fully conquered all of the land that God had promised

How different my things have been if Israel had chosen to follow God completely.Israel's heart was never fully into serving God and I think Joshua knew that that's why he gave them an out . Let's look at what Joshua had to say to Israel about choosing God

It is time to choose

Joshua 24:14–15 NIV

14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Illustration (Young Christian youth off to college )

A young student, a leader in their church's youth group, went off to there first year of college. Initially, they faithfully upheld their routine of morning devotions and prayer. However, as the semester went on, they began spending more and more time with new friends, often staying out late into the night. Gradually, these late nights began to encroach on their morning devotions—first pushing them later, then skipping them occasionally.

Faced with a choice between social life and spiritual commitments, the student felt a deep conflict. What was more important? The fun of staying out late with friends, or spending time with God? After some time of contemplation, the student decided to prioritize their spiritual practices, choosing to spend less time on hanging out at night and more time in devotion. This decision reinforced their commitment to their faith, highlighting the importance of choosing God over all other things.

Explanation of text

Just like that student, the people of Israel had to make a choice, if they are to serve the Lord, they must commit fully. 'fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness,' emphasizing that serving God requires complete dedication—there are no half-steps.

Joshua also acknowledges their freedom to choose, saying, 'If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.'

Question / objection

I believe I can serve the Lord through my political actions. In fact, I serve the Lord by serving my politics."

Answer: Jesus made it clear when He said, 'No one can serve two masters. You will either hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other.'

Just as it was impossible for the people of Israel to serve both the gods of their ancestors and the God of creation, it is equally impossible to serve the god of political ideology and the God of creation simultaneously.

we must confront an uncomfortable truth: politics is inherently about power and control.

Application

It is the time to make a choice. I'm not talking about choosing our next president—many of you have already voted. I'm referring to a far more critical decision, one that determines where you will spend eternity. Choose this day whom you will serve. Will you try to be the pilot, or will you let God take control?

I urge you to choose God over politics or anything else. Attempting to serve God while aligning with other priorities will inevitably lead to compromising your relationship with God. No one can serve two masters. Remember, no political ideology—whether conservative, liberal, libertarian, or progressive—perfectly aligns with God's will. Likewise, no political party, be it Republican, Democrat, Green, or Libertarian, is wholly in accordance with the will of God.

Choosing God means that sometimes His will may not align with that of your political party.

This is the commitment required when you choose God, but the reward is eternal life in the presence of the Creator

Tell Them What You Said

Let's revisit our central message today: You must choose whom to serve—God, political ideologies, or something else. You cannot serve multiple masters.

God is in control. He provides for His people. He will not leave you, forsake you, or abandon you. God is with you always. He has promised to be with us and He always keeps his promises.

So, my friends, it's time to choose. Who will pilot your life? Will you take control and relegate God to the co-pilot's seat? Will you be swayed by political ideologies or parties, or some other earthly concern? Or will you let God take the pilot's seat and steer you on the proper course? your course as it should be?

Consider this: If a plane strays of course it can encounter many hazards. If you try to pilot your own life, you're guaranteed to veer off course, and you could crash. But if you let God pilot your life, you will know that you are flying in the right direction.

It's time to choose. What is your choice? Will you let God lead, ensuring a flight that is true and always headed in the right direction? Let God take control, and experience the peace and assurance that comes from trusting in His perfect navigation. It is time to choose. Today, not tomorrow, is the moment of decision. Choose today whom you will serve. Choose with your whole heart. Choose wisely. Choose God.