A Family Committed to Serving God

Today we live in a society, which is filled with distractions. Jobs, political, personal, health, fear, hatred, financial, unemployment (things pop up), I mean you name it! We are distracted by all sorts of issues and ideas and if we are not careful we can become dysfunctional and (immobile). So, the challenge is how do we live beyond the distractions life carries. I believe Joshua gives some powerful advice today as he addresses the people of God. Joshua proposes that we face these distractions by making some good choices! He understood that the responsibility for every family leader, every member of the family is to provide hope for those we lead!

This text is really cut and dry. Joshua, as he gives his final words to God’s people explains, that ultimately life boils down to timely decision-making. In a moment of tough love, Joshua states that regardless of how things seem and appear your predicament cannot make your choice, because it is a heart matter more then a head matter. So he encourages them to….

I. Commit to God

Joshua 24:14 ESV

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

Joshua reminds them that God has been faithful to them. Down through the years God has delivered them and fought their battles.

There was no excuse to doubt God. There was no excuse to turn from God for God had been good to Israel.

He warned them that in the face of obstacles choose to revere God. Make

ILLUS: Abraham-ram in the Bush

Daniel- Lion’s Den

Hebrew boys- fiery furnace.

Application: Honor God. Speak of God and Give Him Glory. When its unpopular to be a believer be bold and ensure that others know you belong to God. Go to church for the opportunity to worship God not to be seen but to feel His presence.

Transition: Joshua encouraged Israel to be faithful because they were witnesses to the power of God. Yet, He further challenges them to Commit to Serving God

II. Commit to Serving God (produce in spite of circumstance)

Joshua does not mince words. He conveys a thought provoking invitation which still extends today. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” ()

Joshua 24:15 ESV

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua encourages Israel to willingly become a servant of God. They had already lived under the hand of Egypt’s oppression and witnessed the hand of God release them. Now, Joshua says the idols of Egypt did not deliver you but it was the God of creation. In fact the Egyptian idols, nor the idols of your other enemies don’t move but our God was a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day to guide you this far.

The word translated “serve” involves hard labor. Serving God is not a loafer’s paradise.

Serve Him with Sincerity It means be wholehearted. To be all about HimServe Him in TruthIt means to be honest about our serviceServe Him with no arterial motivesAn outward display of our relationship with God “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

iii. We are Faith on display

ILLUS:

Application: Serve God. Make God a priority in your life. Don’t allow things to replace God. Serve God by committing yourself to His will even when you don't get credit or recognition.

Transition:

III. Commit to Worshiping God (faith w/direction)

- He has done much for us…

- I appreciate people who came along before me

- They are trailblazers, they blazed the trail then remind each of us where the path and trail was, keep us focused on the direction and the providence of God.

- Yes, they refused to allow us to forget the struggles…

i. We’re all standing on someone’s shoulders

a. You made it to collage

b. You have a lucrative job

c. You live on the best side of town

d. You didn’t make it on your own.

i. Prayers were sent up

ii. Sacrifices were made

iii. The Lord was gracious

ii. Obama made it but on the back of those who would not allow us to forget!!!

Application: Worship God by praying and praising Him daily. There is more to worshiping God than shouting. We worship Him as an example of His divine power in our lives. Commit to worshiping God with your family. We do a lot as families. We shop as a family, we party as a family, we eat, we drink, we visit but what about Praying as a family, what about Worshiping as a family.