Challenge for Men

CHALLENGES FOR MEN – Josh. 24:14-31

We live in a day when society has muddied the waters over the roles of men and women. If you listen to society and the modern day liberal, they will tell you there is no differences between men and women. Another part of society teachers that women are inferior and men are superior. The Bible is clear on the roles for both and women. God has made men to be leaders. The Bible is clear that the man is to be the head of the homeas Christ is the head of the church (savior of the body) Eph. 5:22. (Prov. 12:4 – Virtuous woman is a crown to her husband – worn on top of the head.) Helpmate – “Concerning the wife, in Genesis 2:18, the word "helpmeet" also seems to express the idea of an "indispensable companion." She is to succor, comfort, and help her husband. The woman is to supply what the man is lacking in the design of creation and logically it would follow that the man is to supply what she is lacking” - Mattoon. Today, I want to focus on challenging us men. Joshua was a “man’s man.” He is at the end of his life and he issues a challenge: Choose you this whom ye will serve. We men have three challenges:

I. THE CHALLENGE TO ESTABLISH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION (Job 4:19) How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? Psa. 11:3 – foundations be destroyed; Luke 6:48-49 – rock – sand; I Cor. 3:11- Christ is the foundation)

A. His Construction for Life – Fearing the Lord (14)

Proverbs 9:10-11 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

1. The LORD designed you Eph. 2:10; Psa. 139

2. The LORD delivered you (8, 14, 15)

(From sin, Satan, the World, and self)

3. The LORD directs you (17; Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.; Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.)

B. His Character for His Life (14)

Sincerity – without blemish or spot; completeness; without divide

Truth – Faithfully, established, trustworthiness – can be trusted (Jesus – I am the truth)

C. His Commitment for His Life (14-15)

1. Have Scriptural convictions

2. Have Scriptural perception

DO YOU FEAR THE LORD? What is your character testimony? What are you convictions?

II. THE CHALLENGE TO EXERCISE REAL FAITH

(Not just an empty faith – lip it and life it)

A. A Faith that Serves (15, 19, 24-28)

(Eph. 5:21 – Submit) Serve = Worship

Are you a servant?

B. A Faith that Stands (15, 27)

Personal standing – starts in your heart – spreads to your home.

1. Stand on Loving right – Eph 5:25 – I am going to stand on loving – savior of the body

2. Stand on Leading right – Eph. 5:23 – head – wife is the crown of her husband

3. Stand on Learning Right (24:23)

4. Stand on Living right (1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men (be manly,) be strong.

C. A Faith that Salts (16, 21) – He inspired and influence – others wanted what he had

III. THE CHALENGE TO END WITH A REACHING FUTURE (29, 31) – Joshua is our example

A. His Reputation (29, 31) – Servant of the Lord – Your rep lives on

B. His Resting (30)

1. His physical resting place – promised land – died in his place

2. His glorious resting place

Some men spend more time on their burial place than on their living place.

C. His Reach (31)

1. He reached a nation (co-workers, neighbors, friends, - FAMILY)

2. He reached a generation