Who Are Your Decisions Based On?

Who Are Your Decisions Based On?

Text: Joshua 24

Introduction

Illustration: Has anyone every watched the show “Hoarders?” This show is a great example of some who is very INDECISIVE when it comes to what is of the most value and simply what will just clutter up someone’s current and future life.

Illustration: I was very indecisive growing up.

We live in a nation where we are constantly bombarded with religion by way of radio, television, FaceBook, podcasts, etc. The name Jesus is pretty much heard every day by most. However, it seems as if value systems are shifting away from conservative Christianity. The church often times no longer commands respect. In short, there is spiritual restlessness.

Believe it or not, these characteristics where found in the environment in which Joshua lived his final years.

Joshua will take the time to drive home the point that JESUS is still a choice on the table! In actuality, Joshua makes the point by way of person example, God’s people must be a people who choses God first.

He also made it very clear how that if God’s people choses to blend their life with the gods of the land they would then be on the receiving end of severe judgement from the true living God. This is a warning every Christian needs to take seriously TODAY.

1) The Best Decisions Are Based On Facts

Verses 1-13

Although the conquest was not complete, a spiritual unsettledness marked the lives of the people of God. Some owned the pagan ornaments of the Egyptians and Canaanites. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 253.

There was a double-mindedness, the same kind of restlessness and indecision we can sense today Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 253.

Of course there were both hot and cold spiritual people here.

There were also those who had no kind of clear perception of who they were in relation to Jehovah.

JOSHUA — there he stood in the midst being the stark contrast.

Joshua had endured the same hardships, trials and wilderness as they did.

He stood strong in his faith.

His decisions were based on the hard facts of Jehovah’s interaction with them.

Joshua was not about to let the option of Jehovah be forgotten!!!

He knew there were many who were caught up in indecision.

Notice the fist 13 verses (focus on the personal pronouns).

Question: what other religion clearly specifies the mighty acts of God?

Quote: Ours is a God of action who has taken initiative on our behalf. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 256.

He is the God of all creation, the giver of all wealth, health, and length of your life.

He is the one who knew we had no power within ourselves to earn salvation.

He initiated the salvation plan for all humanity.

He is the one who built the church and is coming back for her.

Satan will be destroyed and Jesus will reign forever.

2) A Personal Choice Must Be Made

Verses 14-15

In short, this is what Joshua is saying, “For God’s sake and for your sake, make a decision!”

Don’t spend your life splattering bits of faith everywhere.

Illustration: Our faith should not be treated as a shotgun shell, but rather a rifle bullet.

Joshua is now urging them to backdrop their decision with the facts about Jehovah.

In TODAY’S language, repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ.

Joshua modeled well for these people.

“As for me and my house”

In other words, “due to what I clearly see of God’s faithfulness, my house will ONLY serve the Lord.”

Here are a few good decisions Believers must make today:

Quit straddling the fence.

You are simply worshiping convenience.

It is one thing for a young person to consider both sides of something and struggle through trying to figure out where they stand........It is another for a fifty year old adult to be doing this. YOU FINALLY HAVE TO DECIDE!!!

To do this, you must embrace genuine repentance. IT HURTS!

Jesus has empowered you to do this!

Don’t be pushed around by the culture.

It is easy just to float down the river of today’s norm.

When Joshua led the people into the promised land, they mingled their worship of Jehovah with the idolatry of the that area.

Joshua was a man who would not be pushed around when it came to his faith and service to God.

Don’t consider spiritual decisions, light decisions.

Joshua was hardened by battle. He bore the scars of a long-term commitment. His choice to follow the Lord was not made lightly, nor was it held lightly. Along with some other similar characters, he stood as a man of spiritual determination. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 258.

Go public with your faith

Jesus Himself was pretty bold about this — Matthew 10:33 “33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

God wants nothing less than YOUR FAITH to right out in front of you.

The only thing a secret faith will get you is trouble. DECIDE FOR JESUS IN EVERYTHING.

Follow through with 100% of one’s self

Example: King Saul — started out well but pride ended his life with being a fearful and haunted man.

To accomplish this, one must allowing Jesus to have Lordship over every corner of your existence.

Probably not an easy choice, but a choice a believer should be making.

The excuses are a mile long — fear, too complicated, not a good time, things are too bad right now, etc…

3) A Commitment Must Continue

Joshua knew that he would not be there to encourage God’s people to continue with their affirmation.

Joshua once again constructed a monument of stones.

The encouraging thought left with us is this: the choice modeled by Joshua all of his life and the call to decision by the Holy Spirit of God had its impact. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 263.

This book ends on a very positive note (verse 31)

Conclusion

Will this be said about you and me? Even though the world screamed to change them, their life was dedicated to God for them to change the world.