SERVING THE LORD

Joshua 24: 14- 25

May 24, 2009, SUN p.m. / July 10, 2022, SUN a.m.

Introduction:

"Choose you this day whom you will serve," was a question that the aging Joshua was motivated to ask the Israelites in his farewell speech. Joshua had just reminded the assembled groups about the history of their nation, beginning from the time God took Abraham from the region beyond the Euphrates River, then God led Abraham throughout the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants, then to their conquest in the promised land, when the Lord gave Israel a land for which they did not labour, cities which they did not build, and provision from vineyards and olive groves they did not plant. God is good to them. What a blessing to remember.

Although Israel had not fallen into the sort of apostasy that happened later in the history of their nation, they fluctuated between trusting the Lord and trusting in their own strength. There were times when they conquered the promised land through following the Word of the Lord, and there were other times when they disobeyed God’s instructions and defeated by their enemies.

There were times when they served the Lord with gladness of heart and much rejoicing and there were other occasions when they followed after the lifeless false gods of other pagan nations, that is why Joshua challenged the assembled nation of Israel to make a decision, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD," Joshua declared boldly, "choose for yourselves today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I – THE SUBMISSIVE LEADER

Notice the last phrase in verse 15d “as for me and my house we will the Lord.”

Joshua knows how importance to take spiritual control over his house.

The Bible teaches this principle In Ephesians 5:22- 24 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. ²⁴Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” The Husband is the head of the house and therefore he is to lead.

It is Joshua who willfully made a spiritual decision. God does not want anyone to be spiritual robots. God does not make anybody get saved nor God does make anyone to serve Him being forced or unwillingly. He wants you to have liberty and happy in serving God.

There are some important principles concerning “Serving the Lord.”

Let’s notice this decision.

A. Personal Decision

Joshua 24:15d "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord",

Josue 24:15d "ngunit sa ganang akin at sa aking sambahayan, kami ay maglilingkod sa Panginoon." FILIPINO VERSION

Notice carefully the words “for me.”

Like Joshua, the spiritual leader of the family need to stand and make a personal choice

It is not a decision for somebody else, or from somebody but it should be a decision for self.

As it was expected, however when the leader makes a choice of personal decision, then there is usually no problem with the family following that decision of a leader. When Joshua the leader make a choice, the followers follow the leader as the Israelites decided until the death of Joshua.

Joshua 24:31 “And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel.”

Choosing to follow the Lord is the most important decision of the will that every man must make one day. Jesus told his disciples in Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Jesus didn’t mean like many people interpret “cross” as some burden they must carry in their lives, like a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness. Some people with their self-pitying pride, have said, “That’s my cross I have to carry.” That is not the right interpretation when Jesus said “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

This is a choice which cannot be measured, for it requires the abandonment of yourself, of your personal rights, your cherished interests in life, your own self-will, for the sake of God’s plans, God’s rights, God’s interests and God’s will. We need to identify ourselves with Christ in His personal Gethsemane and plead as Jesus did, “Father, not my will but Thy will be done.”

The life of Jesus Christ exemplified obedience. Jesus came to earth to fulfill His heavenly Father’s will no matter how painful the task set before Him. Nonetheless, as Jesus faced with His crucifixion, Jesus spoke honestly with God Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

While He was in His human state, Jesus did not want to endure a torturous death. Yet in the same breath, He prayed,

Luke 22:42 “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Facing the cross, Jesus was able to pray, “Not my will, but thine be done” because He was wholly submitted to His Father’s will. Jesus had said, John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Then Jesus explained in John 5:30 “I can of mine own self do nothing. . .because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” It is the will of the Father for Jesus to serve and it is God’s will for us to serve Him.

B. Positive Decision

Joshua 24:15d "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Josue 24:15d "ngunit sa ganang akin at sa aking sambayayan, kami ay maglilingkod sa Panginoon." FILIPNO VERSION

Notice carefully the words “we will”

When Joshua decided did not say “we might serve”, and he did not even say “I will try” but positively he said “We will”

Joshua was not doubtful, or having reservations or uncertain, but positive in his decision.

It is a fact, that when a person makes up their mind and has a desire to serve the Lord, they can

Because of Christ strength Paul said in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.”

At that time the people committed to serving the Lord and renounced the false gods that were already in the land, which is the only acceptable choice for God's people.

Joshua 24:16-18 “And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; ¹⁷For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: ¹⁸And the Lord drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God.”

However, Scripture reveals, they sometimes tried to do it in their OWN strength. Israel made the right choice, but it is only as we trust Him and rely on His sufficient grace through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, that we can become victorious.

C. Plural Decision

Joshua 24:15d "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Josue 24:15d "ngunit sa ganang akin at sa aking sambayayan, kami ay maglilingkod sa Panginoon." FILIPNO VERSION

Joshua thought of his family, he never leaves his family behind, he wants his family always with him when it comes to serving God and spiritual things of God.

Listen, if we sincerely and rightly thinking about the spiritual welfare of our family, this should cause us to have the desire to serve the Lord. You as a leader in the family must have a desire for your wife and children serving the true and living God who provides and protects our family.

When the whole family, husband, wife and children is serving God, it is like heaven on earth. The Lord teaches us in his prayer pattern given to His disciples in Matthew 6:10 “Thy will be done as it is in heaven.”

The plural decision in serving the Lord or the whole household decision in serving the Lord comes about from a spiritual leader, not from a mother or children, but from a father who leads his own family.

Usually how the father trains his children when they are still young, usually sets the pattern for his children when get older and have their own family.

Example: The whole family of Philemon serves the Lord (Philemon, Apphia, Archipus), now only Philemon gave his family to the Lord, but he also allowed his house to be the meeting place of the Colossee church, and he also give much financial help to the church at colosse that refreshed the believers.

Remember, the man or woman, mother or father, boy or girl who is prepared to lead in this important life-choice, will most likely be one that will influence those in their own 'household', in this eternally significant decision, and will be able to say with Joshua, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

D. A Progressive Decision

Joshua 24:15d "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Josue 24:15d "ngunit sa ganang akin at sa aking sambayayan, kami ay maglilingkod sa Panginoon." FILIPNO VERSION

Notice again the words “we will”. Joshua meant he and whole family will serve the Lord at the present, tomorrow and the rest of their lives. Joshua made his commitment for the rest of his life.

After deciding personally “as for me”, he decided plurally “my house” and then he decided progressively when he said “we will” serve the Lord. Not only the father decision, not only family decision, but doing the will of the Lord in serving the Lord.

There are too many “on” and “offers” but it is only by words not by works. They must serve God consistently, they must serve God not by their lips but in life.

Choosing the serve the Lord should never be viewed as a comfortable seat in a pew nor membership to an exclusive worldwide club. Choosing to serve the Lord should never be postponed until tomorrow, we need to say “we will” from the heart. This is a lifetime decision, don’t quit, don’t retreat, serve God now and forever.

II – THE SERVED LORD

A. The Person of his Service

Joshua 24:15b “choose you this day whom ye will serve”

Josue 24:15b “piliin ninyo sa araw na ito kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran.” FILIPINO VERSION

Notice in the second phrase of verse 15b “choose you this day whom ye will serve”

A person has to make a decision who is going to have preeminence in his life, other god’s or the true and living God.

Joshua clearly instructed the Israelites not to do any compromise in their religion or spiritual stand.

Joshua 24:19-24 “And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. ²⁰If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. ²¹And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. ²²And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. ²³Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel. ²⁴And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. ²⁵So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.”

The Lord commanded the very first command to the people of Israel not to have any false gods because the Lord will not share His glory with another.

Exodus 20:2-3 "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ³Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Every person is serving some kind of God:

1. Some people serve the God of pleasure

II Timothy 3:4 “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

Paul talks about the perilous times on the last days, Paul mentioned people are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

2. Some serve the God of Prosperity

1 Timothy 6: 10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

3. Some serve the God of Prominence

Some people are trying to work their way up the cooperate ladder and their job has become their God.

Other disciples heard about perhaps the fact that James and John wanted to dominate and so other disciples were upset at them. Jesus saw that the 12 disciples were slandering one another, He exhorted in Matthew 20:25-26 “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. ²⁶But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;”

The kingdom of God is not like rulers or officials on earth, where monarchs and ministers in power strip their citizens of their rights or kill them. Jesus reminded them that they cannot do that, instead, He said in Matthew 20:26-27 “whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; ²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:”

Jesus here emphasized that those who are willing to let go, humble themselves, and serve others, not those who are arrogant, are the greatest in the kingdom of God. Then Jesus shew His example of serving and bluntly said he came here to save the world in Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

B. The Pride less-ness of his Service

Joshua 24:15d “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

Josue 24:15d “ngunit sa ganang akin at sa aking sambahayan, kami ay maglilingkod sa Panginoon.” FILIPINO VERSION

For Joshua to say that he was going to serve the Lord, he was saying that he was going to be a Servant.

To be a servant means that you have no will of your own; you live to please the Master.

The Master tells the servant what to do, and the servant do it.

John 13:15-17 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Veriy, verily, I say uno you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. ¹⁷If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

Notice, the word "you", this signify that it is the Yourself is the center of your service. It means the pride.

Which servant is greater than his master? None: John 13:15 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord;”

How did Jesus teach and lead, and why? By John 13:15 "example, that ye should do as I have done to you”

Today’s Problem: most Christians don’t want to be told what to do, even by the Lord!

C. The Purpose of his Service

Joshua was motivated to serve the Lord because of what the lord had done for him.

The first part of Joshua, chapter 24, talks about what the Lord had done for him.

Joshua reminds them about what the Lord had done for them, How God good is and faithful in His promises.

1. The Lord brought them out of Egypt.

Joshua 24:5 “I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.”

Josue 24:5 “Sinugo ko sina Moises at Aaron at sinalot ko ang Ehipto sa pamamagitan ng aking ginawa sa gitna niyon; at pagkatapos ay inilabas ko kayo.” FILIPINO VERSION

Actually, Joshua was not really offering the Israelites a choice between serving God and following the lifeless gods of the Amorites, in whose land they were living. Having carefully reiterated the entire history of the nation in their ears, and having reminded them how good God is, who had brought them out of their bondage in Egyptian,

Egypt is a type of the world! The Israelites was in bondage in Egypt before God delivered them. Pharaoh kept them in bondage. Pharaoh is a type of Satan.

Before we got saved, we were in bondage in this world, and it was Satan who had us in bondage; but thank God the Lord delivered us out of bondage and set us free when we got saved.

So, we have a lot to thank God for, because He brought us out of bondage.

2. The Lord provided their needs.

Joshua 24:13-14 “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. ¹⁴Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.”

Josue 24:13-14 “At aking binigyan kayo ng lupain na hindi ninyo pinagpaguran at ng mga lunsod na hindi ninyo itinayo, at ang mga iyon ay inyong tinatahanan. Kayo'y kumakain ng bunga ng mga ubasan at olibo na hindi ninyo itinanim.’ ¹⁴“Ngayon nga'y matakot kayo sa Panginoon, at paglingkuran ninyo siya sa katapatan at sa katotohanan. Alisin ninyo ang mga diyos na pinaglingkuran ng inyong mga ninuno sa kabila ng Ilog at sa Ehipto, at inyong paglingkuran ang Panginoon.”

After the Lord brought them out of Bondage, God supplied their needs; God provided for them.

Philippian 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

After Joshua reminded the Israelites how God helps them to come out from their bondage in Egypt and how God fought the battle against their enemies, then now the Lord reminds them about the unfailing provision of God, how God faithfully provided all they needed to sustain life and godliness, therefore Joshua simply stated the obvious challenge, they should all make by and by setting an example, Joshua decides "...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

One reason that we need to serve the Lord is because He has been so good to us; he supplies our needs in this walk of life if we will put Him first in our life.

3. The Lord protected them.

Joshua 24:6-8 “And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea. ⁷And when they cried unto the Lord, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season. ⁸And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.”

After Joshua reminded that the Israelites were taken out by God from their bondage in Egypt, Joshua reminded them about how God victoriously fought for them in many battles against heathen nations, on both sides of the Jordan

Just as the Lord protected Israel, God’s chosen people, the same way the Lord also protects us who have become His children by the new birth.

D. The Passion of His Service

The wholehearted commitment Joshua made before the company of Israelites, was purposely designed to encourage everyone to make the right choice, and that choice is to consciously reject the false gods of the Amorites and they need to faithfully commit in obeying and trusting the true and living God of Israel. By Joshua's inspiring and impassioned plea, the people were encouraged and were obviously impacted by Joshua decision, because they replied as one man, Joshua 24:16 “And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;”

What is the reason why Joshua made the decision to serve the Lord?

Why Joshua made a long- lifetime commitment to serve the Lord?

The Bottom Line is because Joshua loved the Lord.

God said to the Ephesians Church in Revelation 2:4 “you have left your first love.”

Conclusion:

Notice the whole statement of Joshua 24 in verse 15:

Joshua 24: 15b “choose you this day whom ye will serve.”

Joshua 24: 15d “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”