Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a joy to gather in this sacred space, united by our shared faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ? We are here today, not by accident, but by divine appointment. We are here because God, in His infinite wisdom, has drawn us together to learn, to grow, and to be challenged by His Word.

The Scripture that we will be reflecting on today is a powerful one. It comes from the book of Joshua, chapter 24, verses 14-18. Allow me to read it to you: "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. 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."

Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God."

This passage, my friends, is a call to action, a plea for commitment, and a reminder of the consequences of our choices.

In the words of the revered Christian author, J.I. Packer, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him." Isn't that the truth, dear friends? Isn't it a different experience altogether when we move from merely knowing about God to truly knowing Him, serving Him, and finding our contentment in Him?

As we delve into this text, we will focus on three main points: Choosing Consequences Carefully, Commitment to God's Service, and Consequences of Our Choices. These points will guide us as we seek to understand and apply the lessons from this passage.

But before we proceed, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together today. We thank You for Your Word that is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we reflect on this passage from Joshua, open our hearts and minds to receive Your truth. Guide us, Holy Spirit, to not just be hearers of Your Word, but doers also. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Transition. Now, let's turn our hearts and minds towards the first point: Choosing Consequences Carefully.

Choosing Consequences Carefully

The scripture we read from Joshua is a powerful reminder of the choices we face in our lives. Every day, we are presented with decisions, big and small, that shape our lives. Some of these decisions may seem insignificant, but they all have consequences. The choices we make today will determine our tomorrow.

In the scripture, Joshua presents the Israelites with a choice. They can choose to serve the Lord, or they can choose to serve other gods. This choice is not just about who they will worship, but also about how they will live their lives. The gods they choose to serve will determine their values, their actions, and their future.

The first aspect we need to consider is the importance of making conscious choices. Often, we make decisions without giving them much thought. We follow the crowd, or we do what is easy or convenient. But the scripture challenges us to be intentional about our choices. Joshua doesn't just tell the Israelites to serve the Lord, he tells them to choose to serve the Lord. This implies a deliberate decision, a conscious choice.

When we make conscious choices, we are more likely to consider the consequences of our actions. We are more likely to think about the impact of our decisions on our lives and on the lives of others. This leads us to the second aspect: the importance of considering the consequences of our choices. Joshua reminds the Israelites of the consequences of serving other gods. He reminds them of their ancestors who served other gods and suffered as a result. He warns them that if they choose to serve other gods, they too will face negative consequences.

Know that our choices have consequences. If we choose to serve the Lord, we will experience His blessings and His peace. But if we choose to serve other gods - whether those gods are money, power, or pleasure - we will face negative consequences.

The third aspect is the importance of making choices that align with our values. In the scripture, Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose to serve the Lord because He is their God. He is the one who brought them out of Egypt, who performed great signs before their eyes, who protected them on their journey.

This is a call for us to make choices that align with our values. If we value honesty, we should choose to be honest, even when it's hard. If we value kindness, we should choose to be kind, even when others are not. If we value faith, we should choose to serve the Lord, even when it's challenging.

Finally, the fourth aspect is the importance of making choices that we are willing to commit to. In the scripture, Joshua declares, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." This is not just a one-time decision, but a lifelong commitment. Similarly, the choices we make should not be fleeting or temporary. They should be choices that we are willing to commit to, choices that we are willing to stand by, even when the going gets tough.

Transition. The scripture from Joshua challenges us to be intentional about our choices, to consider the consequences of our actions, to make choices that align with our values, and to make choices that we are willing to commit to. As we reflect on these aspects, let us remember that our choices have the power to shape our lives and our future. Let us choose wisely, let us choose consciously, and let us choose to serve the Lord.

Commitment to God's Service

In the heart of this passage, we find a call to commitment ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO