Joshua's Faith

JOSHUA 24:14-21 Joshua

1. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FAITH

A. THE ROOT OF FAITH.

14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:

There are two components of faith found in v14:

Fear. "Fear the LORD". Psalm 4:4—“Stand in awe and sin not…”.

Isaiah 66:2 But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Fidelity. "Serve Him in sincerity and in truth".

David Livingstone "Without Christ, not one step; with Him, anywhere!"

B. THE REQUIREMENT OF FAITH. 14 and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt;

Faith Demands :- A Sorrow For Sin - 14 Now therefore fear the LORD

A Cessation From Sin - serve him in sincerity and in truth:

A Separation From Sin - and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood

A Salvation From Sin 14 and serve ye the LORD. - Lev. 20:7

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

C. THE RESULT OF FAITH. 14 and serve ye the LORD.

Faith Sees the Condition, Faith Seeks the Cure, Faith Serves the Curer.

Luke 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. ............ 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

2. THE CHALLENGE OF FAITH :- 16-18

(a) The People - 16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

(b) Their Past -

Salvation in Their Past, 17 For 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

Substantiation in Their Past, and which did those great signs in our sight

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Satisfaction in Their Past, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:

(c) Their Present 18 therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God

3. THE CHOICE OF FAITH

A. A TIME FOR SEARCHING - 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;

B. A TIME FOR SAVING -

(1)) A Public Decision - Choose Ye

(2)) A Personal Decision - "Choose you"

(3)) A Permanent Decision - "this day"

(4)) A Particular Decision - "whom ye will serve;"

(5)) A Plain Decision - "as for me"

(6)) A Practical Decision - "and my house"

(7)) A Powerful Decision - "we will"

(8)) A Precious Decision - "serve the Lord" IT IS A CHOICE BETWEEN :- TWO MASTERS. TWO DEATHS.

TWO RESURRECTIONS. TWO JUDGMENTS. TWO ETERNAL DESTINIES.

But to every man there openeth A High Way and a Low,

And every man decideth The Way his Soul should go."

C. A TIME FOR SURRENDERING - Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

D. A TIME FOR SERVING - as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD