A Lifelong Journey with Christ
Today, we conclude our journey through the book of Joshua. Today, we finish our study of what has been a great encouragement to us all. But has also been a great challenge to us. We have discussed the work of the mighty hand of God on the life of Joshua.
We have discussed how God gave him great promises and great victories. And, we have discussed how those same promises and those same victories are ours as well. In crossing the Jordan on dry ground, in seeing what God had in store for them, in knowing how God delivered them from the hands of Jericho and how God gave them the land of which He had promised.
We have seen through these words the mighty power of God. How he cares for His children. How he delivers His children through the darkest days.
We read of what He did for Joshua and the nation of Israel. And we know that He is a God who watches out for our every need. Joshua witnessed God’s power, he witnessed God’s miraculous provisions, he witnessed God’s unimaginable victory. And through it all, Joshua knew that this was God a very God. And Joshua was in awe of this mighty God.
Through this book, we too have witnessed so many things that God did for His children. And we too stand in awe of this mighty God. I know that today I stand in awe of our mighty God. Five weeks ago, we all stood at the banks of our Jordan. We faced what seemed to be an insurmountable challenge. Yet, through this book and its encouraging words, we have once again learned about that God that my dad told us about for 51 years.
So many times, dad stood here and in the other sanctuaries that TRBC called home, and he told us how God would always deliver us through the challenges of life. Dad told us: “That you don’t determine a man or woman’s greatness by his wealth or education as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage them.” In other words, he told us that in the midst of our great challenges, we serve a great God. And God will always bring us through in victory.
Dad never doubted that power. Dad never doubted God’s deliverance. Dad never doubted the victory that God had in store. And today, we shouldn’t doubt God either. Today, we should believe in the God who brought victory after victory to this church and this ministry. Doubt can never be part of our vocabulary. Doubt and our faith in God are two concepts that cannot co-exist. As it says in Hebrews 11:6:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Doubt: Wonders if God is listening
Faith: Knows God is listening
Doubt: Imagines the worst that can happen
Faith: Anticipates the best that can happen
Doubt: Pessimistic because it depends upon man
Faith: Optimistic because it depends upon God
Doubt: Thinks all hope is gone
Faith: Knows Christ is our hope
Doubt: Wavers
Faith: Steadfast
And so, through the book of Joshua, we see what God can do for his children who are committed to His word and committed to His work. Last week, we talked about a FRESH COMMITMENT to Christ. We focused on how we must be wholly committed to the work that God has called us to. Wholly committed to an intimate relationship with Christ.
Today, we are going to look at Joshua chapter 23 and, again, in chapter 24. This is where Joshua is speaking to the Israelites, delivering his farewell address. Joshua knew that his life was nearing its end. And he had a longing to share with his people the importance of following Christ, of staying true to His word, of making that fresh commitment to Him.
Let’s read in Joshua chapter 23 these compelling words.
Josh. 23:1 Now it came to pass, a long time after the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua was old, advanced in age. 2 And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: “I am old, advanced in age. 3 You have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has fought for you. 4 See, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea westward. 5 And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you. 6 Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, 7 and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, 8 but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. 9 For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. 10 One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. 11 Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God. 12 Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations—these that remain among you—and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you, 13 know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.
Joshua pleaded with the Israelites to follow God. Not to turn the other direction. Not to forget what God had done. Not to forget the victories that God had provided. Not to forget the miracles they had seen.
He reminded them of God’s great deliverance. How he had brought them across that river, how he conquered their enemies. And now, Joshua is asking them to remember God in their lives. To start their LIFELONG JOURNEY with almighty God.
Once again, as has been true throughout these past few weeks, the words in Joshua are speaking to us as well. Next week, we celebrate our 51st anniversary as a church. We celebrate the many victories that we have seen throughout this half-century plus one. What an amazing journey its been.
I remember last year on July 2, as we moved into this building, as we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Dad talked about THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY. We published a 300+ page book that chronicled this journey. Just the other night, I flipped through its pages once again.
And oh how the memories came flooding back to my mind. I was reminded of so many things that have happened over the past 40 years that I’ve been alive. I was reminded of so many times that God delivered us though great trials and tribulations. And I remember how dad gave thanks to God every step of the way.
On this day, as we celebrate one more year as a church, we too must heed the words of Joshua to the people of Israel.
Joshua 23:8 but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. 9 For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. 10 One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. 11 Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.
Love the Lord your God. We must love him with all of our hearts. Last week as we talked about that Fresh Commitment, we came to understand how important it is for us to put our faith in Him, our trust in Him, our dependence on Him.
Today, we see the importance of staying with Him. So many times, Christians make strong commitments to Christ. They shed tears during this commitment. Their heart longs to follow Christ. They come to this altar and pray out to God for forgiveness and repentance. They publicly share their desire to serve Him, to follow Him, to walk with Him, to never leave Him.
Yet, not much time passes, and they’re back to their old selves. They’ve forgotten their commitments. They’ve forgotten what God has done for them. They’ve forgotten that heartfelt decision to serve Him.
And what’s the reason for this “falling away? The Bible says that a believer can fall away from his or her commitment to Christ for a number of reasons:
Believers rely on human ability alone to live the Christian life. Like Peter tried to do when he promised that he would never deny the Lord…but he still denied the Lord three times. Jesus reminded him in Matthew 26:41: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Believers forget to anticipate the challenges and temptations that will come during the journey. Jesus said in First John 3:13(NIV) Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. In other words, “Be prepared for the battle.”
Some fall in love with studying facts about God and participating in rituals rather than falling in love with God Himself!
The Bible warns us about this very thing in Isaiah 29:13:
The Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote [memorization].” [NLT]
For whatever reason, time passes and they’re back to their old selves. And this is a prime opportunity for revival to be hindered. Revival in their hearts, in the hearts of their families, in the hearts of their church.
You might think: How could one person not remembering their commitment to Christ affect our whole church? You might believe that there is no way your backsliding can stop revival from breaking out in our church. You might believe that your decisions, your actions, or your inactions, don’t really affect anyone but yourselves?
Let me show you, again in the book of Joshua, how one person’s sin, one person’s denial of God’s power and deliverance, can affect the whole body of Christ. Let’s take a look at Joshua chapter 7. (NEW LIVING TRANSLATION)
Josh. 7:1 But Israel was unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the LORD. A man named Achan had stolen some of these things, so the LORD was very angry with the Israelites….Josh. 7:2 Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the city of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. 3 When they returned, they told Joshua, “It’s a small town, and it won’t take more than two or three thousand of us to destroy it. There’s no need for all of us to go there.” Josh. 7:4 So approximately three thousand warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai 5 chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away. Josh. 7:6 Joshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed down facing the Ark of the LORD until evening. 7 Then Joshua cried out, “Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! 8 Lord, what am I to say, now that Israel has fled from its enemies? 9 For when the Canaanites and all the other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe us off the face of the earth. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name?” Josh. 7:10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen the things that I commanded to be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them; they have also lied about it and hidden the things among their belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.
I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction. In other words, sin was in the camp. Sin committed by one man. A conscious decision by one man to not follow the law of God. To not follow God’s direction, to not follow God’s will. And all of Israel suffers.
When sin is in the camp…OR when sin is in the church. Even when committed by one man or one woman. The whole church suffers. Will it cause some of us to be killed? Most likely not. Will it cause us to suffer defeat at the hands of the enemy? Absolutely, and the enemy is Satan.
He lurks around the church trying to find one of us who is not fully committed. One of us who is weak in our faith. One of us who is struggling in our service. And he seeks to destroy one in order to destroy us all.
1Pet. 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
These are the words we must heed. You must understand how important your commitment is to the whole body of Christ. How important your decisions are to this family, to this church. Our commitment to Him is so important because when one of us falters in that commitment, it can destroy the efforts of so many.
Maybe it is something as simple as the way you act in a restaurant, or at work, or on the road. Maybe it is in the jokes you tell or the language you use. Maybe it is in your temper that you show. Whatever it is, when someone sees you act in a way that is not Christian, this church suffers. They say, Oh, that’s a Thomas Roader. Sure wouldn’t want to be one of them. Our church suffers, but far more important than that, it hurts the entire cause of Christ.
It is a sad but true reality that someone’s deepest, darkest, most-secretly sealed sins, can affect you and me. You may ask, “How can that be?” “How can my private sin affect the person sitting next to me in church today? Or the one across the aisle? Or the one in the choir??” I’ll give you just one simple example from the book of James.
In James 5:16 (NLT), the Bible says: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.
This verse says to “Pray for each other.”
In the same verse, the Bible says that through your prayers, others may be spiritually revived or “healed.”
Then the verse tells us what kind of prayers the Lord used to bring about this healing - “the prayers of a righteous man are very powerful.”
Therefore, it goes without saying, that if the prayers of a RIGHTEOUS man are “very powerful.” Then, the prayers of an UNRIGHTEOUS man…are very WEAK!!”
Meaning, you can actually offer up to God “Weak prayers” if there is sin in your life.
So, are your prayers for me as your pastor “Powerful” or “Weak?” Are the prayers for your family “Powerful” or “Weak?” Are the prayers for your church family “Powerful” or “Weak?”
God does His work through the prayers of righteous men and women. And if your heart is saturated with sin, you will forfeit the opportunity to see God’s mighty hand work in your life and the lives of the ones you love.
So in order to ensure our lifelong journey with Him, what is necessary?
Josh. 7:13 (NLT) “Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things.
Purify yourselves and remove these things! There it is. As clear as crystal. It all comes down to personal holiness. Removing those things in our lives that keep us from following Him. That keep us from serving Him. That keep us from walking with Him. That keep us from witnessing for Him. We read this verse last week:
Josh. 24:14 “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!
This same command is enforced all throughout the New Testament. In Matthew 6:24, the Bible says: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
In James 4:8, it says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
An in Hebrews 12:1, the Bible says: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Serve the Lord. Follow the Lord. Walk with the Lord. Fear the Lord. Put away those things that will keep us from Him. Serve the Lord! That’s the answer. That’s the plan. That’s where the victory comes from. That’s what dad understood.
We must put sin out of our lives. We must dedicate ourselves to holiness. We must pursue a life that clings to His will and His way. We cannot allow our slip-ups to affect the whole family.
I read earlier this week in this book, My Utmost for His Highest. This is the copy that dad read every day of his life. You see the tattered cover. You see the binding coming apart. Inside the words on these pages have been circled, underlined, highlighted time and time again. He circled and underlined some areas so many times that he finally started dating each underline, each circle, so that he know when he did it.
Here, on the entry for June 18th, are these words…You do not know when His words will come, but whenever the realization of God comes in the faintest way imaginable, RECKLESSLY ABANDON! It is only by abandon that you recognize Him. You will only realize His voice more clearly by recklessness.
The words…recklessly abandon. Those words are so important. What do they mean?
1. reckless - marked by a lack of thought about danger or other possible undesirable consequences
2. abandon - to renounce or reject something previously done or used; to surrender control of something completely to somebody else; to give yourself over to a powerful emotion.
TO RECKLESSLY ABANDON MEANS…
1. We follow God, and have no alternate "Plan B"
2. We trust God and have no ulterior motive
3. We believe God and have no doubts…
FOR REVIVAL TO COME…TO POSSESS THE LAND…
There can be no REFUSAL, God can have no RIVAL
We shall never RETREAT!
Marked by a lack of thought and to give yourselves over. Those words, recklessly abandon, were circled in this book. Dad circled them not once, not twice, not three times. But five times. Once in 1995, once in 1996, once in 2002, once in 2004, and once in 2005. He wrote the dates next to his markings.
He knew the power of these simple words. He knew their meaning. He knew what could happen when one person recklessly abandons themselves to the power of God in their lives. And how glad I am that he did!
Look around this mountain. Look around this church. Notice those that have walked these aisles over the years. Remember the victories, remember the miracles.
Remember the raging rivers we’ve faced as a church and remember those dry ground experiences as we crossed those rivers.
Remember the Jerichos we faced as a church and remember when those walls tumbled down.
Remember challenge after challenge that we’ve faced and remember how every one of those challenges slowly but surely disappeared as we moved forward.
Remember those tears we shed in the midst of our pain and remember the joy that came in the morning.
All because dad understood the words…recklessly abandon.
Today, we need to understand those words. We need to understand their meaning. We need to understand their power. We need to understand what they will do for us as we start this LIFELONG JOURNEY with Christ.
Reckless abandon. That is what each of us need to understand today.
You may be in this room today, or watching by television, and your journey with Christ has drifted away from its course. You may have walked away from Him in the midst of that journey. Joshua pled with Israel… hold fast to the LORD your God. He told them to love the Lord. To follow the Lord. To walk with Him, to never leave Him, to never forget what He has done.
Today, I plead with you as well. Hold fast to Him. Love Him. Follow Him. Walk with Him. Never leave Him. Never forget what He has done.
We ask for revival. We pray for revival. Let it start today, in your heart.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
