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:
A. ONE OF THE GREATEST CHOICE SPEECHES EVER
1. Because the conquerors had compromised. “Put away the foreign gods which are among you” (24:23).
2. Because they lost their dedication. “Turn your hearts to the Lord” (24:23, LB).
3. Because Joshua called them to make a decision he had made. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:15).
4. Because he was old and ready to pass on (23:14).
5. Because the next generation needed to make the greatest choice ever (24:13-15).
B. WE NEED TO REMAIN CONQUERORS AT THE HEIGHT OF OUR VICTORY
1. Fought and won 31 major battles.
2. Won all kinds of battles, i.e., fortified cities, open field, against cavalry, against chariots.
3. Yet they were not wholly dedicated. Put away the gods which your father served” (24:14).
C. WE SHOULD BE MORE SPIRITUAL BECAUSE GOD HAS BEEN WITH US. GOD SAID, “I HAVE DESTROYED THEM BEFORE YOU” (24:8)
1. God had given the former slaves everything they needed – land, houses, fruit trees, walled cities.
2. They should have worshipped more, loved deeper, and obeyed quicker. “I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build . . . vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant” (24:13).
3. God wanted a response of gratitude from them. Gratitude is least remembered by people of little character, because gratitude thinks of others, not self.
4. Some know how to win battles for God, but lose the peace. They can’t serve God when there are no problems, no challenges, and no threats.
5. Some allow little choices to dilute large victories in their life.
a. Making little choices without any thought of God’s long-range plan for your life leads to compromise.
b. You give up control of your life.
c. Correct decisions guide you to become what you dreamed to be.
d. Those who don’t know what they want to do usually end up doing what they don’t want to do.
D. FACTORS IN GOOD DECISION-MAKING
1. Make decisions in God’s presence. “Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel . . . before God” (24:1). It’s easy to make good decisions when you feel God’s presence.
2. Remember the dreams of your spiritual fathers. “Put away the gods which your fathers served” (24:14).
3. Remember your dream. “You shall possess their land” (23:5).
4. Remember the past godly examples, i.e., Abraham, Jacob, Moses, (24:2-7).
5. Review past victories and how you overcame the enemy.
a. Victory at the Red Sea (24:7).
b. Victory over the Amorites (24:8).
c. Jericho.
d. Praise God for divine circumstances. “I sent the hornets before you which drove them out . . . but not with your sword” (24:12).
6. Appeal to gratitude. “God said, ‘I delivered them into your hand’” (24:16).
7. Remind them of the opposite of serving God. “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord” (24:15).
8. Challenge to a whole-hearted response in sincerity. He didn’t want half-hearted dedication.
To know and learn
To feel and love
To choose and follow
9. Give the power of a personal example. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:15).
10. Remind the people of the consequences of an ill-conceived decision.
a. God’s power. “He is a holy God” (24:19).
b. God demands our all, “He is a jealous God” (24:19).
c. Consequences. “He will not forgive your transgressions” (24:19).
E. THE SPEECH GOT RESULTS
1. The people decided, “We will serve the Lord” (24:21).
Quickly
Completely
Consciously
Outwardly
2. The people repented of their sins. “Put away the foreign gods which are among you” (24:23).
3. The people gave heart-obedience to God. The challenge, “Incline your heart to the Lord” (24:23). Their response, “The Lord our God we will serve and His voice we will obey” (24:24).
4. The inward decision was sealed with an outward symbol.
a. Signed, “Joshua made a covenant with the people that day” (24:25).
b. Stone of remembrance. “He took a large stone and set it up” (24:26).
c. Take your decision to the altar in God’s house. “By the sanctuary of the Lord” (24:26).
d. Set in place for future reminders. “This stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord which He spoke to us” (24:27).
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.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
