All In The Family
Joshua 24:1-15 (p. 163) September 22, 2013
Introduction:
I have met people who get that they want out of fear...They are dogmatic and prone to anger...people would rather let them have their way or would rather not “stir up a hornet’s nest”...so these people manipulate others and circumstances out of fear...
I have met people who get what they want out of guilt...you know the person who says, “Well if you don’t love me enough to do this...or go there...or get me this, then I understand.” Maybe they remind you of a past mistake or small injustice you committed against them...and that’s followed by...”O, by the way could you be a doll and help me out with this.”
People that try to lead and manipulate others and circumstances out of fear and guilt usually end up very lonely...even if they get what they want, those people they’ve used in the process tend to fade away...distance themselves. And if it’s the matriarch or the patriarch of a family using these very unhealthy practices to control people...the consequences are lifelong and devastating...The ones who use these methods continue to try and control out of fear and/or guilt...but children grow up...mates get sick of it...and both move on and away...The fear/guilt leader blames the separation on them.
Last week we saw the consequences of favoritism in Joseph’s life...it got him a multicolored coat...it also got him brothers that hated him and wanted to kill him, and sold into slavery.
Today we look at an amazing leader named Joshua...I remember the old joke. Here it is...”Who was the only guy in the O.T. without parents.... Answer: Joshua, he was the Son of Nun. N.U.N....(yeah I know it’s pretty lame).
1 Chronicles 7:27 teaches us that Joshua was the eldest son of his family. He had been born during Israel’s time of slavery in Egypt and would have been around 40 years old at the beginning of the Exodus...The fact that he was even alive proves that his parents had been obedient to God’s command to sprinkle blood from the Passover Lamb on the doorframe of their home...The death angel passed over Nun’s household and the life of Joshua, their first born was spared because they believed and obeyed God’s Word.
We learn a lot from the 1st time someone is mentioned in Scripture...and Joshua is first mentioned in Ex. 17:9...”Moses said to Joshua “Choose some of our men and go and fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands. So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered.”
Here’s the 1st thing we learn about Joshua and his family being ALL IN...
I. JOSHUA WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT LEADER...HE WAS A GREAT FOLLOWER
Our text in Joshua 24 is a recapturing of history...It’s a time of resting from the continuous battles...Joshua according to his own words in Chapter 23 verse 2 is “a very old man.” They are living in the Promised Land which God has given them.
And just like us, as we get older we tend to reflect back on life...”The good ole days”...This will be Joshua’s farewell address...Everyone’s there...all the 12 tribes...and he is surrounded by the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel...Listen
JOSHUA 24:2-12
It’s the history from Abraham’s call to Jericho’s fall...(and even beyond)
And for a great deal of that journey Joshua wasn’t Israel’s leader was he? Moses led them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea...and then verse 7 says “You lived in the wilderness for a long time.”
Anyone remember why? The book of Numbers in the O.T. exists because of the answer...Moses has led the Israelites to Canaan...God told Moses to send a leader from each of the 12 tribes to “spy out the Land.” Joshua the son of Nun represents the tribe of Ephraim...Caleb, son of Jephunneh represents Judah...You won’t remember the other 10 spies. Listen to their report...
NUMBERS 13:26-33
The people begin to grumble...Criticize Moses & Aaron’s leadership...they even want to select another leader to take them back to Egypt...back to slavery...
NUMBERS 14:5-12
Moses pleads to God not to destroy them...And God listens...but everyone of that generation would die while wandering in the wilderness...40 years...All but Joshua & Caleb.
“If you want to lead the orchestra you must turn your back on the crowd.”
Joshua and Caleb had Moses’ back...Joshua was an amazing follower way before God commissioned him to be “strong and courageous”...
For us to be good leaders over our children, grandchildren, and people we are discipling we must be able to take orders from those above us (especially God).
Our model isn’t Moses...our model is Christ...The greatest servant leader that’s ever lived, died and lives again!!!
When Jesus calls “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (LK 5:10) He would be the most amazing example of fishing for men this world, and his followers would ever see.
Not only would he humbly wash each of their feet as an example they should follow, but he would walk up a hill and die for their sins, and yours and mine.
Is it a coincidence (not) that the Old Testament name Joshua “Yeshua” is the same as Jesus “Yeshua” It means “salvation comes from the Lord.”
My vision for Gardenside Christian Church is for those who are lost...wandering in a wilderness of sin...I know God has provided the Savior...”a cross that bridges the gap”...so that we can enter in...”whosever will may come.” But they will only come to salvation if we go to them...”How can they hear unless someone tells them?”
I’m thankful for a staff & leadership filled with Joshuas and Calebs...I know there will be people who grumble...there always are...but the blessings of God are found in obedience, trusting His strength over our own....
“You did not do it with your own sword and bow” (Joshua 24:12)
God will not bless an individual or a church which is outside His will. Peace, security, joy is found in one place...IN THE WILL OF GOD....Following His orders.
Please, please remember...
II. EVERY GOOD GIFT IS FROM GOD
Joshua 24:13 records God speaking...”I gave you a land on which you did not toil and you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.”
The Amonites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, Jebushites (and the giant sneezing people...The Gesundheits (Just kidding) planted the vineyards and groves...They built the cities...but God gave them to the Israelites.
The book of James records these words:
JAMES 1:17-18
God gives every good and perfect gift...His plan doesn’t change like the shadows do in a day...He chose us...He gave us...not the other way around...Even our salvation starts with Him...not us...John 6:44 says “No one can come to me (Jesus says) unless the Father who sent me draws them...and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Joshua had a lifetime of following Moses and then leading God’s people into their inheritance to learn this thruth...
May we learn this same truth if we are to lead our families and the family of God to be ALL IN”
III. WE CAN’T SERVE GOD AND THE gods OF THIS WORLD AT THE SAME TIME
Listen:
JOSHUA 24:14,15
The nation of Israel was supposed to be God’s representative...His example...Israel was set apart to demonstrate God’s power...They were supposed to be distinct...Unique...a powerful leader to change the world...what happened all too often was the opposite...
It’s like you took a brand new pair of white gloves and you began to make mud pies...The gloves get dirty, muddy gloves....in all my life I’ve never seen glovey mud.
Joshua as an old man says, “Fear God...serve Him faithfully. Throw away your idols...The idols your ancestors worshipped...Choose God...Serve God...He brought you here! You cannot serve both...Don’t muddy your spiritual gloves...
“As for me and my family we will serve the Lord.”
Jesus told kingdom followers the same advice...”No one can serve two masters, either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (MATT. 6:24)
You see everyone wants the kingdom of God...It’s just that very few seek it just...We want heaven...we want the promised land...we want God to give us good gifts. Wilbur Reese put down what many want in a writing entitled “$3.00 Worth of God”
”I would like to buy $3 worth of God, pleas.
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don’t want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want the warmth of the womb not a new birth.
I want about a pound of the eternal in a paper sack.
I’d like to buy $3 worth of God, please”
It’s like saying, “I’d like a Savior, but I’d prefer to not have a Lord.”
I’d like enough of Jesus to keep me from being a “Post Toastie,” but I don’t want him to cramp my style...
And we might not be surrounded by the Amorites and Hittites, but we are surrounded by the World and people who worship its idols.
If I’m satisfied with $3 worth of God...I’ll teach my family that $3 is plenty...
I have a great fear for American churches...the way we choose leaders and evaluate their qualifications...Many times I see us joyfully producing Rich Young Rulers...
We want our children to be successful...our grandchildren to be respectful in the community...and that is all well and good...but unless we make disciples who follow Jesus...Men and women who are filled and led by His Spirit...who are people like Joshua who are ALL IN and chose their lives to be prioritized by the fear of the Lord and faithfulness to His cause...We fail the kingdom if worldly success and its idols are the bar.
I don’t want 3 dollars worth of God and He won’t settle for 3 dollars worth of me...As Charles Spurgeon said, “He is either Lord of All or Not at All.”
Let’s pray.
