Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.
E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk
Note to the reader:
If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God. Thank you. Herman Abrahams, Cape Town, South Africa.
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READ: Joshua 24:14-18
CHOOSE TO SERVE THE LORD
… Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my household,we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)
The Israelites had journeyed into the land promised to Abraham hundreds of years earlier and now a new kind of journey had begun. It’s not easy settling into a new land, taking responsibility for life and forming a good society. Their new leader, Joshua, chose final words that focused them on one thing: make your choice - for God or against him. He boldly challenged them to choose between the gods of Ur which their ancestors worshiped (cf. v. 2) beyond the River (i.e., the Euphrates), the gods of the Amorites in Canaan, and Yahweh. Then, adding example to exhortation, Joshua assured them that whatever their choice his mind was made up, his course clear: "As for me and my household," said Joshua, "we will serve the Lord." (Jos 24:15)
Why would he have to say that? Would not the people be grateful to God for this land flowing with milk and honey? After all, had he not fulfilled a promise made so long ago? Would they not naturally believe in him? Joshua knew that we are always only a few steps away from idolatry - of choosing a false god. We always have to take heed, lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (Heb 3:12).
Joshua had resolved as follows: Firstly, knowing that he was responsible to give an account of his own life to God, he made a positive decision of his will to serve the Lord. Secondly, as head of his household, he had set himself the task of leading and influencing his family to do the same. King David said, “I will be careful to lead a blameless life … I will walk in my house with blameless heart” (Ps 101:2). A lifestyle of integrity begins in the privacy of our own homes. Thirdly, Joshua was determined to serve the Lord even if others, whoever they may be, may choose a another path.
How about you? You so much want to serve the Lord but perhaps you are experiencing pressure from friends, neighbours or relatives to live a different lifestyle. Will you bow to that pressure or will you say with Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Josh 24:15)”.
Is there anything in your life right now that you are tempted to love more than God? Is there anything you need to throw down in order to serve him? What are the idols in our community and nation today that might be drawing you away? Some have made idols of drugs, alcohol, sexual perversion, money, power, etc. If you are a Christian, pray to the Lord that he may change the moral fibre of our nation.
PRAYER: “Dear Lord, I choose to serve you with all faithfulness. Please make this choice a reality with your supernatural power. Protect me from the lure of anything that would draw me away from you. Help me to settle into the land of blessing.” *
