Emphasizes the importance of consciously choosing to serve Christ over worldly desires, and the transformative power of committing to God.
Welcome, dear friends, to this sacred space, this hallowed ground where hearts are mended, spirits lifted, and lives transformed. We gather here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. We are here because our loving God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has called us together to hear His Word, to seek His truth, to be enlightened, encouraged, and empowered.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the profound wisdom found in the book of Joshua. We find ourselves in the 24th chapter, at the 15th verse, where we read,
"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
These words, spoken by Joshua, are as relevant and compelling today as they were thousands of years ago. They call us to make a decision, to take a stand, to choose whom we will serve. They challenge us to choose Christ over culture, to make a commitment to our Creator, and to consider the consequences of serving other gods.
In reflecting on this, I am reminded of the words of C.S. Lewis, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same."
This is exactly what we’re going to be discussing; worldly desires and the true desires of our hearts. We should choose God over man every day.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for Your Word, and for Your presence with us. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to the truth of Your Word. Help us to choose You, to commit to You, and to consider the consequences of serving other gods. Guide us, strengthen us, and empower us to live for You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Let’s get started!
In the world we live in today, we are constantly surrounded by a myriad of voices, each vying for our attention, each claiming to have the answers to life's most pressing questions. These voices come from various sources - the media, our peers, celebrities, and even our own inner selves. They often present a worldview that is vastly different from the one presented in the Bible. This worldview, often referred to as 'culture', can be enticing, appealing, and seemingly harmless. Yet, it can also be subtly deceptive, leading us away from the truth of God's Word and into a life of compromise and spiritual mediocrity.
The nature of culture itself: Culture, in its simplest form, is a set of shared beliefs, values, and practices that a group of people hold. It shapes our thoughts, influences our decisions, and guides our actions. While culture can be a powerful force for good, it can also be a powerful force for evil. When culture aligns with the truth of God's Word, it can be a tool for promoting righteousness, justice, and love. However, when culture contradicts the truth of God's Word, it can be a tool for promoting sin, injustice, and hatred.
The impact of culture on our lives: Culture, like a river, has a current that pulls us along. It can be easy to go with the flow, to conform to the patterns of this world, to adopt the attitudes and behaviors of those around us. Yet, the Bible warns us against such conformity. In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation, this renewing of our minds, is a process that begins when we choose to follow Christ and continues as we grow in our relationship with Him.
The choice we have to make: Joshua, in the verse we are studying today, presents us with a clear choice. We can choose to serve the gods of this world, the gods of culture, or we can choose to serve the Lord. This choice is not a trivial one. It is a choice that has eternal consequences. It is a choice that determines the direction of our lives, the state of our hearts, and the quality of our relationship with God.
The commitment required to make this choice: Choosing to serve the Lord is not a casual decision. It is not a decision that can be made lightly or without consideration. It is a decision that requires commitment, dedication, and sacrifice. It is a decision that requires us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow Christ. It is a decision that requires us to put God first in our lives, to seek His kingdom and His righteousness above all else.
As we turn our attention to the theme of commitment to our Creator, we find ourselves drawn to the depth of meaning in Joshua's words ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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