Sunday, July 16, 2017 - “Choose You This Day!”
Roger Marcos
July 16, 2017
Joshua’s life background.
What determines how you make the choices you make? What process do you consciously or unconsciously go through in making the decisions you make? Does truth play a key role.
Text: 14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 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.” Joshua 24:14-15
After Moses death: Caleb and Joshua was 40 when God condemned Israel. They were 80 when they entered the Promised Land.
Purpose: Is to See How the Truth Has A Big Role in Making Decisions.
Joshua knew his days were numbered and having a concern for Israel’s well-being he calls the people together for some final instructions.
I. A CHOICE That Must Be Made.
After exhorting the people to fear and serve the Lord, Joshua calls to them to consider the alternative of rejecting Him, and to make a decisive choice that he don’t want to happen.
Joshua is the leader of the people, He exhorts, but he leaves the choice open. God has left our wills free to choose or to reject Him. This liberty is essential to voluntary service - the only service which is true and spiritual. God would not value forced devotion. The worth of devotion depends on its free willingness. Yet the freedom God accords is not release from obligation, but only exemption from compulsion. Is still our duty to serve God.
Joshua makes clear that “this choice” is The Choice - a choice having bearing on all other choices!
A. The Choice Is Clear. There is no reason for delay. Joshua called for immediate decision. This is most safe, most easy, and secures the longest life of service Hebrews 3:7
Joshua anticipated the position of those to whom it might "seem evil to serve the Lord." This might arise.
15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
B. The Selections Are Few.
To Reject or to Serving! But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors.
15 But as for me and my household, We Will Serve the Lord.”
II. The URGENCY in This Choice.
A. One or the Other Will Be Chosen. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness.” Rom. 6:16
“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’” Jn. 8:34
B. Eternity is Involve. “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Rev. 20:10
Hell and Heaven:
Matthew 25:46 says, "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life".
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the thrones saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with me, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the older order of things has passed away.”
Rev. 21:2-4
C. The Limited Time in Making This Choice: 15 as for me
Sometime in the future all will lose the opportunity to choose.
III. An EXAMPLE in This Choice.
15 But as for me and my household, We Will Serve the Lord.”
A. He Resolves This Choice For Himself
B. He Resolves This Choice for His House
C. He resolves This Choice No Matter What Others Do.
Conclusion
“Choose Today!” to be the Saviour of your life.