CHOOSE JESUS!

Posted by larry on 30-Sep-2000

(Joshua 23 – 24))
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 30th September & 1st October 2000

Joshua 23 and 24 are two separate accounts of the same farewell gathering. In his final address, Joshua gave the call: “Choose this day the one you will serve for the rest of your life.” (24:15) Hundreds of years later, Elijah on Mt. Carmel gave a similar challenge: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; out if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Consider several factors.

I. CONSIDER WHAT GOD HAS DONE (23:1-5; 24:1-13)

Joshua gave a little history lesson. He used strong verbs that described a God of action. Seventeen times in rapid succession Joshua shouts aloud for the Lord with bugle-like blasts:

  • I took your father Abraham.
  • I gave unto Isaac.
  • I sent Moses and Aaron.
  • I plagued the Egyptians.
  • I brought your fathers out of bondage.
  • I brought you into the land of the Amorites.
  • I led you into the Land of Promise.
  • I drove out the Amorites.
  • I sent the hornet before you.
  • I have given you this land.

Joshua asserts that all the conquests, all the miracles, all the remarkable advances made by Israel were essentially the work of God and not of men. Ours is a God of action who has taken initiative on our behalf.

II. CONSIDER THE OPTIONS (23:6-16; 24:14-15a)

“Therefore…love the Lord your God. Or else…”  (23:11,12)

Joshua presented two scenarios: Obey the Lord and He will bless you and keep you in the land; disobey Him and He will judge you and remove you from the land.

THE PROMISE OF FAITHFULNESS (23:1-11)

Joshua declared that a life of faithfulness to the Lord does bring success (23:2-5).

THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNFAITHFULNESS (23:12-16)

Joshua points out the consequences of unfaithfulness – defeat, discomfort and disgrace.

General Warnings:

  1. Do not turn away from God’s will.
  2. Do not accommodate yourself to the world’s ways.
  3. Do not give your allegiance to false gods.
  4. Do not set your will to serve other idols.
  5. Do not become subject to their deceptions.
  6. Do not adopt the life style of the pagan people.
  7. Do not form misalliances among them.

Specific Warnings:

  1. Beware the “Snare, Trap, Whips and Thorns” (23:12-13)
  2. Put Away the Idols! (12:14)

III. CONSIDER JOSHUA’ CHOICE (24:15)

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:15)

His whole life had been a demonstration of single-minded devotion to God. His loyalty had been of the highest order. His bold obedience had set a supreme standard for all to emulate. His faithfulness to the Lord in the face of formidable odds had never wavered. His entire career had burned as a flame of fearless faith for others to follow.

Because of one man’s fearless faith in the Almighty, this entire people had been brought from abject poverty to a pinnacle of power and prosperity under God. No leader ever started out with so little and concluded with so much. God is looking for men and women of fearless faith, who will step out to achieve great thongs for Him.

The God of Joshua lives – but where are the Joshuas?

IV. MAKE YOUR CHOICE TODAY! (24:16-33)

No one has all the answers, just choices…

Suprisingly enough, standing before the massed multitude, Joshua heard the shout rise three times from a hundred thousand throats: “We will serve the Lord, He is our God!” As if to bind the nation to their promises, Joshua proceeded to erect a huge rock as a lasting memorial to the monumental day in Israel’s history. The decisions made that day at Schechem were not flippant, casual, emotionally induced decisions. The bottom-line choice had a staying power. Remain faithful.

The book of Joshua concludes on this very positive note that we must never forget: “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the Lord which He had done for Israel.” (:31).

Make a positive decision for Jesus Christ. Six ingredients required to make a firm decision:

  1. NO SITTING ON THE FENCE.
  2. NO COMPROMISE.
  3. NOT JUST GOING ALONG WITH THE CROWD.
  4. NO SECRET FAITH.
  5. NO EMPTY WORDS.
  6. NO EXCUSES.

The Apostle John described a church made up of people who were neither hot nor cold. They are in danger of being spewed out. We are to be hot in our commitment to Him.


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