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Key Verse:
Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)
But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
I. Joshua Offers To Us: A Declaration of Determination.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Joshua was able to be determined with his walk with God because he was a disciplined man. We too must discipline ourselves in our own Christian Walk. Joshua new that not everyone would stand by him, but he did know that GOD would NEVER leave him! Joshua was determined to serve God no matter what, because he knew that the reward for serving God far out weighed the costs!
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
II. Joshua Offers To Us: A Crusade For Good Character.
Proverbs 22:1 (NKJV)
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
God is not always in a hurry to change our circumstance but rather He is more interested in our character development! To serve God we must as Christians, have an upright character that reflects Jesus’!
Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV)
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
III. Joshua Offers To Us: A Daring Commitment to An Eternal God.
Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
In today’s world, commitment is almost unheard of. People are very quick to change on one another. But we can trust in GOD!
Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
God does NOT want us to put our trust in anything but Him because He is the ONLY thing we CAN trust!
Proverbs 3:5-8 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
IV. Joshua Offers To Us: A Challenge To Every Spiritual Dropout.
Luke 9:62 (NKJV)
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
God is looking for serious people who are willing to work hard for Him. People who want to serve Him out of LOVE. Faithful people who are not wishing washy!
Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
We cannot be double minded when serving God. We are either ALL IN or we are ALL OUT!
James 1:5-8(NKJV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Joshua is just one example in the bible of people who gave their all to serve God. We must pray and ask God to help us follow their examples. Perhaps you feel as though you had your chance with God but you blew it and now its too late. If so, remember, that God is merciful!
1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.