Choosing YHWH

May 13, 2012

Reading: Joshua 24:14-18

"Now fear the LORD

and serve him with all

faithfulness.

Throw away the gods your forefathers

worshiped beyond the River and in

Egypt, and serve the LORD.

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day

whom you will serve,

whether the gods your forefathers served beyond

the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose

land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to

forsake the LORD to serve other gods!

It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out

of Egypt, from that land of slavery,

and performed those great signs before our

eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations

through which we traveled.

And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land.

We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God."

All through life, CHOICES will need to be made:

JOB,

All through life, CHOICES will need to be made:

SPOUSE,

All through life, CHOICES will need to be made:

Finances,

All through life, CHOICES will need to be made:

ETHICS,

All through life, CHOICES will need to be made:

Behaviors.

None will be more important than the SPIRITUAL ones.

GOD,

None will be more important than the SPIRITUAL ones.

The BIBLE,

None will be more important than the SPIRITUAL ones.

FAITH,

None will be more important than the SPIRITUAL ones.

Maturity,

None will be more important than the SPIRITUAL ones.

HOLINESS.

Your choices will establish your direction in life;

Your choices will establish your ultimate destination in life.

So “Choose Wisely;”

And be sure to be faithful to your choices.

Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua’s choice of YHWH was a

LIFELONG commitment:

Num. 11:28 Moses MENTOREDHim from his Youth.

Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua’s choice of YHWH was a

LIFELONG commitment:

Exod. 17:8-13 He was in Charge of Israel’s ARMY.

Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua’s choice of YHWH was a

LIFELONG commitment:

Exod. 32:17 He was near Moses on Mt. SINAI.

Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua’s choice of YHWH was a

LIFELONG commitment:

Num. 14:6-9 He & Caleb Brought a FAITHFUL Report.

Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua’s choice of YHWH was a

LIFELONG commitment:

Joshua 1:1-9 God Commissioned Him toSUCCEED Moses.

Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua’s choice of YHWH was a

LIFELONG commitment:

Joshua 5 - 12 He led Israel To complete VICTORY.

Deuteronomy 34:9Joshua’s choice of YHWH was a

LIFELONG commitment:

Joshua 13 - 22 He established Israel’s SETTLEMENTS.

With but one exception (Ai), Joshua fulfilled all of GOD’S WILL.

Joshua 23:14He succeeded by reflecting on

God’s PERFECT track record.

“Not onePromise

Has failed.”

We can succeed in the same way as Joshua today.

Because God’s track record is still perfect – He has never

failed to keep a promise.

Here is where

our most important

choice will be made:

Who Will You Serve?

Joshua 24:14-15We all need to choose a Master;

YHWH?

Joshua 24:14-15We all need to choose a Master;

Or YOURSELF?

(idolatry)

After choosing, your vow must be CARRIED OUT.

Until Joshua died, he was FULLY committed to YHWH.

Won’t you do the same?

Important choices to make before you die:

Ephesians 6:4 Choose to serve God at HOME And help secure The FUTURE.

Important choices to make before you die:

1 Thess. 4:11-12 Choose to Serve God at WORK / SCHOOL And PROFESS The truth.

Important choices to make before you die:

1 Peter 2:11-12Choose to serve God in theNEIGHBORHOOD

And show that He lives.

Important choices to make before you die:

Hebrews 10:24Choose to serve God within the CHURCH and Continue to Mature.

Important choices to make before you die:

Revelation 2:10Choose to serveGod to the point Of DEATH no Matter what.

When we choose YHWH, we win!

When we remain faithful to YHWH, we live!

So “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

The gods YourForefathers Served,

So “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

Or the gods in Whose Land youAre living.

So “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

Or the gods in Whose Land youAre living.

So “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

Or the gods in Whose Land youAre living.

So “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

Or the gods in Whose Land youAre living.

So “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

Or the gods in Whose Land youAre living.

So “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

But as for me and my house,

We will serve ____________”

(fill in the blank)