Joshua 24:14-25
We’re busier than we’ve ever been and there are more things vying for our attention these days. Many worthy causes cry for our involvement and commitment. That’s why it is so important that we regularly stop to ask ourselves the question, “Whom will I serve?” The fact is that you cannot do everything and we each have to prioritize the things that are most important and have eternal value.
Someone has said that, “It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion—going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you.” (Neil S. Wilson, The Handbook of Bible Application, p.100)
Unfortunately, the level of commitment for too many Christians of serving God is summarized by, “Don’t ask me to do anything that inconveniences me.” What we need today, though, is some real commitment to Jesus Christ.
It’s been said that, “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” (Roy B. Zuck, The Speaker’s Quote Book, p. 78)
For many of us our level of commitment to Christ is no better than that of the Japanese Kamikaze pilot of World War II who flew 30 suicide missions. He was involved but not very committed.
We need the kind of commitment that causes you to…
- Read your Bible and pray every day.
- Actively participate in a Life Group.
- Seek to bring others to Christ.
- Follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.
- Separate yourself from things that are evil.
- Gather with the saints to worship on the Lord’s Day.
- Pray with your children after a long day of work.
- Faithfully give to the Lord even in difficult times.
- Guard your testimony before others.
It is the quality that…
- Daniel had when he “purposed in his heart…”
- Paul had when he determined to know only Jesus and Him crucified.
- Jesus had when He set His face like a flint toward the cross (Isaiah 50:7).
- Caused Joshua to follow the Lord for 110 years of his life.
In this passage, Joshua challenges the nation of Israel to be committed to God. In doing so there are six things about commitment that all of us should take to heart.
1. It’s a LOGICAL commitment.
- He implores them to follow the Lord in light of the multiplied blessings they have received in the past.
- Notice the words in 24:14—”NOW THEREFORE…” In other words, all of the benefits just enumerated by Joshua should have been enough to convince the Israelites to follow God faithfully.
- This is the same manner used by Paul to press upon all believers the importance of commitment to Christ in Romans 12:1-2 —“I beseech you therefore…which is your reasonable service.”
- We should gladly be committed above all else to our Lord in light of all He has done for us.
2. It’s an EXCLUSIVE commitment.
- It is not a both/and proposition but an either/or proposition.
- Joshua said, “CHOOSE for yourselves this day whom you will serve…”
- He tells them that if they aren’t going to serve the Lord, then they should choose between the gods of their forefathers or the gods of the people who live in Canaan.
- He is not actually encouraging them to follow false gods, but he is trying to get them to see the absurdity of doing so. Only the God of Heaven had come to their aid and blessed them and they should therefore serve Him.
- Ultimately, he wants them to know that they cannot serve God and these other gods, too.
- “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24).
- Example—Luke 8:14; cf. James 1:8
3. It’s a SERIOUS commitment.
- They were not taking their vow seriously because they had idols among them even as they spoke of serving God exclusively (cf. 24:23).
- “Choose for yourselves this day WHOM YOU WILL SERVE…”
- It is...“Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:5)
- God does not look lightly upon the kind of casual Christianity that too many practice.
- He disciplined the Corinthians for casually approaching the Lord’s table and He will discipline us if we are not serious about our commitment to Him.
Chuck Colson was speaking on the campus of a secular university when he made the statement that his commitment to Christ was so important that he would even be willing to die for Christ, if it were necessary. A young student stood up and said to Mr. Colson, “C’mon, Colson! Nothing is worth dying for!”
To which Colson replied, “If there is nothing you are willing to die for, then I submit you have nothing to live for.” (Roy B. Zuck, The Speaker’s Quote Book, p.77)
4. It’s a PERSONAL commitment.
- Ultimately, the commitment to follow the Lord is made first in each individual’s heart.
- Joshua said, “But as for ME and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- The question isn’t, will my friend or relative, neighbor or co-worker be committed to serving the Lord? The question is will YOU be committed to serving the Lord?
5. It’s an INFLUENTIAL commitment.
- When one person makes his or her choice to follow the Lord, it will likely influence others to do the same.
- Joshua said, “…as for me and MY HOUSE, we will serve the Lord.”
- Joshua influenced his own family first and then the whole nation of Israel.
6. It’s a PRESSING commitment.
- The time for commitment has come for all Christians.
- Joshua said, “Choose for yourselves THIS DAY…”
- In light of the events of this past year we can no longer be satisfied with complacent Christianity.
- Jesus is coming and it may be soon.
- If Christ doesn’t return there is much work yet to be done for the Savior and the only way it can be completed is if His children are committed to Him and His church.
Sadly, years after Joshua’s death and public declaration to serve the Lord, there was another generation that grew up that did not know the Lord! (cf. Judges 2:10)
Closing:
- How well would God’s church function if everyone’s commitment matched yours?
- How many people would be reached for Christ if everyone shared their faith like you?
- How many missionaries would be assisted on the field of service if everyone gave like you?
- How well are we passing along the faith to the next generation?
- Reevaluate your priorities on a regular basis and make sure eternal things are at the top of your list.
- Make your commitment to the Sunday gathering of believers your most important weekend commitment.
- Look for ways to serve the Lord together as a family through God’s church.
- Take serving through God’s church as seriously as you do going to work each week.
- Value faithfulness and dependability more than you do fun and recreation.
- Don’t let the world conform you to its schedule, but be transformed by reasonable service to Christ.
The real question for all of us today is…whom will we serve this coming year?
