As For Me and My House
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
5/10/2009 AM
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Text:
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Joshua 24:15b
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Psalters: |
381, 24, 173, 90 |
Sacrament of Baptism |
- Joshua is old ? 110 years old (23:1; 24:29) and about to die, so he addresses Israel.
- First, Joshua reminded them of God?s wonderful work of delivering and caring for them (23:3-5; 24:2-13).
- He admonishes them to be courageous to keep and do God?s law (23:6,8,11).
- Their obedience is encouraged by showing God?s past actions and His future promises (23:9,10).
- Joshua commands them to fear and serve Jehovah.
- This is a reverential affection for God.
- This attitude will make their service of Jehovah to be ?in sincerity and in truth? (14).
- The service of God stands over against all idols (23:7; 24:14b,15a).
- Serve the Lord only!
- The service of Jehovah may seem ?evil.?
- Notice that the alternate choice Joshua gives is between two different sets of idols.
- Joshua boldly declares his desire and sets himself up as an example.
- First, he declares that his choice is the service of Jehovah.
- ?Jehovah? is the Self-sufficient God, Who is complete in Himself and therefore completely independent.
- This is a personal choice, regardless of what ?everybody else does.?
- Such service arises from knowing His ability (Creator and Redeemer) and His infinite love and perfect wisdom.
- Joshua also sets Himself up as an example.
- This is not an idle boast, nor an influential trick, nor a means to manipulate them to follow.
- To compel his fellow-saints to obedient service, Joshua saw the importance of his example.
- The significance.
- Joshua?s ?will? indicates His resolve, a resolution of what he desires and intends.
- This resolve indicates that all debate and questions are finished.
- His resolution expresses the desire to be consistent, even if he must walk alone.
- He expresses his resolve openly and publicly (not secretly).
- This vow of consecration is very influential in a home.