Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• We come to the final chapter of Joshua
• We come to one of the most famous verses - Josh 24:15
• Joshua was 110 years old at the time and died - v29
• Why did Joshua make a declaration at this time and age?
• He was throwing down a challenge to the people
• Choose whether to serve idols or serve God
• Joshua was to be dedicated right to the end
• Joshua was concerned for future generations
• Joshua and the people entered into a solemn promise before the mighty God
• Two farewell sermons:
• Chapter 23 - speaking to the leaders of the nation
• Recap
• Chapter 24 - speaking to the people of the nation
• Three funerals:
• Joshua, Eleazar, Joseph
• It was an end of an era and a great time for the children of God
• What will it be like when great pillars are lost from the church?
• v31 - Israel served God after Joshua died
• The book of Judges shows the deterioration of the people
• God turns His back on a people that turn their back against Him
• Do we see passion and commitment in young people for the Lord?
• Our job as Christians is to do all that is in our hand to further the legacy for the next generation
• Overview:
• Understanding your History (v2-13)
• Be Loyal to the Lord (v14-18)

Understanding your History (v2-13)

• "Thus says the Lord God of Israel" (v2)
• This is the word of God
• Additional info is given by Joshua not revealed in Genesis (inspired by God)
• The verses are all about God, not man (v14 - the response of man)
• God brought out Abraham (v3)
• God gave the descendants (v3-4)
• God sent Moses and Aaron (v5)
• God brought them out of Egypt (v6-7)
• God delivered them from Balaam and the Amorites (v8-10)
• God drove out the nations (v11)
• God sent the hornet (v12)
• God gave the vineyards and olive groves (v13)
• God has chosen the people as a nation
• Application: out of small beginnings God often brings His people to a place of blessing
• Examples:
• John Wycliffe
• John Hus
• Luther
• Calvin
• William Tyndale
• God used Henry VIII
• Latimer, Ridley
• John Owen, Richard Baxter, Richard Seeps, John Bunyan
• Revivals under Whitfield and Wesley
• We are not in a place where the church has no voice, but ...
• The claims of the Bible are being discounted and attacked
• Will we hold fast in our day and age?
• Joshua held fast

Be Loyal to the Lord (v14-26)

• The right response to the Sovereign God is:
1. To fear him
• Obey in reverence and fear
• It starts with the attitude of our hearts towards God
2. To serve him
• Not institutional service
• In sincerity and truth
• Put away anything idolatrous
• Choose to serve - you cannot serve two masters
• The people responded (v16-18)
• The emphasis is on God
• Joshua challenges the people that God is holy (v19) and a just God (v20)
• The people accept the hard word of God (v21)
• The people are witnesses (v23)
• The people enter into a covenant with God (v25)
• This is a serious matter - a statue is written and a stone set up
• Application: Should God's people enter a covenant?
• Heb 8:7-13
• We are under a new covenant (under the blood of Jesus), that is written in our heart

Closing Remarks