JOSHUA: A PATTERN FOR FATHERS TODAY Part 1

He challenges the Israelites. From our Scripture reading we see the kind of father Joshua must have been. He challenges the Israelites. “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. All Christians, especially Christian fathers, should pattern their life after the life of Joshua.

Joshua Was A Father Of Conviction. A man of conviction is a man of reverence. He told the people to “Fear the Lord.” Why? It brings wisdom. Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures for ever. It makes us sensitive to sin. Proverbs 16:6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.

It brings riches, honor and life. It brings strength. Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It brings riches, honor and life. Proverbs 22:4 The reward for humility and the fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. A man of conviction is a man who has resolved to serve the Lord. Verse 14—“Serve the Lord” Verse 15— “We will serve the Lord” It is a decision that has to be made. Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. We decide who we serve.

Our children see and are influenced by the decisions we make. Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness. Our children see and are influenced by the decisions we make. I Corinthians 11:1 Be followers me, as I also am of Christ. Can your children be led to Christ by following you? Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. We should let our lights shine before our children. More than likely what you are now is what your children will be when they grow up.

Verse 14—“Serve Him in sincerity and in truth.” A man of conviction is not only a man who will serve the Lord, but he will do it the right way. Verse 14—“Serve Him in sincerity and in truth.” Fathers, are you sincere in your worship? Your children can tell. We need to teach our children about God and Christ and what They have done for us. We need to show them what a Christian is. We need to teach them how to become a Christian, and just as important, how to stay a Christian. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. We do this by: Word Action

Joshua Was A Father Who Made A Choice. He challenged the people to choose who they would serve. He chose to serve the Lord Elijah challenged his generation in the same way. I King 18:21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. Today some fathers are serving the: god of self god of success god of pleasure god of material security god of social acceptance God of Salvation. Which one are you serving? But remember dad, your children are watching you to see what choice you will make.

Choice not chance determines eternal destinies. Decisions, without delay, must be made. Your soul and possibly the souls of your children hang in the balance. The choice must not be made someday, but today. II Corinthians 6:2 Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Joshua Made A Commitment. His choice was not half-hearted, but it was whole-hearted, which lead to his commitment. His commitment involved his whole family. Verse 15—“But as for me and my house…” Joshua led his entire household in his choice. God knew Abraham would take the lead in his family. Genesis 18:19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken. God has made it the man’s (husband’s and father’s) responsibility to take care of his family and take the lead. In secular matters In spiritual matters

We should make no mistake: To serve God takes commitment. Commitment is defined as, “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future.” We should make no mistake: To serve God takes commitment. Luke 9:23 If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Revelation 2:10 Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Our children need to see that when we make a commitment we are true to our word.

Fathers, husbands, and future ones, we need Joshua’s convictions to make the kind of choice he made, to have the kind of commitment he had.

HAVE YOU CHOSEN TO SERVE THE LORD? ARE YOU A PERSON OF CONVICTION? HAVE YOU CHOSEN TO SERVE THE LORD? HAVE YOU MADE THE COMMITMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE?

Given by David Hamlin on June 20, 2010 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org