JOSHUA: A PATTERN FOR TODAY’S FATHER JOSHUA 24:14-15 Part 2

Reading about Joshua and the kind of man he was, gives us a good idea of the kind of father he was. 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. A man of conviction is a man who has resolved to serve the Lord. A man of conviction is not only a man who will serve the Lord, but he will do it the right way. Joshua Was A Father Who Made A Choice

He challenged the people to choose who they would serve. 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. He chose to serve the Lord. Today some fathers are serving the:god of self Luke 14:26 "If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

The god of success There is nothing wrong with wanting to be successful. However when we allow that to become our primary focus that is when it becomes wrong. Luke 12:15 "Take heed and beware of all covetousness…” Matthew 16:26 "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” The god of pleasure Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Paul told Timothy that in the “last days” some would be “lovers of pleasure” more than “lovers of God,” II Timothy 3:1-4 Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said to myself, "Come now, I will make a test of pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.

The god of material security Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Remember the rich foolish farmer of Luke 12:15-21.

The god of social acceptance John 12:42-43 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. I Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits.'' Are you serving one of these gods? Today, we need fathers, mothers, men and women to choose to serve the living and true God, the God of Salvation, and be faithful unto Him.

Choice not chance determines eternal destinies. Decisions must be made without delay. Your soul and possibly the souls of your children hang in the balance. The choice should not be made someday, but today. II Corinthians 6:2 Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. But remember dad, your children are watching you to see what choice you will make.

His commitment involved his whole 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. Joshua Made A Commitment His choice was not half-hearted, but it was whole-hearted, which led to his commitment. 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. 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 mattersIn spiritual matters

We should make no mistake: It takes commitment to serve the Lord. 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. Commitment is defined as, “an agreement or a pledge to do something in the future.”

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.

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 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ