Joshua’s Farewell: “The Inexorable Drift” Joshua 24

A Covenant Relationship –Shechem: Where God first gave the Abrahamic Covenant Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel and for their heads and their judges and their officers; and they presented themselves before God. Joshua 24:1

Joshua 24: Four Themes 1. God Can Reach Anyone, Anywhere! v.1-2 Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. 'Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. Joshua 24:2-3 (NASB95) "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…" 2 Chronicles 16:9

Joshua 24: Four Themes 1. God Can Reach Anyone, Anywhere! v He is a God of ACTS and FACTS v.2-16 He never requires blind faith! “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…” Thus: “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 For Us, Today: Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 2 Timothy 2:8

Joshua 24: Four Themes 1. God Can Reach Anyone, Anywhere! v He is a God of ACTS and FACTS v “Choose for yourself!” v.15f The Message of the Bible… "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 Jesus said* to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4

Joshua 24: Four Themes 1. God Can Reach Anyone, Anywhere! v He is a God of ACTS and FACTS v “Choose for yourself!” v.15f When Joshua had dismissed the people, the sons of Israel went each to his inheritance to possess the land. The people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD which He had done for Israel. Judges 2:6-7 All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. Judges 2:12-13

Joshua 24: Four Themes 1. God Can Reach Anyone, Anywhere! v He is a God of ACTS and FACTS v “Choose for yourself!” v.15f 4. Each Generation Must Choose… CommittedComplacentCompromised “Me, for sure” The Next Generation …every man did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 17:6

CommittedComplacency Abraham Committed: Left Ur Lived in safety. Grew closer to God. “Abram” changed to “Abraham” “In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed…” Isaac -> Jacob … “Father of Nations” “Father of Faith” Lot (Abe’s Nephew)

CommittedComplacency Abraham Committed: Left Ur Lived in safety. Grew closer to God. “Abram” changed to “Abraham” “In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed…” Isaac -> Jacob … “Father of Nations” “Father of Faith” Lot (Abe’s Nephew) Committed: Left Ur Plain of Jordan… Moved into Sodom… Place of ‘ prestige’ … Kidnapped / rescued… Lost his daughters… Was never respected… Rescued by a miracle “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.” - Ezekiel 16:49

"Remember Lot's wife! "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Luke 17:32-33 Lost Everything!

CommittedComplacency Abraham Committed: Left Ur Lived in safety. Grew closer to God. “Abram” changed to “Abraham” “In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed…” Isaac -> Jacob … “Father of Nations” “Father of Faith” Lot (Abe’s Nephew) Committed: Left Ur Plain of Jordan… Moved into Sodom… Place of ‘ prestige’ … Kidnapped / rescued… Lost his daughters… Was never respected… Rescued by a miracle Lost Everything! Incest with daughters Ended up in a cave He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), 2 Peter 2:7-8

Joshua 24: Four Themes 1. God Can Reach Anyone, Anywhere! v He is a God of ACTS and FACTS v “Choose for yourself!” v.15f 4. Each Generation Must Choose… CommittedComplacentCompromised Lot The Next Generation

Paul’s Recipe for Success Highly qualified, a brilliant future career… “count them but rubbish!” Phil. 3:8 “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”

Paul’s Recipe for Success Highly qualified, a brilliant future career… “count them but rubbish!” Phil. 3:8 “One Thing!” – that is, Jesus Christ. –knowing Jesus Christ v.8 –To have His righteousness v.9 –To share the power of His resurrection: new life v10 Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ!

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15