A Call for Commitment: Whom will You Serve?

{Rev. Paul Kim}
[Joshua 24:14-24]

1) The call to Covenantal Faithfulness (ver. 14-15)
A call to decide whom we will serve...
2) The People's Response (ver. 16-18)
They say they will serve God...
3) Joshua's Warning (ver. 19-20)
The leader asks again, hesitates because of the possible consequences....
The blessings for obedience & the curses of disobediance...

4) The Agreement (ver. 21-24)

Applications:
A) Throw away other gods.

We probably don't worship the god of Egypt or Canaan. Our modern-day gods are: comfort, convenience, money, possessions, consumerism, popularity, reputation, power, career, marriage, children... What are we concerned about? What do we spend all of our time on?

Consumerism (selfishness) - I don't want to serve. I want to be served. I want relationships, but I don't want to invest time & money. I want to buy stuff. I want to do what I want. What will satisfy me?

This is not just a metaphysical thing. This is a call to action. Joshua is asking people to take the actual physical objects in their tents and throw it out. We are similar called to action. Not just repent, but actually do something. If you cannot picture what it means to throw idols out of your life, you probably not be able to act. You probably have not repented in your heart.

B) Serve YHWH (God) with sincerity and faithfulness.

I give up my pride & reputation. I serve God instead. I take my money & possessions and turn to God and call Him my treasure. I spend money not on myself, but rather on God's purposes. I am to serve, I'm not here to be served. I am not here to be blessed, I wish to bless others.

C) Make a non-contingent commitment.

Joshua indicates he will serve God whether the people decides to or not. His decision is not contingent on others. (It's like going to eat... "Wanna go grab a bite?" "Maybe... who's going?" THAT is a contingent commitment.) You should make decisions on your own.

D) Consider this carefully. Doubt yourself.

Joshua doesn't celebrate when the people respond. He backpedals. He declares the curses that come from disobedience. (It's like a yo-yo dieter. They go on a diet... and cheat. And try again, and cheat again...) We are prone to unfaithfulness. We do not naturally love and serve the LORD.

E) Our hope is in Jesus and the Gospel.

The gospel is "we fail, Jesus succeeds." The gospel does not free us from a covenant. It empowers us to live our a commitment. We cannot give what we do not have. But if God asks us for what we cannot give, He will empower & provide. The promise we make is based on the fact that God can provide what He asks of us.... Our promise is based on His promises...