1. According to Joshua 23:1, Joshua, the leader of Israel, had grown old. 2. We learn from Joshua 24:1 that he gathered the Israelites together and presented a powerful speech to them. 3. Joshua called upon the Israelites to make a choice about serving God. 4. Basically, the Israelites could choose to serve God by standing with Him or they could choose to reject God by serving false gods. 5. We have to make the same choice today -- we can choose to serve God by standing with Him, or we can choose to reject Him. 6. This is an important choice because our eternal destiny is at stake. 7. This morning: "Let us make the right choice." 8. This evening: "Let us avoid the wrong choice." 9. The first point we need to make is that . . . Discussion: I. THE BIBLE REPEATEDLY TEACHES CHRISTIANS TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE OF SERVING GOD BY STANDING WITH HIM
A. Consider the instructions given in 1 Corinthians 16:13 and Philippians 4:1. B. To help us understand what is involved in standing with God, . . . II. THE BIBLE SHOWS HOW MANY OF GOD'S PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN TO SERVE HIM BY STANDING WITH HIM
A. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to stand with God. 1. They chose to stand with God when they refused to worship the golden image (Daniel 3:12-18). 2. They were cast into the furnace (vs.21), but God delivered them (vs.26-27). B. Daniel chose to stand with God. 1. He stood with God when he disobeyed the law by praying (Daniel 6:10). 2. He was cast into the den of lions (vs.16), but God delivered him (vs.23). C. Peter and John chose to stand with God. 1. They were told not to preach in the Lord's name (Acts 4:18). 2. They chose to stand with the Lord (Acts 4:19-20). III. THE BIBLE TEACHES US HOW TO SERVE GOD BY STANDING WITH HIM, EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY BE CONSEQUENCES
A. According to Ephesians 6:10-13, standing with God requires us to "put on the whole armor of God." B. The various items of armor are listed in vs.14-17. C. As fully armed soldiers we are to pray (vs.18). Conclusion:
1. When Joshua called upon the Israelites to make a choice about serving God, he revealed his choice (Joshua 24:15b). 2. Because Joshua chose to serve God by standing with Him, he had a great influence upon the Israelites (vs.29-31). 3. To help us choose to serve God by standing with Him, even though there may be a cost involved, let us remember that: a. the kingdom of heaven is much more valuable than any cost we may have to pay (Matthew 13:44-46) b. the Lord will bless us abundantly for any sacrifices we make on His behalf (Matthew 19:29) c. no cost is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). 4. "Let us make the right choice!"
