Joshua 24:15, "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.”

Serving the Lord is a commitment. This is not something our strength accomplishes. It is the gift of God's grace to those who trust Christ. He gives us obedience and zeal. Titus 2:14, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

I call upon you this day to PUT AWAY the foreign gods, and serve the Lord only. Serve him in his strength by grace. Romans 6:14, "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." Devote yourself to the gospel. You will reap a reward. Let not service be hypocritical and phony. Serve the Lord, not ourselves.

First, "choose for yourselves today whom you will serve." Make your mind up. Don't dilly dally. Don't delay.

This urgent matter demands immediate response. You've seen enough of the Lord's goodness. He is the highly exalted Lamb of God - the Savior and Lord. He is the One who put away sin, and he reigns over all flesh to give eternal life to whom he pleases. John 17:2, "since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him." He is the One God's commanded us to obey.

If we believe his gospel and rely upon him, then he'll give us repentance, forgiveness, and the Spirit! He'll pour upon us the treasures of eternal life, filling our spirit with life and peace [Rom 8:6]. He'll subdue our sins, and lust won't rule us. We'll walk uprightly, and he'll give us the benefits of his suffering. He'll receive us into the kingdom, and we'll be spared eternal damnation!

Please, take this mercy, while there is time. Choose today.

Secondly, "but as for me." This is a personal decision. This is not a collective choice, where we go with the crowd! We can't say, "Well, everyone else is living wrongly." We must not say, "But it is unpopular with the people." What others do means nothing! We are to serve the Lord. You and I, valuing our souls above friends, family, and popularity, swim against the tide when necessary. Matthew 16:25, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Care not for what others are doing! Fix your mind upon the Lord. Determine to do his bidding, and he will pay you back. Our Rewarder is a big God who's full of goodness. He'll give us joy, when we are hated. He'll give peace, when we are despised. Just to STAND UP for him is high honor. It's only a little time, and this world is over! Think of eternity! Think!

Thirdly, "we will serve the Lord." Joshua headed a family. He didn't keep his religion private. He sought to influence others with determination.

Preaching Christ is everyone's business. We are all called to spread the gospel, according to our gifts! Don't keep it to yourself. Live that others know Christ, and you live fully and securely!

The joy of life is our Father's will. John 4:34, "Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." There's deep satisfaction in service, and the Spirit is with you. He will abide with us to serve and honor Christ!

The greatness of this gospel is unimaginable. The stakes are eternal.