I have never been so haunted by such a scripture as Joshua 24, and I will share a little more in detail here in a little bit, but the command in this passage has plagued my mind for going on a year now.
Choose this Day – Whom You Will Serve.
I came across this passage earlier in the year during a quiet time, and then Brandon preached this passage during his Journey through the Word Series, and it also happened to be the theme of this year’s church camp.
Everywhere I went this passage followed. God has a way of getting his message across one way or another, and I believe it is something we all need to hear.
Joshua 24:14-15 Read/Pray Choose this Day – Whom you will serve.
The Sunday School answer quickly comes to our minds, “of course we choose to serve God”, but have you weighed the consequences of serving God? We are so quick to say, “Yes, I will serve God”, without any thought of what is required of us in order to serve God.
In Order for us to serve God the Scripture clearly tells us that we must:
*It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose. The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point – ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future? But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose. The Bible says, “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in his power.”Romans 12:2 (NLT)
*Rick Warren - Purpose Driven Life – Day 1
It is important that just as we try to find purpose for our individual lives we must find purpose in our ministries as well. Today I want to challenge us to look at how we do ministry differently. Too often our ministries are self-serving and lack purpose. “Where there is no vision (purpose) the people perish.” Prov. 29:18.
At times we get so caught up in every little aspect of ministry that we lose sight of that very purpose for which we exist. I feel that this is a crossroad that we are facing here at the Refuge and probably throughout many ministries within the United States. We continually look for ways to meet the needs and preferences of the people we are trying to serve, however at the same time we allow that to become our focus. Slowly it begins to control us, as the original purpose of the ministry fades in the back ground. In the end the ministry will find itself as just another self-serving social club.
The very ministry that God set before us to set us free has now become just another form of bondage.
Culture around us has raised a generation of self-serving individuals who are primarily concerned with their own desires and needs, with little to no care for things that truly matter. Distortion has set in, and Satan has blinded the minds of God’s people from truly seeing genuine purpose.
We were born by His purpose and for His purpose.
“Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.” – 2 Tim. 2:7 (NIV)
Many of our ministries have become just that – a “dead end”. We must regain purpose in our ministries, and it starts by reshaping the way we live, minister, and serve. God’s purpose MUST be the fuel that drives us, and each and every one of us must continually evaluate how we pursue that purpose. We MUST alleviate all access baggage so that we might be able to fully commit ourselves to His purpose. And once again it starts with reshaping. Every individual person within that ministry has the ability to be shaped into God’s image so that we might be able to fulfill His purpose.
In John chapter 13 we see a beautiful picture of one of Christ’s final messages to His Disciples, and it is the picture of a life of servant hood through feet washing.
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, YOU ALSO ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example.” John 13:14,15
Our purpose needs to be one of a life of servant hood. We must refrain from our selfish desires and turn to a life of service where Christ is our ultimate example. We are to be His hands, feet, and mouth piece to this dying world. Let us set aside our differences, and live by His purpose, and for His Purpose.
*Consider Having a Feet Washing Ceremony
Won’t you join with me in this bond and covenant of a life of servant hood, fully sold out for the cause of Christ?
Even after we become Christians and make Jesus the Lord of our lives, we still struggle with sin, and it is that sin that makes it so hard to discover who we are, and what God has in store for us. This sin blinds us from our true Identities. Romans 8:1-14 talks about this very battle that we will continue to struggle with for the rest of our lives, the battle between the flesh (sinful nature) and the Spirit.
Romans 8:5-6, 12-13 Reads:
“5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
We struggle just trying to discover our identities, and we continue to ask ourselves… “Who am I?” We begin to start labeling ourselves “I am …” We fill in the blanks with all sorts of things, and often times we are just setting ourselves up for failure. The apostle Paul also speaks of these things in Romans 7:15 when he says: “I don’t understand the things I do. For the things I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do I do.”
It is not easy being Christian, but it is completely worth it. In order for us to discover our identities, and who we are we must:
Flee Irresponsibility
Flee from the sins in our lives that are setting us up for failure. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are destined to fail, like visiting a girlfriend/boyfriend when her parents are gone, surfing the Net when no one is around, and the list goes on.
Think Spiritually
Live Biblically
Determine in your heart right now to live a blameless life, where “your heart is fixed on Jesus and your mind centered on God’s Word.” (W.A. Criswell)
Split into small groups, and select the top 10 most relevant issues that teens are facing today that is preventing them from discovering their identities out of a list of 50 issues. Select the #1 and discuss why.
Ever wished you were older, or better in a certain area of your life?
Then you probably have let the distortion of this world cloud the way you look at your life and very nature. The world tells us to be all we can be, and then turns around and points it’s finger in our faces, and tells us to sit down and shut-up. It fills our minds so full of crud about how we are to be perfect. The most beautiful, most talented, most athletic, smartest, etc…
In reality that mind frame is crippling today’s youth. It instills insecurity in our lives, and leaves us helpless with a sense of failure.
>>> SUICIDE <<<
Oh, it seems like such a simple solution, but in reality it is a device of Satan with permanent consequences.
“The rate of teenage suicide in the United States remains comparatively high in the 15 to 24 age group with 3,971 suicides in 2001 and over 132,000 suicide attempts in 2002, making it the third leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 24.” – Wikipedia
These numbers are estimated to have doubled from 2002-2009. Out of the thousands of teen suicides every day, each of these consist of teenagers from all sorts of backgrounds.
Suicide is a result of distortion.
What is emotional/spiritual distortion? 1 Tim. 4:1-2
Is your life filled with distortion?
What do you think some of the signs of distortion are?
Have you bought into distortion?
Is the distortion getting louder?
Do you feel yourself slipping away from God, and into a life of distortion?
What can, or are you doing about it?
There is hope. Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy here in 1 Timothy 4 about the distortion amongst the people in Timothy’s culture.
Here are some key principles to eliminating distortion out of our lives: 1 Tim. 4:12-16
Let no man despise your youth
Be an example to others
Give attention to reading God’s Word
Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
Give yourself entirely to these things – that your progress my be evident
Take heed to yourself and doctrine – save both yourself and others.
You will never find peace from the distortion in your life, until you commit yourself to living a life that glorifies God, and you can start today by making that commitment, and discover that gift that is in you.
Take “Spiritual Gifts Survey” – Lifeway Christian Resources
Welcome back to another week at Thessalonica High. Now that you have realized that you are not alone, now I want to equip you to defend yourself against a deadly weapon. 1 Thessalonians 2 – This deadly weapon is the tongue “Gossip”. Often times at Thessalonica High the people there are so quick to spread rumors, and gossip about one another in a battle to climb the popularity ladder. They could care less for anyone else, as long as they are perceived as better than others. And if anyone even remotely got in their way they would be quick to make up some scheme or lie to demean that person’s character. It doesn’t end there. They also flatter others with their deceitful empty words. Greed consumes their thoughts and controls their tongue.
Does that ever sound like your school?
Have you ever been subject to Gossiping?
Have you ever been the one who was Gossiping?
What did that feel like?
Ever wonder what that person might have felt like?
I have one key word I want you to remember. AVOID! Avoid people like this, and avoid getting caught up in yielding this deadly weapon in the wrong way. Proverbs 12:18 “Reckless words pierce like a sword” Not only does it cut through the hearts of others, but it also self inflicts. This weapon has the ability to destroy, but it also can restore if it is used in the right manner. It is important that if you ever want to survive Thessalonica High you must learn the Do’s and Don’ts of the tongue.
DON’TS:
Don’t speak:
Vanity – vs.1
Deceitfully w/ error or uncleanness – vs.3
Flattery – pleasing other – vs. 4&5
Greedily – vs.5
Self Glory – vs.6
DO’s:
Do speak:
Gently – vs.7
Affectionately / loving – vs.8
Boldly proclaiming the Gospel – vs.9
Blamelessly, devoutly, and justly – vs.10
Tenderly exhort, comfort, and challenge one another – vs. 11
For the month of September I will be preaching out of the book of 1 Thessalonians and we will be addressing the topic of “Surviving School”. It is important that we know a little bit of History about the book of Thessalonians before we proceed.
History:
It was written by the Apostle Paul to the people (church) of Thessalonica around 51A.D. Thessalonica was known as a city of commerce when it became the capitol of Macedonia in 168 B.C. It was also the primary location for social activity, kind of like your school is. Paul was writing to the people concerning their faith and the prophecy of the end ties. Because this city had many similarities to that of today’s modern High School we will be referring to it as Thessalonica High.
With everything going on at Thessalonica High it could seem like a pretty big place, and at times you could easily find yourself trying to figure out where you are at. You search for people to help you, but they are all too busy with their own lives and priorities. Being at Thessalonica High can also be pretty intimidating, so you decide to make a couple of friends; that way you don’t feel so out of place. Unfortunately, you are too afraid to step out of your comfort zone and get to know anyone, and even when you have tried they just blew you off. You do have a couple people whom you would consider to be your friend, but sometimes you wonder if you would be better off without them. In reality you often find yourself feeling very alone.
Does that ever sound like your school?
Do you ever feel invisible or alone?
Like no one sees you?
Like no one hears you?
Like no one cares?
Ever wonder if anyone would even notice if you just ceased to exist?
I want to ensure you that you are not alone, and you do matter.
Psalm 139:16-17 – “16Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (ESV)
You have purpose, and God has a plan for you, but you must overcome the problem that is keeping you from “Surviving School”.
Purpose:
You are:
Appreciated – vs.2
Loved – vs.4
Chosen by God – vs.4
Empowered by the Gospel and the Holy Spirit – vs.5
Redeemed by the Sacrifice of Christ
Plan:
God’s plan for your life is to become an example to all who will believe. – vs.7
Problem:
Personal and Spiritual Insecurity / Failure to turn (repent) from world and trust in God – vs.9-10
Proposition:
Turn away from the things of this world, and start trusting in God. If you trust in this world you will never be secure in who you are, and what God has in store for you. Satan is the ruler of this domain, and he will continue to deceive you and mislead you.
Won’t you trust in God today? Simply turn from your sins, believe that Jesus was the son of God and He died for your sins and rose again to save you, and trust in Him to be your Lord and Savior. Right now I want to ask you to pray and ask Jesus to come into your life.
“Dear God, I am a sinner, and I can’t save myself. I need your son Jesus to come into my life and save me. Forgive me of my sins as I turn from my old ways, and trust in you now. Amen”
I have never been so haunted by such a scripture as Joshua 24, and I will share a little more in detail here in a little bit, but the command in this passage has plagued my mind for going on a year now.
