FHBC Sermon Notes

This week we come to the conclusion of this great book about God's power, is majesty, his promises and our inheritance.

Jim parallels this chapter with the experience of a newlywed couple. All the planning and majesty of the wedding ceremony, and then the following experience in which one asks, "what now?"

A great quote from this week, from G.K. Chesterton's Manalive, "Marriage is a duel to the death which no man of honor should decline"

The answer in to walk in faithfulness.

1. God's faithfulness to us compels us to walk in faithfulness to Him.

God spells out the history in this passage of his faithfulness. From His promises and choosing of Abraham to make a people, to the showing of his power through the return from Egypt.

Note how many times "I" is used. God is the one doing this. It is used 23 times in these 12 verses.

It is clear here that we can only be faithful because of His faithfulness.

2. A right recognition of God's character compels us to walk in faithfulness to him. (24:14, 19-20)

In verse 14 it says that we are to fear him. In the book of Revelation, men go to all lengths to flee the presence of God, for they fear him. As Christians we do not have to flee, as we are covered in the redemption found in Jesus, but we still feel that fear, that understanding of how great and powerful our Lord is.

This fear leads us to serve Him alone.

3. Our faithfulness to God requires that we render exclusive, intentional service to Him. (24:14-24)

Faithfulness is not just some ethereal concept of the mind. It is an action word. Faithfulness is demonstrated in terms of action.

Joshua makes this point central in verses 14-15. Choose this day whom you will serve. They cannot serve both. There must be a harmony between the actions of the man, and the internal state of the heart.

4. Our faithfulness to God will be tested and held to account. (24:22-33)

The nation confesses their faithfulness three times. Joshua warns them to that they cannot do this, that they will fall. Yet they do promise this, because of the faithfulness God had shown them. It is to this as well that we must cling. Let us hold to his word, his faithfulness, his promises, and let us too serve the God of faithfulness.

In Sunday school this morning we were discussing this concept. Jesus in the path to faithfulness. We cannot do it on our own accomplishments, on our own strengths. He is the fulfillment of all our judgement and all our redemption.