As For Me and For My House - 3/15/09am

Joshua 24:14-15 -As for me and for my house
This is one of the more famous passages in scripture, and the most quoted passage from the book of Joshua. I’m sure we have all referred to it at different points in time. Let us take a few moments, however, to actually understand what Joshua is declaring at this time.

Leadership
Joshua’s statement was one of leadership. He had made the decision not only for himself, but for his family and household that they would serve the Lord. As we see in other places in the Bible, it is the duty of the husband and father to provide leadership, especially spiritual leadership.
Ephesians 5:22-6:3 -Roles of fathers, mothers, and children
Colossians 3:18-21 -Roles of fathers, mothers, and children
I Peter 3:1-7 -Husbands and wives

A Godly House
A house which follows the Lord. It’s a great thought, isn’t it? For us to have this today, not only must the husband and wife both be godly, but they must raise up their children to be godly as well.
Proverbs 22:6 -Train up a child in the way he should go
Deuteronomy 4:9 -Teach your children
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -Teach your children
Ephesians 4:4 -Bring up children in the Lord

Serving the Lord
When you serve someone, you do as they say. More than that, a good servant seeks to go beyond the minimum and be pleasing to his master. We must truly serve the Lord: doing what He wills, as well as we can, as much as we can.
Ephesians 4:11-13 -Works of service
Ephesians 6:7-8 -Serve wholeheartedly, as to the Lord
Romans 12:9-13 -Serving zealously

It’s not too late to repent
Joshua had spent the preceding 13 verses, Joshua had listed the history of Israel. As we all know, Israel turned aside from the Lord pretty regularly during that history. Nonetheless, they are being told that they can still put away their sins and choose to follow the Lord.
I Corinthians 6:9-11 -And such were some of you
Hebrews 3:7-19 -Today, so long as it is called today
John 7:14-18 -Those who choose to do the Lord’s will

Regardless of others
Joshua’s decision was made to follow the Lord, regardless of what others around him decided to do. We too must make this decision. Regardless of what friends, neighbors, coworkers, or family decides, we must make up our mind to serve the Lord
John 21:20-23 -What about him?
Acts 5:17-32 -We must obey God rather than men
Galatians 2:11-13 -Peter’s negative example