VALUABLE LESSONS FROM A VETERAN
Joshua 23:1-8

Introduction:      Verse one of our text tells the story. Joshua, a great veteran, shares some valuable lessons from his wealth of experience. These are valuable lessons for us as well. We live in a day when many have forgotten about the glory and power of God, and those who have known about such things are becoming fewer by the day. We need to be reminded of the power and glory of our God. Our children need to be exposed to His power! These verses tell us what we need to know this morning about keeping God's work alive.

I.          JOSHUA'S CONCERN (23:1-8)
There are three things that Joshua fears:

A.        He Fears Complacency (V. 6)

·         The sin of complacency is one of the most common sins there is among the people of God! Many have adopted a Laodicean attitude - Rev. 3:14-22. We are lukewarm and good for nothing, but to trigger a gag reflex in those acquainted with us!

·         Many here at Southside have been bitten by the complacency bug. No longer do people strive to serve the Lord, win the lost and live holy, consecrated lives to the glory of God. Instead, we are self-satisfied! That, my friends, is a dangerous condition to be in!

B.         He Fears Compromise (V. 7)

·         He fears that they will compromise their standards and bow down to idols and what he was afraid would happen did happen!

·         We just as guilty as the Israelites? Many worship the gods of self, success, materialism, career, etc. We do things that we know are wrong and try to justify it by saying, "Well, so and so does it!" All the while we smile and sing, "Oh how I love Jesus!" It has a hollow ring to it my friend! Oh, how we need to avoid the trap of compromise! Some of you are doing things today that you used to think were wrong? God hasn't changed! You have! You have compromised your standards to the will of the flesh! Remember 1 Thess. 5:22? "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

C.         He Fears Commitment (V. 8)

·         The lack of commitment. Their commitment will become slack and that they will not cleave to the Lord as they should.

·         Note the Lord Jesus' idea of commitment: (Matt 10:38 ) "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." If He is not number one in our hearts and in our lives, then we are not worthy of Him! Also, according to Jesus, the ultimate expression of love for Him is in the willingness to bear one's cross. This means total commitment to the Lord Jesus.

II.         JOSHUA'S CHALLENGE (23:9-24:24)
Joshua challenges the elders and the people to observe certain truths concerning God. His challenge is for them to look at what the Lord has done and is doing in their lives.

A.        To Consider God's Wrath (23:9-16)

·         The primary idea that Joshua is trying to convey is this: If you will serve the Lord, He will bless you. If you disobey Him, He will chastise you! (Note: The challenge in verses 11-13 in the crux of the matter!)

·         This challenge still applies to the people of God today. That admonition is very simple: You play; you pay! Heb. 12:5-11! The choice is entirely yours to make! And, the choice you make will be determined by your love for Jesus Christ and for the Heavenly Father, (John 14:15 ) "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

·         We can say what we want to say, but our life proves the level of our love for Him! (Ill. Rev. 2:1-7 - The church at Ephesus had many commendable traits, but they lacked deep, abiding love for Jesus.)

B.         To Consider God's Works (24:1-14)

·         If they will remember His goodness, they will be more likely to serve Him faithfully.

·         The works of the Lord on our behalf are a great motivator for service!

     C.          To Consider God's Will (24:15-18)

·         The Lord's will for them to clean up their lives and to serve the Lord faithfully. He makes the statement that he and his family will do just that, v. 15!

·         Serving the Lord is the will of God for your life! Notice Joshua's attitude (v. 15) He tells them what they should be doing, and then he tells that regardless of what they do, he is going to serve God!

      D.        To Consider God's Witness (24:19-24)

·         We cannot serve the Lord on the one have hand, and serve false God's on the other!

·         His reminder is that judgment will accompany such an action. ( Ill. May I remind you that the Lord is also watching your life today (Prov 15:3) "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."

III.       JOSHUA'S COVENANT (24:25-33)

A.        It Involved A Great Stone (24:25-28)
He erects a great stone as a monument to the fact that the people have sworn to follow the Lord. It is far better to never make a promise to God, than it is to make it and then break it, Eccl 5:1-5.

B.         It Involved Some Grave Stones (24:29-33)

This book closes with three funerals. These funerals speak to us today.

·         The Gravestone Of Faithfulness (V. 29-31) The first gravestone that is mentioned is that of Joshua himself. His tombstone spoke about the faithfulness of God to His people! ( Ill. Those who serve the Lord will learn the truth that God is faithful! He will keep His Word and He will fulfill His promises to you. Our God is a faithful God!)

·         The Gravestone Of Fulfillment (V. 32) The second gravestone mentioned belonged to a man who had died many centuries before in the land of Egypt . ( Ill. The lesson here is that we serve a God who is able to make that which seems impossible a reality for His children. When He makes a promise to use and bless you if you will serve Him, then you can count on Him being able to do just what He has promised!)

·         The Gravestone Of Finality (V. 33) The last gravestone marks the grave of Eleazar. He was the son of Aaron the first High Priest. His grave is the grave of finality. The death of Eleazar marks the changing of the guard in Israel . All the old timers are gone! All those who came out of Egypt and out of the wilderness have passed from the scene. All those God used in such a mighty fashion are dead. Now, it is time for a new generation to pick up the mantle of service and do something for the Lord. ( Ill. It is a shame when old soldiers of Jesus pass from the scene. But, it is an even greater shame when those who are left behind do not lift the mantle and carry on for the Lord. Israel turned to idols after the deaths of their great leaders. So too, the modern church has forsaken the path laid down by those who have gone before. God help us to be like Elisha, who lifted the mantle of Elijah and cried out to God, "You did it for Elijah, now do it for me!” 2 Kings 2:12-14!

Conclusion:       Where are our Elisha's this morning? Where are those who will stand up and be counted for Jesus? Where are those who are tired of business as usual and want to see God moving in power in the midst of His people? Where are those who are willing to pay the price of personal sacrifice and holiness that they might be bright torches in the hand of God? The God of Elijah is not dead! The God of Moses and Joshua is not dead! He is alive and well! The problem with our generation is that there are no Elijah’s, no Moses' and no Joshua’s. God is still willing to use anyone who will make himself or herself available to Him. Is that person you?