What's Wrong With Serving God?

“WHAT’S WRONG WITH SERVING GOD?”

Joshua 24.15

This message from God’s Word is taken from a verse found in the book of Joshua. Some background on the book of Joshua is to establish context. Moses, the servant of the LORD, has died. Joshua, the son of Nun, the long-time servant of Moses, has been selected by God to replace Moses and lead the people in the conquest of the Promised Land, which the book of Joshua describes in detail.

In chapters 1 through 5, we find a record of the Israelite’s entrance into the land, which included the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, the equally miraculous victory at Jericho, and the deliverance of Rahab the harlot and her family. It also included the terrible sin of Achan, the discovery of his sin, and his appropriate execution.

After a military foothold was established near Jericho, the Israelites proceeded to sweep over the entire land in a classic divide and conquer strategy that first seized the middle territory, next taking the South, and finally sweeping through the North. Those actions and a summary of Joshua’s conquests are found in chapters 6-12.

After the land was seized, it was then divided among the tribes and clans, and families. As well, cities were set aside for the priesthood, the tribe of Levi, to inhabit. And cities of refuge were designated. There were six cities of refuge, two on each side of the Jordan River in the North, two on either side of the river in the central region, and two on either side of the river in the South of the land. This is all covered in Joshua chapters 13-22. Thus, a city of refuge was a reasonable distance for anyone to flee to.

The book of Joshua concludes in chapters 23 and 24 with two speeches, sermons if you will, delivered by Joshua as many as 15 years after the events of chapter 22. Joshua is now very old, upwards of 105+ years old. In chapter 23, he delivered his farewell address to the people he had led for so many years, which included warnings to them in connection with their incomplete obedience to the LORD and the tragic consequences that would befall them as a result of their disobedience. Then, in chapter 24, he gathered the people and spoke to them one last time. He was concerned for them. He loved them. But they were becoming lazy and spiritually lethargic. They were getting spiritually lazy and were not taking important things seriously.

Therefore, it was against that backdrop of a people’s disobedience in the face of God’s blessings and the man of God’s love for people who were waffling in their commitment to the God he served that our text was given. My text is Joshua 24.15:

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

There are many likely parallels between the Israelite’s situation and your own, so my initial comments will be an exploration of those similarities:

Note, First, THE “EVIL” OF SERVING THE LORD

Our text begins, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD ....”

What did Joshua mean by this word “evil?” Not that the people thought it was immoral to serve the LORD because they knew beyond doubt that God is holy. Their thoughts were that serving the LORD was inconvenient, was troublesome, wasn’t all that good for anything.

Not that the people didn’t appreciate the miracles they had seen. Remember, they had eaten manna that God placed on the ground for 40 years! Their clothes and sandals did not wear out for 40 years![1] They experienced great military victories along the way against superior foes. They crossed the Jordan River during flood season without getting their feet wet because God had stopped the flow. And they had seen the walls of the impregnable city, Jericho, fall down at a shout.

All of those things, and many more, made them, well, appreciative. Yes, they were thankful. However, they were getting busy with their lives; they had many things to do, many celebrations to enjoy, many family functions to look after. Then, of course, there was date night. So, it was inconvenient to serve the LORD. Besides, their families had grown used to Easter eggs and Santa Claus.

Look at the word “serve.” It refers to laboring, being in bondage to something or someone, rendering service, and being a worshipper. The Israelites didn’t mind doing a bit of this or a little of that. They had no objections to the LORD being their god. They just wanted some time for themselves. They didn’t want to become extremists or anything. That is what’s meant by “evil.”

Second, Note THE ELECTION ABOUT SERVING THE LORD

“choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell”

Joshua was proposing that a choice be made, a decision be arrived at, an election be held to determine who your god is. That is an election that should be held every day.

Notice who the candidates are in this election for the office of the god of your life. On one side, the LORD is the God Who created the heavens and the earth, the God Who delivered Israel by a strong right arm from centuries of Egyptian bondage. On the other side are the gods the Israelites used to serve and the gods of the Amorites, who they displaced to take the land God had given them.

Why is it that there is the LORD standing for election to god on one side of the ballot and so many various gods, you take your pick of which one, on the other side of the ballot? Because those gods are not God. Because those gods are forms and figures made with men’s hands who can neither speak, see, nor hear. Yet men counted them as gods, so they’re placed on Joshua’s ballot.

In our day, the gods have different names. They are no longer called Isis and Osiris, or Baal and Ashtaroth. Today the gods are called leisure and pleasure, relaxation and fun, and family time. There are also gods whose descriptions are money and power, career, and education. And we mustn’t forget leisure.

Please recognize that this election that is held does not determine who is God over all. That is obviously the LORD. However, this election is to determine who you will bow down to, who you will pay allegiance to, before whom you will prostrate yourself, and who will order and schedule your time and life. Who will you vote for? The LORD, or some ... god? The LORD, or your baby girl?

And do not say you refuse to cast a ballot. Everyone casts a ballot, even by not casting a ballot.

Note, Third, THE EMERGENCY CONCERNING SERVING THE LORD

“choose you this day whom ye will serve”

What an interesting choice of words by Joshua. “This day” translates a Hebrew word that refers to heat, that relates to the daylight hours of a day, the time the sun beats down on the earth with its heat.[2]

Joshua is telling the gathered Israelites that they need to make a decision before the sun goes down. They need to cast their ballots on election day, not the day after. They need to decide right now!

And so do you need to cast your ballot today. Today is election day, not tomorrow. You decide today who will be your god, not tomorrow. So, who will be your god, my friend?

On this day,

Who will you bow down to?
Who will you serve?
Who will you be bound to pay homage to?
Will it be leisure?
Will it be convenience?
Will it be career or education?
Will it be husband?
Will it be wife?
Will it be the kids?
Or will it be the LORD?

What you do the rest of this day will show your vote.

This doesn’t mean you should not educate. This does not mean you shouldn’t recreate. And this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue a career and work a job to support yourself and your family. The question is who is your god? Who is your god on Monday? Who is your god on Saturday? And who is your god on Sunday?

You need to make that decision right now! Today! And if you do not decide that the LORD is God, and if you do not decide immediately, then you have cast your ballot for pleasure, or for career, or for money, or for child, or for spouse, or for self. All of those gods are false gods.

With regard to the election that is held each and every day to determine who you will own to be your god,

it is always a mistake to vote against the God Who casts both body and soul into Hellfire,
it is always a serious error to pass by the One Who sprinkled the stars in the midnight sky,
and it is always foolish to vote for anyone other than the One Who created the lake of fire for the devil and his angels, and Who will someday cast all His enemies into that place of eternal torment.

Vote now, my friend. And vote right. Cast your ballot for the king of all glory.

Note, Finally, THE ENCOURAGEMENT CONCERNING SERVING THE LORD

Joshua directed their choice in this matter by an open declaration of his own resolution:

“but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Here, Joshua resolves, first, for himself. “As for me,” he so much as says, “I will serve the LORD.” Note that serving God is not beneath the greatest of men. Serving God is the greatest of honors for the greatest of men. Observe, also, how positive he is. “As for me,” I “will serve the LORD.” It is no restriction of personal liberty to bind yourself with a bond to God.

Secondly, Joshua resolves for his house. That is, for his family, for his children, for his wife, and for such as were immediately under his care, his inspection, and his influence. Joshua was a ruler, a judge in Israel, yet he did not turn his necessary involvement as a public figure into an excuse for neglecting family religion. Observe that this was not “my house, without me.” He would not commit them to that which he would not himself do, like some who would have their children do right, but will not do so themselves. Some men would have their families go to heaven, but intend to go to Hell themselves. Observe, also, that it was not “I, without my house.” The Israelites as a nation might turn their backs on his leadership. But in his house, where his authority was greater and more immediate, his example and his authority would prevail. So, when you cannot bring as many as you would to the service of God, you must bring as many as you can. With Joshua it was “I, and then my house.” This Joshua was a man. This Joshua was a husband. This Joshua was a father. This Joshua was a leader. And this Joshua was a man who served the LORD.

If you will lead and rule in other things, you should lead and rule first in the service of God. And first in your service to God is your family.

You may have heard of Jordan Peterson, a Canadian university psychology professor who has become very popular of late. Though he is a lost man, I pray God works in his life to bring him to Christ. One of the very sensible things he tells the social justice warriors he speaks to is that “Before you try to change the world, clean up your bedroom.”

His valid point is one that seems to me to be made by Joshua concerning the starting point for any leader. Start small and then go big. Take care of your immediate business. That is what Joshua did; God bless him. He was resolved to do right whatever other people did. Even if all the families of Israel revolted from God and served idols, Joshua and his family would stay on course and serve the God of Israel. Bravo! That was real courage on display.

So, if you will serve God, you’d better decide right now that being alone from time to time won’t bother you much and that the direction of the crowd won’t affect you much. You might have noticed that the fish who are alive swim against the stream.

Those that are bound for heaven must be willing to swim against the stream and must not do as the most do, but as the best do. So, if you’re serious about getting ready for heaven, choose today who you will serve, for if you don’t, you’ll likely never be converted.

SERMON:

Technology has advanced over the centuries since Joshua’s time. Changes and discoveries came very slowly at first. There was the discovery of the number zero and algebra, the discovery of the stirrup and iron. And, of course, over the last 100 years, technology has developed at an astonishing rate, especially since the development of the transistor.

Changes in technology, which produce alterations in lifestyle, invariably persuade people that they, too, have somehow changed, that they have progressed along with their technology and that they are somehow different than their ancestors.

But people haven’t changed at all over the centuries. Mankind is not any different now than he was in Joshua’s time. Man’s nature is the same. And because technology is so very superficial and man’s inner nature is so foundational, the real issues that are faced and that must be dealt with by people living today are the same now as they have always been.

What does this mean? It means that Joshua’s comments apply just as much to you and me as they did to those 14th century B. C. Israelites he was speaking to. That understood, let me rephrase what Joshua said and confront you with his challenge concerning God and your decision today who you will serve.

First, YOU CANNOT HAVE IT ALL

The desire is to have it all. After all, you want it all. And the Israelites were no different than you, and I are. There had been Egypt, which they left behind, and there was the Promised Land that they had come to. And in both places, there were attractions, enticements, and inducements.

The Apostle John described the situation in First John 2.15-17:

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

You want to be able to smoke and drink and snort, and at the same time read your Bible and serve God and go to Church. You would like to fornicate for fun and then depend upon God to bless your family. But it does not work that way because you cannot have it all.

The Israelites wanted the LORD and the gods of the Amorites, but they could not have the LORD and the gods of the Amorites. Why not? Because the LORD would not allow it, that is why not. Not only is He jealous, He is also so big there is only room for Him.

You may not want the gods of the Amorites, but you do want the god of kickback Saturday night, or the god of sleep in Sunday morning, or the god of relax in the recliner Sunday evening, or the god of give less than a tithe, or the god of read Popular Mechanics instead of the Bible. But you can’t have it all. Why not? Because the LORD will not stand still for it, that’s why not.

Consider what God said to the Israelites in Exodus 20.2-3:

2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

He is the same God today as He was then. He has not changed. In Malachi 3.6, He said, “For I am the LORD, I change not.” Since He is the same today as He was in centuries past, He still will not allow you to have other gods before Him. Translation? You cannot have it all.

Second, YOU HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE

Since you cannot have both God and the gods, you have to decide who it will be. You have to make a decision. There are choices to be made, and the most crucial choice you will ever make is the choice of who your god will be. The LORD, or pleasure? The LORD, or convenience? The LORD, or career? The LORD, or family? The LORD, or spouse? The LORD, or education? The LORD, or self?

What do these choices imply? Recognize that God is not opposed to rest and relaxation. Neither is God opposed to time a father and mother spend with their kids. As well, God is not opposed to securing a good education or a skilled trade to serve as a platform from which you will finance your life and ministry to God. Finally, God is not necessarily opposed to your fulfillment as a wife and mother or as a husband and father, or whatever role in life in which you will find your greatest personal fulfillment and effectiveness in serving Him.

That said,

there is no room in God’s economy for education instead of serving God,
there is no room in God’s economy for being a husband or a wife instead of serving God,
there is no room in God’s economy for being a father or a mother instead of serving God,
there is no room in God’s economy for anything displacing God,
or relegating Him to playing second fiddle,
or assigning to Him equal status with another god.

What does this mean? This means you have choices to make. And if you choose not to make a choice you have chosen already, and the choice you make when you make no choice is the wrong choice.

To Further Clarify, THOSE CHOICES ARE BETWEEN GOD AND THE GODS

People try to argue and quibble about it, but life boils down to only two things: Choice and implementation. To state it another way, life is all about making one decision and then putting that decision into practice. Or, to couch it in terms appropriate for our text, life is all about choosing who will be your god and then applying your decision in the various areas of daily life.

You want to separate your decision to stay home from Church from your decision to make the LORD your god, but you really can’t. If you had made the LORD your God, then you would implement that decision by faithfully attending Church. You want to justify your decision not to participate in your Church’s various ministries and disconnect your non-participation from any personal stance on your relationship with God. But if you had cast your ballot for the LORD, the way you would put into practice that vote would be by participating in your Church’s ministries.

So you see, with wrinkles and variations, with some juggling of personal responsibilities toward God that require certain adjustments to be made (since life is a bit complex), it really does boil down for the most part to those decisions you make being decisions between God and other gods.

Finally, BAD CHOICES RESULT IN DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION TO PEOPLE’S LIVES

Isn’t it incredible how many people want the freedom to make lousy choices but still demand that things turn out all right? They want to be able to decide foolishly but fully expect to be rewarded as if they had acted wisely.

Example: If you choose this day to serve the LORD, you will follow up that decision to serve God by selecting a mate for life according to the dictates of God’s Word. God shows in the Bible who to marry and how to find the right person to marry. Yet fools are running around who think they can choose the god of personal pleasure over the LORD, marry who they want to marry, marry when they want to marry, and then they are surprised and greatly disappointed when adultery happens when divorce happens, or when abandonment occurs. Yet, a member of my family did everything right and still faced the trauma of personal betrayal. But had he not done right, he might not have been comforted knowing that his journey through life’s hardships was God’s plan and not the result of his folly. He did everything right, and things still turned out tragically.

God is a God of mercy and grace. He is good, kind, and tender. But He is also a jealous God and holy, a righteous God and just. Therefore, there is no question about what will happen to someone who makes the wrong choice about who he will serve this day. The only question is when.

Joshua set the real issue before the children of Israel that can be framed into a question for your consideration: What’s wrong with serving God?

Do you have anything better to do than serve God? Do you have anyone better to serve than God? Is there any task nobler, any goal loftier, any achievement more beneficial to you or mankind than serving God?

The Israelites had no qualms about serving God when Pharaoh’s army was chasing them in chariots. They had no qualms about serving God when they were attacked by the Amalekites and needed divine intervention yet again. And when they were defeated at Ai, they cried out to God in earnest.

However, when things were going very well when the enemies round about had all been defeated and put to flight or subjugated when they had settled in the land and had begun to live off the fat of the land, they became complacent.

You could say that their greatest danger came when they saw themselves in no danger. The same is true of you. Your baby is not sick with meningitis, so you feel no compulsion to serve God by participating in our Church’s ministries. You, yourself, do not have a lump in your breast or dizzy spells, so you are not so concerned about the salvation of your eternal and undying soul.