Joshua 24:14-15 (KJV) 
Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. [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.

We are presented with choices everyday…

…paper or plastic…

…democrat, republican, or independent…

…highway or back-way…

…and my favorite is the McDonalds employee that always asks, “You want two apple pies with that?”

We are the recipient of our own choices. If you choose to eat unhealthy don’t be surprised when you’re overweight and have high cholesterol. If one chooses to indulge in immoral activity, they should not be surprised when they contact STDs.

We live and die by our choices!

And quite frankly, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Now that flies in the face of modern pop psychology, but it’s true. Psychology would have you believe that others are to blame for your mistakes and choices. And while some are dealt a bad hand to play with, with the Holy Ghost, we can choose positive things in life and shun our old lifestyle.

In our text, Joshua commanded the people to make a choice. God’s Word is replete with commands to choose! There is no middle ground. You cannot remain neutral. You must choose! And in calling on God’s people to choose, Joshua also gave other instructions.

1) Now therefore fear the LORD:

Joshua 24:14a (KJV)
Now therefore fear the Lord…

Something has been lost in society. I can remember being brought up to respect adults, and yet today, the word respect is laughed at and the family unit is suffering.

Know this – when the family breaks down, society will also fall apart. But even worse than that, is the effect families have on the church. After all, the church is likened unto the “family of God.” If the biological families are dysfunctional, then the church will also become dysfunctional.

However, before you think things are too bleak, I can assure you with the Word of God that there will be a restoration of family values! The prayers of the saints and the hard work of Christian families to stand for the family will pay off.

Malachi 4:6 (KJV) 
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Yes, in the last days children will be disobedient to parents. (Romans 1:30 & 2 Timothy 3:2). Yes, we are seeing the shame that a father brought on families by the fact that he would keep his daughter in a dungeon for 24 years. HOWEVER, IT WILL GET BETTER!

The spirit of Elijah is coming upon the last day’s church and the hearts of fathers will be turned to their children and children to their fathers! And you can take the promise to the bank – that check won’t bounce!

Oh, and by the way, how does this connect to “fearing the Lord?” I’m glad you asked – let me explain…

If one does not respect parents and Godly leadership, neither do they respect God. The word “fear” here in Joshua 24:14 means, “to reverence: respect.”

2) Serve Him in sincerity and in truth:

Joshua 24:14b (KJV)
…and serve him in sincerity and in truth…

This sounds really close to John 4 where Jesus explained to the woman at the well that the Father sought after true worshippers to worship Him in spirit (sincerity) and truth!

This also brings up another interesting point. If there is true worship, then there is false worship too. What is false worship? How about singing the song but not really meaning the words? That’s not true worship.

If you only harmonize with the song leader or choir, but don’t live the life when nobody but God sees you – that’s false worship!

Serve Him in sincerity and truth! Let your light shine AT ALL TIMES! God seeks true worshippers. I for one want to make God happy and give Him what He wants. How about you?

3) Put away idols:

Joshua 24:14c (KJV)
…and put away the gods…

Avoid the counterfeits!

Idols are imitations – they are not genuine! Imitations look like the real thing, but they are not. For example, you could go to a department store and buy CK One cologne for about $45.00 a bottle and spray it on. The sweet fragrance will last all day. However, go to the bargain-basement store and buy EC Uni (the imitation brand) for about $4.00 and you’ll find that it won’t last 24 minutes!

You see, the real thing costs more… BUT IT OUTLASTS IMITATIONS! Put away the false gods of this world that can never really satisfy you anyway!

1 John 5:21 (KJV) 
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Fear Him.

Serve Him sincerely and in truth.

Never commit idolatry.

This is a sure-fire way to live a successful Christian life!

What’s your choice?

Who get’s your vote – God or this world?

It’s time to choose…