Choose Life, Serve God

 

Written by Dss. Jesemae Gale (September 22, 2026)

Biblical Reference: Joshua 24:1-15

13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored and towns that you had not built, and you live in them; you eat the fruit of vineyards and oliveyards that you did not plant.

14 “Now, therefore, revere the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the Lord.

15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

 

Topic: Serving God and Salvation

Theme: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (v.15)

INTRO

               The whole chapter of Joshua 24 revolves around the renewal of Israel’s covenant with God. Joshua was 110 years old and nearing the end of his life and ministry. What he did was, in part, his last will.

               Joshua convened the tribes of Israel to renew their covenant to God. He begins narrating God’s faithfulness to them, from their ancestors serving other gods to leading them to the land of Canaan, which is a land flowing with milk and honey (rich/fertile). Along the way, before they reached the Promised Land, God rescued them from Egyptian’s captivity, provided for and guided them in the wilderness, and gave victory over their enemies (the Amorites, the hand of King Balak and Balaam, and the other nations of Canaan).

               Behind God’s faithfulness, the people of Israel were still unconvinced, indecisive, and double- minded. In which Joshua already knew that the people of Israel had the tendency to serve other gods rather than the God who delivers them.

QUESTION:

Is there a moment in your life that you had been/have been indecisive in your faith in God?

Is there a moment in your life that you said Yes to God, and later on you are NOT?

The scripture today is reminding us about the TRUE meaning of serving God.

BODY

(1) God deserves sincere and faithful service. With all the goodness and faithfulness of God, we owe everything to Him. A person can only serve God with sincerity and faithfulness if that person sees how GOD works and who really God is. Q. Do you see and acknowledge God’s faithfulness and goodness in your life? Or do you only owe/ credit yourselves for every blessing you have received?

 

(2) Serving God means self-denial and obedience. ¹⁹ But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. Joshua knew the tendency of Israel to fall. Their ancestral history has something to do with serving other gods, and Joshua keeps on reminding them to put away the gods of their ancestors, and to choose whom this DAY who they will serve.  In Deuteronomy 30:15, there are choices between life and death. If you choose life, which is obeying God’s commandment, loving Him, and walking in His way, then there is prosperity and blessing. On the other hand, if you choose death, which is turning away from God and serving other gods, then there’s a curse, and you will perish. Q. What are the things of this world that keep you from serving our True God? Is it the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches? (1 John 2:16)

“What the Three Terms Mean (AI Overview)

• The Lust of the Flesh: The craving for physical pleasure, sensual comfort, or desires of the body contrary to God's will.
• The Lust of the Eyes: The greedy desire for material possessions, wealth, and appealing things seen and coveted.
• The Pride of Life: An arrogant attitude of self-sufficiency, boasting, or pride in one's status, achievements, and importance. (AI Overview)

 

(3) Serving God is choosing God in faith and action.  Even though it is written in verse 15, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord,” and verse 24, “The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” When a person/ a leader/ a family head says We will serve the Lord, it does not guarantee the salvation of all. Because salvation is personal. It is not a “one for all” method that one person stands for the benefit of the group. It is written in Romans 10:9, “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Moreover, Joshua said in verse 22, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” If someone said that they have chosen God, then their actions must prove their faith.  There is a saying that “Actions speak louder than words,” and it is written in James 2:17, “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

 

CONCLUSION

Is there a moment in your life that you said “I will serve you, Lord”?

Then you should do so by (1) acknowledging God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life, (2) serving Him through self-denial and your obedience, (3) choosing God in faith and action.

Challenge: Now choose this day whom you will serve.

Prayer.