Being Faithful To God

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you faithful to GOD?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we need to be faithful to GOD by remembering Him.

IV. TEXT:

Joshua 24:31 (Amplified Bible)

Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the works the Lord had done for Israel.

V. THESIS:

We need to be faithful to GOD by remembering Him.

VI. TITLE:

Being faithful to GOD

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: uncertain, probably Joshua

B. Date written: 1407 - 1383 B.C. (uncertain)

C. Purpose: To review the history of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land

D. To whom written: Nation of Israel

E. Main theme: Conquest and division of the Land of Canaan

F. Keyword: possession

G. Key verses:

Joshua 1:8-11 (Amplified Bible)

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

Pass through the camp and command the people, Prepare your provisions, for within three days you shall pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.

H. Key thought: how to be successful in the battle of life

Joshua 1:8-9 (Amplified Bible)

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. While the leader was still alive

"Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua"

Deuteronomy 31:29 (Amplified Bible)

For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days because you will do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.

Moses, GOD's leader, knows this that Israel's faithfulness is only eye-service, not from the heart.

Judges 2:7 (Amplified Bible)

And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He did for Israel.

Even in the New Covenant, Apostle Paul knows this truth.

Acts 20:29 (Amplified Bible)

I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock;

That's why even slaves need to serve and be faithful to their masters from their heart, not only when they're around.

Ephesians 6:5 (Amplified Bible)

Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as [service] to Christ [Himself]—

Colossians 3:22 (Amplified Bible)

Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.

Be not men-pleasers, but be GOD-pleasers.

1 Peter 2:18 (Amplified Bible)

[You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate and reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked).

B. While the leaders retain their knowledge of GOD

"and of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the works the Lord had done for Israel"

Remind yourself of the great works of GOD, retain GOD's knowledge in your heart by reading, memorizing, meditating and praying/declaring GOD's Words with your mouth. A great mnemonic so we won't forget is the Holy Communion.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (Amplified Bible)

For I received from the Lord Himself that which I passed on to you [it was given to me personally], that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was treacherously delivered up and while His betrayal was in progress took bread,

And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.