FATHER’S DAY SERMON
Text: Joshua 24:15
Speaker: Dixon Olu. David
Date: 15th June, 2008
Topic: AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE
SERMON OUTLINE
Introduction
From generation to generation, God has been looking for people He can breathe through in raising godly generations after them.
The good news is that He had in every past generations found someone in the group of the “minorities.” Of such were Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua and Job, to mention but a few.
Joshua is our focus today on this occasion of the Father’s day. He made a choice that made him stood out among the fathers of his day and he remains a role model for all parents of today. We shall do well if we take after him.
Let’s see the characteristics of the decisions we should make daily as reflected in the word “CHOICE.”
1. C
2. H
3. O
4. I
5. C
6. E
CONCLUSION:
What is your choice?
SERMON BODY
1. The decisions you make should be COMPELLING
• Compelling means "to drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force."
• The decisions you make should be such a mission statement that drives your life.
• You must be emphatic about this.
a. An encounter with God could make your decision to follow God, a compelling one
• The example of Joshua
Mentored by Moses
Had seen God at work many times before.
His victory over the Cananites – Jericho, King of Sihon and King of the Basham, etc.
Caleb and he followed the Lord wholly hence, they made the Promised Land
b. As we have heard…..” Ps 48:8a
• The testimonies of others could compel your deciding for God.
• The fulfillment of God’s promises too
• Let your family members hear of God’s deeds and faithfulness.
c. “…… so have we seen ……. Ps 48:8a
• What we have seen or experienced should compel us to believe what we have heard
d. For this God is our God ……. Ps 48:14a
• What can compel you to make such declaration?
e. “……… He will be our guide forever, Ps 48:14b
• What will compel you to decide on this
f. My family’s daily exhortation, Isaiah 2:5, “O house of Jacob (Dixon), come, let us walk in the light of God. (emphasis mine).
2. Your decisions should be HEROIC
• The courageous example of Caleb, Joshua 14:12
• Gideon in destroying family gods, Judges 6:23-32
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Dan. 3:16-18 – Heroic Response
Dan. 3:24-27 – Heroic Revelation
Dan. 3:24-27 – Heroic Reward
• Your heroic decisions will bring heroic revelations of what God can do in and through you, and should result in heroic reward for you, as people come to know your God through you.
• As for me …..
• Joshua was ready to go it all alone and his family
• If no one joins me, still I will follow … no turning back (song).
3. Your decisions should be OPTIMISTIC
With a positive attitude: tending to take a hopeful and positive view of future outcomes.
Riding on the wings of faith, carrying hope.
Observe all the heroic decisions and actors in point 2 above. All were loaded and pregnant with optimism.
Discuss each one of them and the outcomes of their decisions of choices to go all-alone with God.
They got more than they hoped for
Caleb and Joshua reached the Promised Land
Caleb had a possession in the Promised Land
Joshua became the national leader.
4. Your decisions should be INFECTIOUS
• Influential, exemplary
• On your family members first
• On your neighbors
• On your friends and contacts
• Joshua’s decision infectious on the Israelite
We too will serve the lord, 24:18
• Imitate me, as I imitate Christ – Paul Phil 3:17
• Show the way, have plan for your family.
5. Your decisions should be COSTLY
• If it is evil for you to serve God
• The gods your fathers worshipped
• The gods of people around you that could not save them
• As for me, and my house . . . .
• You cannot like the best of both “Gods”
• Are you serving God because of what He has done for you?
• The example of Job. The first battle between God and Satan was to know whether Job was serving God because of material things or not, as alleged by Satan. Thank God, he did not let God down.
• Joshua 23:11
6. Your decisions should be ENDURING
• Joshua’s decision and choice endured; hence our wanting to be influenced
by him today.
Job’s decision not to deny God endured the trials and he came out a hero for us all to emulate.
But for the example of Job, many-a-saints would have denied God in times of trial. They now know why the righteous suffer sometimes.
Joseph’s decision endured the prison and all the injustice. Such a life you should emulate.
Nothing can be enduring as your decision for your family, generation to generations unborn, to choose to follow the Lord.
Take cue from Isaiah 59:21
“As for Me, this is My covenant with them, says Jehovah; My Spirit that is on you, and My Words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed’s seed, says Jehovah, from now on and forever. “
Conclusion:
What is your choice?
I have decided to follow Jesus /3ce
No turning back /2ce
You take the whole world, but give me Jesus /3ce
I’m satisfied /2ce
The cross before me, the world behind me /3ce
No turning back /2ce
If no one joins me, still I will follow /3ce
No turning back /2ce
