Joshua 24:1-15 and Colossians 3:17-25

1. ME AND MY HOUSE
SHALL SERVE THE
LORD – JOS 24:15
ACK ST AUGUSTINE UMOJA II
28TH AUG. 2016
WITH REV. PARIN KABEU
DIOCESAN CHILDREN MINISTRY COORDINATOR

2. A key verse for Anglican Men – Jos.
24:15

3. BACKGROUND
 COMFORT: A time when all were settled in
their land, had built houses, had started
enjoying the goodies of the promised land
 ABUNDANCE: A time when miraculous
provision was not depended on because the
land was producing enough
 SECURITY: A time of enjoying good security
and great victories experienced before and
fear in the enemies camp

4.  A time of Comfort, Abundance and Security
 Comfort zones are dangerous for spiritual
growth

5. CONTEXT - Israelites
 WORSHIP: Attraction to lifestyle of
Canaanites leading to worship of Canaanite
gods
 PRIORITIES: They were in a comfort zone, so
focus changed from looking above to looking
down (looking down to fill the stomach, to
ignore the needy, looking down on the poor
and uneducated)

6. Handed over from Moses
 Kings make decrees and all toe the line;
leaders declare their vision and expect
followers.
 Moses had 3 offices: King, Prophet and Priest.
a) King because what he said became law;
b) Prophet because he gave God’s direction;
c) Priest because he offered himself for
Israelites in intercession

7. Joshua takes up the challenge
 Joshua on the other hand was an army
general, a leader and an elder
a) Army General because he led in war
b) Leader because he mobilized people
c) Elder because he was looked upon for advice
and was over 40years older than his countrymen

8. Joshua a leader and army
commander

9. Leading by example- a God-
pleaser
 Whereas Moses dropped the
Commandments Tablets in protest to
people’s behavior; Joshua chose to show
them the way by example
 It was not a guarantee that they would
follow Joshua, but that would not hold him
back from achieving his vision to raise a
generation that worships One True God
 What excuse do you give for not

10. PULL OUT FROM JOSHUA -
lessons
1. Being a great leader doesn’t always mean
having a big number following you, but
having to follow A BIG GOD when the big
numbers despise the direction you are taking.
- There’s a lot of compromise on Christians
and people-pleasing attitudes – Take a
stand!
2. Don’t follow the masses they may be headed
in the wrong direction. Tyranny of numbers
doesn’t always win. God is not a democrat
but a theocrat and a commander.

11. Declare the Word whether they obey
or refuse to obey

12.  Joshua didn’t start a sermon on telling the
people how sinful they are and how good
he was and how they would be punished
as Pharisees would do.
 His ministry resembles a lot with that of
Noah. Declare the Word of the Lord, then
proceed to act out as an example. Not
looking at how they obey but at how I
will obey
 Joshua was dealing with a generation like
that of 2 Tim 3:5, that love being near
people of God, His power and His
blessings, but don’t want any
transformation – spectators, fans and

13. Know who and whom you are
 There’s a difference between knowing the
Word/what the Bible says and owning the
Word/Declaring you are what the Bible says
you are, God says you are = Revelation. Song
“I know who I am”
 Praying and believing you’ve received. Taking
charge of the circumstances around you and
commanding them to obey the Word.

14. Money and power hungry
generation
 Joshua was dealing with a people who thought
the they were happy and had all they needed.
Money can’t buy you joy. Not even a strip
party, or a drinking spree, or watching all
football matches and betting right to win.
 Joshua was not looking for recognition by the
people he helped conquer. He made it clear:
his motivation was to get God’s recognition.
He did not seek a political office as many do
today.

15. Ministry with strings
attached…???
 Nowadays you suspect anyone who comes
loaded with donations, or fight for the poor, or
rises against injustices because many do it for
either money or power.
 It has become hard to find anyone to help
you for free; asking for directions, borrowing
some water for drinking, even preachers want
money before praying and quantity and quality
o time given to a congregant is based on how
loaded they are

16. Colossians 3:17, 23
 TIME TO LEAVE
THE MASSES,
THE CROWDS, AND
SERVE YOUR GOD
- ONLY KNOWS HOW MUCH
HE HAS DONE FOR YOU,
WHERE HE HAS TAKEN YOU
FROM.
- CHOOSE TO SERVE HIM