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

A key verse for Anglican Men – Jos.

24:15

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

A time of Comfort, Abundance and Security

Comfort zones are dangerous for spiritual

growth

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)

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

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

Joshua a leader and army

commander

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

standing for Christ, or for not getting

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.

Declare the Word whether they obey

or refuse to obey

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 cheering squad.

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.

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.

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

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 ONLY