Joshua 24:14-24 “We Are Called to Worship God…” (ft. Guest Speaker Matt Davis)
In this sermon, Matt Davis kicks things off with a real-life story from his Air Force days about a buddy at a massive crossroads – chasing a dream assignment or sticking with his family after his wife left – to set up Joshua's farewell challenge to the Israelites in Joshua 24, urging them to choose whom they'll serve: the one true God or the idols lurking in their hearts. We nerd out on the historical backdrop, from Abraham's altars at Shechem to the dangers of leftover Canaanite influences, and I hammer home how Joshua's call to faithful, transcendent, honest, and authentic worship hits us today, warning that idolatry leads to dehumanization, cognitive dissonance, and a lower view of life, while clinging to God elevates us and sanctifies us into His image. Wrapping up, he ties it to Jesus counting the cost and Peter's "to whom shall we go?" moment, emphasizing that amid evil and chaos, choosing Christ – who entered our suffering – isn't really a choice at all if we want true meaning and redemption.
Exact Scripture References:
Joshua 24:14
Joshua 24:15
Joshua 23:6
Joshua 23:8
Genesis 2:24 (implied reference to cleaving)
Matthew 6:24
Romans 8:29
Psalm 115:4-8
Psalm 135:15-18
Romans 1:25
James 4:8
Matthew 5:21-22
Luke 14:26-28
John 6:55-56
John 6:67-68
Joshua 24:16
Joshua 24:17
Joshua 24:18
Joshua 24:19
Joshua 24:20
Joshua 24:21
Joshua 24:22
Joshua 24:23
Topics and Keywords:
Crossroads and decisions
Military life and assignments
Idols and idolatry
Covenant renewal
Historical context of Joshua
Canaanites and pagan practices
Faithful worship
Cling/cleave to God
Transcendent worship
Sanctification
Reductionism and dehumanization
Cognitive dissonance
Hypocrisy and double-mindedness
Counting the cost
Authentic worship
Honest worship
Exclusivity in faith
God's jealousy and holiness
Baptism as public declaration
Modern idolatry (humanism, materialism, atheism)
Evil and suffering
Christ's incarnation and empathy