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Sermon Outline - The Great Decision, Joshua ch.24 v.15

Date15/08/2004
Time17:30
PreacherRev. Maurice Roberts, Inverness
Sermon TitleThe Great Decision
TextJoshua ch.24 v.15
Sermon ID904

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Introduction

  1. This is Joshua's last sermon.
  2. He confronts Israel with the great decision.
  3. The same decision faces us all.
  1. WHAT THIS GREAT DECISION IS

    1. To have the God of the Bible - or not; see the context: v. 14-16.
    2. Who is this God? His character and Being.
    3. Observe: People like to put off this decision:
      1. because of the cost: look at Moses
      2. because of the work: look at Joshua
      3. they forget their history: v. 17-18. Ap.
      4. God requires holiness: v.19
      5. God is not to be trifled with: v.20
        Application: Do not let these things put you off.
    4. There is an alternative to God: so Joshua says: TEXT: So today:
      1. Practical Atheism - so popular.
      2. Mere Nominalism = the "Easy Way".
      3. Christless Religion.
    APPLICATION: So God here speaks to all of you. Are you facing this great decision?
  2. WHY THIS DECISION IS SO GREAT

    1. See Joshua's emphasis - his very last word to Israel. The approach of death makes a preacher stress the main thing.
      Illustration: W. Carey; Adolph Monod.
    2. This decision is great because:
      1. God is the greatest Being there is: so all other decisions are vastly less.
      2. Our attitude to God affects all of life:
        Illustration: The Rivers Rhine and Rhone.
      3. We have all to face God at last:
        "Best of friends; worst of enemies" = God.
      4. Time is short, but eternity long.
        Illustration: A tortoise travelling round the earth a thousand times. But eternity is longer.
      5. See how earnest Moses is: Deuteronomy 30:19-20.
      6. Look how courageous Daniel and his three friends are: Daniel 3 and 6.
      7. Look how passionate Christ Himself is: Luke 19:41f
    APPLICATION: O why then do some of you not face this great decision at once?
  3. HELP TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET DECIDED

    1. There are some who have decided:
      1. those who have gone away// Orpah.
      2. those like Ruth.
      But I speak to the undecided.
    2. Who are the undecided?
      1. They cannot profess Christ clearly.
      2. Some love of this world binds them.
        Illustration: a fly caught in the web; a moth attracted to the candle.
    3. I give you this help to decide for God and for the Gospel:
      1. It is not hypocrisy to change. Some think: "But who am I".
        Doctrine: Every Christian is a marvel to himself. Look at Paul. It is God's work.
      2. God will help you in time to come. "How can I keep it up?"
        But God changes us - a new life. T. Chalmers: "The expulsive power of a new affection".
        Illustration: Chalmers himself.
      3. You must face this mighty question:
        "If Christ is the God-Man, what am I to do with Him?
        Receive / Reject?
      4. How else can you face the known facts of the Bible:
        Sin- death-trouble-judgement?
    4. This whole world is so influenced by Satan - he is the "god of this world", i.e. it is distorted so that we do not see the truth:
      Illustration: a hall of mirrors; a labyrinth from which men cannot get out.

EXHORTATION

O choose - this day - to give your whole life to God!


This sermon outline has been downloaded from http://www.bible-sermons.org.uk