Sermon Notes - Joshua 24 - Littleby Baptist Church - December 14, 2025

1.        We are wrapping up Joshua this morning.

a.        In chapter 23 we touched some on the past.

b.       But it also looked to the future.

c.        With an emphasis on what God was still going to do for the people.

d.       The author was helping the people trust in God’s future faithfulness by remembering God’s past faithfulness.

e.        God keeps His promises.

f.          But the people needed to follow God.

g.        To remember the commands found in the Word of God.

h.        Trust in God and He will be faithful.

2.        We need to cling to our God.

a.        Worshipping Him and only Him.

b.       Doing what we can to avoid the trappings of the world.

c.        Remembering how God has worked in our lives.

d.       Looking at our pasts with God in it.

e.        So that we can stand strong.

f.          Trusting that God will be with us in the battles before us.

3.        The message we wrap up Joshua with is similar.

a.        With a heavier focus on remembering what God has done.

4.        Joshua 24:1

a.        They came together at a spot that has some history.

b.       Abrham once built an altar there.

c.        It is the land that Jacob purchased.

d.       Likely a place of special meaning.

5.        Joshua 24:2-13

a.        A history of God’s faithfulness!

b.       Time and time again, God fulfilled His promises.

c.        He cared for His people.

d.       He provided for them.

e.        He fought for them.

6.        This was God speaking.

a.        There were 18 “I” statements in these verses.

b.       Some that stand out are:

c.        God called Abraham to the land of Canaan.

d.       God promised the land to Abraham.

e.        He freed the people from Egypt.

f.          Parted the Red Sea.

g.        God defeated those who stood against Israel.

h.        He made Balaam bless Isreal instead of cursing them.

i.          God provided for His people in a mighty way.

j.          He gave them the land they have been living in for the last 10 plus years.

k.        They owe God everything.

7.        We should say the same about our Jesus.

a.        We owe Him everything.

b.       Without Him we are completely lost.

c.        Without Him we will spend forever in the worst place possible.

d.       It is only with Jesus that we have been saved.

e.        It is only due to what Jesus did that we have eternal Hope.

f.          That we get to spend forever with Him.

g.        God has blessed us through His Son.

h.        He has also sent the Holy Spirit to work in us and guide us.

i.          Many of us can look around this room and see some of the ways our God has blessed us.

j.          We owe God for all that we have and all that He has done.

8.        Joshua 24:14

a.        Therefore – because of all that God has done over the generations.

b.       Fear and worship Him in sincerity and truth.

c.        Honor Him.

d.       Follow His Word.

e.        Look to Him and no other god.

9.        Joshua’s reminder to the people applies to us.

a.        God has done amazing things.

b.       He created us.

c.        He provided a path to eternity through Jesus.

d.       He sent the Holy Spirit to revive, refresh, and renew us.

e.        And that is without the other blessings He has given us.

f.          Remembering all of this should drive us to make sure we only hold to our God.

g.        He is to be the only One we worship.

h.        Casting aside the other things that get in the way.

10.   That could be sports, work, money, retirement, family, you name it.

a.        It does not have to be the things we think of when we are talking about sin.

b.       It is anything that we prioritize over Jesus.

c.        Even the things that are fundamentally good.

d.       If they interfere with the worship of our God, it is a major problem.

e.        God must be first in our lives.

f.          Today, tomorrow, and always.

11.   Joshua 24:15

a.        Choose.

b.       They and we are either choosing God or choosing to worship other things.

c.        We cannot have both.

d.       This can be hard to accept.

e.        Some of the things we prioritize are good things.

f.          But they cannot take the place of our God.

g.        If they do, we are not choosing Him.

h.        It is truly a black and white choice.

i.          No straddling the fence here.

j.          Either God is first or He is not.

k.        Which are you choosing?

12.   Joshua was crystal clear on what he was choosing.

a.        Re-read last part of verse 15.

b.       He was making a choice.

c.        He was prioritizing God.

d.       He was setting the stage for his family.

e.        Making God a priority for them.

f.          Modeling it.

13.   Which is important for us to do.

a.        Men, hear me here.

b.       You need to choose who you will worship.

c.        Then lead your family accordingly.

d.       Choose God and lead your family to worship Him.

e.        Step out in faith and do what God has called you to do.

f.          God cannot be optional if we want our families and others to ever follow Him.

g.        He must be the priority we choose each and every day.

h.        Model it for them.

i.          Open your Bibles and read them at home.

j.          Pray with and for your families.

k.        Lead your families to choose God.

14.   Joshua 24:16-18

a.        The leaders of the people remember what God has done.

b.       It helps them to decide.

c.        They proclaim that they are choosing to follow God.

15.   Joshua 24:19-21

a.        Was God letting Joshua in on what the future looked like?

b.       Maybe Joshua had dealt with some troublesome people, knew what they were like.

c.        Maybe he knew their statements were not sincere.

d.       He expected that the people would fail in following God.

e.        So, Joshua was taking the time to warn them.

f.          God will judge them for their unfaithfulness.

g.        He will hold them accountable if they don’t take this seriously.

h.        They need to prioritize God or He will take His blessing away.

16.   Joshua 24:22-24

a.        If you are going to honor God.

b.       Get rid of those other things.

c.        Some of them had already let other things get in the way.

d.       They needed to get rid of them and worship the One True God.

17.   In we put this in our context, when we turn to God we need to prioritize Him.

a.        We cannot earn our way to heaven by changing our behaviors.

b.       We cannot get to eternity in Glory by dabbling in other things.

c.        We need to seek God daily.

d.       As we do, He will change our behaviors.

e.        He will trim away our sin.

f.          He will help us get rid of the things that pull us away from.

g.        We need to trust in Him and worship Him alone.

18.   Joshua 24:25-28

a.        It was written.

b.       An altar was put in place.

c.        A public act of professing their faith in God.

d.       Something to help them remember their commitment.

19.   Reminds me of us needing to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord.

a.        Followed by water baptism.

b.       A declaration followed by a public act.

c.        Ways of stating that we are Christ followers.

d.       Something that there is no turning back from.

e.        If we truly give our life to Christ, our lives will change forever.

f.          We will never be the same.

20.   Joshua 24:29-30

a.        Joshua was buried in the land he was given by God.

21.   Joshua 24:31

a.        The people of Israel served God while the various leaders were with them.

b.       If we were to flip the pages to Judges, Kings, or any of the prophets, we would see the other side of the story.

c.        We would see that they turned their back to God.

d.       Something we never want to do.

22.   Joshua 24:32

a.        God was faithful and had Joseph’s remains buried in the land his father was buried in.

23.   Joshua 24:33

a.        Elazar was the priest who served the people with Joshua.

b.       His faithfulness is honored by God and the people.

24.   God has been faithful to the people of Israel.

a.        He has been and is faithful to us.

25.   We need to hold on to that faithfulness.

a.        Remembering that the Bible shows that He is faithful.

b.       Our lives are pictures of God’s faithfulness.

c.        Especially when we go through the hard stuff.

d.       Our God has been faithful.

26.   Which should help us to remember a few things.

a.        Turn to Joshua chapter 1.

b.       Vs. 5 I will not leave you or abandon you.

c.        Vs. 6 Be strong and courageous.

d.       Vs. 7 (read all)

e.        Strong, courageous, observe God’s Word, and do not stray from it.

f.          Vs. 8 (read all)

g.        Meditate on the Word, meaning spend time with it.

h.        Work to understand it.

i.          As you do, God will bless you.

27.   Vs. 9 (read all)

a.        This verse says it all.

b.       Our God is with us.

c.        Trust in Him.

d.       And have everlasting Hope.

e.        A Hope that is secure in Jesus.

f.          A hope that can never be taken away.

28.   If you are a Christ Follower, I encourage you to hold on to that truth.

a.        Choose Jesus!

b.       Choose Jesus today.

c.        Make a choice to follow Him for all the days of your life!

29.   If you do not know Jesus.

a.        Jesus paid the price for our sins.

b.       If you would like to know more about Jesus.

c.        If you are ready to repent and follow Him.

d.       I would love to talk with you.