Choosing Whom to Serve: Embracing a New Identity

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Choice

In the closing chapter of the book of Joshua, the Israelites are faced with a significant decision: whom they will serve. This moment at Shechem is not just a historical event but a timeless call to every believer. The power of choice is profound, as it sets the direction of our lives. We are constantly faced with decisions that reflect our allegiance, whether to God or to the idols that vie for our attention. Choosing to serve the Lord is not merely about rejecting idols but about embracing a life fully devoted to God. This choice requires intentionality and commitment, as it shapes our identity and influences our journey. [47:15]

Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects your commitment to serving God wholeheartedly?

Day 2: Understanding Idols

Idols are not just physical objects but anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts. They can be inherited from our families or absorbed from the culture around us. These idols manifest in various forms, such as the pursuit of success, perfectionism, control, secrecy, comfort, money, relationships, or approval. Recognizing these idols is the first step toward breaking free from their hold. By identifying what competes with our devotion to God, we can begin to dismantle their influence and realign our hearts with God's purposes. [49:54]

Ezekiel 14:3-4 (ESV): "Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols."

Reflection: Identify one idol in your life that competes with your devotion to God. What steps can you take to remove its influence?

Day 3: The Heart of Idolatry

At its core, idolatry is a heart divided between two gods. It reflects a dissatisfaction with what God has given us and a longing for something else to fulfill us. This divided heart leads us to seek fulfillment in things that ultimately cannot satisfy. True worship requires a heart fully devoted to God, one that finds contentment and joy in His presence alone. By addressing the root of idolatry, we can cultivate a heart that is wholly satisfied in God and free from the distractions that pull us away from Him. [01:01:22]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you experience a divided heart? How can you seek God's help to purify your heart and focus on Him alone?

Day 4: A New Identity in Christ

In Christ, we are called to put off the old self and put on the new. This transformation involves rejecting the idols that once defined us and embracing our new identity as followers of Christ. It is both a choice and a process, requiring us to continually align our lives with the truth of who we are in Christ. As we embrace this new identity, we experience the freedom and abundance that God offers, stepping into the fullness of life that He has prepared for us. [01:07:38]

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Reflection: What is one aspect of your old self that you need to put off today? How can you actively embrace your new identity in Christ?

Day 5: The Impact of Our Choices

The choices we make affect not only our own lives but also those around us, especially our families. By choosing to serve the Lord, we break the chains of generational idols and step into the freedom and abundance that God offers. Our decisions have a ripple effect, influencing the spiritual legacy we leave for future generations. As we commit to serving God, we create an environment where His love and truth can flourish, impacting our families and communities for His glory. [01:13:10]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Reflection: How can your choice to serve God today positively impact your family and those around you? What steps can you take to ensure your decisions align with God's will?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of choice, particularly in the context of our spiritual lives. We delved into the closing chapter of the book of Joshua, where Joshua challenges the Israelites to make a definitive choice about whom they will serve. This moment at Shechem is a pivotal point, a place historically known for decisions, where Joshua calls the people to abandon their idols and commit wholeheartedly to God. The Israelites, caught between worshiping Yahweh and clinging to idols, are urged to choose decisively, as their choice will set the course for their lives.

We examined the nature of idols, not just as physical objects but as anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts. These idols can be inherited from our families or absorbed from the culture around us. They might manifest as the pursuit of success, perfectionism, control, secrecy, comfort, money, relationships, or approval. Each of these idols competes with our devotion to God, demanding our time, energy, and affection.

The heart of idolatry is a divided heart, one that is not fully satisfied with God alone. This dissatisfaction leads us to seek fulfillment in other things, which ultimately cannot satisfy. Joshua's call to the Israelites is a call to us as well: to choose whom we will serve. This choice is not just about rejecting idols but about embracing a new identity in Christ, putting off the old self and putting on the new.

As we reflect on our own lives, we are invited to examine what we prioritize, what we cannot live without, and what we are willing to sacrifice for. These reflections reveal where our true affections lie. The choice we make today will affect not only our own lives but also those around us, especially our families. By choosing to serve the Lord, we break the chains of generational idols and step into the freedom and abundance that God offers.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Choice: Our choices set the direction of our lives. Just as Joshua challenged the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, we are called to make a decisive choice about our allegiance. This choice is not just about rejecting idols but about embracing a life fully devoted to God. [47:15]
2. Understanding Idols: Idols are not just physical objects but anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts. They can be inherited from our families or absorbed from our culture. Recognizing these idols is the first step toward breaking free from their hold. [49:54]
3. The Heart of Idolatry: At its core, idolatry is a heart divided between two gods. It reflects a dissatisfaction with what God has given us and a longing for something else to fulfill us. True worship requires a heart fully devoted to God. [61:22]
4. A New Identity in Christ: In Christ, we are called to put off the old self and put on the new. This involves rejecting the idols that once defined us and embracing our new identity as followers of Christ. This transformation is both a choice and a process. [67:38]
5. The Impact of Our Choices: The choices we make affect not only our own lives but also those around us, especially our families. By choosing to serve the Lord, we break the chains of generational idols and step into the freedom and abundance that God offers. [73:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:30] - Introduction and Announcements
[14:12] - Spiritual Discipline of Listening Prayer
[38:26] - The Call to Choose
[47:15] - Understanding Idols
[49:54] - Idols of Heritage
[52:55] - Idols of Secrecy
[56:02] - Idols of Culture
[59:12] - The Heart of Idolatry
[61:22] - Divided Loyalties
[64:45] - New Identity in Christ
[67:38] - Putting Off the Old Self
[70:27] - Personal Testimony
[73:10] - Impact of Choices on Family
[75:53] - Reflection and Worship

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Joshua 24:14-15

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**Observation Questions:**

What challenge does Joshua present to the Israelites in Joshua 24:14-15, and why is this moment significant? [38:26]
According to the sermon, what are some examples of modern-day idols that can take precedence over God in our lives? [47:15]
How does the sermon describe the historical significance of Shechem as a place of decision for the Israelites? [38:26]
What are the two categories of idols mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the Israelites' situation? [49:54]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

In what ways does the sermon suggest that the choices we make can impact not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, especially our families? [01:13:10]
How does the concept of a "divided heart" relate to the idea of idolatry, as discussed in the sermon? [01:01:22]
What does it mean to "put off the old self and put on the new" in the context of embracing a new identity in Christ, according to the sermon? [01:07:38]
How does the sermon illustrate the struggle between serving God and serving idols, and what are the implications of this struggle for a believer's life? [01:04:45]

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**Application Questions:**

Reflect on your own life: Are there any "idols of heritage" that you have inherited from your family that might be influencing your priorities today? How can you begin to address these influences? [49:54]
Consider the "idols of culture" that might be present in your life. What steps can you take to ensure that these cultural influences do not take precedence over your relationship with God? [56:02]
The sermon emphasizes the power of choice. What is one specific area in your life where you need to make a decisive choice to serve God more fully? [47:15]
How can you actively work on putting off the "old self" and embracing your new identity in Christ this week? What practical steps can you take to reinforce this transformation? [01:07:38]
Think about the impact of your choices on your family. What is one generational pattern or "idol" you want to break free from, and how can you start this process? [01:13:10]
Reflect on the sermon’s message about divided loyalties. Is there a specific area in your life where you feel torn between serving God and serving an idol? How can you address this division? [01:01:22]
Identify a specific distraction or idol in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What is one action you can take this week to minimize its influence? [01:04:45]

Sermon Clips

"Joshua gathers all of Israel at a place called Shechem and begins to recount all of the ways that God has been faithful. He begins to tell them from beginning back at Abraham all the way through their line the way that God has provided for them. And then he gathers them in verse 14 for a challenge." [00:34:41] (18 seconds)

"Joshua said to the people, 'You're not able to serve the Lord for He is a holy God. He's a jealous God. He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and you serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after having done you so much good.'" [00:37:02] (19 seconds)

"Simple point this morning. In this scripture, God is telling us it's time to choose. It's time to choose. Lord, we invite your spirit. We know you're here and moving among us. And now we give openness to your spirit to work through the power of your word. Says that your word does not go back void." [00:38:26] (29 seconds)

"An idol is not always a statue of a false deity. An idol is simply something we love or want more than God. It's what we base our life on. It's the foundation from which we make our decisions. It's what we depend on. It's the hope that we have out in front of us." [00:48:10] (16 seconds)

"You're constantly being bombarded by the gods of what our society values. So every time you watch Netflix or every time you're on social media or you see an advertisement or you hang out with a friend group, in that moment, it's teaching you, they're teaching you what is important to the society in that place." [00:55:27] (17 seconds)

"At the base root of idolatry is this posture of heart that would say, I'm not satisfied with what God has given me. I want to show you this. Colossians 3, Paul writes this. He says, put to death, therefore, what is earthly and use sexual immorality and impurity and passion and evil desire." [01:00:48] (16 seconds)

"Choose this day who you're going to serve. Whether that old way of idols or the new way of Christ. And Joshua says, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. When my son was young, he had this all about the world. You know, he loved fire hydrants when he was real young." [01:09:18] (28 seconds)

"If you give your heart to the Lord progressively and fully, it will bless your kids. You're not going to pass on those idols that you picked up along the way. You're going to break that generational curse and you're going to move on from it into the freedom of Christ." [01:13:10] (15 seconds)

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