For Me and My House | Joshua 24:14-15

Mercy Hill celebrates an unexpected outpouring of generosity and then pivots to a sober biblical invitation: make a decisive commitment to serve God in 2026. The congregation is reminded that generosity opens the way for God’s work among families, singles, and students, and that commitment must be paired with clear choices rather than ongoing indecision. Drawing from Joshua 24, the message frames faith as an intentional movement: begin with the fear of the Lord — a reverent awe that puts God in his rightful place — and allow that fear to issue in sincere, faithful service rather than coerced religiosity. The preacher contrasts two means of change: pressure-based compliance that snaps back when the pressure lifts, versus gospel-warmed transformation that makes the heart pliable and creates lasting devotion.

Idolatry is shown as anything that displaces God from first place — not only pagan statues but modern pursuits such as money, sex, status, or freedom that quietly claim ultimate loyalty. Joshua’s charge is both uncompromising and practical: either pursue those idols fully or solemnly commit to the Lord; there is no honorable fence-sitting. The address stresses the household responsibility of leaders — particularly fathers — to lead by example, to name what the family is for, and to ratify commitments with simple acts of prayer and public joining. Practical rhythms are named: gather, group, give, go — concrete disciplines to anchor a year set aside for service.

Finally, the assurance of the gospel reframes the call to commitment. Unlike Israel’s leaders, the true and better Joshua, Jesus Christ, secures the family in mercy: failure does not expel but summons repentance and renewed service. This security does not excuse slackness; it emboldens risk-taking fidelity because belonging is not conditional on perfect performance. The year is cast as an invitation to re-covenant — a single, decisive posture that will shape family life, community witness, and the church’s mission moving forward.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Choose to serve the Lord Deciding is an act of spiritual posture: hesitation is itself a choice that shapes destiny. Naming allegiance clarifies priorities, frees resources, and aligns household rhythms around a single aim. Choosing to serve is not a one-time slogan but the hinge for how homes and communities order time, money, and attention. [01:51]
• 2. Reverent fear precedes sincere service Fear of the Lord is not terror but proper awe that places God in his rightful throne. That awe corrects distorted hearts and prepares them to serve out of desire rather than duty. When God is seen rightly, service flows from gratitude and integrity instead of mere obligation. [09:21]
• 3. Gospel produces sincere, faithful service External pressure can change behavior temporarily; the gospel changes desires permanently by warming the heart. Remembering Christ’s work softens the will and makes obedience attractive, not burdensome. True transformation reshapes motives so that faithfulness becomes a delighted practice rather than a brittle performance. [13:56]
• 4. Put away idols; choose God Idols today wear modern clothes—money, status, comfort, freedom—and quietly compete for worship. Identifying and removing these rival claims is a necessary precondition for wholehearted service. The call is uncompromising: either pursue those things honestly or renounce them to pursue God with your whole household. [19:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Celebrating Generosity
• [01:51] - Joshua 24: A Call to Decide
• [05:53] - The Cost of Waffling
• [09:21] - What It Means To Fear God
• [12:41] - Service Born From the Gospel
• [18:47] - Put Away Idols
• [24:00] - Choosing 2026: Practical Steps
• [30:12] - Family Leadership and Responsibility
• [33:49] - Gather, Group, Give, Go
• [36:54] - Prayer and Covenant Renewal

1. According to Joshua 24:14, what are the two specific things the people are told to do before they begin serving the Lord?
2. In verse 15, what are the different options Joshua gives the people to choose from if they decide they don’t want to serve the Lord?
3. Fearing the Lord is described as beholding Him with "reverential awe" and putting Him in His proper place. [09:21] What imagery is used to explain the difference between "runaway fear" and this kind of awe? [09:52]
4. What are the four practical disciplines—the "brass tacks"—mentioned as ways to anchor a household in service to God? [33:17]

1. Joshua calls for service in "sincerity and faithfulness." How does the gospel produce this kind of heart posture compared to a system based on external pressure or rules? [13:56]
2. There is a contrast between a metal bar being bent by force and one being softened by heat. [16:42] What happens to a person’s devotion when the "pressure" of religious rules is lifted versus when their heart is "warmed" by the Holy Spirit? [17:32]
3. Joshua mentions both the "old gods" from beyond the River and the "new gods" of the land where the people currently dwell. [19:19] How do modern pursuits like "freedom with time" or "career status" function as idols that compete for the same loyalty as ancient statues? [19:42]
4. Jesus is the "true and better Joshua." [27:44] While the original Joshua could lead people into a physical land, how does Jesus’ work on the cross provide a more permanent security for the "family of God"? [28:08]

1. Fearing God is like standing before the ocean—you are drawn to its beauty but also aware of its immense power. [09:52] When you look at your life right now, does God hold that "number one" spot of awe, or has He become just another casual part of your weekly schedule?
2. Not making a choice is actually a choice in itself. [06:29] Is there an area of your life where you have been "waffling" or waiting for more information instead of moving forward with courage and fortitude? [05:53]
3. Idolatry is anything that moves God out of first place. [20:37] If you asked a child or a close friend to name the top three things your life revolves around, what would they say? [31:32] Are there any "modern idols" like comfort or hobbies that need to be "put away" to make room for God? [32:18]
4. For those leading a home, there is a unique responsibility to stand up and say, "As for me and my house." [30:12] What is one concrete way you can lead your family or your circle of influence to be "truth tellers and family builders" this year? [25:06]
5. The "Gather, Group, Give, Go" rhythms are meant to be the "flywheel" of spiritual life. [33:17] Which of these four areas feels like the biggest hurdle for you right now, and what is one step you can take to move from the "sideline to the front line"? [00:58]
6. Because of Jesus, failure doesn't mean being kicked out of the family; it means receiving mercy and being empowered to try again. [28:41] How does knowing your belonging is not based on "perfect performance" give you the confidence to take a big spiritual risk in 2026? [28:08]