Joshua's challenge to Israel to love and serve The Lord, in light of His Goodness to them. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

1. Joshua is teaching a history lesson on God's gracious deliverance of Israel That He might bring them into The Promised Land . Egypt Midianites Moabites Balaam March 14, 2010

2. 11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. They defeated all of these kings without loss of life to the Israelites. Exception?

3. 13 And I (God) have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. All that we are and all that we possess , God gave us . The air we breathe, the food we eat, our homes, our transportation, the clothes we wear Any intelligence or wisdom, any talent, any ability to work or play, God gave us.

4. We have nothing about which to vaunt ourselves or to get puffed up . We have no reason ever to look down on a brother or a sister, thinking they are less than we. We are each what God made us. God makes no junk! 1 Samuel 2 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of Knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.

5. Romans 7 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: … I may not be as smart as you, but I'm as smart as God made me. I may not be as purty as you, but I'm as purty as God made me. I may not be as ambitious as you, but I am as ambitious as God wants me to be. Whatever we have, whatever we are, it is by the Grace of God.

6. 13 And I (God) have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. God had given the Israelites a good land and a good life .

7. 14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth : and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. Fear the Lord and serve Him To reverence the Lord always results in service unto Him. Feelings and words without corresponding deeds are worthless.

8. Some folks say, "If you only knew how much I love you." 1 Corinthians 13 Be patient with me and kind to me. Don't put me down or act ugly to me. Seek my best and not your own will. Don't keep a record of my wrongs; keep a list of my virtues. Above all, be loyal; stick by me. Love never fails.

9. 14 Now therefore fear the Lord , and serve Him in sincerity and in truth : and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. Fear the Lord and serve Him Feelings and words are just as useless to the Lord as they are to people, Until we turn them into actions.

10. Serve the Lord in sincerity . From the heart with all the heart. God sees, knows, and understands our heart. I may fool you, but I can't fool God. When I say, "I love Him." He knows if I mean it. My deeds reveal my heart to you -- in time.

11. 14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth : … stability ; figurative certainty, truth, trustworthiness :- assured (-ly) , establishment, faithful , right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity. Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary . We must also serve God according to Truth, Every Word of God .

12. 14b … and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. No one can love, serve, and worship The True and Living God , While clinging to the false gods of this world. Put away the gods of worldly pleasures, Worldly riches, Fame and popularity, gods of ease and comfort.

13. 14c … And serve ye the Lord. Serve = to work , to be a willing servant , to be a worshipper of. From Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary Work for the Lord and worship Him

14. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. The church has been double-minde d way too long.

15. What do you want? Do you want a close wal k with God, Bearing the fruit of His Spirit ? Do you want people to see Jesus in you? Or, do you want your own way ?

16. Don't let the choice be determined by what others do. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .

17. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! Will you say that and mean it? Or, are you of two minds?