One United Family Serving (Joshua 24:15)

Sermon on 5 April 2026 by Sis Hui Ling

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of 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.”

Summary of the book of Joshua…

V1-5 : Joshua leads israel

V6-12 : Battles with the Canaanites

V13-22 : Joshua divides up the land

V23-24 : Joshua’s final words

[ 1 ] To inherit the promise land, Israel needs to be faithful and obedient 

-       Preceding faithfulness and disobedience in the generation of Moses 

-       Reminder on the 10 commandments

-       Defeat at battle of Ai because of Achan’s disobedience

-       Reminder again to be faithful and obedient

What do these topics mean to us as a family?

-       It is not just about every single person in your family serving in some sort of christian ministry but it is about every single person in your family being faithful and obedient to God

How to?

-       Remind on the fundamentals and press on like Joshua

-       Encouragement over even “ little ” faith and obedience

-       Read the word, guide your family, pray for and with your family until they are also able to understand God’s word, discern and do

[ 2 ] Whose side?

-       Joshua has an encounter with a mysterious warrior ( commander of the Lord’s army )

-       Joshua asked, “ Are you here for our enemies? ” The warrior responded, “ Neither.”

-       Mind blowing moment for Joshua because what did he mean by “ Neither.”

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:17

Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.

-       Joshua had the mentality so far that God is for him and for Israel

Neither!

Joshua 5:13-15

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

-       Angels ( except lucifer ) do not except worship

Change in mindset

-       Yes, God is for us he cares for us and wills good to us for those who love God all things work together for good

but…

-       You need to reckon that God doesn't take sides, it is not a petty “ them vs us ” matter.     “ Neither ” means it is all about God’s battle and plan! We need to be on God’s side!

See the change in mindset of Joshua

Joshua 23:6-8

Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.

Joshua 24:14-15

“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of 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.”

We choose God’s side instead of God choosing sides

-       Joshua asked “ Are you sure for us or for our enemies? “

-       The commander of Lord’s army responded, “ neither. ”

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

What do these topics mean to us as a family?

-       Entire family’s mindset has to be transformed as God don’t serve your wants or needs

-       Stop thinking, praying and acting as if God exists to serve our needs. He is our Creator and relationship becomes inversed

-       We choose to serve God and do the good works he has planned for us instead

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Isaiah 43:7

Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

[ 3 ] Choices were presented throughout

-       Rahab chose God ( life ) over death

-       Gibeonites chose God ( life ) over death and destruction

-       Other Canaanite kings chose death and destruction over God

-       Joshua laid it all out for the Israelite “ Choose to serve God faithfully and you will have life and blessing; choose to turn away and it will be the same divine judgment befalling the Canaanites, Israel will be back to exile

What do these topics mean to us as a family?

-       God consistently gave us choice from Adam & Eve, to Abraham, to Moses, the Israelites, the Jews and Gentiles of Jesus days and to us now

-       Gibeonites resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty (oath sworn in God’s Name) with Israel. It was Israel’s failure to seek God’s guidance but God showed mercy to the Gibeonites

Joshua 9:27

But Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place that he should choose.

-       Rahab, a prostitute in city of Jericho, recognised God as Lord. Through her, anyone from her household who was willing to obey instructions to remain in Rahab’s house was saved from destruction

Joshua 2:9

And said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.”

Joshua 2:18-19

Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household. Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless.…

-       Gibeonites and Rahab all humbled themselves and made the choice

-       The entire family needs to first humble before the Lord if not the family cannot choose God over its own flesh and desires and if the family cannot choose God over own flesh and desires, the family cannot unite in serving God