"As For Me And Mine"

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place
Pulpit Series Volume 17 Issue 1 01/07/2007

Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua, has just given an incredible speech recounting what great things God had done for the Israelites. He concludes that since God had been so gracious to them, they could do no less, than out of gratitude, dedicate both themselves and their families to His service. Now therefore, fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and truth.

The prophet Samuel said something along the same line in I Samuel 12:24 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth, with all your heart; for consider the great things He has done for you.
Joshua stands before all of Israel and says, “choose you therefore, who you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” He was not asking his family’s opinion on the matter - he was making a bold declaration of his intent.

I fear, that out of the many households that call themselves Christians, there so very few that serve God as they ought. If the blessed angels came and observed our spiritual economy at home, would they say as Abraham to Abimilech, Surely, the fear of God is not in this place? Genesis 20:11

There is a general neglect of family-religion. We have falsely come to believe religion is to be confined to our assemblies for public worship. Yet, the Apostle Paul spoke about the church which was in his house.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. I believe it is the duty of every family leader to take care, that not only they, but also that those in their charge, "serve the Lord".
I further believe that family leaders are under obligation to act in 3 capacities as:

1. a prophet…..to instruct 2. a priest…..to pray for or with 3. a king…..to govern and provide for our families.

What you may not know about Job is that he continually interceded on behalf his family.
When the days of his children's feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and offered burnt-offerings, according to the number of them all; for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts: thus did Job continually.

I am obligated to see that my household serve God.
I dare not be found negligent in this matter. More over, God forbid, I place stumbling-blocks in my children's way.

I need to teach my children to….. READ THE WORD OF GOD.
I need to teach my children about….. FAMILY-PRAYER.

If two or three are agreed touching any thing they shall ask, it shall be given them.

Listen to the commendation God gives of Abraham: I know that he will command his children and his household after him, to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.

Thus, says God

“You shall teach these words diligently to your children.

New Testament parents are commanded to “bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”.

TOO BUSY? Abraham, was a man of great business; but yet he found time to command his household to serve the Lord. David, as king, had a great deal of business on his hands; yet he professes that he would walk in his house with a perfect heart.

Let me give you two motivations to serve the Lord:
· First as a response due to GRATITUDE.
· Secondly, out of LOVE AND PITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
Remember, the time will come, perhaps sooner than we think, when we will appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. It is there that we will all have to give a solemn and strict account of how we have lived out our lives. How will you handle it to see your children who ought to be your joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of our Lord, coming out as witnesses against you; cursing the very day they came into your household. God forbid, that any such evil should befall you.

I pray that you will somehow be convinced by what has been said this morning to review your role as family leader, especially in the area of FAMILY-RELIGION.

May you cry out the words immediately following our text, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord. and again in verse 21, No, we will with our households serve the Lord!

Let me encourage all family leaders, in the name of our Lord Jesus, to reflect often on the worth of the souls of your families, and the precious blood of Jesus Christ, which has been paid for them. I beg you to remember, that by nature we are lost and estranged from God; and that we must be born again. I urge you to seriously and frequently reflect on God’s Word.

Whatever you do… Do not neglect your family's spiritual welfare!

Do your utmost to save others, especially those of your own household.
Do what you can to cause your family to serve the Lord.
May you shine brightly in your respective households.

Extra food for thought read the following scriptures and find the differances between Abraham and Lot.

Abraham’s example: Genesis 12:7-8, 13:12, 18, 22:9 “He built an altar to the LORD and called on the LORD who appeared to him.”

Lot’s example: Genesis 13:12 “Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom.”

The results:
Genesis 26:25 “Isaac built an altar and called on the LORD… continued serving the Lord, the same is the father of the Israelites to this day.”
Genesis 19:26 “Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt.”

Genesis 19:31-36 “Both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father....the firstborn bare a son, the same is the father of the Moabites to this day….younger also bare a son the same is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.”

Because of the conflicts between them and the Israelites they were denied entry into "the congregation of the Lord" until ten generations had passed.