Learning on the Way
Sermon Summary:
This sermon concludes the book of Joshua by examining chapter 24, where Joshua, nearing the end of his life, gathers all of Israel to rehearse God’s faithfulness throughout their history. Joshua traces God’s grace from Abraham’s calling out of paganism, through the Egyptian deliverance, wilderness protection, and conquest of Canaan. The sermon emphasizes that God’s faithfulness in the past should compel our faithfulness in the present. Joshua challenges the people with the famous declaration: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” The sermon reveals five movements of God’s grace: grace that surprises (God’s initiative with Abraham), grace that delivers (the Exodus), grace that shields (protection from enemies like Balak and Balaam), grace that satisfies (provision of the Promised Land), and grace that demands worship (the call to exclusive loyalty). The core message is that when we rehearse God’s faithfulness, it moves us from forgetfulness to commitment, compelling us to remove idols and serve God alone.
Key Points:
God’s faithfulness in the past compels our faithfulness in the present
Grace always surprises us because God initiates, we don’t earn it or seek it first
God’s faithfulness often works slowly, building generation by generation
When God chooses you, no weapon formed against you will prosper
Everything we have is a gift from God’s grace, not something we earned
True commitment to Christ demands exclusive loyalty and the removal of idols
We must intentionally remember and rehearse God’s faithfulness to combat forgetfulness
Small Group Questions:
1 Joshua rehearses Israel’s history starting with Abraham’s family who “served other gods” (verse 2). How does knowing that God’s people came from pagan origins change your understanding of grace? How does this encourage you when thinking about family members or friends who don’t know Christ?
2 In verses 5-13, God repeatedly says “I gave,” “I sent,” “I brought,” and “I did.” Why do you think God emphasizes His role so strongly? Share a time when you were tempted to take credit for something God actually did in your life.
3 The sermon states, “When you really grasp that everything you have is a gift from God, it changes the way you live.” How does viewing your possessions, talents, and opportunities as gifts from God rather than personal achievements affect the way you approach giving, serving, and worshiping?
4 Joshua pushes back when the people commit to serving God, warning them about God’s holiness and jealousy (verses 19-20). Why does Joshua challenge their commitment rather than celebrating their immediate response? What does this teach us about the seriousness of following Christ?
5 Joshua tells the people to “put away the foreign gods that are among you” (verse 23), revealing they still had idols even after all they had experienced. What are some modern “idols” that compete with God for first place in our lives? What practical steps can we take to identify and remove these idols?
6 The sermon emphasizes that we live in a culture that forgets quickly. When was the last time you intentionally rehearsed God’s faithfulness in your life? How might regularly remembering what God has done change the way you face current challenges?
7 Joshua’s famous declaration is “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (verse 15). What does exclusive loyalty to Christ look like in practical, everyday terms for you this week at work, at home, and in your relationships?
Key Verses
Joshua 24:14-15, Joshua 24:2-13, Romans 8:31
Application On The Way
This week, create a “faithfulness journal” where you write down specific ways God has been faithful in your life. Include at least five examples from your past (deliverance, provision, protection, answered prayers). Then share at least one of these stories with someone this week – your small group, your children, a friend, or a coworker – to practice rehearsing God’s faithfulness.
Want to Go Deeper?
Deuteronomy 6:4-12, Psalm 78:1-8, Psalm 103:1-5, 1 Samuel 7:12, Lamentations 3:22-23, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 3:1-5, 1 John 5:21, Matthew 6:24
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-12, where God commands His people to remember His deliverance and teach it to their children. What are some practical ways you can “rehearse” God’s faithfulness with your family or in your community? How might setting up reminders or markers (like the stone memorials Israel used) help you remember what God has done?
The sermon states that “any obedience that is not motivated by love is not true obedience because you’re trying to earn something instead of responding to something.” Examine your current spiritual practices (prayer, giving, service, attendance). Are they motivated by trying to earn God’s favor or by responding to grace already received? How can you shift your motivations if needed?
Joshua confronts the people about having foreign gods “among you” even after all they had seen (verse 23). Reflect on your own life: What good things might you have elevated to “God things”? Family, career, comfort, reputation? Ask God to reveal any idols you’ve been keeping “tucked away in the closet” and commit to specific action steps to remove them.