Who Is Our Master?

by Josh Hollingsworth
(Bryant, Arkansas)

Joshua 24:15

INTRODUCTION: What comes to our minds when we think of the word slave? Probably we think of it negatively and would say that it is a description of us at our jobs. Webster’s definition of a slave is a person who is owned by and completely subject to another, a person who is totally subject to some habit, influence, etc. Being a slave to someone or something can be a good thing depending on who or what we are a slave too.

The Bible deals with this issue in Joshua 24:15. Joshua asks the children of Israel if they will serve the Lord their God or continue serving many other false gods and idols. Joshua told them that he would not be a slave to the gods of their fathers or of the gods of the Amorites where they were living. He told them that him and his family were going to serve the Lord their God and him alone.

THEME: WHO ARE WE SERVING IN OUR LIVES?

I. IN OUR LIVES WE ARE SERVING THE GODS OF OUR FATHERS. (vs.24a)

• Excuses Are A God Of Our Fathers. (Judges 6:14-16)
  1. We make excuses for sin.
  
  NOTE: Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not to him is is sin. (James 4:17)
  
  2. We make excuses for disobedience.



• Self-centeredness Is A God Of Our Fathers. (Numbers 15:39)
  1. Self-centeredness brings about jealousy.
  2. Self-centeredness is a characteristic of a poor leader.
  3. Self-centeredness brings about a loss of hope.



• Work Is A God Of Our Fathers. (2 Kings 10:30-31)
  1. When we become a workaholic.
  
  NOTE: A workaholic is someone who works all the time and puts their work before anything else in their life.
  
  2. When we give up.

T.S. WHO ARE WE SERVING IN OUR LIVES?

I. IN OUR LIVES WE ARE SERVING THE GODS OF OUR FATHERS. (vs.24a)

II. IN OUR LIVES WE ARE SERVING THE GODS OF THE WORLD. (vs.24b)

• Money Is A God Of The World. (Matthew 6:24)
  1. We become stingy with our money.
  
  NOTE: The love of money is the root of all evil. (1Timothy 6:16)
  
  2. We will steal when we don’t have money.



• Certain Values Are A God Of The World. (Philippians 1:20-21)
  1. Values that influence us to do wrong.
  2. Values show what we truly cherish.



• Possessions Are A God Of The World. (Revelation 3:17)
  1. Possessions enslave us.
  2. Possessions make us envy.
  
  NOTE: When we are envious of others possessions we will strive to have bigger and better things than the Jones’.
  
  3. Possessions don’t satisfy us.



• Fame Is A God Of The World. (Luke 6:26)
  1. We become preoccupied with fame.
  2. We lust for fame.
  3. Fame doesn’t last.

T.S. WHO ARE WE SERVING IN OUR LIVES?

I. IN OUR LIVES WE ARE SERVING THE GODS OF OUR FATHERS. (vs.24a)

II. IN OUR LIVES WE ARE SERVING THE GODS OF THE WORLD. (vs.24b)

III. IN OUR LIVES WE ARE SERVING THE LORD. (vs.24c)

• When We Serve The Lord He Gives Our Lives Purpose. (Numbers 7:6)
  1. Serving God gives our lives purpose.
  2. Purpose comes from not serving Satan.



• By Serving The Lord We Find True Greatness. (Matthew 20:24)
  1. True greatness comes from serving others.
  2. True greatness comes from controlling our ambitions.
  
  NOTE: The definition of ambitions is a strong desire to achieve something, as success, power, wealth, etc.
  
  3. True greatness is displayed through gentleness.



• When We Serve The Lord We See Others Needs. (Matthew 23:11-12)
  1. We can help others eternal need of salvation.
  2. We can meet others needs by loving them.
  3. We can meet others needs by giving them material things.
  
  NOTE: It is more blessed to give than to receive. (John 20:35)
  
  4. We can meet others needs by giving them food.

CONCLUSION: Who are we serving in our lives? Are we serving the gods of our Fathers? Are we serving gods of this world or are we serving the true and living God?

Are we serving the gods of our Fathers by giving in to making excuses, being self-centered or through our work habits? Will you be different or will you follow in the steps of those who have gone before you?

Are we serving the gods of this world by being a slave of money, wrong values, our possessions, or gaining fame? If we will let go of worldly things and turn to God and obey him he will bless us beyond what we could have ever dreamed. Will you let go of the world and serve God today?

Are we serving the Lord and letting Him be our only Master? If you are not serving the Lord today because you don’t know him as your own personal Lord and Savior, will you come today and let us show you how to know that you are going to heaven when you die?

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