'WE'VE COME TOO FAR TO TURN BACK NOW



"WE'VE COME TOO FAR TO TURN BACK NOW!”

JOSHUA 24:14-21

INTRO: Friends, we stand here this morning with a new year before us. A

year full of possibilities and a year full of opportunities. Someone

said, “Soon in your hand will be placed a priceless gift. Look at it

closely. There is no price maker stamped on it. It cannot be weighed,

because no scale can balance its value. A king's ransom in

comparison is as nothing yet it is given to beggar and prince alike.

The giver asks only that it be used wisely and well. This jewel, rare

and unique, is not displayed in any shop window. It cannot be

purchased, cannot be sold. No other treasure holds the possibilities

this gift offers -- none can surpass its golden splendor. Of all gifts,

this is one of the most precious. It has been offered many times

before; today, from the depths of a limitless love it will be given again.

It will be left to you to find the golden thread running through it.

Only with great care will the jewel retain its luster. Carelessness,

ingratitude and selfishness will tarnish the brilliance, break the

unspoiled thread, mar the perfection. Guard it closely, lest through

weak fingers it slips from the hand. Look often at its faultless beauty.

Accept it as it is offered from the heart of the giver. Consider it is the

most treasured of possessions, for of all gifts it is by far the greatest.

It is the gift of the New Year. (The Timothy Report,

, December 27, 2004).

I'd like to title the message this morning, "We've Come Too Far Too

Turn Back Now!" In Joshua 24, Joshua calls all the tribes, elders,

officers, and people of Israel together to Shechem. He reminded them

of all the glorious things God had done for them. How beginning with

Abraham had chosen Him out a people. How He had multiplied his

seed. How his son Isaac had received the promise and passed it on to

his sons Jacob and Esau. And how Jacob and his children went to

down to Egypt. He reminded them of Moses and the plagues God had

used to secure their release from Egyptian bondage. How God had

intervened for them at the Red Sea and took care of them all of their

journey even until now. Then in vv. 14-15, Joshua makes his final

plea to the people, "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. 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.”

Joshua, in essence was saying, "Make your choice whom ye are going

to serve, but I've come too far to turn back now, So me any my house,

we will serve the LORD!" I want you to know this morning if you have

been saved one day, No, one hour, No, even one minute, you've come

too far to turn back now! I want us to see this morning how we keep

going forward for Jesus in this new year!

LET US,

BY:

(1) FAITH GO FORWARD

JOSHUA 24:14a—“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in

sincerity and in truth..."

A. THE REQUIREMENTS OF FAITH. Joshua told the people, “Now therefore

fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth…”. Friends, it takes

faith to serve God. Faith is the motivating factor in the walk of the Child of

God! The more I trust Him the farther I will go with Him! David Livingstone

said, "Without Christ, not one step; with Him, anywhere!" (Albert M. Wells,

Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 68). There are two

components of faith found in v14:

➢ Fear. "Fear the LORD". The word "fear" used here comes from a Hebrew word which means "to revere and trust". So many today are lacking a wholesome fear of the Lord. Friends, if I fear God I will honor Him and serve Him! That means I will not have to be begged to come to Church, read my Bible, give to the Lord’s work, nor witness to the lost. That means I will realize that all I have or ever will have comes to me by His grace! The psalmist wrote in Psalm 4:4—“Stand in awe and sin not…”. If we would we more awe from God’s people we would see more affection for God. Friends, our problem is that none of us reverence God as much as we ought! If we would “fear the Lord” then we could truly be the servants He has called us to be. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us—“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

➢ Faithful Service. "Serve Him in sincerity and in truth". There are two interesting words in this portion of Scripture: "sincerity" the word is translated from a Hebrew word which means “completeness” or "wholemindedness" and "truth" translated from a Hebrew word that means "faithfulness". “Sincerity and truth.” God would have all of us to serve Him that way. Doing all He says out of a heart of love! (John 14:15).

B. THE REALITY OF FAITH. A. W. Tozer said, “God is looking for people

through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the

things we can do by ourselves.” (Bible Illustrator For Windows. Version 3.0f.

Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved).

Friends that is not faith! Faith never knows where it is being led but

lovingly follows because it trusts the One who is leading! When confronted

by the naysayers and doubters we must boldly let them know, “I believe

God!” Friends, we are going to face many difficulties in this new year but

we cannot allow these difficulties to deter us from seeking and doing the

will of God! To go forward for the LORD we must have a loving trust in

ALL HIS PROMISES!

ILLUS: One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to

the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched

arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy

had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was

flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to

leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But

the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But

I can see you and that's all that matters." (Bible Illustrator For

Windows. Version 3.0f. Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons

Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved).

Friends, physically I can’t see God but I do believe His promises because I

know He sees me! His Word promises in Psalm 34:15—“The eyes of the

LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Because

we belong to Him, we have been given precious promises so let us go

forward by faith! His Word promises us we have everything we need to

serve Him and be acceptable unto Him (2 Peter 1:3-8).

WE’VE COME TOO FAR TO TURN BACK NOW! So let us by FAITH GO FORWARD, let us…

(2) FORGET OUR PAST FAILURES AND FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

JOSHUA 24:16-18—“And the people answered and said, God forbid that

we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our

God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of

Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs

in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and

among all the people through whom we passed: And the LORD

drove out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which

dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is

our God.”

A. A REMEMBRANCE OF THE PAST. The people told Joshua—“…For the

LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of

Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our

sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the

people through whom we passed: And the LORD drove out from before us all

the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land.” (vv. 17-18a). The

past is both a friend and a foe to us. A friend in that we can remember our

past victories and recall our defeats so as to motivate us into the future!

But a foe in that if we dwell on the past we become discouraged,

despondent and lose our will to go on! The apostle Paul refused to do that

he said in Philippians 3:13-14—“Brethren, I count not myself to have

apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are

behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward

the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Someone

has said, "The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post." -- L. Thomas

Holdcroft (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary &

Classical. p. 149).

B. A RESPONSE TO THE PRESENT. Notice the people’s response to Joshua’s

command—“And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should

forsake the LORD, to serve other gods…therefore will we also serve the LORD;

for he is our God.” The Israelites recalled the good and the bad and

declared, "We will serve the LORD." (vv. 16-18). We must do the same!

(Hebrews 12:1-2). Friends, God has blessed each of us in this past year!

We have suffered some losses, some hurts, and some discouragements but

all in all we can all say it was a good year! Let us now focus our attention

on the opportunities God has given us as this new year begins. Let us not

wallow in past regrets but let us rejoice in present opportunities! The past

can not be altered now! Therefore we MUST MOVE INTO THE FUTURE by

focusing our eyes on what lies ahead! God has blessed us with a great

work! Our city is teeming with opportunities. Let us not grow weary in

well-doing! 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 encourages us—“Therefore seeing we have

this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced

the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the

word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending

ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”

This forward Look MUST BE A LOOK OF HOPE AND ANTICIPATION of good

things ahead! God has something better in store for us! Paul said in

Romans 8:18 us—“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are

not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

(Philippians 3:20-21). Heaven awaits us! But there is much work to do

before we reach HOME! "The future is as bright as the promises of God." –

Adoniram Judson (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary &

Classical. p. 77).

WE’VE COME TOO FAR TO TURN BACK NOW so let us by FAITH GO FORWARD, let us FORGET OUR PAST FAILURES AND FOCUS ON THE FUTURE and let us…

(3) FORSAKE OUR OWN WAY AND FOLLOW GOD'S WAY

JOSHUA 24:14b-15—“… put away the gods which your fathers served on

the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

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.”

A. A TIME FOR SEARCHING. Joshua commanded the people—“ put away

the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in

Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” As we step across the threshold of a new

year it is a good time for us to take a personal assessment of ourselves.

Where are we spiritually? Are we closer to God now than we were at this

same time last year? Is there anything in our lives which demands more of

our attention than the Lord? If so, it is our god and we must “put it away

and serve the Lord.” Spiritually, we must be moving forward for the Lord! If

we would turn back, it would be of our own choosing! V15 says, "Choose

you this day whom ye will serve...". Obedience to God is a choice we all

make daily! God forces no man to obey!

B. A TIME FOR SURRENDER. To follow God rightly we must be willing to

give up all for Him! Jesus speaking of discipleship said in Luke 14:33—“So

likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he

cannot be my disciple.” Joshua laid a challenge before the people—“…

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.”

They could either choose the true God or else they could go on serving the

gods of the heathen but they had to make a choice! Friends, daily we have

the same choice laid before us. Which will we choose? The tendency of all

of us is to serve ourselves and our own desires. But God would have us to

forsake our way for His! Let us say with Paul—“For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). It amazes me that many times those

who complain loudest about the ministry of the Church are those who

cannot even get their own families faithful to the Lord’s house! Friend, if I

put ANYTHING above assembling with God’s people to worship, praise and

adore the Lord it is my god and it needs to be put away! Someone has

pointed out, "There is only one way to bring peace to the heart, joy to the

mind, and beauty to the life; it is to accept and do the will of God." --

William Barclay (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary &

Classical. p. 194).

ILLUS: During the time of Alexander the Great, a commander who held a

rock fortress in India, which he thought to be impregnable,

surrendered himself and his stronghold to Alexander. Alexander

made him a governor of it and the surrounding country, saying, "I

take this for a wise man who chose rather to commit himself to a

good man than to a strong place." Every man who delivers up the

stronghold of self to God and His Will makes a wise surrender.

(Elon Foster. 6000 Classic Sermon Illustrations. p. 720).

We must not turn back on our own way, but follow God in ALL! Why?

Because Jesus tells us in Luke 9:62—“No man, having put his hand to the

plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” All the world's ways

soon pass away, but he that doeth the Will of God abideth forever! Friends,

let us move forward for the Lord, not looking back in remorse, but forward

with anticipation! Hebrews 13:13-14 encourages us—“Let us go forth

therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we

no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Let us “Go forth from the

unbelieving and rebellious camp which sent him forth to die. Let us follow

him. Bearing his reproach. The reproach of the cross of Christ.” (B. W.

Johnson. The People’s New Testament. e-Sword. Version 7.7.7. Copyright

2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide).

WE’VE COME TOO FAR TO TURN BACK NOW so let us by FAITH GO FORWARD, let us FORGET OUR PAST FAILURE AND FOCUS ON THE FUTURE, let us FORSAKE OUR OWN WAY AND FOLLOW HIS WAY and finally let us…

(4) FOCUS OUR EYES ON THE LORD AND FOLLOW HIM IN EVERYTHING

JOSHUA 24:19-24—“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve

the LORD: for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not

forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD,

and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and

consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people

said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua

said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye

have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are

witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods

which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of

Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we

serve, and his voice will we obey.”

A. APPRECIATE HIS CHARACTER. Joshua told the people—“…Ye cannot

serve the LORD: for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive

your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange

gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath

done you good.” How could Joshua say such a thing? Because he knew

how lapse the people had been in their devotion to God. How they had

wavered between Him and other gods. “Ye cannot serve the LORD…”-- in

the state of mind in which ye are at present, or “by your own resolution

only, and without the assistance of divine grace, without solid and serious

conversion from all idols, and without true repentance and faith” (J. H.

Michaelis) (Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on The Bible. e-Sword. Version

7.7.7. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide).

The people needed a new appreciate of the character of God—“he is a

jealous God…”. He will not share His worship, glory or praise with anyone.

Our God is a jealous God and wants all of us! We can't serve Him with a

divided heart! Jesus said in Matthew 6:24—“No man can serve two

masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold

to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” All of

us have things in our lives that we should forsake so that we could follow

Him more closely! As David prayed let us also pray—“Search me, O God,

and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any

wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24).

B. AFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT. The people’s response to Joshua is found

in v21—“Nay; but we will serve the LORD.” They affirmed their commitment

to the Lord. They said, HIM and HIM ONLY will we serve! Friends, as we

enter into this new year this is a commitment we all need to make! Joshua

told the people in v22—“Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have

chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.” Upon

this repeated declaration Joshua says to them, “ye are witnesses against

yourselves,” i.e., ye will condemn yourselves by this your own testimony if

ye should now forsake the Lord (Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on The Bible.

e-Sword. Version 7.7.7. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights

Reserved Worldwide). Joshua tells Israel two things they needed to do to

make their commitment binding:

➢ Put Away All Idols (v23a). The sin of idolatry that plagues the modern world is a "me first" attitude that gives God the leftovers in though and life. - W. Werning (Bible Illustrator For Windows. Version 3.0f. Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved).

➢ Purpose In Your Heart To Serve God (v23b). I want you to notice the word "incline". It is translated from a Hebrew word that means “set or stretch your heart toward God" (Colossians 3:1-3).

For us to keep going for the LORD, we must do those two things also! To

keep going for the LORD, we must look to Jesus! The problem is that too

much of the believer's heart is in the world! We are too busy with earthly

things instead of heavenly things! (Matthew 6:19-21). We owe this World

NOTHING! We owe God EVERYTHING!

ILLUS: George Beverly Shea is known as "America's Beloved Gospel

Singer." Shea yielded his talents and his life to the service of Christ

at a early age, and God has rewarded his faithfulness. Because he

realized that in this life only what is done for Christ is of any

lasting value.

In his early years, Shea had had his share of lucrative offers of this

world, but he thoughtfully turned them down to become a singing

servant for the Savior. His most famous hymn is the motto of his

life:

"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I'd rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,

I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,

I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,

I'd rather be true to His Holy Name

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,

He's sweeter than honey from out of the comb;

He's all that my hungering spirit needs,

I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

Chorus:

Than to be a King of a vast domain,

Or be held in sin's dread sway;

I'd rather have Jesus than anything;

This world affords today. (Lindsay Terry. Stories Behind

Popular Songs And Hymns. Pp. 196-197.

The Israelites, after Joshua had finished speaking, made a covenant to

follow God and not forsake him! The covenant was written in stone and

placed before the Sanctuary of the LORD, lest the people deny God. (vv.

25-28).

CLOSING: What do you strive most for this morning? Paul said, "That I may

know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his

sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." (Phillippians 3:

10).

God has saved us this morning and called us to holy and faithful

service. He has blessed us with a good Church. We have some of

the best people around. He has given us another year to serve HIM

and bring HIM glory. The question is, “What will we do with it?” I

know we have in the past committed ourselves to Him and followed

Him. But let us all again; afresh and anew commit ourselves to the

perfect Will of God for our lives! Because "We've Gone Too Far To

Turn Back Now!” I am going to ask you this morning to commit

yourself to the Lord. If you are able I ask you to come to this altar

and make that commitment public and offer a prayer of

commitment to the Lord. If you are unable to knee at this altar I

ask you to make that commitment there where you are seated.

God has something GREAT in store for us if each will surrender

themselves to the will of God. WE’VE COME TO FAR TO TURN

BACK NOW so let us by FAITH GO FORWARD, FORGET OUR PAST

FAILURES AND FOCUS ON THE FUTURE, FORSAKE OUR OWN

WAY AND FOLLOW THE LORD’S WAY, and let us FOCUS OUR

EYES ON THE LORD AND FOLLOW HIM IN EVERYTHING. Will

you make that commitment?

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