Sermon Cloud

Today's scripture is about not just about leaving lasting memories, but goes even deeper.  You see in reality, our memory is frail and weak and grows faint as we get older.  So, in reality, when it comes to God's eternal expectation, life is much more than just making memories. 

Instead, Jesus has left us with an expectation to leave this world not simply with memories which fade with time, but lives that have been changed.  That is why our church's vision statement says, "Connecting People, Changing Lives, and Communicating Christ."  

In fact, we are held accountable for leaving a leaving a godly farewell legacy to those who follow after us. 

Our Bible passage we are studying today speaks as to what type of legacy we are to leave.  We are closing our study through the book of Joshua by looking at Joshua 23-24.

In his farewell address, Joshua instructs the Israelite leaders as to what type of lasting legacy they are to be leaving.  Joshua has come to the end of this life and just like a dying man on his deathbed; he is highlighting what is really important about life.  Joshua knows that God is calling his people to a courageous faith which is always intentional about leaving a lasting legacy.  It is not enough just to place your faith in Him, instead that is only the beginning of a great adventure with Jesus Christ.  The question this morning is, ‘What kind of legacy are we to leave to those that follow?'  In Joshua 23-24, we see 4 GOALS we should be aiming for in leaving a lasting legacy?

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DIVISION 1: Leave a legacy where those after you obey God's Word (Joshua 23:6)

Obedience is a natural emphasis for a solider like Joshua to make.  Remember, this was the charge given by God at the very onset of the book of Joshua.

Joshua is now reminding his people that God's Word never fails.  Unfortunately, it is easy to easy to forget how important it is to obey the instructions that have been given us.  Illustration: I realized this week that I was so excited about teaching Maggie to ride her bike that I forgot to teach her the road rules for bike riding.  Buffy told me how scared she was riding with Maggie around the neighborhood because she wasn't giving much respect to the signs and other cars.

Are you amplifying in your life that there is an authoritative standard in your life?  Do you live in submission to God's Word?  Are you reading the Bible with your family?  Are you encouraging them as soon as they can read to start reading the Bible?  Wouldn't it be neat if some of the first words they are learning are God's words?

Are you teaching your children that when they disobey you that the first issue is not that they disobeyed you, but that they disobeyed the authority figure in their life which we know are parents because the Bible teaches us this?

   Not only should we aim to leave a legacy where those after you obey God's Word, but also...

 DIVISION 2: Leave a legacy where those after you cling to Jesus (Joshua 23:8)

Illustration: Fischer introduced himself to a dog at Upward Soccer yesterday.  The unique aspect of this introduction was that this dog was much taller than him and some kids were even saying he looked like a wolf.  What was very interesting was that Fischer was very brave to venture close enough to touch this dog, until he got close enough to look at him face to face, eye to eye.  His immediate response was to turn and cling to me as tight as he could.

Joshua is teaching faithfulness.  And I think especially during times of frustration, disappointment, distress, and trouble.  Where do you turn during times of distress and trouble?

Illustration: Hold Fast by Mercy Me lyrics.

Are you clinging to Jesus during the times of crisis in your life?  Remember people are watching and the way you respond, speaks to others who are watching.  I emailed Brad Talley who lost his wife to cancer just last month and I told him thanks for clinging to Jesus during this time as young pastors like me are watching.

Not only should we aim to leave a legacy where those after you obey God's Word, cling to Jesus, but also, we should aim to ...

DIVISION 3: Leave a legacy where those after you love the Lord (Joshua 23:11)

Obeying God and loving God go together.  Do not say that you love God if you are not obeying his commands in the Bible.  To claim that is hypocrisy.  If you love God, you will keep his commands.

Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Do your neighbors and co-workers know that you love God?  If you are confused at how they are to know this, you see here that they will know from the way you live.  As they listen to you talk or as they watch what you spend your money on, they know whom you love.

Not only should we aim to leave a legacy where those after you obey God's Word, cling to Jesus, love the Lord, but also, we should aim to...

DIVISION 4: Leave a legacy where those after you serve Jesus (Joshua 24:14)

There is no neutrality.  We have to examine our hearts and destroy any form of idols that we have formed in our heart: greed, wrong priorities, jealousies, prejudices- anything that gets in the way of worshiping God.  God is not satisfied when we just hide these idols, we must completely remove them from our lives.  Why?  Well, if you don't cleanse your life of these idols, you are serving them rather than Christ.

I can think of nothing greater that I want to leave my children than a servant-heart and servant spirit.  First, that begins by serving Christ in whatever and wherever He calls and places me.  Second, that involves serving my spouse.  Third, that involves serving my children.  Fourth, that involves serving my church.  There is no excuse for you not serving the church in some way. 

The Bible calls the church the body of Christ.  One of the many implications of this description is that each part of the body works together...no part is exempt from serving the body in some way.  Now, you are not expected to teach the Bible or play or instrument, but God has shaped you to serve Him by serving His church in some way.

I can think of no greater legacy you can leave those after you, then the importance of serving others and serving Christ's church.

Now, in closing, I want you to read Joshua 24:29-31 and make it personal.

Joshua 24:31

Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua.

Contemporary English Version

31As long as Joshua lived, Israel worshiped and obeyed the LORD. There were other leaders old enough to remember everything that the LORD had done for Israel. And for as long as these men lived, Israel continued to worship and obey the LORD.

31As long as Don lived, Buffy, Maggie, Lacie, & Fischer worshiped and obeyed the LORD. There were other leaders old enough to remember everything that the LORD had done for His people. And for as long as these men lived, Don's family continued to worship and obey the LORD.