Who has Your Heart?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/fan_mail/new] Sermon Title: Who Has Your Heart? Scripture: Joshua 24:15 Joshua 24:15 (KJV) "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."   Introduction: Everybody Serves Something Many people believe they are completely independent. They say: • "I do what I want." • "Nobody tells me what to do." • "I live life my own way." But the truth is everyone serves something 1. Some Serve Money Example: Judas Iscariot Matthew 26:14-16 Judas loved money more than he loved Christ. He sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Lesson: Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. When money becomes our god, we will sacrifice our values for profit. Illustration: Many people work overtime to get more money but never make time for God, family, or worship. 2. Some Serve Pleasure Example: Samson Judges 16 Samson was chosen by God and gifted with supernatural strength, but he repeatedly pursued sinful pleasures. His desire for pleasure eventually led to his downfall. Lesson: Pleasure is temporary, but its consequences can be permanent. 3. Some Serve Pride Example: King Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 4:3 “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?” Nebuchadnezzar became consumed with pride and took credit for what God had done. God humbled him until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty. Lesson: Pride lifts us up only to bring us down. Quote: “The same sun that melts butter hardens clay.” 4. Some Serve Success Example: The Rich Fool Luke 12:16-21 This man focused his entire life on building bigger barns and accumulating wealth. He was successful in business but bankrupt toward God. God called him a fool because he prepared for retirement but not eternity. Lesson: Success without God is failure in disguise. 5. Some Serve Popularity Example: King Saul 1 Samuel 15:24 Saul admitted: “I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.” Instead of obeying God, Saul wanted the approval of people. Lesson: When you live for applause, you become a slave to opinions. Illustration: Saul lost a kingdom because he cared more about public opinion than God’s opinion. 6. Some Serve Habits Example: Esau Genesis 25:29-34 Esau had a habit of satisfying immediate desires. He traded his birthright for a bowl of stew because he could not control his appetites. Lesson: A habit that seems small today can cost you something valuable tomorrow. 7. Some Serve Addictions Example: The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-16 The prodigal became addicted to a reckless lifestyle. He wasted his inheritance and ended up feeding pigs. His desires controlled him until he finally came to himself and returned to the Father. Lesson: Whatever controls you becomes your master. Others serve God. The question is not if you serve. The question is who or what has your heart? Joshua understood this truth. As he approached the end of his life, he gathered the nation of Israel one final time. He reminded them of God's faithfulness: • God called Abraham. • God delivered them from Egypt. • God opened the Red Sea. • God fed them in the wilderness. • God gave them victory in Canaan. Then Joshua asked a powerful question: "After everything God has done for you, who has your heart?" That same question is relevant today.   Why Joshua Said This Israel had entered a dangerous season. The battles were mostly over. The Promised Land had been conquered. The people were becoming comfortable. Joshua knew that prosperity often creates spiritual forgetfulness. The people were surrounded by the false gods of the Amorites. There was pressure to fit in with the culture around them. Joshua knew that if Israel lost their devotion to God, they would lose everything else. So he challenged them: Choose today. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Today.   1. Your Heart Determines Your Direction Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Whatever captures your heart eventually controls your life. What you love most will determine: • Your priorities • Your decisions • Your habits • Your future Illustration A compass always points north. No matter where you carry it, its direction remains the same. Your heart is the compass of your life. Where your heart points, your life follows.   2. The World Constantly Competes for Your Heart 1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world." The enemy doesn't always attack with persecution. Often he attacks with distraction. Today people spend more time: • On phones • Social media • Entertainment • Material pursuits Than they spend seeking God. Short Story A little boy asked his father: "Dad, how much do you make an hour?" After hearing the answer, the boy asked: "Can I buy one hour of your time?" Many things compete for our attention and affection.   3. God Wants Complete Commitment Matthew 22:37 "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." Notice God did not ask for part of the heart. He asked for all of it. Joshua understood that divided loyalty creates spiritual weakness. Illustration A husband cannot successfully be committed to two wives. Neither can believers successfully serve God and the world. God demands complete devotion.   4. What Has Your Heart Will Influence Your Home Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house..." Joshua understood leadership. His personal devotion would affect his family. Parents pass down more than possessions. They pass down values. Short Story Timothy became a mighty servant of God because of the influence of Lois and Eunice. Their faith became his faith. Their devotion became his devotion.   5. Your Choices Today Shape Tomorrow Galatians 6:7 "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Every choice plants a seed. Every seed eventually produces a harvest. Joshua knew Israel's future depended on today's decision. Illustration An oak tree begins as a tiny acorn. The future often hides inside small daily choices.   6. God Deserves Our Loyalty Deuteronomy 6:5 God had already proven Himself faithful. Joshua reminded Israel of everything God had done. The question wasn't whether God deserved their loyalty. The question was whether they would give it. Illustration If someone repeatedly saves your life, you naturally develop trust and gratitude. How much more should we honor a God who saved our souls?   7. One Person's Decision Can Change an Entire Family Joshua 24:15 Joshua didn't wait for everyone else. He didn't take a poll. He didn't ask for public opinion. He simply declared: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Illustration One light bulb can illuminate a dark room. One committed believer can change the atmosphere of an entire household.   8. Choose Before the Crisis Comes Ecclesiastes 12:1 Many people wait until trouble arrives before seeking God. Joshua urged the people to decide before disaster struck. Illustration You don't buy flood insurance after the flood arrives. You prepare beforehand. Strong families choose God before the storm comes.   Conclusion: The Most Important Decision Joshua was not asking Israel to choose a religion. He was asking them to choose their allegiance. Who will have your heart? Who will direct your life? Who will guide your family? At the end of his life Joshua stood firm and said: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." His mind was made up. His loyalty was settled. His heart belonged to God. Today God is asking us the same question: Who has your heart?   Altar Call Perhaps your heart has drifted. Perhaps other things have taken God's place. Perhaps your family needs spiritual renewal. Today is the day to make a fresh commitment. Come and declare: "Lord, You have my heart, my home, my family, and my future." And together let us say: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/support]