GENTLEMAN KINGGENTLEMAN KINGJoshua 24:15Joshua 24:15

““But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today choose today whom you will servewhom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your . Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15 (New Living Translation)

""If you decide If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choosechoose a god you'd rather serve—and a god you'd rather serve—and do it todaydo it today. . ChooseChoose one of the gods... one of the gods... As for me As for me and my family, we'll worship God." and my family, we'll worship God."

(The Message Bible)(The Message Bible)

The Message is Clear: Joshua 24:15

““It is essential that the service of God's people be It is essential that the service of God's people be performed with a willing mind. For LOVE is the only performed with a willing mind. For LOVE is the only genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God genuine principle whence all acceptable service of God can spring.” can spring.” —Matthew Henry*—Matthew Henry*

*The most respected Bible commentary of all time*The most respected Bible commentary of all time

The Commentary on Joshua 24:15

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God’s restraint demonstrates his confidence in God’s restraint demonstrates his confidence in Extravagant Love and the Sensibilities of Humanity.Extravagant Love and the Sensibilities of Humanity.

One little angel singing “I love you’ has more One little angel singing “I love you’ has more value than a million who do so because they are value than a million who do so because they are programmed to.programmed to.

Every time God invites someone into one of his Every time God invites someone into one of his Deals he limits his own behavior…that’s what Deals he limits his own behavior…that’s what contracts are meant to do.contracts are meant to do.

Never misunderstand God’s gentlemanliness for Never misunderstand God’s gentlemanliness for apathy or weakness!apathy or weakness!

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When The Gospel Was Carried To Europe It Was Often Run Through A ‘Greek-thinking’ Filter

…The Result Was Staggering

God took on the character of the gods of Greek mythology…a God took on the character of the gods of Greek mythology…a power-monger, always getting his way.power-monger, always getting his way.

““Man cannot contribute to his own salvation even in the Man cannot contribute to his own salvation even in the slightest degree.” slightest degree.” --A Greek-thinking theologian--A Greek-thinking theologian ““Everything depends on the mere will of God; if some are Everything depends on the mere will of God; if some are damned and others saved it is because God created some for damned and others saved it is because God created some for death and others or life.” death and others or life.” --Same Theologian--Same Theologian

The Bible Tells Us Of A God Who Is Self-limiting The Bible Tells Us Of A God Who Is Self-limiting For The Purposes Of LoveFor The Purposes Of Love

Every covenant is based on man’s consent Adam /Eve, Abraham, Israel, and the New Covenant.

It is risky for God, since we are able to say no to his offer of fellowship.

Even entering the covenant doesn’t end the matter. There is still the matter of faithfulness.

In A Covenant God Explains The Consequences Of Faithfulness And Unfaithfulness On Our Part

To Encourage Us To Keep On Track

Deuteronomy 28 Deuteronomy 28 is a fine example of blessings and is a fine example of blessings and curses which follow faithfulness and unfaithfulness. curses which follow faithfulness and unfaithfulness.

Jeremiah 34:18 Jeremiah 34:18 explains the horrible consequences of explains the horrible consequences of not keeping covenant in his day: “The men who have not keeping covenant in his day: “The men who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and they walked between the pieces.”they cut in two and they walked between the pieces.”

The Cross Was The Ultimate In God’s Restraint

Jesus left the lifestyle of HeavenJesus left the lifestyle of Heaven

Lived in a world of gravity and other forces of nature, Lived in a world of gravity and other forces of nature, germs and people…because of love.germs and people…because of love.

He taught us how to live…by his the example of his own He taught us how to live…by his the example of his own life.life.

He exhibited his extreme love by allowing himself to be He exhibited his extreme love by allowing himself to be crucified.crucified.

How’s that for restraint!? Restraint driven by love!How’s that for restraint!? Restraint driven by love!

I believe I believe that Jesus is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Christ, the Son of the living God.the living God.

I trust I trust him as my Lord him as my Lord and Savior.and Savior.

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The Gospel Itself Puts Limitations On GodThe Gospel Itself Puts Limitations On God

While He wants everyone to be saved, he limits While He wants everyone to be saved, he limits salvation to those who respond to the Word.salvation to those who respond to the Word.

He is limited by the willingness and passion of those He is limited by the willingness and passion of those who declare the ‘Good News’.who declare the ‘Good News’.

He won’t coerce you or predispose you to respond the He won’t coerce you or predispose you to respond the Gospel.Gospel.

God Does Macro-ManagementGod Does Macro-Management

Social and religious status means littleSocial and religious status means little

It’s all about confession and repentanceIt’s all about confession and repentance

Worship will be difficult for non-confessorsWorship will be difficult for non-confessors

Praise and service will come natural to those who have Praise and service will come natural to those who have been forgiven muchbeen forgiven much

Is today a good day to copy the attitude and response of Is today a good day to copy the attitude and response of the black hat lady?the black hat lady?

God Wants You To Say God Wants You To Say YesYes To His Offer Of Love, To His Offer Of Love, Peace And Eternal LifePeace And Eternal Life

He’s done so much to convince you and others of his He’s done so much to convince you and others of his sincerity, mercy, love…and the consequences of living sincerity, mercy, love…and the consequences of living your life on your own terms.your life on your own terms.

Jesus voluntarily died on the cross to demonstrate his Jesus voluntarily died on the cross to demonstrate his extravagant love.extravagant love.

All of heaven awaits your answer.All of heaven awaits your answer.

God is calling…waiting…hoping you will say yes to his God is calling…waiting…hoping you will say yes to his love.love.

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God’s restraint demonstrates his confidence in God’s restraint demonstrates his confidence in Extravagant Love and the Sensibilities of Humanity.Extravagant Love and the Sensibilities of Humanity.

One little angel singing “I love you’ has more One little angel singing “I love you’ has more value than a million who do so because they are value than a million who do so because they are programmed to.programmed to.

Every time God invites someone into one of his Every time God invites someone into one of his Deals he limits his own behavior…that’s what Deals he limits his own behavior…that’s what contracts are meant to do.contracts are meant to do.

Never misunderstand God’s gentlemanliness for Never misunderstand God’s gentlemanliness for apathy or weakness!apathy or weakness!

The King Has Given UsThe King Has Given UsThe Freedom Of Free Choice!The Freedom Of Free Choice!

Let Your World KnowLet Your World Know