As For Me and My House (Joshua 24:14-15) | Tate Cox

Main message: Joshua 24:14–15 calls Israel (and today’s households) to fear God, serve him sincerely, and remove idols; each person must choose whom they will serve. The preacher applies that charge especially to fathers: lead by example, disciple your family, and break generational sin by putting God on the throne of your home.

Key points:

• Joshua’s three commands: fear the Lord (reverent awe), serve the Lord (service as worship), and put away the gods (repentance—remove idols from the throne of your life).
• Fear of the Lord produces wisdom, causes departure from evil, and shows itself in obedience (illustrated by Joseph and Proverbs/Ecclesiastes teaching).
• Serving God is a reasonable, grateful response to his mercy (Romans 12:1) and must be done in sincerity and truth, not for show (John 13 example).
• Idols today include money, sensual pleasure, and self‑absorption; God demands undivided loyalty (Exodus 34:14; Matthew 6:24).
• The choice is personal—God has given free will to accept or reject him—so Joshua challenges each person to decide whom they will serve.
• Practical application to fathers: steward your family spiritually, lead by example (discipleship is caught not just taught), repent where needed, and know it’s never too late to change a legacy.

Scriptures mentioned: Joshua 24:14–15, Joshua 23:1, Joshua 23:14, Psalm 111:4, Psalm 78:4–7, Proverbs 17, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 16:6, Job 28:28, Genesis 39:6–10, Ecclesiastes (conclusion), Romans 12:1, John 13:12–17, Exodus 34:14, Matthew 6:24, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Isaiah 53, 1 Corinthians 12