Who (or What) Will You Worship?
An abstract of Connor Kraus’ sermon on March 30, 2025, in the Joshua series. Watch the sermon video here.
Have you ever started something with lots of excitement only to find your enthusiasm fading over time? Maybe it was a new hobby, exercise routine, or even a promise to spend more time with God. In our final sermon of the Joshua series, we explore what happens when we reach those crossroad moments in our spiritual lives - when we must choose between half-hearted devotion and full commitment to God.
A Leader's Final Stand
Joshua was an exceptional leader. He stands among the rare biblical figures about whom nothing negative is ever written. At 110 years old, after decades of faithful service, Joshua gathered all of Israel at a significant location called Shechem for his final message.
Why Shechem? This wasn't random. Just as a coach might take his team to a historic battlefield to drive home an important lesson, Joshua chose Shechem because of its rich spiritual history. It was where God first called Abraham out of idol worship. It was where Jacob built an altar to God and buried his household idols. It was a place of decision and dedication - the perfect backdrop for Joshua's final challenge.
Remembering God's Faithfulness
Joshua began by helping the Israelites remember their journey:
God chose Abraham from a family that worshipped false gods
God delivered them from slavery in Egypt
God gave them victories over their enemies
God provided them land they didn't work for and food they didn't plant
The message was clear: "Look at where you were, look at what God has done, look at where you are now." All of God's promises had been fulfilled. They were living in the blessing He promised.
The Challenge: Choose Who You Will Serve
After reminding them of God's faithfulness, Joshua presented a challenge: "Therefore, fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshipped... choose for yourselves today which you will worship."
Then came his famous declaration: "As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord."
Joshua wasn't suggesting God was just one option among many. His challenge was meant to highlight how ridiculous it was for the Israelites to keep false gods when the true God had done so much for them.
The Problem of Mixed Devotion
The people responded with enthusiasm, promising to serve God alone. But Joshua saw deeper. He knew their history of half-hearted commitment. He shocked them by saying, "You will not be able to worship the Lord because He is a holy God. He is a jealous God."
Joshua wasn't trying to discourage them. He wanted them to understand that true worship requires undivided hearts. You can't have one foot in and one foot out. As James would later write in the New Testament, salt water and fresh water don't come from the same spring.
Joshua knew they still had idols tucked away even as they made their promises. He directly challenged them: "Then get rid of the foreign gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord."
Recognizing Our Own Idols
Many of us find ourselves in the same position as the Israelites. We say we love God, but we carry around our own little idols. An idol isn't always something obviously bad. It's anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts.
What do you turn to when life gets tough? Where do you find your security, identity, or comfort? Money? Success? Relationships? Social media approval? Even good things like family, work, or ministry can become idols when they occupy the place only God should hold.
Three Steps to Freedom from Idols
1. Recognize the Idol
This first step is harder than it sounds. Our idols hide deep in our hearts where we don't want to see them. Here are some questions to help identify them:
What do you trust in or look to for security?
Where do you turn when life is tough?
What gets credit when things go well?
What gives you comfort when things go wrong?
If you're struggling to identify your idols, try praying Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way."
2. Remove the Idol
Once you recognize an idol, you must take specific actions to remove it. Simply acknowledging its existence isn't enough. Every idol grows from a false belief that must be addressed at the root.
For example, if money has become an idol, you might need to:
Re-examine your budget
Give something valuable away
Practice generosity
Talk less about material possessions
If busyness is your idol, you might need to:
Schedule rest into your calendar
Say no to an activity you thought was essential
Make time for what truly matters
3. Replace the Idol
Nature abhors a vacuum. If you remove an idol without replacing it, something else will quickly take its place. The solution is not fill that space with something that can become another false idol, but to fill it with God's truth.
Each idol has a corresponding truth in God's Word. Find Bible verses that address your specific struggle, write them down, memorize them, and keep them visible where you're most tempted.
The fight against idols means more than saying "no" to something—it means saying "yes" to God.
Make Your Choice Today
Joshua told the Israelites, "Choose for yourselves today." That choice wasn't just for that moment—it was a daily commitment. The same is true for us.
Can we join Joshua in saying, "As for me and my house, we will worship the Lord"? What would it look like to live that out every day?
God desires our wholehearted devotion not just because He deserves it, but because He designed us to find our greatest joy and purpose in Him alone. When we set aside false gods and pursue Him with our whole hearts, we discover the blessing of a beautiful relationship with our Creator.
Take Your Next Step
Are you carrying idols that are keeping you from experiencing the fullness of God's blessing? Today is your Shechem moment—your opportunity to choose true worship.
We'd love to help you on your journey. Join us this Sunday at 9 or 10:30 a.m. Our welcoming community has people at all stages of faith, including those just beginning to explore. Whether you have questions or doubts or are ready to take the next step, there's a place for you here. Plan a visit today
After all, the choice isn't just about what we give up—it's about whom we gain when we choose to put God first.