Serve the Lord

September 28, 2025
Dr. Tony Hutson
Joshua

Joshua 24:14-15

Scripture Reference

Joshua 24:14-15 – “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt, and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Introduction

Title: “Serve the Lord” — Preacher: Dr. Tony Hutson.

Joshua’s final charge is one of the clearest, boldest calls to decisive Christian living in Scripture. On his deathbed he does not hedge, he does not negotiate — he issues a firm choice: whom will you serve? In a day of drifting, compromise, and confusion, Joshua’s statement, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD,” remains an uncompromising standard for believers. This sermon will unpack three simple but profound reasons Joshua served the Lord — reasons every Christian should know, rehearse, and live by: desire, dedication, and dread of falling away.

“Y’ all can be seated. Take your Bibles and turn if you will to Joshua, the last chapter.”

Quote from Preacher

The short introductory line above sets the scene — Dr. Tony Hutson invites the congregation to Scripture, and from that simple start launches into a plainspoken, urgent plea for wholehearted service to God.

Outline

Desire: I serve him because I want to.
1. New Creature Reality
  Scripture teaches the believer is a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation brings a spiritual resurrection: old desires die and new appetites arise. Dr. Hutson reminds us that the evidence of true conversion is a changed heart — a desire for God’s Word, a hunger for worship, and a yearning for holiness. If someone truly is in Christ, they will show signs of new life. This is not to teach sinless perfection, but to show that genuine faith produces new cravings and pursuits.
2. Growing Appetite for Spiritual Food
  Like a newborn who desires milk, the new Christian should desire Scripture and spiritual fellowship. Dr. Hutson uses earthy, familiar metaphors (learning to like turnip greens, growing into church habits) to show how spiritual tastes mature. If your spiritual appetite has dwindled, it is a call to repentance and renewed intake of the Word and prayer.
3. Personal Witness and Joy
  Serving the Lord brings changed circumstances and lasting joy. Dr. Hutson contrasts the emptiness of the old life with the privileges and security of serving Christ. It pays spiritual dividends — not necessarily earthly comfort, but peace, hope, and fruit that endure.
Dedication: I serve him because I ought to.
1. Entrusted with the Faith
  Believers inherit a revealed body of truth — doctrine about the Lord’s person, work, resurrection, and return. Jude exhorts Christians to contend earnestly for the faith. Our dedication arises from stewardship; we have been given truth and people that need it.
2. Enlisted in Battle
  Christian service is not a hobby or pastime — it is warfare. Paul calls us to fight the good fight of faith and to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6). Dr. Hutson warns that the devil is real, active, and intent on devouring souls. Dedication is standing firm in a spiritual fight that affects families, neighborhoods, and eternity.
3. Responsibility to Others
  Many in our families and communities need someone to hold the line. Joshua did not consult public opinion; he made a decisive household stand. Believers are entrusted to be witnesses and shepherds within their sphere. Faithful service protects the next generation from drifting and compromise.
Dread: I serve him because I’m afraid not to.
1. God’s Loving Chastening
  Hebrews teaches that whom the Lord loves He chastens. Spiritual sensitivity to correction — the convictions of conscience and the Holy Spirit — confirms we belong to God. Dr. Hutson testifies that being accountable to God and His Word is preferable to hardening our hearts. Fear here is not mere terror but godly reverence that steers us away from persistent sin.
2. Avoiding the Slow Devour of Compromise
  The enemy’s aim is often gradual and subtle — a slow drift from truth. Dr. Hutson describes the devil as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour: this should provoke Christians to vigilance. Failing to respond to conviction invites spiritual shipwreck; fear of that outcome motivates faithful, disciplined service.
3. Promptness in Obedience
  Better to obey now than to live with regret later. When the Spirit prompts — to testify, to rebuke, to give, to go — delay or refusal may lead to bitterness. Dr. Hutson encourages prompt responsiveness to God’s voice because the cost of silence can be great.
Practical Outworking: Household and Local Church Focus
1. Household Decision
  Joshua’s choice extended to his house. The Christian’s faith affects the home first: family worship, moral leadership, and domestic discipleship. Men especially are called to lead decisively (Joshua did not put the decision to a family vote). The local church supports and sharpens these household commitments.
2. Local Church Commitment
  Dr. Hutson emphasizes the centrality of the local New Testament church for worship, baptism, discipline, and mission. Attend, serve, and prioritize the church — it is God’s ordained means to equip saints and reach sinners.
3. Every Believer’s Role
  Each member is important — like spokes in a wheel. Serving is not only for pastors; everyone has a place (bus captains, teachers, singers, ushers). Strong local churches require faithful, regular participation.
Closing Exhortation: Make the Decision
1. Choose Today
  Joshua’s urgency is timeless: choose whom you will serve. Indecision is itself a decision — don’t let apathy or cultural pressure determine your spiritual direction.
2. Be Dogmatic for God’s Sake
  Dogmatism here means conviction grounded in Scripture. Stand firm on the Bible’s teachings and make bold commitments for the glory of God and the good of souls.

Summary

Joshua’s final words call for a deliberate, wholehearted commitment to the Lord. Dr. Tony Hutson reminds us that Christian service flows from three realities: a sincere desire birthed by new life, a solemn dedication because we have been entrusted with the faith and enlisted in spiritual warfare, and a healthy fear of backsliding that drives us to obedience. The local church and the household are the primary arenas where that dedication is lived out. Serve the Lord — not as a cultural preference, but as a life-changing, world-affecting commitment.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Quote to Ponder

This short, resolute declaration from Joshua is the sermon’s heartbeat — a personal, public, and permanent decision to serve God that we are encouraged to emulate.

Application for the Week

Practical steps to turn Joshua’s charge into daily practice. These are simple, concrete, and measurable so you can grow as a mature Christian.

Make a House Decision
Talk with your family (or household) this week and declare together a simple statement like, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Follow with a regular family Bible reading and prayer time — start with 10 minutes, three times this week.
Daily Appetite Plan
Begin a 7-day plan to read Scripture daily: Days 1–3 read a Gospel (Mark or John), Days 4–5 read Psalms for worship, Days 6–7 read Paul’s practical letters (Ephesians/Colossians). Aim for 10–20 minutes a day and write one application sentence in a notebook.
Church Engagement
If you are a member or regular attendee, commit to be present at the next three corporate meetings (Sunday AM, Sunday PM, Wednesday). If you are absent often, call a deacon or pastor and say, “I will be here.” If you are not part of a local New Testament church, begin to seek one that preaches the Bible and practices biblical ordinances.
Serve One Time This Week
Volunteer for one church responsibility this week: fill a bus route, help in a children’s class, greet newcomers, or assist the grounds/cleaning team. Serving builds dedication and keeps the wheel strong.
Respond to Conviction Immediately
If the Holy Spirit burdens you about sin, relationships, or witness — do not delay. Confess, make restitution where needed, and ask a trusted believer to pray with you. Keep a short “obedience log” of prompt actions you took this week.
Pray for One Lost Person
Identify one person in your life who needs salvation. Pray for them daily this week and share the gospel with them or invite them to church by the weekend. Ask a friend to hold you accountable.

May the Lord grant us the conviction of Joshua: a desire to serve, a dedication to stand in battle, and a reverent fear that prompts obedience. As you work through this week’s applications, keep a journal of what God does — small steps of faith become great testimonies for His glory.