The Italian Memorandum

The following outline includes material that brother David Young
Presented May 14, 2008 at the Cape Girardeau Church of Christ.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”

(Joshua 24:15)

Introduction:    Joshua’s final words to the Lord’s people after the Exodus out of Egypt and Settlement in the Promised Land, were meant to pass on the torch of faith to future generations (Josh. 24:14-15).

I. Choices Do Exist (Joshua 24)

A. “the Lord” (24:14,15)
B. “gods that your fathers served beyond the River” (24:14)
C. “gods that your fathers served in Egypt” (24:14)
D. “gods of the Amorites” (24:15)

II. The Promised Land and the tendency toward Generational Degeneration (Judges 2)

A. Joshua dies (2:6-9)
B. Joshua’s generation dies (2:10a)
C. The next generation (2:10b-15)
D. Examples of Torch Passers:

1. 1st generation – A Strong hard back chair (faith fighters)
2. 2nd generation – A LA-Z-BOY recliner (faith feigners)
3. 3rd generation – A floppy lattice chair (faith-less)

Conclusion:   Have we taken care to pass on the torch of faith? Will Joshua 24:15 reflect your own commitment from this day forward? Are you first chair or second? The choice is yours.

In the World War II military movie, Patton, George C. Scott portrays General George Patton, Commander of the United States 3d Army. Throughout the movie, General Omar Bradley is shown constantly counseling Patton on political decorum. One scene in the movie shows Patton confronting a G.I. in a hospital in Sicily for his apparent mental battle fatigue. Patton started striking him on the head and screaming at the man for alleged cowardice. Then he ordered the soldier out of the hospital to a separate location. He would not have this coward to share the tent with honorably wounded American soldiers.
A warm and sensitive psychologist–Patton was not. Still, there are statements made by the Holy Spirit which lead one to know for certain that God hates cowards among his people.

1. Revelation 21:8 reads: “But as for the cowardly…their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

2. The opposite of cowardice is courage. Joshua 1:9 reads, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.” And, the way to “courage” is to realize that fear is replaced with the promise of Joshua 1:9b—“Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The promise of the Lord’s presence with his disciples in a New Testament sense is axiomatic to Christian faith— “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20; see also 2 Chronicles 32:6-8; Acts 28:15).

3. Honor is conditioned upon service (John 12:26).

For all that you’ve done, and all that you’re going to do in the name of Christ, it will not be forgotten (1 Cor. 15:58). Serve Him today!

-Robert M. Housby