Week 1 Sermon — God at the Center

Series: Family Begins With God
 Primary Text: Joshua 24:14–15 (NKJV)
 Pillars: Love Deeply • Belong Fully • Grow Spiritually • Serve Faithfully

SERMON INTRODUCTION 

“Church family, every new year brings fresh opportunity—but opportunity without foundation leads to frustration.
 We are beginning this year with a clear conviction: family begins with God.

Every home has a center.
 Every family is organized around something.
 And whatever sits at the center determines the direction, the health, and the future of that family.

Joshua stands at the end of his life and gives Israel a final charge—not about land, not about battles, but about allegiance.
 And the same question he asked them is the question before our families today.”

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE 

Joshua 24:14–15 (NKJV)

“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord.
 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.
 But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

HISTORICAL CONTEXT 

Joshua delivers this message at Shechem, a deeply symbolic location:

Israel is settled, secure, and successful—yet Joshua knows prosperity can quietly replace dependence on God.
 The danger is no longer external enemies but internal compromise.

Joshua confronts syncretism—the blending of worship.
 Israel still acknowledged God, but they were also holding onto old gods.
 Joshua declares: Partial devotion is still divided devotion.

BIG IDEA

Every family makes a daily choice about who they will serve.

Not a cultural choice.
 Not a generational habit.
 A deliberate, daily decision.


POINT 1 — Family Is Shaped by Worship, Not Convenience

Pillar: LOVE Deeply

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT

Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

EXPLANATION

Joshua commands the people to put away the gods—not deny God, but remove competitors.
 Families rarely abandon God outright; they slowly rearrange priorities.

Convenience worships:

Worship determines love.
 What we worship receives our affection, time, protection, and sacrifice.

When God is first:

APOLOGETIC CONNECTION

Scripture consistently teaches exclusive allegiance:

Christian faith is not additive (“God plus everything else”)—it is foundational.

APPLICATION

Ask honestly:

Replace one convenience-driven habit with a God-centered rhythm this week.


POINT 2 — Private Decisions Become Public Direction

Pillar: BELONG Fully

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT

Psalm 127:1 (NKJV)

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

Ephesians 2:19 (NKJV)

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

EXPANDED EXPLANATION

Joshua’s declaration did not start publicly—it started privately.
 Leadership always flows from inner conviction.

What is practiced privately becomes visible publicly:

Families belong where leaders consistently point.

APOLOGETIC CONNECTION

Biblical faith has always been modeled before it was taught:

Christian belonging is not based on perfection, but on direction.


APPLICATION

Evaluate private rhythms:

Belonging is built through consistent spiritual visibility.


POINT 3 — Leadership in the Home Begins with Spiritual Clarity

Pillar: GROW Spiritually

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Colossians 2:6–7 (NKJV)

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him…”

EXPLANATION

Joshua does not hesitate.
 He does not negotiate truth.
 He declares direction.

Spiritual leadership is not flawless—it is clear.

Growth requires:

Families grow when leaders know who they serve and lead accordingly.

APOLOGETIC CONNECTION

Christian growth is discipleship, not behavior modification.
 Jesus called people to follow Him, not simply admire Him.

Faith grows through embodied truth, not abstract belief.

APPLICATION 

Say it clearly in your home:

Clarity creates confidence.

PRACTICE — THE FAMILY ALTAR

Pillar: SERVE Faithfully (Starting at Home)

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NKJV)

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”

EXPLANATION

The family altar is not about length—it is about presence.

5–10 minutes:

Service to God begins at home before it extends outward.

FINAL CHALLENGE 

“When God is at the center, everything else finds its place.

Love deepens.
 Belonging strengthens.
 Growth becomes intentional.
 Service flows naturally.

Joshua’s question still stands:

Choose this day whom you will serve.”

CLOSING PRAYER 

“Father God,
 We choose You today.
 We choose You in our hearts, our homes, and our families.
 Remove anything that competes with You.

As for us and our house, we will serve the Lord.
 Build what only You can build.
 In Jesus’ name, amen.”