Introduction: The last words of great men are often interesting. Consider Clarence Darrow, Gypsy Smith and J.C. Penney. (Read article) Now let's consider the final words of Joshua, one of the greatest men of God. What did he say?

I. Give God the Credit for all good things (verses 3, 10).
A. The Bible teaches us we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
B. We are also kept by grace (I Peter 1:3-5).
C. We can serve Him as he graciously gives us gifts and opportunities.
D. And all we are and have is the gift of God's grace. "There but for the grace
of God go I," is the proper attitude for a Christian.

II. Be courageous to keep God's Law (verse 6).
A. What IS God's Law?
It is the Torah. It is the Old Testament and New Testament.
It is all the commands of God, both written and in our hearts.
It is His Word.
Moral, ceremonial and civil, in the Old Testament.
B. Haven't Christians been set free from the Law? (Gal. 3:23-25)
The Law is not a way of salvation. The religious laws have been done
away in Christ. But the Moral Law is God's nature, and is eternal.
Jesus said: "If you love me, keep my commandments."
C. In our generation, it takes courage to stand for God's Law, for it contradicts
man's law at every turn, and it has many enemies.
D. The Law of God is wonderful! (see Psalm 119:1-10)

III. Stay faithful to the Lord (verses 6-8, 11-13).
A. The Israelites were constantly tempted to accept the other religions
of their time.
B. Today we are constantly tempted to accept other religions, or to change
Christianity into something other than what it really is.
C. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to keep the Gospel pure (Galatians 1:6-10).
D. We too are commanded to not worship together with unbelievers
(see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
E. There is no other God but Jehovah (Psalm 96:1-5).

Conclusion: These are three very important guidelines for our lives. May the Lord help each of us to be faithful to Him, and to serve Him all our lives.