HOLDING THE LINE AT HOME

A Family Under Fire
For some time now, I have wanted to preach on the home and the family. There is no greater organization in our lives than the family.
You may say your job is everything because it supports your family—but your focus better be on your family.
I love the church, but always remember: God instituted the family before He instituted the church. If you want to serve God well, make your family strong.
The family is where we find our greatest joy, our greatest pride, and our greatest blessing.
But today, families are struggling.
Satan is on the attack. He wants to redefine the family, distract the family, and ultimately defeat the family.
I’ve said it before—if he can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.
It used to be that everything centered around obvious sins—drugs, immorality, rebellion. But now? Satan has learned something. He doesn’t have to destroy with wickedness—he can distract with busyness.
He fills our calendars with good things until we neglect the best things.
He disconnects us.
He creates conflict.
He shifts our focus.
And before long, instead of building, we’re constantly repairing.
That’s why for the next few weeks, we’re looking at this truth: Families Under Fire.
And today’s message is simple:
Holding the Line at Home

1. The Pressure Demands a Decision
We are living under pressure as families today—maybe more than ever before.
Not always from wicked things, but from constant demands:

• Busy schedules
• Rising costs
• The fear of missing out
• The pressure to keep up

And in that pressure, Joshua gives a command:
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”
Pressure demands a decision.
There are many families today who won’t decide—and they end up crushed because of it. The road is full of “dead squirrels” that couldn’t make up their minds.
Joshua makes it plain:
You will either serve the gods of this world, or you will serve the Lord.
It cannot be both.
We like to think we can balance everything—but don’t be fooled. You cannot take what belongs to God and give it somewhere else and expect God to bless it.
So decide.
Draw the line.
Hold the line.
Declare it.
What you’re facing right now will either refine you or redefine you—but it will change you.
So why not choose Him?

2. The Pressure Reveals Who We Are Serving
Joshua says something important:
Not “what” you will serve—but “whom” you will serve.
There is always an object of our service.
It’s either:

• God
• Others
• Or ourselves

And pressure reveals which one it is.
I’m not a know-it-all when it comes to family. I’ve made my share of mistakes. But I do know this—pressure reveals what’s inside us.
When life gets hard:

• We say things we wouldn’t normally say
• Our attitudes shift
• Our priorities change

Why? Because pressure exposes us.
Difficult seasons will reveal your relationship with God.
Now let me say this—pain is real.
Grief is real.
Loss is real.
Hardship is real.
And those things will change you.
But don’t let what happens in a moment become your identity.
Don’t let hardship push you away from God—let it push you toward Him.
Let your schedule reveal Him.
Let your stress reveal Him.
Let your pain reveal Him.
Be a living testimony that says:
“Yes, we’ve been through hard times—but we still serve the Lord.”

3. The Pressure Requires Someone to Hold the Line
Joshua is nearing the end of his life. This is his farewell.
He knows leadership is about to change. He knows the people will be vulnerable.
So he makes his position clear:
“As for me and my house…”
He wasn’t waiting on everyone else.
He wasn’t following culture.
He made his decision.
And every family needs someone who will do the same.
One day, every parent will leave this world.
And when that day comes, what will you leave behind?
Will it be something shallow and temporary—or something eternal?
Dads, moms—you have a responsibility to lead your family spiritually.
Tell them:

• Live for God
• Stay faithful
• Be in church
• Serve the Lord

Because somebody has to hold the line.
And let me say this clearly—the line still matters.

• Where we go matters
• What we do matters
• What we say matters
• Our habits matter
• Our faithfulness matters

I’m not preaching perfection—but I am preaching example.
If nowhere else, be an example in your home.

What Does It Mean to Serve the Lord?
Serving God is more than being on a church roll.
It means:
Put God First When Life Gets Busy
Your schedule may fill—but your priorities are your choice.
Turn to God in Problems, Not Just Peace
Let your children see your faith when life is hard.
Include God in Everyday Moments
Pray with your children. Talk about Scripture. Make God part of daily life.
Be Vocal About Your Faith
It’s okay to draw lines and explain why your family lives differently.
Be Willing to Say “I’m Sorry”
Nothing builds respect like humility.
Your children don’t need perfection—they need authenticity.
A Personal Word
One of the greatest moments of my life was when my father looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m sorry.”
Not because he was perfect—but because he was honest.
That moment built more respect than anything else ever could.
If you make a mistake—own it. Apologize. Move forward.
That’s how you lead your family.
Final Questions
Let me ask you:

• How confident are you in your family’s relationship with God?
• What do you see that points to eternity?
• Are you leading your home spiritually?

There is an eternity ahead of your children.
And there is an enemy after them.
Someone must stand.
Someone must lead.
Someone must hold the line.
Conclusion
Joshua made his choice.
Now it’s your turn.
Draw the line in your home and declare it boldly:
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” the Line at Home

Directly Cited or Referenced:

1. Joshua 24:15 - Main text: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
2. Galatians 5:7 - Alluded to: "Paul said in one place in the New Testament, he said, you used to run well, but who did hinder you?"
3. Exodus 20:3 - Alluded to: "thou shalt have no other gods before me"
4. 1 Timothy 4:12 - Referenced: "Paul told Timothy, he said, you be an example of the believer. He said, word, deed, conversation."
5. John 10:10 - Alluded to: "He come to steal, kill, and destroy"
6. 1 Peter 5:8 - Referenced: "The Bible said there's a roaring lion seeking who he may devour"
7. Luke 22:31 - Alluded to: "Jesus told Peter he wants to sift you as wheat"

Relevant Verses for Main Themes:
Family Leadership and Faith:

• Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teaching children diligently
• Proverbs 22:6 - Training up a child
• Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers not provoking children but bringing them up in the Lord

Choosing to Serve God:

• Matthew 6:24 - Cannot serve two masters
• 1 Kings 18:21 - How long will you waver between two opinions?

Prioritizing God:

• Matthew 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God
• Luke 10:27 - Love the Lord with all your heart

Forgiveness in Families:

• Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and forgiving to one another
• Colossians 3:13 - Forgive as the Lord forgave you