Under His Word, With His People
Two Commitments for Kingdom Living
Aaron Lee | Joshua 8:30-35 | FCBCW Youth Worship | February 15, 2026
Introduction
How can we make sure love will last? Passion cools. Promises fade. Life gets busy. Kids become a challenge. That’s why some couples choose to renew their marriage vows. Marriage vow renewals remind couples about the importance of committing to each other.
Commitment is needed because you never know what is to come in a marriage. You want to know that you will love and be loved, to have and to hold, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. You want to know that your marriage will be strong until death.
Context
In our passage today, we’re witnessing a ceremony called a covenant renewal. A covenant is a contract between two parties – namely, God and his people. When it comes to God, he makes the terms of the contract. We are to agree and obey. The contract is that he will be our God, we will be his people, and he tells us how this is to play out. We’re renewing, remembering, and recommitting to this covenant. We haven’t really felt this in the book of Joshua. We’ve seen a lot of action. Spies. Battles. Here we have something a bit more solemn, a bit more serious, and it should cause us to slow down and pay attention to the point of it all.
Sermon Preview
We’re going to see two commitments for kingdom living:
Commit to God’s Commands – Live Under His Word
Commit to God’s Community – Live With His People
These commitments shape the relationship of God’s people as they live in the land he has given them. We must commit – be loyal and faithful – to God’s commands and God’s community.
1. Commit to God’s Commands
The first commitment is to God’s commands:
32 And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. … 34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. (Joshua 8:32-34)
Explanation
God’s people are to learn and live out his word.
After all the action of spies and battles, Joshua stops for this ceremony. It’s quite jarring – almost to say that we need to hold on a second, refocus, make sure we’re getting this right. Joshua writes on stones a copy of the law of Moses. He’s writing the Ten Commandments, he’s writing some of the specific promises and curses that will come with obeying and disobeying God. He’s writing God’s word down for all to see, and then he’s reading it. He’s reading it for them to hear. He’s showing them God’s word, and then he’s telling them God’s word. They had access to learn it and with the expectation that they will live it out. Notice that the responsibility for learning and living out God’s word is not restricted to Joshua and the leaders of Israel. All the people of Israel were present. They had a personal responsibility to remember and respond to God’s word. There will be no exceptions for not learning it. There will be no excuses for not living it. It’s all there – according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. Joshua has just entered the new promised land, and he’s saying that God’s word will be what will rule their new world.
Remember the story of Achan. He was guilty, disobeyed, and violated God’s word. This covenant ceremony forces us to recall and recommit to God’s commands.
Application
So, will your world be ruled by God’s word?
2025 was a difficult year for me professionally and personally. Increasing job responsibilities and new challenges with the kids. I found myself needing to let God’s word rule my mind and heart, not my emotions and hardships.
Whatever ministries we do, whatever our attendance is, whatever is happening in our city, God’s word should rule our church where we preach Christ crucified. Especially in our culture where we value schools and sports – Scripture must be supreme. Our church should be a place where God’s word is proclaimed as he speaks truth into our lives.
For those of you going to college, you are literally entering a new land. A new world. Commit now to let God’s word rule.
I asked my Sunday School class what adults should know about teenagers and time management. One of the answers was that burnout is real. When you feel stressed and it’s hard to see what’s true, Christianity gives us a cure for the overwhelmed and exhausted.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
I was with Jess and we realized that we’re living our lives but not making the time to connect. When we’re finally home together in the evenings to talk, we’re already so tired. We’re in a relationship, but we’re not really relating to each other — we’re just revolving doors, circling around each other. We want to ask each other questions, learn new things about each other, and spend time just hanging out having fun.
As Christians, this mindset can also apply to our relationship with God’s Word — where we say it’s what we’re all about, but we aren’t actively engaging with it or applying it. Some practical tips for letting God’s Word rule would be to come out and engage in Sunday School or Friday night fellowship and ask hard questions, memorize a new verse every month this year, or make it a goal to read through the entire Bible before you graduate.
It’s worth noting that the people listened for a long time. Work on your listening skills and the time you can sit still with God and his word. The Bible is more than a book you read once and put away. Taking the time to invest in the Word — in your mind and in your heart — is a way to remember that it is living and active. By prioritizing connection with the Word over completing reading checkboxes, we cherish the Bible and reap its blessings.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1)
This is a cheesy quote, but it’s fitting: “The Word is for the lost, and you will be lost without the Word.” Honestly, what a mercy it is that we have the word! God is so kind to communicate with us, to talk to us, to want this relationship with us.
2. Commit to God’s Community
The second commitment is to God’s community:
33 And all Israel, sojourner as well as native born, with their elders and officers and their judges, stood on opposite sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded at the first, to bless the people of Israel. … 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them. (Joshua 8:33-35)
Explanation
God’s people extends to those who embrace his word.
The scope of God’s people is surprising. To start, all Israel includes sojourners as well as native born. Sojourners are foreign travelers, those who are going through the land. Next, we have elders, officers, judges, and Levitical priests – so those who are in leadership are not lofty but they are a part of the people. And finally we have the women and the little ones who are also included as all the assembly of Israel. Women and little ones – yes, it means that women and children are to be a part of God’s people – not just adult men, but they also represent the weak, vulnerable, and marginalized in society – contrasting earlier from when we talked about those in leadership. Every single person is included. It’s very clear that Israel is not just ethnic Israel – those of Jewish ancestry, but there’s also a spiritual Israel – those brought in like adoption. And what makes them all Israel is that they are agreeing and being blessed by the covenant. They are sitting there and submitting themselves to the teaching. They are embracing God’s word, and entering his kingdom.
Remember the story of Rahab. She was a foreign woman who aligned herself with God’s people. This covenant ceremony forces us to recall and recommit to God’s community.
Application
So, will you cherish your local church?
As someone who is older, I’m so grateful and I don’t take it for granted that I get to be a part of the youth worship – the youth community – at our local church. I’m a preacher and teacher, but I remain a learner as I get to talk and interact and fellowship with you all. It’s not lost on me that you share your lives with me.
No matter your age, no matter your GPA, no matter your social status, all are welcome at the church where you can come and find Christ. Women and young people specifically – you should be seen as valuable and feel safe in our church. Our church should be a place of welcome.
Of course, we can all commit to coming to church. For those of you going to college, you are still expected to play a part in church community. Don’t just think you can believe and be leaving the church. Commit now to cherish God’s community.
It’s ironic, but our phones make us lonely. We fail to connect with each other. When you feel a lack of human connection, the Christianity gives us a cure for those who are left out:
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24–25)
I was talking to my coworker, and I had a chance to articulate why I prefer talking more about our personal lives than about the actual work we do at the hospital. While I believe our work is a significant part of our lives, it can actually bore me. I would much rather talk about the relational than the transactional. Of course, work can involve both relational and transactional aspects, but when we’re talking about our personal lives, it feels clear and straightforward.
As a Christian, this mindset can also apply in the church—where we sometimes focus only on the work of ministry or the business of the church without considering the actual people. Some practical tips for cherishing your local church community include talking with members you might not normally interact with, including those of the opposite sex, interacting and engaging with those both older and younger than you, and sharing more of your personal lives with one another—not just about church and the work of ministry, but also about our home life and hobbies.
It’s also worth noting that we can cherish the church by actually taking the church outside of its walls. Call your friends, hang out with people, meet up with each other, go out into the world together. People are more than means to an end. Taking the time to invest in real relationships is a way to love others in everyday life. By prioritizing connection over completing tasks, we cherish the people around us and cultivate true community.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. (Romans 12:15-16)
This is a cheesy quote, but it’s fitting: “Sometimes you think you want to disappear, but all you really want is to be found.” Honestly, what a mercy it is that we have the local church! God is so kind to give us brothers and sisters to walk with, work with, and worship with.
The Gospel
This covenant renewal ceremony began with Joshua building an altar, burnt offerings, and sacrifices:
30 At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, 31 just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, “an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings. (Joshua 8:30-31)
This is to say that this covenant still needs a mediator. There was still an inbetween that needed to go with God and man. And don’t forget that the law was both blessings and curses – blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience. Unfortunately, God’s people would continuously fall short of the commands. Interestingly, the altar was built on Mount Ebal – where according to Deuteronomy 27:11-26, the curses for disobedience were read and displayed.
There’s a repeated phrase in our two points, saying that Joshua is doing things just as Moses did. To be clear, Joshua wasn’t perfect, Joshua’s actions foreshadowed Christ – who obeyed the law perfectly with his entire life. And with uncut stones and no iron tools used on it – no man can contribute to Christ’s atoning work. Just as Joshua mediated the covenant through sacrifice, Christ is the ultimate mediator who perfectly obeys and secures salvation. Joshua and Jesus – their names mean Savior. Christ alone fulfills the covenant, bearing the curse, bringing blessing.
Conclusion
Marriage vow renewals remind couples about the importance of committing to each other. Just as marriage requires commitment, so Christians commit to God’s commands and God’s community. Don’t be afraid of commitment. It’s never too late.
And as the bride of Christ, let’s recommit to our true love, Jesus, knowing that he holds us with arms that are strong to save and keep us safe. And unlike our earthly marriages, where death do us part – death is a doorway to our forever home. With our Father in Heaven, and the family of God.
Big Idea
Christians commit to live under God’s word with his people.
To Your Word and To Your People
A prayer to God the Father, to the tune of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
To your word and to your people
I commit my heart to love
And in faith as we walk forward
I will trust your perfect Son
We are held, kept by your kindness
It’s in Christ, true life is known
And with Holy Spirit power
We will make it safely home
References
The ESV Expository Commentary by Crossway
The ESV Study Bible by Crossway
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary on Joshua by Richard Pratt
Joshua (Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary) by David G. Firth
Appendix
Regarding covenant renewal after Israel’s exile:
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
25 “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. (Ezekiel 34:25)
26 I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land[a] and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. (Ezekiel 37:26)