Joshua 24:19 - "And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord."

In answer to Joshua's challenge, the people had said, "We will serve the Lord for He is our God." 

Joshua knew them too well to trust them, and reminded them that they were trying something they could not perform.

They did not believe him.  Their history proved Joshua's truth.

God knows us better than we know ourselves.  God made us, He knows like a maker knows his product, morally and spiritually.

Let us look at His verdict as to human ability.

I. THE CERTAINTY OF THE TRUTH THAT UNRENEWED MEN CANNOT SERVE GOD.

It is not a physical but a moral inability and this is not in their nature, but in their fallen nature; not of God, but of sin.

1. 1. The nature of God renders perfect service impossible to depraved man.  (19)
   2. The best they could render as unrenewed men would lack heart and intent, and therefore must be unacceptable. (Is. 1:15)
   3. The law of God is perfect, who can hope to fulfil it?  If a look may commit adultery, who shall in all points keep the law? (Matt. 5:28)
   4. The carnal mind is inclined to self-will, self-seeking, lust, enmity, pride, and all other evils. (Rom. 8:7)

II. THE DISCOURAGEMENT WHICH ARISES FROM THIS TRUTH.

It is alleged that this will drive men to despair, and our reply is that the kind of despair to which it drives men is most desirable.

1. 1. It discourages men from an impossible task.
      1. They might as well hope to invent a perpetual motion machine as to present a perfect obedience of their own, having already sinned.
      2. If a man should try to hold up a ladder with his own hand, and at the same time climb to the top of it he would have less difficulty than in trying to cause his evil nature to attain holiness.
   2. It discourages from a ruinous course.
      1. Self-righteousness is a deadly thing.  It is a proud refusal of mercy, and a rebellion against grace.
      2. Self-confidence of any sort is the enemy of the Savior.  Christ-confidence!
   3. It discourages reliance upon ceremonies or any other outward religiousness, by assuring men that these cannot suffice.
   4. It discourages from every other way of self-salvation, and thus shuts men up to faith in the Lord Jesus.  Nothing better can befall them.  (Gal. 2:19-21)

III. THE NECESSITIES OF WHICH ARE REMINDED BY THIS TRUTH. 

Unregenerate men, before you can serve God, you need:

1. 1. A new nature, which only the Spirit of God can create in you.
   2. Reconciliation; How shall an enemy serve his king?
   3. Acceptance;  Until you are accepted, your service cannot please God.
   4. Continued aid; This you must have to keep you in the way when once you are in it. (I Sam. 2:9; Jude 24, 25)

No wasp can make honey - it must be a bee.
A sow will not wash its face like a cat.
A debauched person won't take delight in holiness.
No devil could praise God as an angel.
No unregenerate man can serve like a saint.
(George Bush's notes on Joshua)

Man cannot be saved by perfect obedience, for he cannot render it; he cannot be saved by imperfect obedience, for God will not accept it. (A British evangelist)

Run, Run, and work, the law commands,
But gives me neither feet nor hands;
But sweeter sounds the gospel brings,
It bids me fly, and gives me wings. (Unknown)