Title: Man of God
Content Number 13:25-33
After the Israelites had been living in the wilderness for 40 years, they were now marching right in front of the promised land of Canaan. One excellent man from each tribe was selected, and 12 men were selected and sent to spy out the land of Canaan for 40 days. These were probably the most agile, bravest, smartest, and most experienced veterans.
However, the reports of those who returned from spying were very different. The ten spies reported that the land was desolate, the people huge, and we were like grasshoppers compared to them. Hearing this, they complained against God and Moses who had brought them out of Egypt. When the people were in a state of chaos, Joshua and Caleb tore their robes and ran into the crowd, and reported, Go up and take possession of the land, and we will overcome. It was a very beautiful land, and I assured the people that if God pleased it, he would give it to us.
How did the 12 men come back from spying on Canaan in the same way and give different reports? Everyone, one must be real and the other a lie. Whose report do you think was the real report? In conclusion, both were real reports. If there was a difference, one person saw the difference actively and the other person saw the difference passively. If there is a difference, one person saw it with the eyes of faith and the other saw it with the eyes of unbelief. If there is a difference, it is because one person saw with the eyes of the spirit and the other saw with the eyes of the flesh. Those who follow the flesh set eyes on the flesh, but those who follow the spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. What is born of the Spirit is spirit, and what is born of the flesh is flesh.
The Israelites experienced all kinds of blessings and miracles through their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Joshua, Caleb, and the other spies were loved by God the same for all the people of Israel. Nevertheless, their thoughts were so different. What would you report if you were 12 spies?
Today we are going to raise ten elders. Who would you like to build? Let's raise leaders like Joshua and Caleb. Who were Joshua and Caleb?
The first was an active and positive person.
Disneyland Founder Disney's childhood brought a circus to the neighborhood. However, the trumpet player became ill and could not play. The leader found someone playing the trumpet. That's when Disney raised its hand. It was so rushed that the director joined the show without ever having practiced. But Disney's trumpet playing was a mess. After the performance, when the director scolded you for raising your hand without knowing how to play, Disney responded: I also found out today for the first time that I can't play the trumpet. I can't! I can't. Anyone who says no without trying, change their mind. We are humble like grasshoppers, and they are magnificent. What do you mean if you can do it? It says that nothing is impossible for those who believe and for those with whom God is with him.
Second, he had a passionate heart to love the nation.
They tore their breasts and ran into the crowd and reported that the land we saw was a very beautiful land. You must have a heart to love the nation, to love the church, and to value one soul more than the world. Whatever you do, you must have this passion.
So, what force made Joshua and Caleb such bold and positive people of faith?
(1) Because we had faith that if the Lord God was pleased with us, he would bring us into the land and give it to us.
This was also the secret of the boy David's victory over the giant Goliath, which was six cubits and one span. You come to me with a spear and a sword and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts! Our boldness and guts must start right here. If God is with you in the work of the church, the work of the family, and your business, I hope you will win with this kind of faith.
(2) The belief that all the blessings that God has promised will be fulfilled without fail made them strong and courageous. God said to Abraham, the father of faith, ?쏧 will give you the land of Canaan flowing with milk and honey!??I believed in this promise. In Joshua 14:6-15, the scene of Israel's conquest of Canaan and the division of land by tribe is recorded. Everyone cast lots to get the good land, but they were all desperate to get the good land. Although Caleb had a vested interest as the eldest here and was a first-class public figure as a spy with Joshua, he gave up his rights and vested interests and voluntarily demanded, ?쏥ive me Hebron.??
The land of Hebron was the most dangerous land in Canaan, the unconquered land, the land of the descendants of Anak, the giants. Caleb says: That land is also included in God's blessing. Give me the land of Hebron. I want to conquer the land and take possession of it. How refreshing is that? God is looking for people like Caleb who are shunned by others and ask for the abandoned land. Caleb was then 85 years old. What power had made Caleb so valiant at that age? Caleb's faith was based on his belief that the promises of the Lord would come true. When we are faced with a difficult situation, we simply turn back and do not pass by in moderation as if God's will was all done. Conquer it completely. I hope you will conquer everything and reveal the greatness of God and his faithfulness to the whole earth.
Do you believe in the secret of God's overflowing blessings for you? Do you believe in the secret of overflowing love for your family? Do you believe in God's wonderful providence of blessing for your business? Please do not doubt that God's overflowing blessings will be fulfilled. I hope you do it all and give glory to God. Today, the leader of our church, the elder, must raise up people of faith like Caleb.
It is said that words become seeds. When they heard the reports of the 10 negative spies, they complained to God and all the Israelites who complained about Moses died. No one entered the land of Canaan. In Numbers 14:28-30, he said to them, ?쏛s the LORD says, by my life, I will do to you as you have heard my ears, and your corpses will fall in the wilderness, and you will be numbered from twenty years old and older. Those who received it, all those who murmured against me, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, shall by no means enter the land I swore to make you dwell.
Have faith that God is with you. Let's boldly hold on to the word of God's promise to us. Live each day positively and positively. The blessings of the faithful God will surely be with you. Even today, the people God desperately seeks are people of positive conviction and people of faith. I hope that you will be able to open your spiritual eyes and shout, ?쏷hey are our food to the grand descendants of Canaan.??