A Different Spirit
Numbers 13-14
Introduction
1. When the Israelites arrived at the border of Canaan,
they wanted to investigate the land they were to enter.
a. Their request pleased Moses,
and the LORD commanded spies to be sent into the territory for forty days.
b. The report of the spies and
the nation’s response would change Israel’s history forever.
Nu. 13:26-14:24
2. Caleb had a different spirit than the ten spies and the
rest of the people; the difference was Caleb’s faith.
a. Caleb had an attitude of
trust and complete confidence in God’s power and plan.
b. He had an obedient attitude
toward God’s will, and he followed the LORD fully.
2. What kind of spirit did the ten spies and the rest of
Israel have?
a. A spirit of unbelief
b. A spirit of fear and despair
c. A spirit of pride and
rebellion
d. A spirit of selfishness and
ingratitude
2. Faith shapes our perspective and attitude toward life
with its challenges and demands.
a. Two men may see the same
reality but respond very differently because of the presence or absence of
faith.
b. Caleb and Joshua interpreted
what they saw by faith, but the ten spies’ lack of faith created paralyzing
fear.
Faith Shapes Our Perspective:
I.
On Blessings
A.
The People Saw Great Burdens
1.
The spies admitted the land was good, but they would have to take it from
fortified inhabitants!
a)
A man without faith cannot appreciate God’s blessings because of the
demands of His will.
b)
E.g. John C. job offer $100K/year, but taxes would take $25K; Can I live
on $75K single?
2.
They saw the goodness in the land, but they didn’t truly appreciate it.
Faithlessness blinded them.
B.
Caleb Saw Great Blessings
1.
Caleb saw the inhabitants, but he was more impressed with the land
itself; the land was good.
2.
He didn’t expect the territory to be vacant; he was prepared to claim
God’s promises by faith.
II.
On Opportunities
A.
The People Saw Certain Defeat
1.
There were giants in the land, but they might as well all have been
giants to hear the spies talk!
2.
The cities were large and fortified, and the ten spies considered
Israel’s defeat inevitable.
B.
Caleb Saw Certain Victory
1.
Caleb saw the fortifications, but he believed the LORD was greater than
giants and walls.
2.
Caleb was not talking tough or boasting; the Canaanites were bread; they
could not resist God.
III.
On God
A.
The People Saw God as Malicious and Impotent
1.
The people were critical of God’s motives, and they did not believe in
His power. De. 1:27
2.
What did they want God to do, miraculously knock down walls? He would
have if they believed.
B.
Caleb Saw God as Gracious and All-Powerful
1.
The people saw the land as evidence of God’s hatred; Caleb saw it as
proof of God’s delight.
2.
By faith Caleb knew that God’s presence does not preclude challenges; it
vanquishes them.
IV.
On Ourselves
A.
The People Saw Themselves as Unable
1.
They concluded they could not conquer the land, as if success depended
wholly upon them!
2.
They evaluated the situation carnally, not spiritually; it is true, they
could not win without God.
B.
Caleb Saw Himself as Able
1.
Caleb knew it did not depend on their own power, but with God’s help they
would succeed.
2.
Forty-five years later, Caleb personally defeated the giants the people
had feared. Jos 14:6-15
V.
Fear Shapes Perspective Too
A.
It Robs Us
1.
Of the Comfort of Hope
2.
Of the Confidence of Faith
3.
Of the Gratitude of Blessing
4.
Of the Joy of Victory
5.
Of the Peace of God’s Fellowship
B.
It Defeats Us
1.
The faithless peoples’ fears were realized; every one of them died in the
wilderness. 14:26-35
a)
Ironically, the children they thought would die would inherit the land
the parents rejected.
b)
The children would suffer due to the parents’ sin, but they would
eventually possess Canaan.
2.
Our children are often forced to wander in the wilderness because of our
own unfaithfulness.
a)
They suffer because of our selfishness, because of our bad choices,
because of our fear.
b)
We need to consider the price our family will pay for our unwillingness
to do God’s will.
3.
Israel thought they could make a show of repentance and change God’s mind
about their fate.
a)
Like a child who is about to be spanked, Israel suddenly wanted to obey
God. 14:39-45
b)
But even genuine repentance will not remove all consequences of sin. (e.g.
King David)
4.
Fear is symptomatic of a lack of faith; when fear drives us instead of
faith, we cannot succeed.
VI.
Application
A.
Are We Looking At Life With the Eyes of Faith or of Fear?
1.
Are we preoccupied with our burdens or with giving thanks for our many
blessings?
a)
Do we thank God for dirty dishes, slamming doors, loads of laundry, and
trips to Wal-Mart?
b)
Do we thank Him for Wed. Bible Study and Group Studies when we don’t feel
like going?
2.
Our eyes are to be fixed on the Lord; we must focus on His strength, not
on our weakness.
B.
Are We Driven to Act by Faith or by Fear?
1.
Do we see God’s way as the best way, the only way to succeed, or are we
afraid to follow it?
a)
Are we unwilling to discipline the unruly because we fear the reaction?
b)
Are we ashamed to preach the truth because we don’t want to be labeled as
intolerant?
2.
Believing God means trusting Him and obeying Him, even when doing so
appears difficult.
Conclusion
1. Who can forget Shammua,
Shaphat, Igal,
Palti, Gaddiel,
Gaddi, Ammiel,
Sether, Nahbi,
Geuel?
a. All of us forget the names
of these men; they are forgotten because they walked by fear, not by faith.
b. But none of us forget Caleb
and Joshua. We don’t forget their names or what they stood for in their lives.
2. These men had a different spirit than the rest of
Israel. They had an attitude of faith to trust and obey God.
a. The people of God must place
their full confidence in Him and defeat human fear with holy faith. 2Ti. 1:7
b. Repent of faithless
fear, and trust and obey Jesus today. (Mk. 16:16; Ac.
2:38)
Back to Sermons
Home