WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.960 My lapel might not be situated. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:07.620 I promise I'm not going to do any walking today, or I'm going to try not to. 00:00:07.719 --> 00:00:09.720 So if you want to just leave that one on, that'll be good. 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:14.439 Numbers 13, verses 25 through 33. 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:21.800 You know, these verses have a very remarkable story in them that I want us to explore this morning. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:26.400 And the reason I want us to really dive into these verses today 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:33.239 is because I think there are some valuable truths that each of us can learn and apply to our lives 00:00:33.239 --> 00:00:37.579 as the Lord may be leading us to serve Him in capacities. 00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:41.679 And we think, you know what, I don't have the ability to do that. 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:46.219 That's bigger and beyond me to do. 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:49.980 Or maybe today you're facing some circumstances. 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:52.439 You're facing some challenges. 00:00:52.700 --> 00:00:55.359 You're facing some difficulties in your life. 00:00:55.359 --> 00:00:57.200 And it is bigger than you. 00:00:57.960 --> 00:01:01.000 It's more than you can deal with and get through. 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:03.240 And you don't know how you're going to get through it. 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:06.539 You don't know where to turn except to the Lord. 00:01:06.659 --> 00:01:11.500 And so I think there's some valuable truths in the passages that we're going to look at today 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:17.060 to help us to glean from that, to take these truths that are found in this scripture 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:19.659 and really apply it to our lives. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:20.939 Give us faith. 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:22.519 Give us hope. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:23.519 Give us trust. 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:30.980 And realize that we have to depend completely, fully, and wholly upon the Lord to see us through. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:39.260 This is the story of when Moses was used of God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:43.800 They've gone for several weeks headed towards the promised land. 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:46.859 And they're right on the border of the promised land. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:48.920 They're ready to enter into it. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:50.540 And God said, now is the time. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:53.939 He gave the word through Moses to tell the children of Israel, 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:58.939 now is the time to go and take possession of the land. 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:03.660 This land God has been working, preparing, and readying them for a long time. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:07.000 They were slaves in Egypt for 400 years. 00:02:08.079 --> 00:02:12.060 And God has been preparing that land for them during that time frame. 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:14.699 And they stand on the edge of the promised land. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:17.079 And God is saying, go take possession. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:22.579 But before he does, God tells Moses to give the people, you know, 00:02:23.019 --> 00:02:30.120 the message of one individual from each of the 12 tribes to go into the land and spy out the land. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:35.800 Now, God's not going to tell them to go and spy out the land to have a battle plan 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:39.840 or to figure out how they are going to conquer this land. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:46.659 It's my belief that God is sending them in so that they will see that the land is everything 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:49.259 that God had said that it would be. 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:54.439 He's told them it's a magnificent land flowing with milk and honey. 00:02:54.939 --> 00:02:55.719 It's fertile. 00:02:55.719 --> 00:03:01.280 It's a land that they can go in and take possession of and become the people of God 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:07.060 and the nation that God was raising up to be a reflection of Him to the entire world. 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:13.960 And He's sending these 12 spies in for them to see that God's Word is true 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:19.360 and that it is everything that God said that it would be. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:24.259 He's not sending them in so that they could see in their own power and their own strength 00:03:24.259 --> 00:03:30.979 that somehow they can take the land because that's not at all what God is doing here. 00:03:30.979 --> 00:03:37.799 Now, most of us, if we grew up in church, we grew up studying this passage, 00:03:37.899 --> 00:03:42.539 especially if you're in a Baptist church and use Lifeway curriculum. 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:46.959 The curriculum for the children is written on a two-year cycle. 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:52.099 So you probably studied this passage about every two years growing up. 00:03:52.460 --> 00:03:57.040 And we know all the factual information about this story. 00:03:57.180 --> 00:04:01.520 We know the historical truths of this story. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:09.920 But what I want us to do this morning is go beyond the historical truths of this passage. 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:15.939 And I want us to ask God to open our eyes, open our ears, 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:20.479 that we may go beyond the historical facts of this 00:04:20.479 --> 00:04:25.620 and see the spiritual truths that God is trying to show each of us, 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:30.199 to lead each of us, that we can take those truths 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:37.079 that God has placed in these passages for us to apply to our lives. 00:04:37.079 --> 00:04:42.199 Because I'm quite sure that each of us, if not right now, 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:49.360 at some point, we're facing or will face challenges, difficulties, 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:54.539 hardships, obstacles that are bigger than ourselves, 00:04:55.740 --> 00:05:00.479 that are beyond our power and our ability to face. 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:04.519 They're beyond our ability to handle and get through, 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:06.919 and we don't know how we're going to handle it. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:12.839 Or God may be leading us, and I'm sure at some point He will do this. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:15.240 If we surrender our lives to Him, 00:05:15.539 --> 00:05:20.339 He will lead us to serve Him in capacities that we may think, 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:21.800 I can't do that. 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:24.319 That is beyond me. 00:05:24.919 --> 00:05:26.439 That is not my skill. 00:05:26.539 --> 00:05:28.560 But God is laying that on our hearts. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:37.060 And we have to learn that we can step out in faith and trust that if God calls us to do something, 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:41.879 if God is leading us to do it, He's not calling you because you're qualified. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:47.279 He's calling you because He wants to do the work in you. 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:49.199 And He wants to use you. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:50.219 Look at Moses. 00:05:51.219 --> 00:05:58.759 Moses had every excuse and every argument in the book of why he could not do what God was calling him to do, 00:05:58.839 --> 00:05:59.759 to lead a nation. 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:02.779 And yet God kept telling him, 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:03.899 it's not you. 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:05.920 It's not you. 00:06:06.779 --> 00:06:10.819 It's God that's going to accomplish that in Him. 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:12.019 So today I want us, 00:06:12.099 --> 00:06:14.420 before we look into our scripture, 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:16.920 I want us to take a moment to pray. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:19.719 And I want us to ask God, 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:21.519 wherever you are today, 00:06:21.659 --> 00:06:23.500 whatever circumstances you're facing, 00:06:23.659 --> 00:06:26.319 whatever obstacles you're up against, 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:29.240 let's ask God to open our eyes, 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:31.240 to see a truth in this passage 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:33.939 that maybe we have never seen before. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:36.879 A truth that goes beyond, 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:38.519 you know, 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:42.160 just the historical facts of this passage 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:45.939 and something that we can take with us in our lives 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:49.139 and help us to walk and be the people of God 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:50.800 and apply that to our lives 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:52.839 that we can step out in faith 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:57.139 and trust God to either lead us through or around 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:58.480 those obstacles, 00:06:58.680 --> 00:06:59.339 those challenges, 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:00.319 or those difficulties, 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:03.899 or use us to serve Him in ways 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:06.000 that we never believed possible. 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:07.279 Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:11.180 Father, we thank You for this day. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:14.199 What a glorious day to come into Your house 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:16.939 and to stand before Your throne 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:18.199 and to worship You. 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.680 Lord, I don't know what each of us are facing today, 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:25.579 what challenges that we're up against, 00:07:26.579 --> 00:07:29.079 what hardships we may be facing 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:32.139 or maybe a calling 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:34.899 that You're putting on some of our hearts today to serve. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:36.879 But I pray, Lord, 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:39.240 that as we study Your Word and Your truth, 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:41.180 that You would open our eyes 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:44.240 to see Your message to each of us. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:47.419 Open our ears that we might hear 00:07:47.419 --> 00:07:51.019 and give us hearts, Lord, 00:07:51.099 --> 00:07:52.279 that would be receptive, 00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:55.479 that would be receptive, Lord, 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:57.299 to receiving Your Word 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:58.379 and give us faith 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:01.100 that we can face those challenges, 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:02.879 we can face those difficulties 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:03.920 or those obstacles, 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:05.800 or we can step out, 00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:07.100 giving our lives 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:10.439 as living sacrifices to You, 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:13.740 that we know that whatever You've called us to do, 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:15.780 wherever You've called us to serve, 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:18.280 that we can do it 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:20.040 in the power and the strength 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:21.180 of Your Holy Spirit, 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:22.900 and that it will be You 00:08:22.900 --> 00:08:25.759 that accomplishes the work through us. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:28.579 And it is in Jesus' name we pray. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.300 Amen. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:30.699 Let's look together. 00:08:31.340 --> 00:08:35.639 We're going to begin with verses 25 through 27 here 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:38.080 in Numbers chapter 13. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:40.620 And we're going to begin, 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:41.799 just we're going to look, 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.919 instead of reading the whole passage all at once, 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:46.060 we're going to look at a few verses here at once. 00:08:46.180 --> 00:08:48.240 Again, the spies have gone into the land. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:51.240 They have seen that it was a land, 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:53.220 everything God said it would be. 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:55.700 And they're ready to come back 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:57.960 and give their report to Israel. 00:08:58.100 --> 00:09:00.480 So let's look at verses 25 through 27. 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:02.460 At the end of the 40 days, 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:04.399 they returned from exploring the land. 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:06.980 They came back to Moses and Aaron 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:09.279 and the whole Israelite community 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:11.700 at Kadesh in the desert of Paran. 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:14.000 There they reported to them 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.399 and to the whole assembly 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:17.779 and showed them the fruit of the land. 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:20.139 They gave Moses this account. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:23.259 We went into the land to which you sent us 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:25.659 and it does flow with milk and honey. 00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:28.139 Here is its fruit. 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:30.399 When the spies returned 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:33.579 after going into the land for 40 days, 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:36.659 they came back and they told the people, 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:40.360 the land is everything that God said it would be, 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:41.120 maybe more. 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:43.980 It was everything that they had imagined 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:45.700 and dreamed of. 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:48.440 It truly was a very magnificent land. 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:50.440 Verse 23 tells us 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:54.519 that they cut one bunch of grapes 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:56.919 that were so big 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:58.980 that they tied it to a pole 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:00.779 and it took two men to carry. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:03.019 How many of you grow grapes in here? 00:10:03.820 --> 00:10:05.340 Have any of you ever had 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:07.680 a bundle of grapes that large? 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:08.120 Jerry? 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:08.799 Jerry? 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:12.899 You ever had grapes that large 00:10:12.899 --> 00:10:15.620 that it took two men to carry? 00:10:15.959 --> 00:10:17.120 You can imagine. 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:17.959 Wow. 00:10:18.439 --> 00:10:20.219 Here they have been in slavery 00:10:20.219 --> 00:10:23.299 in Egypt for 400 years 00:10:23.299 --> 00:10:27.239 and now they stand on the brink 00:10:27.239 --> 00:10:28.959 of going into the promised land, 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:32.919 a land that was fertile, plentiful, 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:35.240 and a land that they could settle in, 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:37.259 raise families, and be the nation 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:41.019 that God was calling them to be. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:44.360 However, the report stops there 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:46.779 from being very positive and uplifting 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:48.659 and there became a division 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:51.460 between the 12 spies. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:53.480 You know, 10 of the spies 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:54.700 began to say, 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:56.620 the land is everything 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:59.039 that God said it would be, 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:01.039 but we cannot go in. 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:03.399 We cannot attack the people 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:04.399 that are living there. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:06.740 The people are large. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:08.299 We look like grasshoppers 00:11:08.299 --> 00:11:09.139 in their eyes. 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:11.620 You know, they live in very large, 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:12.899 fortified cities, 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:15.699 and the land would swallow us up. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:18.379 Let's look at verses 28 to 29 here. 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:21.579 But the people living there are powerful, 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:23.840 and their towns are large and fortified. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:26.120 We even saw giants there, 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:28.039 the descendants of Anak. 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:30.699 The Amalekites live in the Nagib, 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:33.219 and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites 00:11:33.219 --> 00:11:34.839 live in the hill country. 00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:36.919 The Canaanites live along the coast 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:38.299 of the Mediterranean Sea 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:40.419 and along the Jordan Valley. 00:11:41.459 --> 00:11:43.139 10 of the 12 spies, 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:47.039 they, now this is a dangerous ground 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:47.799 they're standing on 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:48.919 because I want you to pay attention 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.759 to what they're doing. 00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:51.740 They're not just coming back 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:52.719 and giving a report 00:11:52.719 --> 00:11:55.099 that these men that live there 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:56.220 are these people groups 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:56.940 that live there 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:58.279 are in fortified cities. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:00.540 They're larger nations than Israel. 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:02.840 You know, they look like giants. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:04.480 But what are they really doing? 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.960 They're recommending 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.220 to the nation of Israel 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:10.360 to disobey God. 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:12.759 You see that? 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:14.820 God has said, 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:18.320 go in and take possession of the land. 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:18.940 And they're saying, 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.620 no, we can't. 00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:22.540 They're saying, 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:24.759 we need to disobey God 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:26.779 and do what we think 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:27.939 is a better solution 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:29.360 than what God is saying. 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.319 Now let me tell you something. 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:32.840 Never once, 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:33.759 never ever, 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:36.659 does anything positive 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:38.919 come from disobeying God. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.919 Nothing ever 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:45.939 has turned out good. 00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:48.480 When God lays something on our heart, 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:50.519 God commands us to do something 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:52.740 and we disobey it. 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:55.500 But that's what the 10 spies are doing. 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.419 They're telling the people, 00:12:57.759 --> 00:13:00.039 we need to disobey God 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:02.980 and don't do what He is saying 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.159 that we should do 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:06.659 because they're afraid. 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:08.500 They're scared. 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:11.299 They think that they cannot go in 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.360 in their own power 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.720 and their own strength. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:15.480 They're looking at the people 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:17.960 and they're not seeing God, 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:20.280 which is pretty amazing 00:13:20.280 --> 00:13:21.560 if you want to think about it 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:22.620 after you think about 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.379 all the things 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.500 that God had already done 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.340 and we'll get into that 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.620 in a little bit more in detail. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.519 Let me just say something. 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:30.120 Don't be surprised 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.740 in your own life today 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:33.440 when you feel like 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:34.560 God is leading you 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.220 to do something 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:36.480 and it's going to take you 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:38.280 stepping out in faith. 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.960 It's going to take you 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:42.220 trusting in God. 00:13:42.420 --> 00:13:42.960 Don't be surprised 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:45.280 when others around you 00:13:45.280 --> 00:13:46.759 try to talk you out of it. 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:48.460 Even Christians. 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:50.159 A lot of times 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:51.360 even Christians 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:53.939 try, oh, don't do that. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.700 You can't do that. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:57.019 You don't know how many times 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:58.460 I have been tried 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.860 to be talked out of 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:01.259 going on mission trips. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.779 You don't know how many times 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.039 I've been tried to be talked out 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:05.899 when I felt called 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.919 to go into ministry. 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:08.759 People try to talk me out of it. 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.559 My, even my own pastor 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:12.539 when I was a teenager 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.179 in high school, 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:13.799 when I told him 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:14.720 I was called to ministry, 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.620 you know what he told me? 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:17.220 He said, I'm sorry. 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:21.060 People try to talk me out 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:22.340 of doing what God 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:24.200 was calling me to do. 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:25.679 And they'll do the same thing 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.120 to you. 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:29.120 When you're stepping out 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.100 in faith, 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:31.179 doing what seems 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:32.500 to be crazy 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.200 in other people's eyes, 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.600 they'll try to talk you 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.240 out of it. 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:38.220 Even other Christians, 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:41.100 even your own family members 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:42.759 will try to keep you 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:43.919 away from doing 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:45.939 what God is calling you 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:46.600 to do. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.939 And it's going to take 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:49.419 grit and determination 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:52.539 for us to realize 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.720 what's going on 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.460 and that they don't 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.419 have the faith, 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:57.879 but we're going to have 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.860 to have the faith 00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.919 to stand 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:01.639 and trust God 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.139 and move forward 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.720 knowing that God 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:06.500 will do what he says 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.419 he will do. 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.419 You know, Caleb and Joshua 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:10.460 are the only two, 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.220 only two, 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.660 two out of twelve 00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:14.899 who believed 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:16.180 that God would do 00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:17.160 what he said 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:17.720 he would do 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.399 and they tried 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.259 to get the people 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:21.340 to go immediately 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:23.060 and take possession 00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:23.840 of the land. 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:25.420 They wanted them 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.519 to go immediately 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.320 and they tried 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:28.060 to overcome 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.100 the ten spies 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.440 and talk to the people. 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.500 Look at verse 30. 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.320 It says, 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.779 Then Caleb silenced 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:36.620 the people before Moses 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.279 and said, 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:38.660 We should go up 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.560 and take possession 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:40.239 of the land 00:15:40.239 --> 00:15:42.059 for we can certainly 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.099 do it. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.319 Now Caleb and Joshua 00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:46.919 were not foolish enough 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.819 to think 00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:49.639 because Israel 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:51.039 was a smaller nation 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.439 than all these other countries. 00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:53.659 These people 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.379 were like giants to them. 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:56.259 They lived 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.619 in fortified cities. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.099 Caleb and Joshua 00:15:59.099 --> 00:16:00.299 were not foolish enough 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:00.719 to think 00:16:00.719 --> 00:16:01.959 that they could develop 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:03.039 a great and mighty 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:04.019 battle plan 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:06.219 and they had better weapons 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.300 and all this stuff 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.519 and that they could go in 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.120 and do it in their own power 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.320 and their own strength. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.960 They saw everything 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:16.860 that the other spies saw. 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:18.460 But what were they doing? 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.980 What were they seeing 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.720 different 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:25.600 than the other ten spies? 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.800 They had no faith 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:30.360 and confidence 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.980 in their own power 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.420 and their own ability. 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:34.559 What they saw 00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:35.639 was God. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:36.899 When they looked 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.679 into that land 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:39.179 they didn't see giants 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:40.519 and fortified cities. 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.599 What they saw 00:16:41.599 --> 00:16:42.179 was God. 00:16:42.479 --> 00:16:44.159 Look at verse 2 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.979 of chapter 13. 00:16:46.099 --> 00:16:46.759 I don't have this 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.319 in the notes 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:48.099 so hopefully 00:16:48.099 --> 00:16:48.860 you have your Bibles 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.860 open but I'll read it 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.199 to you. 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.360 Start with verse 1 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:53.740 actually. 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:54.659 The Lord 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.979 said to Moses, 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.839 Send some men 00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:58.399 to explore 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.379 the land of Canaan 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.960 which I 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:03.799 God speaking 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.440 I am giving 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:07.339 to the Israelites. 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.579 God has already 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.220 declared 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.460 He was giving 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.339 this land 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.079 to Israel. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.279 It wasn't 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.559 a matter in question 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.920 of whether Israel 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.819 could go in 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.640 and take possession 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.359 of the land. 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.220 God has already 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.119 declared it 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.220 that He 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.940 is giving 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.660 possession 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.900 to the Israelites 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.819 of this land 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.839 the promised land. 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.639 He's already 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.519 declared it. 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:32.779 And Caleb 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.519 and Joshua 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.299 were the only 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.619 two who were 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:36.419 willing to look 00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:37.220 into that land 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.099 and see 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:39.179 that God 00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:39.599 had already 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.179 declared it 00:17:40.179 --> 00:17:40.679 and it would be 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:41.459 God who would 00:17:41.459 --> 00:17:42.279 win the victory 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.419 not them. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.599 But the other 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:45.419 12 spies 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.659 they were fearful 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:47.819 and they were afraid 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.679 and they were only 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:50.379 looking at themselves. 00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:52.519 They were only 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.139 looking at 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:54.259 their own ability 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.159 and whether 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:56.879 they as a nation 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:58.099 could go in 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:58.659 and conquer 00:17:58.659 --> 00:17:59.759 the land. 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.199 But Caleb 00:18:01.199 --> 00:18:01.799 and Joshua 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.339 are fully 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.299 trusting God 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:06.039 to go in 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.659 and take 00:18:06.659 --> 00:18:08.000 that land. 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.559 Caleb and Joshua 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.199 teach us 00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:13.159 that there are 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:13.559 going to be 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.799 times in our lives 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.240 when we have 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.219 to take a stand 00:18:17.219 --> 00:18:17.919 for Jesus 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:19.559 even if we 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.219 have to stand 00:18:20.219 --> 00:18:20.719 alone. 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.939 There are going 00:18:22.939 --> 00:18:23.599 to be times 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.219 when we have 00:18:24.219 --> 00:18:25.119 to take a stand 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:25.619 whether it's 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.199 in faith 00:18:26.199 --> 00:18:27.199 or trust 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:28.159 or defend 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:29.679 the faith 00:18:29.679 --> 00:18:30.279 of God 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.179 even when 00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:31.919 we stand 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.659 alone 00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:34.039 and no one 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.739 else around 00:18:34.739 --> 00:18:35.939 us will stand 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:36.399 with us 00:18:36.399 --> 00:18:36.839 not even 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.579 other believers 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.959 not our own 00:18:38.959 --> 00:18:39.579 family. 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:40.500 And folks 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:40.899 we need to 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.259 teach our 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.000 children this. 00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.399 We need to 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:43.739 teach our 00:18:43.739 --> 00:18:44.039 children 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.799 our grandchildren 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.859 that there 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.059 are going to 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.679 be times 00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:48.299 when they 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:50.039 stand alone 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.200 in school 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.420 or among 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.379 their friends 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.720 or others 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:56.119 and they've 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.559 got to be 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.200 willing to 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:57.799 be okay 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.379 because when 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.099 we're standing 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.180 with God 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.740 it's okay. 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:02.740 We're not 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.440 alone are we? 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.579 We're actually 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.259 the majority 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.399 and it's better 00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:07.000 to stand 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.980 in the right 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.220 alone 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.299 than it is 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:10.879 to stand 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:11.480 with the 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.059 multitudes 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.779 in the crowd 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.899 who are wrong. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.279 But we have 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.899 to learn 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.899 to stand. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:17.819 You would 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.139 think 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:20.000 after all 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.560 the Israelites 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.120 had already 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:21.540 seen the 00:19:21.540 --> 00:19:22.060 Lord do 00:19:22.060 --> 00:19:22.580 for them 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.940 they would 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:25.460 quickly move 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:25.900 to take 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.600 possession of 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:26.900 the land. 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:27.620 After all 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:27.960 they had 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.640 seen God 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.680 already do 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.780 in a short 00:19:30.780 --> 00:19:31.380 window 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.180 a period 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.500 of time 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:32.900 I looked 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.320 it up 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:34.580 and what 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:35.000 should have 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.680 taken them 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.860 just walking 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:37.680 from Egypt 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.060 to the 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:38.800 promised land 00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:39.380 should have 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:39.840 taken them 00:19:39.840 --> 00:19:40.520 about 11 00:19:40.520 --> 00:19:41.000 days. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.220 Now I know 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.000 they stopped 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.560 at times 00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:44.020 and God 00:19:44.020 --> 00:19:44.400 gave them 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.800 a lot of 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:45.259 commands 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.720 so it took 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.120 a little bit 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.740 longer than that 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.059 but we're 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.620 only talking 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.019 a few 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.500 weeks. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:50.960 And in 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.500 that period 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:51.900 of time 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.319 I want us 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:52.700 to think 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.620 about what 00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.480 God did 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.059 for them 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.839 in a short 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.839 window of 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.740 time and why 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.180 should they 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.559 have not 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.140 had enough 00:19:59.140 --> 00:20:00.039 faith to 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.680 trust in 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:00.940 them. 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.160 Before leaving 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.799 Egypt what 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.160 did God 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.420 do? 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.279 You know 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.660 he sent 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.039 the ten 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.500 plagues 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:08.940 didn't he? 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.019 Egypt was 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.380 the most 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.519 powerful nation 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.319 in the world 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:12.680 with the 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.759 largest army. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.599 Pharaoh was 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:15.940 the most 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.140 powerful man 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.940 in the world 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.360 at that 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:18.800 day and 00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:19.900 time and 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:21.160 God sent 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.040 plagues upon 00:20:22.040 --> 00:20:22.600 them to the 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.560 place where 00:20:23.560 --> 00:20:24.580 not only did 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:25.140 he free 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.040 Israel from 00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.580 them they 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.259 drove them 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.480 out and 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.040 they gave 00:20:29.040 --> 00:20:29.520 them all 00:20:29.520 --> 00:20:30.100 their gold 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:30.740 and possessions 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.280 and Stan 00:20:31.280 --> 00:20:31.660 just said 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:32.380 get out 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:32.840 go. 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.080 Then what 00:20:34.080 --> 00:20:34.540 happened? 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.600 Pharaoh 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.259 changed his 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.840 mind and he 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:38.520 got his army 00:20:38.520 --> 00:20:39.180 together and he 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:39.880 chased them and 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.440 what happened? 00:20:41.520 --> 00:20:42.320 They get to the 00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:43.820 Red Sea they're 00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:44.400 trapped. 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:45.940 trapped in 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.460 between the 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.960 largest army in 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.900 the world and 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.900 the Red Sea. 00:20:51.320 --> 00:20:52.100 Anybody know 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:52.600 what happened? 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.240 He departed 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.980 the sea. 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.360 Who else could 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:56.980 do that? 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.840 Who else could 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:01.300 do that but 00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:01.700 God? 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.720 You know I 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.259 heard a story 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.019 one time about 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.700 a pastor who 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.240 was preaching 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.740 and he was 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.240 trying to 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.300 explain away 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:09.960 this miracle and 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.600 he was saying 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.560 things like it 00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:12.320 really wasn't the 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:13.259 Red Sea it was a 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.200 smaller body of 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:15.400 water it was 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.839 more like a 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.460 mud puddle and 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:19.200 this senior adult 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.900 lady was sitting 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.420 on the front 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.220 pew and she 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.700 kept going 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.500 praise the 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:22.879 Lord! 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.379 Hallelujah! 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:24.579 Amen! 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.359 And the 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:26.940 pastor finally 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.339 said do you 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.819 not hear what 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.200 I'm saying? 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:28.740 It wasn't the 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.359 Red Sea at 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:29.740 all it was 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.299 just a really 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.500 small body of 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:31.819 water and she 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.920 said if God 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.519 could drown 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.119 the entire 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.619 Egyptian army 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.160 in a mud 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.759 puddle then 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.759 praise God! 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.460 Amazing! 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:41.819 By the way 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.120 if you really 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:43.500 look at 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.039 historical 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.799 archaeological 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.420 truths today 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:46.819 they have 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.819 found gold 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.960 wagon wheels 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.840 around the 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.600 Red Sea 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:52.000 in the last 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.819 20 years or 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.980 so where the 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.680 chariots and 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.819 stuff it proves 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.620 that they were 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.819 washed away by 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.600 the Red Sea 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.660 but God 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.759 divided the 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.220 sea they 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.880 walked around 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.640 on dry 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:04.660 ground that's 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.420 another miracle 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.799 when I was a 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.000 kid my friend 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.420 and I we 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.220 we swam in 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.799 ponds you 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.420 couldn't see 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.339 and we got 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:11.779 out in this 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.559 one pond one 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.980 time and I 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.720 mean we sank 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.579 to our knees 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.740 in mud and 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.359 you think about 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:17.160 they walked 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:17.819 across the 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:19.680 Red Sea on 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:21.559 dry ground and 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.759 then God brought 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:24.519 the sea together 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.440 and he destroyed 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:25.980 the entire 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.700 Egyptian army he 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.700 gave them water 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.559 in the desert 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.119 when they were 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.759 thirsty he 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.900 provided food for 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.440 them when they 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.819 were hungry God 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.519 led them through 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.500 the wilderness by 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.599 cloud during the 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.119 day and a 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.819 pillar of fire 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:39.359 by night the 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.039 people had even 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.799 heard the voice 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.419 of God on 00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:42.799 Mount Sinai as 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.599 he prepared to 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.259 give them the 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.299 Ten Commandments 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.960 they had already 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.500 fought the 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:49.879 Amalekites do 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.339 you remember 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:51.599 when the men 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.240 had to stand 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.220 and hold Moses 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.980 arms up and 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.619 as long as they 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.480 held his arms 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.980 up they defeated 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.079 the Amalekites 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.220 that was in that 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.439 time period where 00:23:02.439 --> 00:23:03.279 they left Egypt 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.059 and they were 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.779 headed to the 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.299 edge of the 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.960 promised land 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.500 they had 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.019 already fought 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.460 them once 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:07.880 and God 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:08.340 had already 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.140 won the battle 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.620 once but it's 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.500 almost like that 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.500 old saying what 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.200 have you done 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.279 for me lately 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:17.220 they had forgotten 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.360 everything that God 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:19.380 had already done 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.600 for them and they 00:23:20.600 --> 00:23:21.720 were simply looking 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:23.539 at what they could 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:25.200 do in their own 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.960 power their own 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.120 strength their own 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:30.400 resources now 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:32.600 listen are we ever 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.399 guilty of doing 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:37.879 that are we ever 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.699 guilty of doing 00:23:38.699 --> 00:23:40.939 the same exact 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:43.679 thing we look at 00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:44.719 our situation we 00:23:44.719 --> 00:23:45.299 look at our 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.419 circumstances we 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:46.919 look at our 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:48.039 obstacles we look 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.339 at challenges and 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:51.500 we look at how we 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:53.799 can handle it and 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.859 we turn to God 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:57.719 last as a last 00:23:57.719 --> 00:24:00.559 resort over the 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.539 years I've observed 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.440 a very dangerous 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.579 mindset among 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:05.839 believers and 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:07.839 churches it seems 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.839 that we're willing 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:10.139 to only try to do 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.519 the things that we 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:13.659 feel we can do 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:17.099 God may be leading 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.899 us to do something 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.759 but I've heard time 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.259 and time again we 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.099 can't do that 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:23.279 no we can't do 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:25.359 that that's beyond 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.599 us it's beyond our 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:29.039 resources so we 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.359 don't do what God 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.879 has called us to 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:33.199 do and we're 00:24:33.199 --> 00:24:34.219 fearful to step 00:24:34.219 --> 00:24:35.179 out in faith and 00:24:35.179 --> 00:24:36.619 trust God to do 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.500 what he's called us 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.199 to do but you know 00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:39.539 what when we are 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:41.259 only willing to do 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.899 what we think we 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:45.699 can do then what 00:24:45.699 --> 00:24:46.819 results do we get 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:51.619 when we're only 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.619 willing to do what 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:54.500 we can physically do 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:56.359 we get the results 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:58.439 results that only we 00:24:58.439 --> 00:25:00.779 can do when we step 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.939 out in faith and we 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:03.719 trust God and we 00:25:03.719 --> 00:25:05.459 hold tight to his 00:25:05.459 --> 00:25:06.359 claims and his 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.479 promises and his 00:25:07.479 --> 00:25:09.299 word and we follow 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.740 him we get a whole 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.539 different set of 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.399 results don't we 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:15.659 when we trust God to 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:16.859 do what he says he 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:18.319 will do or we trust 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:19.799 God to do what he's 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.740 called us to do we 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.159 get results that God 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:24.119 can achieve and in that 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:25.959 better and that 00:25:25.959 --> 00:25:28.119 beyond what we can do 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.239 in our own strength 00:25:29.239 --> 00:25:30.619 you know I don't know 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.619 about you but I want 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:33.619 to see God work I 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.579 want to see God 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.719 achieve I want to see 00:25:35.719 --> 00:25:37.359 God accomplish far 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.679 more than what I can 00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:39.639 because I know I'm 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:43.119 extremely limited we 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:48.939 don't get much I'm a 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.700 country bumpkin boy from 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.940 whitesville Kentucky 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:56.600 smaller than pickens and 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.640 I know I'm sophisticated 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:59.120 and suave now but I 00:25:59.120 --> 00:26:03.980 was I was a hillbilly 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:08.460 redneck I'm still not far 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:10.940 from it and you're not 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:12.740 going to get much from 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:16.779 what I can do we're not 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.620 going to get a whole lot 00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:18.779 from what any of us can 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.939 do in our own strength 00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:21.279 it's what we we want to 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.759 see God move don't we 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:26.139 we want to see God stir 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:28.899 us our nation is in 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:31.859 trouble and we've proven 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:33.339 that through our programs 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:34.839 or electronics or 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:36.139 whatever we're not going 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:37.039 to change people's 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.299 hearts we're not going 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.359 to turn this nation 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.539 around we're not going 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.459 to bring people to 00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:43.259 Jesus it's got to be a 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.539 work of the Holy Spirit 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:46.779 working it through us 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:49.019 is that what you want 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.399 today do you want to 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.940 see God do the miraculous 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:53.599 through us then we have 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:55.779 to step out in faith and 00:26:55.779 --> 00:27:01.500 hold tight to him we've got 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:03.000 to step in faith and trust 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:05.099 that what he says he will 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:09.180 do when we're facing 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.500 challenging times do we 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:12.480 ever forget what God has 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.920 already done in our lives 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:17.079 do we forget his word and 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:20.579 his promises do we doubt 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:22.599 God's ability to work in us 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:27.900 and in our circumstances if 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:30.880 we just stop sometimes and 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:33.220 think back and remember what 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.860 God has already done in our 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:37.819 lives if we just stop 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:39.819 sometimes and reflect upon his 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:42.099 word and his promises that he 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:44.659 gives us then our faith would 00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:46.279 be strengthened and we would 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:47.679 realize that it's not about 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:50.799 me it's about me being strong 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:52.299 enough to or it's not about 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.599 me being strong enough to 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.899 handle a situation or 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:56.899 circumstance it's about God 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:58.879 working in me it's about 00:27:58.879 --> 00:28:01.639 trusting God to do what he 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:03.439 says he will do and for God to 00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:05.819 fight the battles you know a 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:09.259 young David a little shepherd boy 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:11.460 taught us that in first Samuel 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:15.680 17 47 said all those gathered 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:18.140 here will know that is not by 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:20.740 sword or spear that the Lord 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:22.839 saves for the battle is the 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:24.859 Lord's and he will give all of 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:28.200 you into our hands David didn't 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:30.539 go up against Goliath thinking 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:32.960 just because he was at times 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.960 killed bears or lions where he 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.420 didn't go into that battle 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:39.759 thinking I can win this battle and I 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:43.039 will defeat Goliath no he knew 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:45.600 better he didn't fight the bear he 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:47.340 didn't fight the lion thinking he 00:28:47.340 --> 00:28:49.460 could do that a little shepherd boy 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:51.960 that no one even thought to call when 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:54.960 they were looking for a new king how 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.920 did he fight the bear how did he 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:59.200 fight the lion how did he fight 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:03.940 Godís doing that in earth right now 00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:08.319 and he is the king of the world 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.420 that rackets the king of the king of 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:21.980 the king of the king of the king of the 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.980 king of the king of the king of theORY 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.940 what are you up against today in the 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:25.580 world that's a new king of the kingdom 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:26.980 he is by all right now what are you 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.299 yelling at Goliath in complete faith and 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:38.399 you? Are you trusting God to take you and use you to serve him? Are you stuck thinking, 00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:49.720 I can't do that. I can't achieve that. The 10 spies were so fearful of what, you know, 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:56.019 they had seen that they forgot all about what God had done already in their lives and that 00:29:56.019 --> 00:30:02.660 God would win the battle. And not only did they allow it to paralyze them and cause fear in them, 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:09.660 they began to spread rumors among all of Israel to the point where the entire nation of Israel 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:16.759 wouldn't listen to God and obey God or to Joshua and Caleb. And they struck fear in the entire 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:24.799 nation to where they would not go forward and do what God had called them to do. And as a result, 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:34.019 they missed out on what God wanted to bless them with. They had to wander through the wilderness for 40 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:43.019 years. And he realized this, every man that was military age, except for Joshua and Caleb died 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:53.619 in those 40 years and never tasted the promised land. They missed out completely on what God wanted 00:30:53.619 --> 00:31:04.619 to bless them with because of fear and disobedience of doing what God had called them to do. I hope today 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:11.079 that none of us are missing out on God's blessings for our lives because we're afraid to trust him. 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:24.399 I hope none of us miss what God wants to do in us. Ways of service or deliverance from challenges and 00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:33.899 obstacles and difficulties that we may face. Are we missing God's blessings and God's best because we're 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:41.960 stepping in disobedience because of fear rather than faith and trust? So I want to ask you today, 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:52.280 as we dismiss, when you look into your future or your circumstances and your situations of life, 00:31:52.279 --> 00:32:06.359 do you see giants? Or do you see God? Let's close with a word of prayer. Father, we just thank you for your word and your truth today. 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:13.740 And I pray that you would put faith and trust in all of us to see clearly, Lord, that it is not about us, 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:21.759 it's about you. And it's about you winning the battle. It's about you going before us and fighting the battles 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:28.660 for us and using us to bring glory and honor to your name. And we thank you for this. We praise you, 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:32.740 Lord, always in Jesus' name. Amen. We're going to go into...