### Quotes for Outreach
1. “God never calls us to go, you know, throw caution to the wind and just run headlong into whatever. He's provided for them a way for the men to go in there to see what it's like and the idea was to bring back to the people because not everybody could go. That's the whole idea of a recon mission: bring back to the people the goodness of the land. You know, these are the people, the land is good, but God can make it happen. That was the intent.” [35:53](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
2. “They believed that God would be faithful to His promises and they chose to operate in faith and not give in to fear that the people were stirring up, that the ten spies were stirring up. You've got to be careful doing what-if scenarios in Scripture. Okay? But I'm telling you this ahead of time. So, I'm not going to get in trouble for this. What-if. Let's say what-if.” [50:04](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
3. “God is good, period. And that's what they should have remembered, and that's what we should remember. God is good, period. So if He calls you to do something, yeah, it may be tough, it may be hard, it's definitely going to stretch you outside of your comfort zone. But He's good. And He's not going to be like they said in the first part of Numbers 14, why did He bring us here just to kill us and to kill our kids? He's not going to do that.” [01:07:21](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
4. “God will always keep His promises. We're going to run through a little bit of the Old Testament, and I want to show you that God is good, that God always keeps His promises, and God always comes to us when we cannot come to Him.” [01:08:11](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
5. “If you're lost, if you're here without Christ, I want you to know God is a coming down God. He came down in Genesis, He came down in Exodus, you can look through all through scripture and you see that He comes down to meet us because we cannot go to meet Him. The final and the best example of that is Jesus Christ.” [01:12:53](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. “The Israelites cried out to God while they were in slavery in Egypt. They knew this promise. They knew this promise but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve. Did God do that? Yeah, look at the 10 plagues. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Did that happen? Yep. As for yourself, you shall go to your father's in peace. That means he's going to die. You shall be buried in a good old age and they shall come back here where Abram and God are making this covenant which is the promised land.” [40:18](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
2. “Whenever you are, whenever someone is making an ungodly decision, trying to get an ungodly decision accepted, they are rebelling against God and they will make irrational decisions and movements. To where when you're looking at them, you're like, I cannot believe they just did that. Right? Right? They may not see what they're doing. And this is what's happening in the congregation of Israel.” [59:30](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
3. “Unfortunately, this scenario plays out in many churches and denominations today. Facts of the issue, the truth of the issue, how Scripture speaks about that, and the leadership. The leadership of the Holy Spirit is discounted. It's put to the side. And who gets the prominence is, it's a term that just goes on the talking heads. The chiefs of the tribes, if you will. Everybody listens to them. They throw truth in the leadership of the Holy Spirit and God's word. They throw it to the side and they listen to the talking heads.” [01:03:04](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
4. “We suffered judgment because we do not trust that God is good. If we trust Him, He will work through us to accomplish His will. Just like the Israelites when they finally occupied the Promised Land. You can read that starting in the book of Joshua. Joshua took leadership after Moses. You see that it was work. You see that they fought. Sometimes they fought well, meaning they did it God's way. Other times, they did not do it God's way, and they got soundly defeated.” [01:06:19](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
5. “We have decisions to make in our own lives, and we have decisions to make corporately as a church. And so, God, I pray that we would lay down whatever it is we're holding on to if it's not your truth, if it's not been given by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and that we would trust you. All of us are, I can't say that. I know I'm not always comfortable with change. And I do like things to stay so that I know what to expect. I do like things to stay so that I know what to expect the next day and the next day and the day after that.” [01:17:38](Making raw clip | Making vertical clip | Making vertical captioned clip)
### Summary
Today, we delved into Numbers 13 and the story of the Israelites at Kadesh Barnea, standing on the threshold of the Promised Land. Despite their past disobedience and the severe judgments they faced, God remained faithful to His promise to bring them to this land. As they stood at the brink of receiving God's promise, they were instructed to send twelve spies to scout the land. This was not a sign of doubt but a practical step commanded by God to prepare them for what lay ahead.
The spies returned with a mixed report. While they confirmed the land's richness, flowing with milk and honey, ten of the spies incited fear by focusing on the strength and size of the inhabitants and the fortified cities. Only Caleb and Joshua trusted in God's promise, urging the people to move forward in faith. Unfortunately, the Israelites succumbed to fear, doubting God's faithfulness and longing to return to Egypt, a place of bondage and suffering.
This narrative underscores the importance of making godly decisions based on faith in God's promises rather than succumbing to fear. It also highlights the consequences of disobedience and the blessings of faithfulness. Caleb and Joshua's faith stood in stark contrast to the fear and rebellion of the other spies and the congregation. Their trust in God’s promises exemplifies the right response to God's guidance.
As a church, we must learn from this account. We are called to seek God's will through His Word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and a collective commitment to truth. This approach ensures that our decisions honor God and align with His purposes. We must avoid the pitfalls of fear, nostalgia for the past, and reliance on human leaders over divine guidance. Instead, we should embrace God's promises, trusting that He is good and faithful.
### Key Takeaways
1. **Faith Over Fear**: Caleb and Joshua exemplified faith by trusting in God's promise despite the intimidating circumstances. They saw the same giants and fortified cities as the other spies but chose to focus on God's power and faithfulness. This teaches us to prioritize faith over fear, especially when facing daunting challenges. [37:19]
2. **Consequences of Disobedience**: The Israelites' decision to believe the fearful report of the ten spies led to severe consequences, including wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. This highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dire repercussions of rebellion. [52:43]
3. **God's Faithfulness**: Despite the Israelites' repeated failures, God remained faithful to His promises. He continued to guide and provide for them, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant. This reassures us that God's promises are steadfast, even when we falter. [50:04]
4. **Making Godly Decisions**: To make decisions that honor God, we must identify the facts, search the Scriptures, and listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance. This process ensures that our choices align with God's will and are not swayed by fear or human opinion. [45:25]
5. **God's Redemptive Plan**: Throughout history, God has consistently come down to meet His people in their need, culminating in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This demonstrates God's proactive love and His desire to redeem and restore us, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His redemptive plan. [01:08:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] – Welcome
[30:37] – Prayer for Brother Clarence
[31:35] – Importance of Decisions at the Southern Baptist Convention
[32:51] – Recap of Exodus and Introduction to Numbers 13
[34:18] – The Israelites at the Threshold of the Promised Land
[35:53] – God's Command to Spy Out the Land
[37:19] – The Spies' Report and Caleb's Faith
[40:18] – God's Promises to Abraham and Moses
[45:25] – Making Godly Decisions
[48:14] – Facts vs. Fear in the Spies' Reports
[50:04] – Caleb and Joshua's Trust in God's Promises
[52:43] – The Israelites' Rebellion and Its Consequences
[56:56] – The Correct Response: Caleb and Joshua's Faith
[59:30] – Summary of the Israelites' Rebellion
[01:03:04] – Modern Applications: Church and Denominational Decisions
[01:08:11] – God's Faithfulness and Redemptive Plan
[01:14:18] – Invitation to Accept Christ
[01:17:38] – Prayer for Guidance and Obedience
[01:19:02] – Closing Remarks and Announcements
[01:24:13] – Final Prayer and Dismissal
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Numbers 13:1-2
2. Numbers 13:25-33
3. Numbers 14:1-4
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give to Moses regarding the land of Canaan in Numbers 13:1-2?
2. How did the spies describe the land of Canaan upon their return in Numbers 13:25-27?
3. What were the differing perspectives of Caleb and Joshua compared to the other ten spies in Numbers 13:30-31?
4. What was the reaction of the Israelites to the report of the ten spies in Numbers 14:1-4?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God commanded the Israelites to send spies into the land of Canaan? What purpose did this serve?
2. How did Caleb and Joshua’s faith in God’s promises influence their report compared to the other spies?
3. What does the Israelites' desire to return to Egypt reveal about their trust in God’s faithfulness and promises?
4. How do the consequences faced by the Israelites for their disobedience in Numbers 14:1-4 illustrate the importance of faith and obedience?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a daunting challenge. Did you respond more like Caleb and Joshua or the other ten spies? How did your faith or fear influence your decision?
2. The Israelites longed to return to Egypt despite the suffering they experienced there. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to return to old habits or situations because they feel familiar? How can you trust God to lead you forward instead?
3. Caleb and Joshua focused on God’s power and faithfulness rather than the obstacles. What are some practical ways you can shift your focus from your problems to God’s promises in your daily life?
4. The sermon emphasized making godly decisions by identifying facts, searching the Scriptures, and listening to the Holy Spirit. Can you think of a recent decision where you applied or could have applied this process? What was the outcome or what might have been different?
5. The Israelites’ rebellion led to severe consequences, including wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. How can you ensure that your decisions align with God’s will to avoid similar pitfalls in your spiritual journey?
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of collective commitment to truth within the church. How can you contribute to fostering a culture of faith and obedience in your church community?
7. God’s faithfulness remained steadfast despite the Israelites’ repeated failures. How does this assurance of God’s unwavering commitment encourage you in your personal walk with Him, especially when you falter?