Where Are We Going?
Number 13 & 14:1-10
Numbers 13:1-16 – They were called to spy out Canaan.
Numbers 13:17-20 – They were told what to look for in “unfamiliar places”
Numbers 13:21-26 – The spies search out the land
Numbers 13:27 – “it truly flows with milk and honey …”
- They knew themselves God was leading them with truth
- They saw it for themselves
Numbers 13:28 – “Nevertheless” (even though…despite all that…)
- Even though they saw the richness of God’s promises, and the potential, they were convinced it was impossible to possess
Numbers 13:28-29, 31-33 – The 10 spies who doubted delivered a bad report to the rest of the group
- The spies thought they were giving the facts but they launched a state of fear.
- Unbelief often presents itself as being “factual” or “practical” or “down to earth.” Yet, the most factual, practical, and down to earth thing we can do is trust the words of the living God.
Numbers 14:1-5 – The people are convinced that a life of living in the past, comfort, and defeat is better than walking into the “unknown promises of God”
Numbers 14:6-9 – TWO men step up with a bode of confidence and enough faith to move mountains
COMPLACENCY
The Israelites had accepted the wilderness as their home
- They had come to terms with a life of “being stagnant”
God is calling His people to more than a life of COMPLACENCY!
God is calling this church to more than just the average Sunday experience.
God wants (NEEDS) us to be the Joshua and Caleb of this moment!
God wants (NEEDS) us to be the Joshua and Caleb of this place!
The number 1 death sign of any church, group, or organization is this, saying…“We have always done it this way.”
The Israelites were content with being mundane, mediocre, and comfortable in a place and moment where God wanted them to walk in His promises
Where Are We Going?
We are going to INVEST in…
- leaders
- families
- lost souls
- new believers
- our community
- a global community (through missions)
We are going to embrace GROWTH…
- by expanding our space for discipleship and fellowship
- by accepting people that need a family … someone to love them
- by doing new things we haven’t tried before
We are going to walk in FAITH…
- substance of my hope, and the evidence of what we cannot see
- by giving when it seems impossible
- by providing for those in need
- by not believing the report of the enemy, but walking in the promises of God!
The report may seem unbelievable, BUT God…!
To know where you’re going you have to…
- leave complacency
- develop a plan
- ignore the doubters (ignore the “enemy’s report”)