Message: Lessons From The Life Of Caleb

LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF CALEB

Message Outline

Here is a sermon on the life of Caleb. In it, we examine the lessons that we can learn and apply from his life. Caleb responded differently because He fully followed the Lord.

INTRODUCTION

Verse – Numbers 13:1-6

Four Quick Facts Concerning Caleb

A. Son of Jephunneh

B. Name Means “Dog”

C. One of the twelve spies that went into spy out the land

D. He came back with a report that they could take the land.

Verse – Numbers 13:27-33 and Numbers 14:1-10

Two Different Responses From the Spies

A. We are able - the Lord will bring us into this land and give it to us

B. We are not able – we are like grasshoppers

-Looking at it from the natural.

-Israel focused on the spies' report.

(Today we listen to the news, the internet, our friends, and we like Israel don’t listen

to those who God had put in place to lead)

Verse – Numbers 14:26-38

The Lord’s Response

A. “just as you have spoken in My ears, so I will do to you. VS 2 - Or that we had died in

this wilderness!

B. Death or life are in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21

C. “By your words you will be justified” and “every idle word shall be judged” – Jesus

Matthew 12:36–37 - But I say to you that for every idle word that men speak, they will

give an account on the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by

your words you will be condemned.”

D. This severe punishment did not come as a result of worshiping the golden calf, but

through despising - walking in a place of unbelief towards God’s grace to enter the

land.

Caleb – A Different Spirit

Numbers 14:24 - But My servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit with him and followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land where he went, and his seed will possess it.

“He fully followed the Lord” - Verses Numbers 32:11–12, Deuteronomy. 1:36, Joshua 14:8–9; 14

The essence of Christianity: Following Jesus

A. Relationship primary; doctrine secondary

B. I know whom I have believed – Paul – 2 Timothy 1:12 - For these things I suffer, but I

am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to

keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.

New Testament examples:

Matthew 9:9—As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s station. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him.

John 21:19, 22 to Peter - He said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When He had said this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” VS 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me!”

Verse – Numbers 14:6-13

Caleb’s Reward

A. The land his inheritance

B. Kept alive 45 years—to age 85

C. Still has the same strength

1. For peace and for war

2. For going out and for coming in

D. “Give me this hill country”

Not presumptuous or arrogant

Application: Goals Of A Christian

Christ in you - Colossians 1:25–27 - I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory,

Ambition: to have a relationship with the Lord - Hosea 6:3 - Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain; like the spring rains He will water the earth.