This morning I want to bring a bookend conclusion to our Crossroads sermon series. Today you, the members of His church here at Harmony are at an intersection. This metaphor of Crossroads has been the theme of our time here, and just like after a good meal especially a thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, it is doubly good to eat it a second and third time, I want to once again remind of you of the central truths of this series.
Turn with me again to Numbers Chapter 13 beginning in verse 1 The Israelites are at the brink of the Promised Land. -A land that was beyond their wildest dreams. Entering that land would be as dramatic as Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz black and white to Color…A land beyond their wildest dreams. But there at the edge, at the brink a choice was needed to be made would they settle for less than the best or would they seize the day.
Listen as the passage is read
There is not a sadder passage in all of the Bible, the people at the verge of the promised land looked within instead heavenward and proclaimed it is an incredible land beyond our wildest hopes and dreams, but there is no way we can possess it. We are as tiny as grasshoppers in their eyes. We CAN’T DO IT.
This scene is played out everyday in churches throughout our land. Churches who are given opportunities and tasks by God. Promises to be claimed, but we look around and we proclaim It is too much. We are too small. We can’t do it. And in the midst of it all miss the blessing.
Thousands of people are un-churched who claim no religious affiliation right here in this area. And so you sit right here on the verge of a land that God desires to give you and a people who need to know there is a hope and a savior. And so this church sits at this crossroads will you seize the day and take possession of what God has promised or will you look at all the reasons why it could never happen.
Hopefully two truths that have been repeatedly throughout these weeks will stick. First, This church is not your church it is His Church. And you are members of His church. The church is not an organization but a living organism who needs all its members to be all it can be. Second, it is time we reverse the way we do church. You as members of this body are the true players and your pastor is but a coach. Each Sunday a true worship service would be one where you are commissioned as members to be His missionaries in your personal mission fields. It is time we release the members to be salt and light missionaries.
Today at this cross roads remember further that in order to be all that God wants us to be, we must cultivate a listening and discerning ear. We must learn to listen to God, and then obey him. Listen, trust, and obey. It is that simple.
When is the last time you personally heard a word from God, a word of encouragement, a word of task, a work of rebuke, a word of direction. If we truly believe that God is a personal God who wants to direct and guide our steps then shouldn’t we expect a regular personal word from God. God speaks to each of us through his word, through certain circumstances, Godly counsel, and through Spirit-led prayers.
All across our land our churches filled with people who are not passionate and are getting second generation copies, and day old doughnuts...Our churches are waiting for the next great leader or program instead of daring to ask God what is my part and staying alert long enough to get an answer. And because of this, many of our churches are stale and stagnate. A museum of what was to their particular community. It is time we be more,
If you want to move forward, then you must listen and obey the words of God. But because God is a holy and perfect God you must overcome some of these obstacles.
1. Are you saved? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? If your answer is I am not sure, then perhaps your not. The true test is the fruit that is produced in a changed life.
2. Is there un-confessed public or private sin? When you go to prayer does God keep bringing up the same needed action and you keep pushing it down?
3 .Busyness- We live in a day where time is more valuable than money. If you never sit alone with God reading his word and praying to him, how will you ever hear, the noises of the world will always drown him out. You must make a choice.
Larnelle Harris sings a song entitled I Miss my time with You.
Listen to the chorus:
I miss my time with you, those moments together, I want to be with you each day and it hurts me when you say, you’re too busy busy tryin to serve me but how can you serve me when your spirit’s empty There’s a longing in my heart wanting more than just a part of you, It’s true I miss my time with you.
4. Traditions of Man- Paul testifies to this in Galatians Chapter 1 beginning in verse 13. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaiasm, how intensely I persecuted the church and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. BUT when God who set apart from birth and called me by his grace, was please to reveal his son in me SO THAT I might preach him among the gentiles I did not consult any man.
.Fresh words only came to Paul when he stopped letting the traditions of the past rob him of the future of today.
What is God saying to You? - Listen and obey.
A second crossroad question was simply are you a missionary?
Are you actively serving your community for Jesus Christ? Are you like Joshua and Caleb or are you like the other 10. Are You a Missionary? Looking at this passage as we compare Joshua and Caleb with the other 10 we can see some characteristics that can help you determine the answer to this question.
First, A missionary sees his field his community through the eyes of God.
The lord did not send them into the land to determine whether they could possess the land. He brought them into the land to unveil his gift. Joshua and Caleb saw the same wonderful things the other 10 saw but with different eyes. Because they saw with the eyes that believed what God said and that he would do what he said. The eyes that saw the greater wonderful gift that lay before them.
Acts 1:8 says that each of you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses… Romans Chapter 8 says that we are more than conquerors through him who gave himself for us…Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things through him who gives us strength.
With the promises of God firmly in place for us as God calls, our vision should change
Second, A missionary is often in the minority and not the majority and should expect opposition
12 spies went into the same land, 10 agreed 2 did not. Listen to Caleb’s lone voice when the other 10 spies bring the bad report. Listen to his words again:
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.
Later when the people rebelled, Joshua and Caleb pleaded with the people in this way. The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because WE will swallow them up. THEIR protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them
In our own lives don’t expect the world, your friends, your co-workers, your neighbors, or perhaps even your church family to cheer you on as you serve as a missionary to your community. For some to go out to the community is scary and risky. It is much easier to wait for the people to perhaps come to you. Then at least they are in control and are setting the rules. It is on their turf. Others fear that to release its members as missionaries to their community will somehow weaken their church. Too much activity and work will happen outside the doors of it. Whatever the reason expect opposition not only from inside and outside of the church, but also from the heavenly realms. Satan is more fearful of a released missionary church member than anything else. As missionary, you daily storm the gates of hell, and Satan will not take that lightly.
Third, a Missionary is led by the spirit of God
What enabled Caleb to be a committed man to the Lord. How is he able to stand up and say let’s go up when all the others were saying we can’t do it ! The secret lies within the fact that he had another spirit with him. That spirit was the Spirit of almighty God. The Spirit of God will give us courage to stand up, speak up, and get up! He will give us the power to speak out against unbelief, and the power to be positive instead of pessimistic. He will give us a Spirit of faith rather than fear!
It has been said............" If you have only the word of God you will dry up. If you have only the Spirit of God you will blow up. But if you have both you will grow up’.
Caleb and Joshua were men with both. They heard the word believed it, followed it, and they had the presence of God!
Fourth, a missionary leaves the challenges and obstacles of a mission field in the hands of God
What about the giants Caleb ? What about the enemies with the fortified cities ? The Lord will be with us, and will give it to us. Caleb was committed to following the Lord, and leaving the conquering up to him. Are we willing to do the same ? You know why we can’t whip the giants in our lives ? Is it because God can’t ? No, it’s because we want let him. We want let him because we refuse to believe his word, and refuse to obey him.
The church will begin to be the church that God wants her to be when we begin to see and do things that only God can do. In your own life what giants are dominating you and causing you to fear and fret. Joshua and Caleb’s words are for your giants too. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, or a Kevin paraphrase over that Giant that fear, that overwhelming obstacle. For if God is pleased with us, then Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.
At this crossroads that will determine the future of this church. A church I have grown to love, the choice, the choices are up to you. Thousands of souls lie at your doorstep in your promised land. What will you what are you going to do.
Fast forward 40 years. Once again Joshua sits at the plain of Kadesh Barnea a stones throw from the promised land. I am sure fear and uncertainty surrounded him. And in this moment God gave Joshua these words.
Turn with me to Joshua 1 verse one. I believe this is a direct word for you hear today.. Rest in this unchanging word.
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