Caleb the Conqueror (Josh. 14:6-15)
We all admire Caleb as a man of faith, but do we seek to emulate him as a one called to be a conqueror?
Paul tells us that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us in Romans 8:37. Why then are not more people living, acting and seeing results as conquerors? Could it be that they are not following the faith of people like Caleb.
Fact: Gallup polls tell us that less than 2% of Christians in America have led another person to faith in Jesus Christ.
Fact: Less than one-third of one percent of giving goes toward reaching the 90% of the unreached people groups that are in the 10/40 window.
Fact: If we are not conquering we are being conquered by something.
Fact: Even a watermelon seed conquers its environment as it produces fruit more than 100,000 times its original weight.
Let us look at Caleb’s traits that allowed him to fulfill God’s will for His life as a conqueror:
1. COURAGEOUS - Caleb remembered the words God gave to Joshua, "BE strong and courageous and act. Do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work of the house of God is finished." (Josh 1:9) Courage is the capacity to face danger or difficult for a cause. WE have all the encouragement we need in Christ if we will only appropriate it for His purposes. David wrong, "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say on the Lord." (Psa 27:14) We gain strength when we tap in to God’s courage, power and strength. Paul wrote, "God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline." (2 Tim. 1:7) Why then are so many Christians afraid of offending people? Could it be that they fear men more than God?
2. CONTROLLED - Caleb’s heart, soul, strength and mind were controlled by God. Only when we surrender the controls of our life to the Lord will we be able to know what it is like to live a life as a conqueror. Otherwise, we will tend to live in the flesh rather than by the power of the Spirit. Gallup released a poll indicating that only 6% of Christians are living life with a Biblical worldview. The rest are more or less in a survival mode.
3. COMMISSIONED - Just like Caleb we have all been commissioned by God to go and possess the land. New Testament believers are given this commission in five places in the new Testament but particularly in Matt. 28:18-20. To be commissioned is to be give the authority to carry out a task of one’s commander. Do not think that Jesus gave the commission only to a few, but to all who are His children. To fail to obey the great commission is sin and will result in His chastening for being guilty of the sin of omission.
4. CONVICTIONS - Caleb demonstrated that he was a man of deep convictions. To have convictions is to be firmly and fully persuaded about something. Some people have convictions that are not based on truth, but not Caleb. He said, "I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly." (Josh 14:7,8) Let us live by our convictions so that there will be no doubt where we stand regarding our believes, ideals and practices.
5. CONFIDENT - Caleb expressed a firm trust, reliance and certainty that the Lord would fight the battles for him and give victory. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. (I John 5:4,5) Caleb said, "Give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day... the Lord helping me I will drive them out just as he said." (Josh 14:12,13) We can be confident as conquerors for Jesus Christ and the great commission because of the promise in Phil. 4:13 which says, "I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power."
6. CONSISTENT - Caleb was just as much of a conqueror in his youth as in his old age. He finished the race well. He said, "The Lord has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses. So here I am today eighty five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out. I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then." (Josh 14:10,11) Let us remain faithful, reliable, available and teachable throughout our life without any variance.
7. COMMITTED - Caleb demonstrated an unwavering steadfastness to God and His purposes regardless of the costs. He said, "I will drive them out just as he said." (Josh 14:12) Let us not grow weary in well doing knowing that in due season we will reap if we faint not. Let us be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing our labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Cor. 15:58)
9. COMMUNING - Caleb maintained his intimate communion with the Lord throughout all of his days. He said, "The Lord has kept me." (Josh 14:10) When we are in constant communication with the Lord through prayer and the meditation of His word, He abides in us. Jesus said, "Abide in me because apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) To abide me to remain in. We may not be able to thank God for everything that happens to us, but we can obey the command, "IN everything give thanks." Let us live thankfully, prayerfully and rejoicingly in every moment of the day as we allow the Holy Spirit to energize, enable and enlighten us with His perspective.
Illustration: Even jet fighters need to refuel occasionally in mid-flight while they are engaging the enemy. Allow the Lord to infuse in you new power, purpose and perception as you go about engaging the enemy for the expansion of His kingdom. He makes you bigger than your enemy. He emboldens, equips and enables you to do great and mighty things that are far beyond one’s human capabilities. (Eph. 3:20)
Jesus said, "I give you power that is greater than all the power of your enemies." (Luke 10:19)
10. CONQUESTS ACCOMPLISHED - Caleb accomplished the conquests of expanding the kingdom of God through faith in a God that was greater than all His problems. A conquest is a conquered territory. WE accomplish conquests when we help expand Christ’s kingdom and righteousness in greater quantity and quality. However, conquests are something that is won not given. We must be willing to fight the good fight of faith if we are to wear the crown. If you want to be a victor get engaged in the battle for Christ and His gospel, His kingdom and His righteousness expansion ministries.
There will always be opposition to those who are engaged in conquests, but this is our calling, identity and responsibility as more than conquerors in Christ. To do anything less is to face the displeasure and discipline of the almighty. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "He disciplines those who He loves." (Heb. 12:10-12)If you have yet to engage in conquests, begin in a small way and the Lord will help you grow up in all aspects in Christ as you speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15)
Illustration: Many people think of those who engage in conquests negatively. Many people think of the conquistadores who ruthlessly oppressed people through the colonial period of Spain and Portugal. However, they could have used these opportunities for the advancement of the gospel and the kingdom of God but instead used their power for the advancement of their human kingdom and left a miserable legacy.
The greatest need for conquests remains with the 4000 people groups that are yet to be reached with the gospel of Christ. There are approximately 1.4 billion people who are yet to have an opportunity to hear the gospel. Jesus said, "When the gospel of the kingdom is preached in the whole earth, then the end will come." (Matt 24:14) God will use anyone who is willing to be used as his conquerors. Let us not shrink at our responsibility or we will become conquered by the forces that set themselves against the knowledge of God.
Example of being a conqueror by Tony Castro of EE
Prayer. As we’ve mentioned in the last two issues of EEquip, prayer is vital to effective evangelism. In Colossians 4, Paul instructs us to "devote" ourselves to prayer and be "watchful" in prayer. Pray fervently for those in your network of relationships, and be watchful for opportunities God gives you to witness to them.
Care. It has been well said, "People won’t care what you know until they know you care!" Jesus loved the unlovable and cared for those whom no one else cared for. That is why people were drawn to Him and the Good News He shared. Ken Silva, EE’s U.S. Director for the West Region, said, "There is nothing that will open up doors for the gospel like loving people in tangible ways." As you pray fervently for your "FRANs" (Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors), you will find creative ways to express Christ’s love to them. As you demonstrate that you care, friendship will turn to trust. Through trust they will be open to what you have to say when you share the gospel.
Wear. As you completed your Level One training, you received an attractive lapel pin with two question marks on it. The purpose of the pin is to generate curiosity in those who see it. When they ask the meaning of the two question marks, you have the opening you have prayed for to ask them those two key diagnostic questions. They are a natural opening into the Gospel!
Share. All Christians are commissioned to be Christ’s witnesses. If the only time you practice evangelism is during those structured OJT sessions, you’ve missed the point. OJT is preparation for witnessing as a way of life. Acts 8:4 says, "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." The example of the early Christians was to preach the gospel as they went about their lives. We must follow this example and be ready and willing to share the Good News at all times. As you take the first three steps–Prayer, Care, Wear–God will give you many opportunities to share the Gospel with your FRANs. But keep one fact clearly in view: Although God gives us the opportunities, we choose whether to take advantage of them.
Prepare. "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV). Someone has invested time to prepare you to share the Gospel. Scripture is clear that we are to be good stewards of what has been entrusted to us. Will you invest in at least one or two other people and prepare them to share the gospel? As we say in EE, It’s better to train a soul-winner than to merely win a soul.
Following these steps – Prayer, Care, Wear, Share, Prepare – will help you to become a way of life witness. EE has given you tools that can help make you an effective witness for Christ, but it is up to you to put those tools to use. Ask God to give you compassion for the lost, and make yourself available to be used by Him when he gives you the opportunities.
As you reflect on your calling in Christ Jesus, here are five principles from Matthew 14:22-33, to keep in mind:
Ask for the impossible. Peter did. He wanted to walk across the water to Jesus. Unsaved people can do great things, but God wants us to do the impossible! We just have to ask.
Don’t wait for conditions to get better. Peter didn’t wait for the wind to die down and the waves to calm. Don’t wait until you’re in a better situation. Conditions will never be perfect.
Don’t worry about a backup plan. Peter had no Plan B. When you ask God to do the impossible through you, trust Him to do it. If you have a back up plan in mind, you are preparing for failure.
You have to go over the edge of the boat. Peter did, and it was a step of faith. After you ask for the impossible, be willing to trust God to keep you from sinking.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Always keep your focus on Jesus, not the conditions around you. He will keep you safe from the storm.
Believe it or not, God has called you to do the impossible. God has a purpose for you that only you can fulfill. God doesn’t want you to merely do great things; He wants you to do the impossible. Ask Him!
Illustration: Proverbs 28:2
”When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily” NLT
While in power for more than 20 years the leader of Iraq -- Saddam Hussein -- called himself many things:
The Glorious Leader
Direct Descendant of the Prophet
The Lion of Babylon
The Father of the Two Lion Cubs
The Anointed One
The Modern Saladin of Islam
My personal favorite: The Successor of Nebuchadnezzar
Saddam called himself The Successor of Nebuchadnezzar --- Biblically speaking let’s see what that means:
Daniel 4:4 "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living in my palace in comfort and prosperity.”
Daniel 4:29-30 Twelve months later, he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. As he looked out across the city, he said, `Just look at this great city of Babylon! I, by my own mighty power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence and as an expression of my royal splendor.’
Daniel 4:31 "While he was still speaking these words, a voice called down from heaven, `O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom.’
Daniel 4:33 "That very same hour the prophecy was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws”
Sounds like life in a spider hole to me!
And so it has come to pass: Saddam Hussein followed in the footsteps of Nebuchadnezzar just as he himself predicted.
Prayer; Father, thank you that the people of Iraq are now free to govern themselves and have the opportunity to learn about You, Your Son and Your Holy Spirit. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
