Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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How many of us have ever had one of those moments that seemed too good to be true?
Whether it be a better grade on an exam, it could be good news at the doctor’s office, maybe it’s a new job, better finances, a new car, the list could go on and on.
But have you ever been asked to do something you felt was beyond your capabilities?
What did you feel?
Anxiousness, fear, concern, doubt?
Yet God opens doors that will sometimes also challenge us.
Maybe it is something that moves us from our comfort zone, something that challenges us, takes us in a different direction.
Have you ever had an opportunity present itself, that seems to be too good to be true only to question why you were the one, possibly you question whether you are good enough, or you don’t deserve the opportunity.
How many times have we prayed for something, and God gives us a way, and we convince ourselves we are not capable or worthy?
How many times have we missed out on God’s blessings simply because we did not have the faith to simply follow where He leads us.
We find a similar situation when we read of the nation of Israel here in Nehemiah 13 & 14.
God has already heard their cries to deliver them from Egyptian bondage.
They had seen God’s hand in the 10 plagues.
On the last plague they were spared as the death angel passed over the houses with the blood on the door posts.
They experienced Him parting the waters of the Red Sea.
They had been led to the Promised Land.
Now they were challenged with following the promises of God, or allowing the things of the world to keep them from missing out on God’s blessings.
God’s Promise
During the time of a famine, Abram went through Canaan (the promised land which would be Israel), built an altar to the Lord, and continued into Egypt.
So the Promised Land was promised by God at the time of Abram, and would not be inhabited for another 4 generations.
Somewhere around 400 years would pass between the promise to Abram until Joshua would lead the Israelites into Canaan.
Throughout this time, God continued to remind the Israelites of the promise made to them.
Just as Abram found out, God reminds them that the land He has promised them would be fruitful and abundant land.
There would be no limits to the capacity and capability of this land.
Unfortunately, every time God reminds them of His promise, it seems as though the Israelites get into a state of depression and the “woe-is-me’s”.
How quickly they forgot the promise God had given them!
How quickly they forgot the deliverance from Egypt.
How quickly they forgot about the bitter water being made sweet.
How quickly they forgot about the manna and quail.
How quickly they forgot God.
And how quickly they would miss out on God’s blessings.
But we see a change taking place in Numbers.
There was a census taken, the camp was prepared for moving, and they travelled with their family.
Throughout their travels, their complaining didn’t cease.
So, God made sure the people would be fed.
Here in Nehemiah, men were sent to scout out the land God promised to give them.
The land was fertile, and fruitful.
But, they were more concerned over the giants in the land.
They quickly forgot God’s promise.
They quickly forgot what they had been delivered from.
They quickly forgot what they had been brought to.
They, like us, quickly forgot, and when we get into a state of forgetfulness, then we get scared and become doubtful.
Doubting God’s Promise
God had protected all the spies, and they had made a complete overview of the promised land.
Forty days they had been in enemy territory.
Forty days of intel.
Forty days to think of God’s promise.
But the report was mixed.
The land was flowing with milk and honey.
They brought back examples of the fruit.
They knew it would feed the people and their livestock.
It was all they would ever need or desire.
But the majority of them were overcome with fear.
There were powerful cities, fortified to the hilt.
There were descendants of Anak, giants, living there.
There were enemies occupying the area.
Ten of the 12 spies brought back a bad report.
No way should they enter.
THEY felt they were defeated, they were scared.
But yet we see a picture of faith in Joshua and Caleb.
Faithful Following God
We find the testimony of Caleb to be one of strength and courage.
Come on, God has promised us this land now let’s go!
But how often have we known God was calling us to action, that God has placed something or someone in our path, and we know that is where God is leading, yet we are scared like these other Israelites?
We are told to be like Joshua and Caleb.
God can, God will, and God does.
But, do we?
Do we follow where He leads?
Do we courageously go where we may not feel comfortable?
Do we march to the promised land and enter, or do we hesitate with fear and doubt?
You see, we are called to be courageous.
We are called to be faithful and follow God’s promises.
If not, will we miss out on God’s blessings?
Don’t Miss God’s Blessings
They key to missing out on God’s blessings is unbelief.
The people didn’t believe Caleb and Joshua.
The people chose to believe the cowards.
The people chose to follow the popular opinion, even though it was against God’s will.
Have you ever been in a place in your life where you feel like you have been wandering around hopeless and helpless?
Do you ever stop to think that may be because of our own doing?
God asked the Israelites to follow Him by faith.
God asks us to do the same.
But when we continue to ignore Him, does He ask the same question, how long will you despise me?
What did God mean by this word?
The root signifies the action or attitude whereby a recipient of favorable disposition and/or service is consciously viewed and/or treated as unworthy of one's consideration or respect.
God had done everything the Israelites had asked.
He even went so far as giving them abundant blessings, only to have them ignore His commands.
As a result, the Israelites would wander for 40 years in the wilderness.
Those generations that did not want to enter would not be allowed into the promised land.
Only Joshua and Caleb - those faithful - would be allowed to enter.
Are we wandering in our 40 years because of our attitudes and actions towards God’s calling, command, and promises we have ignored?
Are we missing God’s blessings?
Closing
I don’t want us to miss out on God’s blessings.
God does not want us to miss out on His blessings.
We should miss God’s blessings for our lives because we are scared to follow where He is leading.
Status Quo leaves us in the same place we have always been, and always will be, and we WILL miss His blessings.
But by relying on God, by faithfully following His promises, we will receive blessings beyond measure.
Sometimes it takes us out of our comfort zone, but it grows us in our faith.
Are you willing to grow your faith today by faithfully following God’s plan for your life?
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