Give Me This Mountain

Give Me This Mountain

(Joshua 14:6-15)

Logan Peters

Introduction :

1. Mount Annapurna is a very popular mountain range that many have attempted to climb. It is such a dangerous endeavor. The top of the mountain sits at 26,525 feet. This is a serious adventure, that many have attempted. This summit is notorious for being the most dangerous in the world. It has close to a 30% fatality rate. Only the strongest and most prepared people survive. These men and women needed to know what supplies to bring, the terrain of the mountain, and they needed to know the end goal. And what an accomplishment it must be to finally reach the top of that mountain and have completed his mission.

2. This brings, to my mind, the mountain that Caleb inherited in the Old Testament (Joshua 14:6-15). Caleb is a great example to us on how to be a true follower of God. In Numbers 13, he and Joshua were the only two to give a true report after spying the land of Canaan. Caleb says that he wholly followed God in Joshua 14:8.

3. Caleb wholly followed God, but still had to wander for forty years. Throughout all those years, he stayed faithful to God no matter what the rest of the children of Israel did.

4. Caleb received his inheritance after all those years of struggle, fighting, and disobedience from the children of Israel.

5. What about Christians today? Do we have this same opportunity as Caleb? We absolutely do.

6. Today, we have a mountain to climb. It is not a physical mountain, like trying to climb Annapurna. We have a spiritual mountain to climb. I want us to look at three points: the task, the climb, and the inheritance.

I. The Task

A. Before climbing our mountain, we need provisions. We need to know what is needed for the trip up the mountain. Jesus gives us exactly that. The key to our trip is found in the wise words of Christ. During Jesus’ ministry, He was often challenged by different groups of people trying to disprove that He was the Son of God. There is one instance where He is asked a heavy hitting question, but our Lord answered it beautifully (Matthew 22:34-40).

1. The first part of Jesus’ answer comes from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5), which would be what the Pharisees knew, and they knew it well. But then, He adds to it and tells them to love their neighbor as themselves. What is the significance of this?

2. Multiple times in the New Testament we see where the command of charity (love) is given emphasis (1 Corinthians 13:3; Colossians 3:14). But why is it that love is emphasized?

a. (Colossians 3:12-17) – In the beginning of this chapter, Paul is describing the sinful lusts and lifestyle that needs to be put away because we are now Christians. Then, he begins to explain what we should be doing. At the end of our reading, he makes a statement in verse fourteen. Above all these things that we should be incorporating into our lives as Christians, we must put love over all of them.

b. This is because if we love others, and if we love God like we are commanded, then all these other Christian characteristics will fall right into place.

B. Our task is to live the life that Christ tells us to live. We are to love God with all our heart and all our soul, and we are also to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is not a call to only love your next-door neighbor. The person that lives across town is also your neighbor. The person that lives across the ocean is also your neighbor. We are to love and treat everyone with compassion, respect, and everything else that we would want to be treated with.

1. How do we treat others? Do we present ourselves as compassionate and caring, or do others see us as being harsh and uncaring? We must love our brothers and sisters in Christ, along with all men (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; Galatians 6:10).

a. As Christians, we should look different from the world. We ought to desire to help those in need, even when no one else will. What is it that Jesus did constantly? He sought after and took care of the needs of people. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and helps the poor.

b. As His followers and His disciples, we must go out and do the same. If we are to truly follow Christ, we must love others and help those in need.

c. Even when it is inconvenient, troublesome, or difficult, we must do good unto all men. The love we ought to have for God and for others will cause us to not feel like it is troublesome.

2. This is not only a commandment and commandment, but it is an entire change in attitude. Our outlook on life is not about personal gain, but about changing the world for the better. It is about loving others enough to be the shining light that we read about in Matthew 5:16. The world will see us and know that we are followers of Christ.

II. The Climb

A. We have the words that Jesus has given us. We are now ready to make the climb up the mountain. But what lies ahead? What is waiting for us on the climb? There are many dangerous obstacles we must overcome. One of the major stumbling blocks is self-doubt. Feeling as if you are not good enough to make it up the mountain. Feeling as if you do not know enough to teach others, or maybe afraid of telling others about Christ.

1. Self-doubt is the destruction of anything that is good. Self-doubt has killed many programs that have been offered by the church. How many times has there been an idea or a meeting about a new out-reach opportunity that immediately got shut down by the members? You hear phrases like, “that will never work”, or “we have tried something like that before and did not have much success”. Just because something failed once in the past, does that mean we should write it off?

2. Paul gives us the proper attitude when it comes to working for God and evangelizing for the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Our climb up the mountain is not about merely surviving, but it is about teaching and showing those around us who God is. Our self-doubt cannot dictate our effectiveness in the Kingdom (Romans 1:16).

3. Our whole purpose as Christians is to bring the lost to Christ (Romans 8:28). There is no place in the life of a Christian for doubt. As soon as we begin to doubt, we begin to backslide. We must continue the climb.

B. When we begin to feel that self-doubt creeping in, and when we begin to feel that we are not ready, I want us all to think about Joshua. I want us to remember what God told him (Joshua 1:6).

1. Joshua was tasked with taking over as the leader of the children of Israel. God reassures Joshua multiple times throughout his tenure as the leader of Israel (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18). Joshua needed this encouragement. He probably doubted his abilities and doubted his strength to lead his people. We are always in need of God’s encouragement and can seek Him daily through His word.

2. God is bigger than all our doubts and fears (1 Timothy 2:7-10). Paul encourages Timothy, but we can also use the words of Paul to encourage us as well. Timothy was about to begin his ministry, and Paul wanted to make sure that Timothy was prepared for his climb up the mountain.

3. As Christians, there are going to be times where the terrain is smooth and there will not be many issues. Then, there will be times of afflictions for the sake of the Gospel according to Paul (1 Timothy 2:9). What we need to keep in mind is that there is something bigger at stake. There are souls on the line, and oftentimes, how we respond to adversity can either hinder a man or encourage a man to obey the Gospel.

4. The climb up the mountain is our opportunity to increase our faith, encourage others, and remember the goal.

III. The Inheritance

A. When Caleb finally received his inheritance, there must have been a great sense of joy, comfort, and rest. He has finally made it to the point where he will spend the rest of his life in peace. Our inheritance is even greater than some piece of land. It is greater than any kind of rest or revitalization from the woes of the world. This inheritance of a home in heaven is the greatest peace and rest a man could ever dream of.

1. Paul describes our inheritance as incorruptible, undefiled, and will never fade away (1 Peter 1:4). Christ describes it as a place that will never degrade (Matthew 6:19-21). He says that neither moth nor rust can corrupt it. Heaven is unaffected by time, or by the elements of the world like we see it now. Everything is made new, and whole, and perfect.

2. Christ tells us there are many mansions or rooms that He is going to prepare, and that we will dwell with Him in heaven (John 14:1-3). What a wonderful thought to think that we will be with Christ for eternity in heaven!

3. This inheritance is one of perfection, created by God (Genesis 1:1) for His children that are faithful.

B. How does the idea of heaven make us feel? The idea that the struggles, cares, and heartaches of this world all lead to the rest and peace of heaven. Being there with our Savior and having ultimate joy, and ultimate content, praising God for eternity (Hebrews 12:22-23). There should be butterflies in our stomachs when thinking about heaven. There is a desire in our hearts and our souls to go home, back to God (2 Corinthians 5:8).

1. We often sing a song titled “Higher Ground”. The lyrics beautifully describe where our attitudes and our hearts should be. “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground”.

2. Throughout our journey up the mountain, heaven always needs to be on our mind. Not only will it give us a sense of purpose, but it can encourage us. It can help remind us that there is something better to come. A home for eternity with our Lord. There is no better thought, than to think that we will be able to praise him forever.

Conclusion :

1. Just like Caleb, we have an inheritance awaiting us. We must take the task given to us by Christ and make the climb to the top of the mountain. We must not let self-doubt, and the ups and downs of this life interfere with our hope of eternal life. Nothing in this world is more important that being a follower of Christ, teaching others about Him, and living our lives for Him. If we continue pressing towards the goal, serve God with all our hearts and souls, then we will make it to our inheritance (2 Timothy 4:7).

2. What about those who have not begun their adventure up the mountain? Friends, if you have not begun your journey, then you can never receive your inheritance. If you do not make the climb, the only inheritance awaiting you is the one of torment and destruction.

3. Christ came to this earth, lived a perfect life, and gave Himself as a sacrifice on the cross. He then resurrected on the third day so that you and I could have the hope of an inheritance of eternal life. If you are here and have never obeyed the Gospel, all that God requires is:

a. Hear the word (Romans 10:17)

b. Believe that word (Hebrews 11:6)

c. Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38)

d. Confess Jesus as the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10)

e. Be baptized for the remission of sins (1 Peter 3:21)

f. Live faithfully (Colossians 1:21)

4. If you have already began climbing up the mountain, but have slid back down due to sin, God has graciously given us a second law of pardon where one can pray to him for forgiveness and begin that climb up the mountain once again.

5. Today, are you ready for your inheritance? Are you making the climb? Are you taking the task given by Christ to the world? Caleb knew that he wholly followed God to the best of his ability and knew that there was an inheritance awaiting him. Are you following God to the best of your ability? Do you know if there is an inheritance awaiting you? It is time to make the climb.