Sermon Tone Analysis

If you have a Bible, turn over to ’ll give you a moment to get there.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after 400 years of slavery in Egypt.

At one point, Moses sent 12 spies to spy out the Promised Land for 40 days.

One of them was named Caleb.

Caleb came back with a positive report, silenced the people and said, ‘Let’s go and take possession of the promise that God has given to us.’

But 10 out of the 12 spies had a bad report.

They said, ‘We seem like grasshoppers in the eyes of the giants we saw in the land.’

They failed to claim the promise and an entire generation died.

But 40 years later, God gives them a second chance.

Aren’t you glad that God gives second chances?

Fast forward, 45 years, Caleb is the oldest man in Israel by a longshot.

His entire generation has died off and according to tradition, Joshua was probably less than half his age.

Joshua may have been 17 years old when explored the Promised Land, Caleb was 40 and he is now 85 years young.

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As we are moving right through our series called “All In”, the first week we looked at the story of Noah and that he needed at go “All In” for God even though at times he might have thought, “Why on earth am I building a boat?”

Then last week we look at the story of Abraham and Isaac and saw that Abraham was faithful to God even though God was telling him to sacrifice his one and only son, whom he loved Isaac.

And the amazing thing about our Heavenly Father is that he always does what he says he will do.

This morning we are going to look at Caleb who as well went “All In” in serving God.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after 400 years of slavery in Egypt.

At one point, Moses sent 12 spies to spy out the Promised Land for 40 days.

One of them was named Caleb.

Caleb came back with a positive report, silenced the people and said, ‘Let’s go and take possession of the promise that God has given to us.’

But 10 out of the 12 spies brought back a bad report.

They said, ‘We seem like grasshoppers in the eyes of the giants we saw in the land.’

Those 10 spies failed to claim the promise, which resulted in an entire generation who died.

But 40 years later, God gives them a second chance.

Aren’t you glad that God gives second chances?

Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a God of second, third, fourth and fifth chances?

Fast forward, 45 years, Caleb is the oldest man in Israel.

His entire generation has died off and according to tradition, Joshua was probably less than half his age.

Joshua may have been 17 years old when explored the Promised Land, Caleb was 40 and he is now 85 years young.

Read

Caleb had been promised a piece of property forty five years earlier.

Since that promise, he spent forty years wandering in the wilderness with a bunch of dissatisfied, unfaithful, whining people.

Then under Joshua’s leadership, Caleb spent the past five years fighting as a soldier against the Canaanite kingdoms.

Even after 45 years long years, he still held onto God’s promise.

He said, “I remember God’s promise to me, now give me this hill country!”

He never did let go of that promise and that’s what the Bible calls persistence.

Caleb had been promised a piece of property forty five years earlier.

Since that promise, he spent forty years wandering in the wilderness with a bunch of dissatisfied, unfaithful, whining people.

Then under Joshua’s leadership, Caleb spent the past five years fighting as a soldier against the Canaanite kingdoms.

Even after 45 years, he still held onto God’s promise.

He said, “I remember God’s promise to me, now give me this hill country!”

He never let go of that promise–that’s what the Bible calls persistence.

Here is what we need to hear this morning...

When God gives you a promise–you should never let it go!

Has God given you a promise?

No, he has given you hundreds and thousands of promises right here in His Word.

Lets read some of the promises that God has given to us in His Word!

; “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

Here’s the application for us: When God gives you a promise–you should never release it!

Has God given you a promise?

No, he has given you hundreds and thousands of promises right here in His Word.

The story of Caleb teaches us to never give up on God or His promises.

I came upon a story about a scrawny kid who attended a small high school.

They didn’t have a wrestling program, but he read a book on wrestling and asked one of the assistant football coaches if he would enter him in some of the wrestling matches in that region.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

; “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

; “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

; “ Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.

He will be with you, he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

; “So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.”

, “Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous!

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

They will run and not grow weary.

I could easily keep on going with many more wonderful promises that are within scripture!

That is why it is so important to spend time daily reading God’s word, for it is alive and active!

The story of Caleb teaches us to never give up on God or His promises.

I came upon a story about a scrawny kid who attended a small high school.

They didn’t have a wrestling program, but he read a book on wrestling and asked one of the assistant football coaches if he would enter him in some of the wrestling matches in that region.

Caleb teaches us to never give up on God or His promises.

One of my favorite stories is about a scrawny high kid from West Texas who attended a small high school.

They didn’t have a wrestling program, but he read a book on wrestling and asked one of the assistant football coaches if he would enter him in some of the wrestling matches in that region.

They will walk and not faint.

Tyndale House Publishers.

(2013).

Holy Bible: New Living Translation ().

Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.The story of Caleb teaches us to never give up on God or His promises.

I came upon a story about a scrawny kid who attended a small high school.

They didn’t have a wrestling program, but he read a book on wrestling and asked one of the assistant football coaches if he would enter him in some of the wrestling matches in that region.

The coach agreed to help the kid.

This little guy was neither strong, nor skillful, but he had one enduring quality–he refused to give up.

He won every single wrestling match, because he tenaciously held on to his opponents and wore them down.

By the end of the season, he was undefeated and made it to the state finals for his weight classification.

The kid’s opponent was a two-time state champ and a bona fide college prospect.

As the scrawny kid faced the state champion, the state champion made a couple of quick moves, and soon had the West Texas kid pinned.

The coach knew his athlete was about to lose, and he couldn’t bear to watch it, so he turned his head away.

Suddenly, the coach heard the roar of the crowd and when he turned around, his kid was on top of the state champ, pinning him.

He had won the match!

The little guy bounced across the mat and hugged the coach and said, “Coach, I won!

I won!”

The coach said, “Sure, son.

But I missed it.

I turned away just before you were about to lose, what happened?”

The kid said, “Coach, that guy was good.

He had me twisted like a pretzel on that mat.