Moving Ahead

Numbers 14:1–9 NIV84

1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 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. 9 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.”

1. Faith to chase the promise

Faith is active trust and belief displayed through obedience

Faith is not merely believing in something or someone

Faith involves the whole person—mind, heart, and body—in a relationship with God

Faith: firm belief in something for which there is no proof

Faith speaks the things that are not as though they were

Faith fuels hope, hope promotes the chase

2. Those without a future always return to their past

Get rid of your past, stop looking back

There is a reason why God took you out of your Egypt

Remember the promise

b. Remember the promise

You can’t fight for your future with your past on your mind

c. You can’t fight for your future with your past on your mind

d. Your past will keep you from your promise

Your past will keep you from your promise

You can’t move into your promise land with Egypt in mind

e. You can’t move into your promise land with Egypt in mind

3. Fear keeps you in the familiar

Fear: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation of danger

b. Fear speaks the worst that can happen

Fear speaks the worst that can happen

Fear focuses on the danger

c. Fear focuses on the danger

Fear focuses on the risk

d. Fear focuses on the risk

Fear comes when you are not right (driving looking at the police car following you)

e. Fear comes when you are not right (driving looking at the police car following you)

If you can have faith about the bad that could happen, why not have faith about the great plan of God

4. You are good enough to take possession of the promise

Sometimes our biggest enemy is ourselves

God is not a liar; if He showed it to you, He will give it to you

God is the promise keeper

Your dry season is temporary, do not settle in it

Do not rebel against God

Do not be afraid

You are qualified based on the promise God gave you

Faith will produce the evidence to see the unseen

5. Time to move through our obstacles

Hebrews 11:1–2 NIV84

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

Hebrews 11:32–34 NIV84

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Heb 11:

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Sometimes moving forward doesn't seem like progress but if you trust the leading of the Lord you will see the promise unfold

No more excuses

No more excuses

a. Fight for your promise

Fight for your promise

b. Don’t let the temporal distract you

Don’t let the temporal distract you

Don’t let facts keep you from faith in God

The fact was that Abraham was old and Sarah was old but Faith fully persuaded him to believe God’s promise (they were old when God made the promise)

The fact was that Abraham was old and Sarah was old but Faith fully persuaded him to believe God’s promise (they were old when God made the promise)

d. The fact is your bank account is empty, Faith tells you that God is your provider

The fact is your bank account is empty, Faith tells you that God is your provider

e. The fact is you are sick, Faith tells you God is your healer and by the stripes of Jesus you ARE healed

The fact is you are sick, Faith tells you God is your healer and by the stripes of Jesus you ARE healed

f. Believe the promise of God

Believe the promise of God and move forward to get it