Wholly Follow The LORD
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 15 viewsNotes
Transcript
6 Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God.
What is it to Wholly Follow The Lord?
Joshua and Caleb were the exceptions - just as it is today
The rest of the people turned away
they had good reasons to turn away
what are some of the reasons:
there were giants in the Land
they saw themselves as grasshoppers
they were afraid
they were lazy - unmotivated
They caused the heart of the people to melt -
crowd mentality
it is always easy to just follow the crowd
if everyone else is doing it, it must be ok, right? Wrong!!!
People do the same things today
Following the Lord is risky
it is not popular
it is dangerous - on every level
it has no guarantees -except His guarantee of faith
Does your heart melt at the thought of “wholly” following the Lord?
most Christians think they follow the Lord
and they do, sometimes
some even most times
But who of you can say that you are Wholly following the LORD?
It may cost you everything. But when it has, you will be as Caleb.
after waiting 45 years, becasue everyone else’s hearts were weak, he said:
8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”
So, the result of Wholly Following the Lord is Victory.
though it may take a long time, the Victory is sure
the result of melting in fear is death in the wilderness
though you may stay safe, and surrounded by a crowd who comforts you, they still die in their sins and face judgement alone
So, to Wholly follow the Lord, is to be completely dedicated to HIM
COMPLETE SPIRITUAL DEDICATION
COMPLETE SPIRITUAL DEDICATION
Love. To love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). When we love Him as we should, we will then keep all His commandments (John 14:15).
Living
Daily living—Luke 9:23. Taking up our cross daily! More than accepting Christ—living for Him daily!
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Denial living—Gal. 2:20. Not I, but Christ! Note also Paul’s words, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24).
Determined living—Dan. 1:8. Daniel had to make a choice. No one could choose for him. This determination helped him all through his life. See Acts 20:24.
Learning—Matt. 11:29. All Christians should study and learn more of God’s Word and way. See 2 Timothy 2:15. Paul had one desire—to know Christ (Phil. 3:10).
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
COMPLETE PHYSICAL DEDICATION
COMPLETE PHYSICAL DEDICATION
The heart—Matt. 22:37. Loving Him completely. Compare with Psalm 19:14 and Matthew 15:19.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
The hands—Eccles. 9:10. Compare with Psalm 24:4.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
The feet—Prov. 6:18. Feet running to make trouble. The Living Bible says, “… Eagerness to do wrong.…” Romans 10:15 tells of those with beautiful feet—those who spread the gospel.
The mind—Phil. 2:5 The mind of Christ being in us daily.
The ears—James 1:19. “… Swift to hear, slow to speak.…” Never listen to gossip nor gossip yourself.
The eyes—James 1:14–15. The sin of lust. See Genesis 3:6.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
The mouth—Prov. 21:23. “Keep your mouth closed and you’ll stay out of trouble” (LB). Also, “Self-control means controlling the tongue! A quick retort can ruin everything” (Prov. 13:3 LB).
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
COMPLETE MATERIAL DEDICATION
COMPLETE MATERIAL DEDICATION
This means both our money and our possessions.
Sacrifice—2 Sam. 24:24. “… Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.”
Stewards—1 Cor. 4:2. We are God’s caretakers.
Security—Matt. 6:20–21. Laying up treasures in heaven.
where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also
Sin—1 Tim. 6:10. Having money or possessions is not wrong, but loving them more than God is sin.
the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil
people doing so, have pierced themselves with many sorrows
Surrender—Matt. 6:33. Christ first in all you do. Almost the same as Proverbs 3:5–6.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.