Fully Forward

Introduction

“Forward” has been our them this year. Of late, my thoughts have returned to the compelling story of Caleb.

Allow me to introduce you to Caleb by quoting, God…

Numbers 14:24 ESV

But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

Caleb was one of twelve “spies” sent by Moses on a sacred mission—to investigate the land of God’s promise and bring back a report to Moses and the people of God.

Transition: let’s look a little deeper… What made this man “different?”

I. Here’s what happened...

A. A minority, but accurate view

A leader from each tribe steals into Canaan; Caleb, age 40, represents the tribe of Judah.

It’s a long and dangerous mission: 250 miles each way, 40 days

The land was everything they had anticipated: fertile and beautiful—hills, valleys, streams—farmland and pastures

But they were shocked at something they hadn’t fully expected—the land wasn’t empty! People lived in the land; people in walled cities, people with armies, people that intimidated them with their sheer size.

The spies return in conflict: 10 say, “It’s impossible.” Only Caleb and Ephraim’s representative, Joshua, are convinced that the dream is attainable.

The nation turns into an angry mob, crying, threatening to stone Joshua and Caleb, railing against Moses, and demanding to return to Egypt.

Finally, the Lord appears in the glory cloud at the Tent of Meeting. I’m finished with these people, he says

Moses intercedes

God relents, but sentences the people to forty years of nomadic existence while the entire generation dies out—with the exception of Caleb and Joshua

Even more than Joshua, Caleb is singled out—why?

Numbers 14:24 NLT

But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.

Caleb stands out from the rest, with “a different attitude,” one that courageously exclaims, “I see what God is doing and trust Him. Let’s go for it! Let’s move forward!”

B. Leap forward 45 years later:

Everything that God promised has occurred. A new generation of Israelites took possession of the land. Caleb approached Joshua to stake his claim...

Joshua 14:11–12 (NKJV)

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. 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.”

Caleb’s attitude hasn’t changed, his unwavering confidence in God still springing up from his heart: Give me this mountain!

Attitude is a term used in aviation. It describes the positioning of the aircraft. A bad attitude results in a crash.

Ten of twelve spies and an entire generation of God’s people crashed—even Moses’ attitude failed him. But Caleb fulfilled his mission; God fulfilled his promise to Caleb—all because of Caleb’s different attitude.

To make a difference, you must be different. It all starts with attitude. But there’s more...

II. A different spirit reflects…

A. Devotion: Commitment to God and God’s purposes, not just consumers of God’s provision.

The ten spies think the mission is about them. “Wouldn’t it be better for us…?” (Num. 14:3)

I don’t mean to be unkind, but we need to understand that humans exist to serve God’s purposes, not vice versa. “It’s not about me!”

“Caleb…follows me wholeheartedly.” (NIV)

Caleb: “I loyally carried out the purpose of the Lord my God.” (Joshua 14:8, REB)

Jesus: “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” (John 6:38, NLT)

B. Faith: Act in trust, instead of reacting in fear.

“THEY’RE JUST GIANTS!” (14:9)

There were plenty of obstacles in Canaan, but nothing like the giants in the hearts of the ten spies and their followers. Before an arrow could even be shot, their attitude of fear had already beaten them.

Caleb and the ten spies saw the exact same things. All the ten could see was inevitable disaster; for some reason all the miracles they had already witnessed did not translate into faith. But Caleb was full of faith; all he could see was inevitable victory.

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

C. Hope: We are servants of God, not slaves of Egypt

If Caleb displayed a “different spirit,” the ten spies and the people acted out of their “broken spirit.”

Exodus 6:9 ESV

Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

Under pressure, God’s people thought and acted like Pharaoh’s slaves. They mistook Egypt for home.

Rubber band.

The ten spies looked at the giants and felt like grasshoppers; Caleb looked to God and saw the giants as grasshoppers.

D. Love: A different spirit is a heart that has been captured by God.

Caleb’s devotion to the Lord was with his whole heart. This was personal.

[Not just missions, it’s the way of discipleship] When we pray, give, or go, it’s because we love the Lord more than anything. He is the pearl of great price.

Matthew 13:45–46 ESV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

For those of us in full-time ministry, it can be easy to forget that “service” and “worship” are synonymous. Every work of the ministry is an act of worship.

God’s highest delight is the delight of His people. God can get the job done without you, but He delights in working with you.

We serve the Lord because we want everyone everywhere to delight in God.

There are some promises that you and I hold onto, but it all starts with a different attitude/spirit.

ELVES WITH “ATTITUDE?”

Luke 12:32

Luke 12:32 ESV

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

III. The promises that we inherit…

As the church: the promise that we will all arrive home—in the presence of our Maker, Savior, and Lord...

Revelation 7:9 (NLT)

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.

As followers of Jesus: that I will know Jesus, be like Him, and live forever with Him.

Philippians 3:10–11 (ESV)

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

I want to hear the words Caleb heard from the mouth of God...

My servant David, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring him into his inheritance.

Conclusion

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, open our eyes to see the land that you are giving to us, the promises you give as our inheritance. Give us the attitude that sustains us for the journey, and empower us to follow you fully into the kingdom you are pleased to give us. Amen.