Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Text - Joshua 14.6-12

Title - Caleb’s Unyielding Strength

Series - Lessons From The Book Of Joshua

Background

Caleb was 40 years old when he was picked to be one of the 12 men who spied the land of Canaan from Kadesh-Barnea.

He and Joshua outlived all the men of war that went out of Egypt.

They all died in the wilderness journey.

7 years into the conquest of Canaan, he stood before the same piece of land that he walked that day.

At 85 years old, he was now ready to fight for and claim his inheritance!

After 45 years he was as strong as he was at Kadesh-barnea!

Main Thought

Many Christians step away from active service when they feel they have achieved enough for God and the church.

Also, many Christians lose steam and passion in service as they get older.

Caleb is the image of a Christian who is not - and cannot be - conquered by age and its side effects!

A christian who will not lay down his armor because he/she is old, but will continue to fight, and they have the strength to fight for as long as there is work to be done and a promise to be claimed in Christ!

Calebs in our day

I was privileged to get acquainted with some of the valiant Calebs in our time.

Sis Luciana (nanay Luz) and her contemporaries - they died serving the Lord

Pastor Franco - he died while on a mission at 72 years old

Pastor Menong - preaching until he cannot preach anymore

Pastor Lito Ramoso - ministering to the churches despite his condition

Pastor Felipe Salazar - preached to his last breath

bro Rodel Manidlangan - he was a child in lolo’s church, began to preach as a youth when he moved to Marikina; became a missionary to the Dumagats; married late and became pastor in his forties, died of heart attack after preaching

Question

What kept him going all those 45 years?

What was his secret to unwavering, unyielding strength?

Sermon Points

Caleb wholly followed the LORD

his convictions were according to God’s words/promises

he believed they were able to overcome the giants in the land

he submitted to God’s ordained leadership

he did not rebel against God, as his contemporaries did

hundreds of thousands died over the course of 38 years, except Caleb and Joshua

38 years = 333, 101 hours

approx. 2 male Israelite died every hour, or 48 persons every day

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Don’t be a Christian only on the outside - be a Christian in spirit, soul and body!

Make sure you the Lord with all your heart, soul and strength

these words shall be in your heart - memorized, meditated

teach them to you children when you sit, walk, lie down, rise up - make it part of your family life

bind them as a sign on your hand and eyes - perform them, see them

write them on your doorposts - make them part of your family goals

Caleb never forgot the LORD’s promise to him

he remembered every word of it

he fed and lived on those words

he was the exact demonstrated of the words - Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!

he filled his heart and mind with those promises

God is looking for men and women with the same determination -

WHAT’S THE POINT?

God’s words have more power than all the nutritious foods on earth combined!

It has power to give life eternal

it has power to heal sickness and diseases

it has power to restore

it has power to enlighten the mind

The power of God’s word is activated only by faith - faith in the Word of God!

Caleb prepared for his battle

He was ready to fight the enemies because he prepared for it!

He anticipated the battles -

he knew they will fight for every inch of the promised land

he knew the enemy will not easily give up

he prepared himself for the biggest enemies - the Anakim!

He focused on conquering his mountain - the land he walked over 45 years ago

he recalled its every hill and valley

he had in his mind the strategies he will make to conquer that mountain

He reserved his strength for these battles

he shunned worthless fightings

WHAT’S THE POINT?

learn to anticipate your battles - they will surely come

focus on claiming God’s promise for you - your mountain

save your strength for the battles ahead

don’t waste your strength on useless strife among brothers and sisters

wasteful use of your strength -

worry about the future

entertaining hearsay

arguments

debate over doctrines, etc.

Satan wants you to spend your strength on temporal things

The best use of your strength is for the battle for the promises of God!

Conclusion

When it looks like you’ve fought every possible battle - think again!

Have you fought for and claimed every promise of God in His Word?

What are the tasks that remain unfulfilled in your life?

BE A FIGHTER TO THE END!

UNTIL YOUR TIME IS UP, OR

UNTIL EVERY INCH OF THE PROMISED HAS BEEN CLAIMED!

Illustration

Vikings believed they will not enter Valhalla (heaven) if they died without a sword on their hands.

SONG -

The Fight Is On