Your Faith Provision—part 3 Series

Your Faith Provision-III—Josh. 14:6-15

A young woman brings home her fiancé to meet her parents.

Father invites the young man into his study.

"So what are your plans?" the father asks.

"Sir, I am a seminary student studying to become a pastor," he replies.

"Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in?"

"I will study,"—"& God will provide for us."

"And how will you give her the lifestyle she is accustomed to & deserves?"

"I will preach the word,"—& God will provide for us."

"And children?" asks the father. "How will you support children?"

"I will feed the flock—& God will provide"

Each time the father questions, the young man insists that God will provide.

Later the mother asks the father, "How did it go, honey?"

The father answers, "Well, I’m not impressed.

“He has No job... No finances...”

“But what really bothers me is...He thinks I’m God!"

God provides for men & women of faith.

But what kind of faith moves God’s hand?

Caleb’s faith was granted God’s special provision.

Personal faith is granted God’s special provision.

What kind of faith warrants God’s provision?

Faith that warrants/holds God’s attention & provision is...

1. A Bold Faith

2. An Alluring Faith

3. A Feasting Faith

4. A Patient Faith

5. Defiant Faith

6. Complete Faith

7. Rewarded Faith

8—Faith that warrants/holds God’s attention & provision is

RESPECTFUL FAITH(:9-10) Role

Explanation:(:9-10)Regard/Influence

:8—“Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully.”

:9—“So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance to you & to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.’”—Num. 14:24; Deut. 1;35-36

:10—“And now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; & now behold, I am eighty-five years old today.”

BUT—?How did Caleb follow the Lord?

ROLE REGARD

1)Caleb imposed his faith within the bounds of his role as spy/informer.

2)Caleb pressed his case, as opportunity arose.

a.)Urged/Advocated following God’s path—As a seasoned & experienced Spokesman.

*Our role as Christians as well!

b.)Pleaded with the sons of Israel.(Num. 14:6-9)

Passion allowed

Caleb knew that a majority of Israel must buy in to the prospect.

3)Caleb relinquished his experience with the Lord to the crowd.

Caleb could exert pressure & influence on others but could not enforce his vision.

Moses, Aaron & Joshua had leadership roles. Caleb was a leader among his tribe(Judah), as was Joshua but Joshua had been given charge of the military.

*What happens to your faith in majority rules situations?

Comply wholeheartedly/unquestioningly with the majority & Continue in the faith influencing others OR Compromise your faith?

Govt. decision to regulate Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, Pornography, etc...Comply OR Compromise

*Respectful of God’s handling/allowances of the situation

Argumentation:

1Tim. 6:1—“Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God & our doctrine may not be spoken against.”

Illustration:

Body/Mosquito bite/Poison present/But work continues/Cells don’t rebell against one another/Respectful Faith

Application:

?You have a Respectful Faith?...

...One that honors the role God has given you?

Mumble grumble or act accordingly?

?Does your Faith warrant/hold God’s Attention & Provision?

9—Faith that warrants/holds God’s attention & provision is

ACKNOWLEDGING FAITH(:10)

Explanation:(:10)Grateful/Recognize

“And now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; & now behold, I am eighty-five years old today.”

Caleb recognized the source & author of his strength!

Caleb stood because of what God had allowed.

God had honored His promises.

Argumentation:

Pr. 3:6—“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”—Acknowledging God

Ps. 62:7—“On God my salvation & my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.”—Acknowledging God

2Cor. 2:14—“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, & manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”

1Thess. 5:16-18—“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—Acknowledging God

1Tim. 1:12—“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service;”—Acknowledging God

Heb. 13:15—“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”—Acknowledging God

Rev. 7:11-12—“And all the angels were standing around the throne & around the elders & the four living creatures; & they fell on their faces before the throne & worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing & glory & wisdom & thanksgiving & honor & power & might, be to our God forever & ever. Amen.”—Acknowledging God