A Different Spirit

A Different Spirit

Numbers 14:24 and Selected Passages

April 28, 2002

Introduction

What does it mean to be different?

To be different means literally that something does not conform to the standard or the norm. Different can be a positive thing. In fact, we have been called to be different than the world around us. This morning I want examine the life of a man who was indeed different from those around him and God brought blessing into his life.

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14:24

The Caleb Principle: If we give ourselves wholeheartedly to God, He can do the impossible within us

Body

I. A Different Passion

A. Caleb followed God with all his heart

1. Caleb followed God completely

a.) Caleb followed God with his whole heart. In other words, he followed God with every ounce of his being.

b.) No reserve, no retreat, no regrets – Bill Bordon. This is the kind of life that Caleb lived. He held nothing back and gave his all to God.

2. Caleb found a new strength

a.) Caleb’s strength was in God, not himself

b.) Caleb’s confidence was in God, not himself

c.) Caleb’s future was in God’s hands, not his hands

B. Caleb followed God through challenges

1. The challenge of the enemy

a.) Massive armies with good equipment and great walled cities

b.) God was greater than the enemy

2. The challenge of the opposition

a.) The people heard the size of the enemy and they melted in fear. They focused on their fear and forgot their faith

b.) God was greater than the opposition

3. The challenge of the giants

a.) Caleb chose the land of giants as his reward and would fight them in God’s strength

b.) God was greater than the challenges

II. A Different Perspective

"Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

A. Caleb followed God with Faith

1. Caleb lived through the wilderness

a.) God kept Caleb alive to fulfill His divine plan

b.) Caleb acknowledged that it was God alone that kept himn alive through the Wilderness

2. Caleb faced the challenge

a.) Numbers 13:28 – the objections

But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.

1.) The enemy was powerful

2.) The enemy was fortified

3.) Some of the enemy were giants – The sons of Anak: Goliath was one of them

b.) Caleb’s chosen ground

1.) The enemy was powerful, with well fortified cities and were the Anakites. Caleb was going to fight in the area that caused the negative report

2.) Caleb believed that God would help him

B. Caleb followed God with focus

1. Caleb pursued God’s promise

a.) Caleb was strong in God

b.) Caleb was courageous in God

c.) Caleb was victorious in God

2. Caleb rose to the challenge

a.) Nothing was going to stop Caleb from accomplishing what God called him to do

b.) No enemy was too great, no obstacle was too large and no opposition too loud to keep Caleb from doing what God wanted Him to do

III. A Different Position

A. Caleb stood for his faith

1. Caleb believed that God could and would do the impossible

a.) Numbers 14:7b-9

"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."

b.) Caleb believed that God would provide the victory if the people acted in faith

2. Caleb believed that God would provide the victory

a.) God was their protection

1.) The enemy would be given into their hands and would be defeated

2.) If God is for us who can be against us. You and God make majority