Not Done Yet

Joshua 14:6-15

Not done yet

Joke Devil shows up to church one day

Do you know what this is?

Panasonic SL-H 201 belt drive turntable, this device costs between 300-500 dollars in 1970s

This Belt Drive turntable came out in the mid to late 1960s,

This particular model came out in 1970

55 years ago this was pretty cutting edge technology.

1948 the first vinyl record is invented

Our record player is 22 years after the first vinyl record

By 1964 the 8 Track tape comes out and by 1970 the 8 track out performs the record and becomes the preferred method for consumers making our piece of technology here already obsolete

The cassette tape comes out in the 1980s, it replaces the 8 track

In the 1990s the CD comes out and replaces the cassette

BY the early 2000s digital music replaces the CD

Apple launched iTunes and the iPod in 2001

Illustrative Story: Does anybody know when the first record player was invented?

1877 Thomas Edison invented the phonograph

The invention got mixed reviews

Many responded with amazement and wonder

Others with skepticism and doubt

148 years ago the first record player was invented

Upon its creation it was cutting edge technology

It laid the foundation for modern audio technology

Transitional Statement: Since Edison invented the record player, every improvement was initiated by people who said we’re not done yet, this can be better.

We can take this wonderful thing and make it better

This idea is based in a, not done yet mindset

Today I want to look at person in Joshua 14 who had a not done yet mindset

Joshua 14:6-15

Caleb looks back carefully V6-9

You know the word which the Lord said to Moses concerning you and me

V7 I was 40 years old when Moses sent me out to spy the land

I brought back word to him as it was in my heart

Caleb and Joshua gave a report based on their faith

Caleb is saying

I believe God when He says this is our land

I believe God when promised it to us

I believe God will answer every need

I believe God will defeat every enemy and foe that comes against us

What you hear Caleb saying reveals what’s in his heart

Jesus says in Matt 15:18, the things that come out of your mouth come from the heart, and they defile the man.

They asked Jesus why do your disciples not wash their hands before they eat, they defile themselves

What we see in Caleb is a heart set on honoring and serving the Lord

Transitional Statement: You ever been around somebody that always has something negative to say?

We’re all guilty of it at times, but I’m talking about those folks that just never have anything good to say

What comes out the mouth, comes from the heart

These people have a heart issue

Caleb is looking back carefully in this conversation with Joshua

V 8

My brethren made the heart of the people melt

They spoke negativity

They cast fear into the hearts of the people with their report

Caleb says, I wholly followed the Lord my God

V9 Moses spoke over me and promised that the inheritance would be mine

Because I wholly followed the Lord my God

Caleb in careful reflection reminisces with Joshua about that day

Reflection allows us to trace the fingerprints of God on our lives

We should carefully recall and remember the goodness of God over our lives, every blessings, every miracle

I say carefully, because it you’re not careful you’ll end up worshipping a moment in time that has long passed

You’ll end up wandering around in the land of what was instead of living in the present time of what is

When we look back carefully we do so to ensure that we honor the foundations of our faith and use those memories that propel us forward to ensure a legacy that serves and honors God past us.

I want to be a part of something that outlives me

I want sow seeds of faith knowing that I may never see the fruit of those seeds

But others who come after not only see the fruit, they get to enjoy it

Caleb looks around Candidly V 10-11

V 10 The Lord has kept me alive

Ever since the Lord spoke the word to Moses

God has promoted me

God has preserved me

God has protected me

Caleb says

I’m 85 years old now

I’m still here

I’m still living

I’m just as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me to spy out the land

Just as my strength was then, so is my strength for war, for both, going out and coming in

Caleb is expressing his thoughts and feelings in an honest and truthful way in this moment with Joshua, he’s being candid about the present time