Whether we admit it or not, we all enjoy looking at the many kinds of different people that God created.
• Some people we look at with great admiration because of their physical beauty and attractiveness.
• Some we look at and with great admiration for their great personality they possess.
• Some we look at and with great admiration for their atheletic skills.
• And some we look at and we are not sure what we are looking at…a man or woman…huh?
But as we look at mankind we see a difference in mankind in many ways.
For example, we can see a vast difference between…
(1)Employees and Employer
Illus: For example, have you noticed the difference between the employer and the employee, such as:
• When you take a long time, you're slow.
• When your boss takes a long time, he's thorough.
• When you don't do it, you're lazy.
• When your boss doesn't do it, he's too busy.
• When you make a mistake, you're an idiot.
• When your boss makes a mistake, he's only human.
• When you take a stand, you're being bullheaded.
• When your boss does it, he's being firm.
• When you overlooked a rule of etiquette, you're being rude.
• When your boss skips a few rules, he's being original.
• When you're out of the office, you're wandering around.
• When your boss is out of the office, he's on business.
We see a vast difference among…
(2) THE RACES
Illus: Speaking of difference among races, it reminds me of a black man, who said to a white man:
• When I was born...I was BLACK
• When I grew up...I was BLACK
• When I am sick...I am BLACK
• When I go out in the sun...I am BLACK
• When I go out in the cold...I am BLACK
• When I die...I am BLACK
BUT YOU WHITE FOLK …
• When you are born...You are PINK
• When you grow up...You are WHITE
• When you are sick...You are GREEN
• When you go out in the sun...You are RED
• When you go out in the cold...You are BLUE
• When you die...You turn PURPLE
…and you have the nerve to call us black people "COLORED" peple!
We see a vast difference among the people of God. There are many…such as:
• Cultural differences
• Social differences
• Political differences
• Dietary differences
Among the people of God you also find many differences.
For example, when God sent the twelve men to spy out the Promised Land, we see a major spiritual difference in the twelve:
• Ten of them had no faith in the promises of God.
They came back and said, “We are like grasshoppers in the land, we cannot enter.” WE WILL GET SQAUSH LIKE GRASSHOPPERS IF WE ENTER THE LAND.
These ten men represent all the negative
people it seems every where you go.
Negative people are the most depressing
people on the face of the earth to be around.
Everything that comes out of their mouths is
something negative.
The best way to deal with negative people is to stay away from them.
Why?
Illus: Because they are like quick-sand…they will drag you down!!!
They will rob you of your job and your victory in the Lord Jesus with their negative attitude.
Illus: A woman that was a hair dresser was very excited about taking a vacation to Rome. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser:
The hair dresser said why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Continental flight," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"
"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser." That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late.
So, where are you staying in Rome?"
"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump, the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly, and they're overpriced.
So, whatcha' doing when you get there?"
"We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food was wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say?"
He said, "Where'd you get the ugly hairdo?"
There are people like that, they are so negative and everything comes out of their mouth is something negative.
If God allows them to live to be a hundred years of age, nothing good will come out of their mouths.
These ten spies were like that!!!
Ten of these spies were negative in their
reporting. Even though God promised them
victory as they entered…THEY DID NOT
BELIEVE IT!
Even though God promised them the promise
land ten of them were negative but…
• Two of them were positive
Joshua and Caleb, said, “We are well able to possess the land, let’s go at once.”
The children of Israel were influenced by the majority (10 negative spies), and it was one of the worst mistakes the children of Israel had ever made.
Following the majority cost them from ever entering the promise land. They spent forty years wandering in the wilderness.
And today because many of God’s children follow the majority rather than following the Lord it has also cost them greatly spiritually.
When they arrive in heaven they are going to see what a tremendous cost it has cost them to follow the crowds.
Someone said, “The majority is always right!”
• Had the majority always had its way, women would not have the right to vote,
• African-Americans would remain second class citizens,
• And the earth would still be considered to be flat.
The majority is not always right!
In fact, the majority the Bible tells us they are on their way to hell.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Illus: According to a recent survey, 70% of adult American Christians believe there are no moral or ethical absolutes that apply to everyone.
In essence this survey reveals that 70% of Adult American Christians have decided that God is not capable or worthy of establishing guidelines for living.
In a similar survey only 20% of Adult American Christians said that living a life according to God’s will is the single most important thing in their lives.
Our forefathers knew that the majority is not always right.
Illus: Because the majority is not always right, our forefathers set up the electoral college for electing a president. Why? Our forefather saw the danger that a few large states could get together and with the popular vote elect a president without the other states having any say so.
The electoral college, keeps this from happening. Because the MAJORITY IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!
Joshua and Caleb were greatly outnumbered, but they gave the right report, and the Bible reveals there was a difference between them and the other ten men.
God was so pleased with these two men, who the Bible said had, “another Spirit”,
God said of Caleb, “But my servant Caleb, BECAUSE HE HAD ANOTHER SPIRIT WITH HIM, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it.”
Illus: Have you noticed today it is difficult to find someone that is different from the majority. This broad way that leads to hell is full of people that are carbon copies of each other.
• They all dress a like!
• They all use the same jargon in their
speech!
WHAT MADE HIM DIFFERENT?
The Bible says, “HE HAD ANOTHER SPIRIT WITH HIM”.
What are the characteristics of an individual with "another spirit"?
Let’s look at the life of Caleb it can be seen in-
I. HIS COMMITMENT
Today we have Christians in our churches that are un-committed to the Lord. They have the appearance of commitment.
• They talk the talk
• But they don't walk the walk
Illus: See if these words sound are familiar.
• Lord, I'll come to church but only on Sunday Morning at 11:00 if there is no rain and the wind is not blowing.
• Lord, I'll come to church every time the doors are open but don't expect me to do outreach, teach a class, or pray publicly.
• Lord I'll do anything for you as long as it doesn't cost me anything or interfere with my plans.
When a person is led by the Holy Spirit of God, they live a committed life.
• Caleb himself said, “I wholly followed the LORD my God.”
• God said the same thing about Caleb. God said in Numbers 14:24 Caleb, “hath followed me fully”.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE A COMMITTED LIFE AS CALEB DID?
It means three things. It means they-
A. FOLLOWED THE LORD FULLY
WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY SOME SERVE THE LORD HALFHEARTEDLY?
It means they have not given their WHOLE HEART AND LIFE TO THE LORD.
Illus: Can you imagine a wedding take place and when the minister ask the groom, “Do you promise to be faithful unto death”.
And the man said, “Hold on preacher, you are talking about along time, I give it a shot for a few months until something better comes along”
This is exactly how some come to the Lord, they are only willing to make a partial commitment.
Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
Many who profess to be saved but only love the Lord halfheartedly but not wholeheartedly.
God had a problem with some of the Jews because they served him halfheartedly. God sent Hosea the prophet to warn them about this.
Look at Hosea 7:8, we read, “Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.” They were half cooked and half not cooked!
Have you ever bitten into a pancake and it looked good on the outside but once you bit into it you found it was not done?
Illus: The church in Laodicea was a church that was lukewarm! They were neither cold or hot. Again, isn’t that the picture of many churches today!!!
Many folks want to give the impression that they live a committed life, but as you look into their life, you find that they are only halfhearted Christians.
Listen, God’s people need to decide what they are committed to do, and it does not matter how much they might be outnumbered, they need to TAKE A STAND for what the Word of God teaches.
If we are going to do something, we ought to do it with ALL OUR MIGHT!
God’s Word, in Eccl. 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
We all have heard the old expression, IF SOMETHING IS WORTH DOING, IT IS WORTH DOING RIGHT!!!
If we are going to do something, we ought to do it right! Caleb followed the Lord FULLY.
But also he-
B. FOLLOWED THE LORD FEARLESSLY
While others saw a FEARFUL ENEMY, Caleb saw a DEFEATED ENEMY.
The ten spies saw the giants and said, “We do not stand a chance, we have to BACK DOWN!”
Illus: They remind us of Spain, where just before their national election, the terrorists struck on May 11, 2004, killing almost two hundred people.
The nation of Spain became so fearful of the terrorists that they voted a socialist. Their vote was more or less, “Do not bomb us and we will bow down to your wishes!”
Listen, mankind has the FEAR OF MAN, but they do not have the FEAR OF GOD in their lives.
When we have “another Spirit”, God’s Spirit, within us we lose the fear of man.
Illus: We are told the number one reason that people will not witness for the Lord is because of fear. That is, they can talk to mankind about:
• Sports
• Politics
• Stock market
But it scares them to talk to lost mankind about the Lord.
Listen, the opposite of FEAR IS FAITH. And when we have faith in almighty God, we can face everything that Satan throws at us.
Caleb had “another Spirit” that was different from the ten that lived in fear.
Illus: One of the things that many like about President George W. Bush is that when the terrorists struck this country and killed thousands when they flew those airplanes into the twin towers, he climbed up on that bunch debris and sent a fearless message to the terrorists, saying that America was going to hunt them down and bring them to justice!
Caleb was strong because:
• God had taught him how to be calm in the midst of the storm.
• God had taught him to focus on FAITH, not on FEAR
Caleb followed the Lord
• FULLY
• FEARLESSLY.
But also he:
C. FOLLOWED THE LORD FAITHFULLY
Illus: Have you ever ridden with someone that drove with one foot on the gas pedal and the other one on the brake? They seem to be always stopping or starting!
There were no stops or starts in the commitment of Caleb. There was nothing but a steady walk with God, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
We see many folks today who are faithful to the wrong things, but Caleb was faithful to the Lord. He had “another Spirit”.
His life REVEALED COMMITMENT, something you could not see in the lives of the other ten.
Caleb’s difference was seen in HIS COMMITMENT and in -
II. HIS CONFIDENCE
Caleb had CONFIDENCE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD.
Remember when he came back with his report from spying out the promise land he said, WE ARE WELL ABLE, LET US GO AT ONCE!!!
There was not a doubt in his mind that God could not do what God told them to do.
Before you can have confidence in God you must come to know Him.
Illus: A prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a elderly woman, to the stand. He approached her and asked,
• "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"
• She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you Mr. Williams. I’ve known you since you were a young boy. And frankly, you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you’re a rising big shot when you haven’t the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do he pointed across the room and asked,
• "Mrs. Williams, do you know the defense attorney?" She again replied, "Why, yes I do. I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. I used to baby-sit him for his parents. And he, too, has been a real disappointment to me. He’s lazy, bigoted, he has a drinking problem. The man can’t build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him."
At this point, the judge rapped the courtroom to silence and called both counselors to the bench. In a very quiet voice, he said with threat, "If either of you asks her if she knows me, you’ll be jailed for contempt!”
Before you know someone and have confidence in them you have to KNOW THEM!
Caleb knew the Lord!!!
As far as Caleb was concerned, IF GOD SAID IT, THAT SETTLED IT!
Now that is a slogan we like to say and even put on our license plates.
BUT DO YOU BELIEVE IN HIS PROMISES!
For example, God promised to supply our needs.
Look at Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• How many people really believe that God will supply all their needs? How many still struggle with the wonderful promises of God? God said He would supply all our needs, and I want to believe it. God, not man said it, and that settles it.
• How many people really believe in the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. This means God will supply your needs. He would not ask you to walk His paths and then when you do, neglect to supply your needs.
What a wonderful promise, if I will acknowledge him in all my ways HE HAS PROMISED TO DIRECT MY PATH.
God promised them the land but they doubted God’s Word.
Caleb was fully confident that God could do what He had promised.
Illus: Two little girls were counting their pennies.
• One said, "I have five."
• The other little girl said, "I have ten."
• "No, you have five just as I have," cried her sister.
• "No," said the other quickly, " I have ten. Daddy said that when he came home tonight he would give us each five more, and so I have ten!"
Listen, if we do not have CONFIDENCE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD, we are not prepared to face what Satan may hurl at us this coming week.
Caleb had “another Spirit” and he had CONFIDENCE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD.
As we read our Bible of these great character in Hebrews chapter 11 we see their faith in God.
Illus: Notice in the life of King David in the 23rd psalms he speak with words of confidence…He says with confidence…
• “I SHALL not want” ....
• “I WILL not fear” ....
• “I WILL dwell in the house of the Lord... FOREVER!”
There is no HOPE SO, PERHAPS or MAYBE in this psalm. He had the confidence God could do what He promised to do.
We can have the same confidence of David and Caleb!!!
We can put our trust in God and He will provide the things you and I need.
God told them to go into the promise land and he had confidence God would take care of him.
Regardless of how big the giants were, He was CONFIDENT THAT THE LORD WOULD KEEP HIS PROMISES!
Because of Caleb’s COMMITMENT and CONFIDENCE in the promises of God, he was allowed to enter the Promised Land. This was after Caleb had wandered with the people in the wilderness for forty years.
• He saw his friends and neighbors die off, never entering the Promised Land because of their confidence in the 10 spies that influenced them
• Years have gone by, and now he (Caleb) stands, at the age of 85, and says,: "Lord, You promised me at the age of forty that I could take this land, and now I want to take this mountain. I'm 85 years old now and I want to hold You to Your promise. I'm ready to go up and get it."
He had a faith that never wavered!
Sometimes we get disturbed with God if we have to wait for one week! Caleb waited for forty-five years!
When we have “another Spirit”, we are different from the rest. We live a:
• Committed life
• Confident life
We will one day enter into a spiritual land that others will never be able to see.
How can people have such a life?
You can not have it by being a carbon copy of the world. You must have “another Spirit”, the Holy Spirit of God.
Conclusion:
Faith is one of the fruits of the spirit and our life can not reflect that our life is built around the Lord Jesus unless we live a life of faith.
Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the faith chapter. This chapter is filled with great men and women who built their life on faith in almighty God.
Are you a person with "another spirit"? If so, your life will be marked by victory. Oh that God would give our church individuals of another spirit.
I. HIS COMMITMENT
A. FOLLOWED THE LORD FULLY
B. FOLLOWED THE LORD FEARLESSLY
C. FOLLOWED THE LORD FAITHFULLY
II. HIS CONFIDENCE
