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
Being candid is not being rude, it’s not being a jerk or using your speech to belittle or diminish someone else
Remember Matt 15:18
What comes out of your mouth, comes from your heart
Honesty and truth don’t diminish or take away, they add
And if you think you can cloak your conversation to be self serving to diminish or take away from someone else
All you’re doing is revealing what's really in your heart
And may wonder if your heart is truly surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ
James 3:11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
Transitional Statement: Everyone here should take inventory today and realise that the reason we’re still here.
It’s not because of modern medicine
It’s not because of our health regiment
It’s not even because of our decisions and planning
We’re here because God has something left for all of us to do
Caleb has this realization and he’s open and honest about it, he’s not ready to retreat or retire.
Caleb is looking around in the current and he’s being candid about where he is at the moment.
I know I’m 85 now, but I can still go to war
I can still defend
I can still attack and pursue
I can still fight
Caleb is telling Joshua
I’m not done yet
If we have breath in our lungs and blood pumping through our hearts we can still fight.
We can fight FOR the next generation
We can fight FOR the future of the church
We can fight FOR one another
Caleb has surveyed the current situation and has decided there’s one more thing I need to do to secure my legacy in the kingdom of GOD
Caleb looks ahead courageously V12-15
In order to look forward it requires a level of courage
Give me this mountain which the Lord spoke in that day;
The one where the giants live
The place with great fortified cities
Caleb isn’t seeking ease at the end of his life
He’s choosing to fight one last battle
I’m not done yet
You see Kirjath-Arba is significant place
Transitional Statement: This is the place of the patriarchs and matriarchs,
Hebron, specifically the Cave of Machpelah
is the burial site of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah, making it a sacred place for the nation of Israel.
Caleb sees the need to restore that region back to Israel
45 years ago they convinced the people they couldn’t do it
The city is too great and the giants are too big
Caleb says
It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.
Thats what courageous faith sounds like
Caleb is from the 3rd generation of Israelites who toiled in Egypt as slaves
His entire generation died in the wilderness
Only Joshua and Caleb entered the promised land with the 4th generation
18 Generations from Abraham to Joshua
Caleb sees the need to restore this holy place by driving the Anakim out
V 14 Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb to this day
Because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel
The greatest blessing is what happens next
V 15 Then the land had rest from war
Wholly following the Lord brings peace
Edmund Burke said;
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Church You’re not done yet!!!!
I’ll be done when this body dies, until then give me this mountain.
Caleb was careful, candid and courageous
God blessed him because he wholly followed HIM
WE’RE NOT DONE YET
