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Search For Success
Contributed by Micah Fries on Feb 18, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: As we live our lives in culture that is dramatically opposed to God we must be careful to live lives that honor Him. Our church has unfortunately lost it’s impact as a result of the decline of holiness among its people. This sermon will help us to learn h
“Search for Success”
Joshua 14:6-15
I.) Directed by a passion for God (6-8)
a. Conviction (7) [in my heart!]
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the Land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.” Numbers 13:1-2
b. Commitment (8) [wholly followed]
Conviction always leads to commitment of various parts of your life to God.
“…Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice....” 1 Samuel 15:22
II.) Sustained by the mercy of God (9-11)
a. Promise (9) [the land shall be your inheritance]
Faithfulness to God always results in the promise of blessing.
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b. Provision (10) [has kept me alive]
God is always faithful to provide!
“And Abraham said, “My Son, God will provide a lamb…!” Genesis 22:8
III.) Driven by faith in God (12-15)
a. Positive Faith (12) [give me this mountain]
No matter how long the fight or struggle we must always remember that God is most powerful.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
b. Powerful Faith (12) [the Anakim were there]
Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God. William Carey
“Hear, O Israel: You are to cross over the Jordan today, and go in to dispossess nations greater than yourself, cities great and fortified up to heaven, (2) a people great and tall, the descendants of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the descendants of Anak?’ (3) Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you.” Deuteronomy 9:1-3
Who can stand before the giants? GOD can stand before all giants!!!!
IV.) Surrounded by the grace of God (15:13-14)
a. God’s Integrity (13) [according to the commandment]
When God makes a promise, He keeps it!
b. God’s Intention (14) [Caleb drove out the people from the land]
If we don’t rid ourselves of evil influences we’ll lose God’s reward/blessings in our lives.
“I will set no wicked thing before my eyes…” Psalm 101:3a
“But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” Numbers 14:24