The Price Of Ambivalence – The Reward Of Faithfulness
After doing 10 posts on faith, I thought I would share a recent lesson on faith I preached at James Avenue on November 14th. I do not always type the majority of my words but for this lesson I did so it is convenient for me to share it with the readers on elguy.
I realize this is a lot to read for a post and that some of you may not have time to read it this Monday morning but perhaps you will find time later. Also, I am aware there are those reading who were actually present for the lesson but maybe it can still be a blessing and reminder for us. I know I need it as every lesson I preach in some way or ways is for me. -Brian
The Price Of Ambivalence – The Reward Of Faithfulness
God has blessed us tremendously. JA has been faithful in so many ways in her 70+ year history.
In our lesson this morning…
Perhaps we can see PARALLELS between the Israelites Journey and our Journey at James Avenue. Their journey is one of positives/faith/obedience, but also of negatives/ambivalence/disobedience. While this is not true for all, some are always faithful to God.
2 Basic Questions As A Church Family
- WHAT IS THE CANAAN-LAND OPPORTUNITY THAT GOD IS PLACING BEFORE US?
- WHAT IS THE CANAANITE OPPOSITION THAT IS CAUSING US TO HESITATE?
Are we prayerful? Are we seeking God’s direction? IS GOD’S WILL IN THE EQUATION?
Or do we just think or assume it is?
WHAT (CANAAN-LAND) OPPORTUNITY / DOOR IS GOD OPENING?
CAN WE IDENTIFY ANY OBSTACLES WE NEED TO GET PAST TO GO THRU THE DOOR?
Read Numbers 13:25-33
The spies gave their opinions about the matter. Ten of the twelve were convinced that if they went in to take the land God had promised them that they would fail. They advised doing nothing in that regard, and to search for an alternate course of action. Caleb (and Joshua) insisted that the time to act was now. There ought not to be any reason to doubt. God was with them. A debate ensued as to whether their action of obedience could possibly be successful. Two men of faith stood against the other ten spies insisting that with God victory was assured, but only if they acted. Unfortunately, the majority of the people were swayed by the doubters.
Uncertainty, doubt and ambivalence lead to rebellion. Rebellion costs people God’s blessing.
Joshua…
Numbers 14:8 – “If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into the land.”
Numbers 14:9 – (1) Only – Do not rebel against the LORD
(2) And – Do not be afraid of the people “the LORD is with us”
They were afraid of failure. Fear influenced the ambivalence. Ambivalence became rebellion.
Rebellion cost them God’s favor.
Numbers 14:24 – “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.”
Caleb was born a slave in Egypt. Name means “dog”. DOGGED DETERMINATION! DEVOTED...
Theocracy, not majority, ruled Caleb’s heart.
For the person of faith, obstacles are temporary because God is real.
For the disbeliever, obstacles are permanent because God is not real enough.
Existential Question: Is God real to me? (Do I believe, act and live as if he is alive?)
DO WE SEE GOD AS OUR ENEMY? FRIEND OR FOE? Does God care? Is God with and for me?
Later we read about Caleb and his words in Joshua 14…
Joshua 14:10-12 – “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! 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. 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.”
He actually wanted the most difficult task!
In a Wed. night class on discipleship about 4-5 months ago I asked: Do you want to be a part of a church that welcomes challenges?
Every church needs a Caleb (if not Calebs). Every church needs men and women full of faith!
Acts 6:5 – “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit…”
Acts 11:23-24 – “When he (Barnabbas) arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”
Do I migrate toward being the Crowd or being a Caleb? (Stephen / Barnabbas)
Is my life driven and led by sight or by faith?
Am I prone to fear or prone to courage?
Do I trust in the natural or in the supernatural?
Am I doubtful or prayerful?
Am I ambivalent or focused and faithful?
NOT ONLY CAN WE DO WHATEVER GOD WANTS US TO DO…
WE MUST DO WHATEVER GOD WANTS US TO DO.
WE MUST BOLDLY, LOVINGLY AND SACRIFICIALLY DECLARE GOD’S WORD TO THE WORLD AS AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. It is not an option! It is not negotiable!
So far… General Concepts for Application
Now… Specific Concepts
POINT #1
We need to remember that our sight is unreliable. We are often guilty of seeing what we want to see. We need to remember that we don't always see the whole picture. We don't know what God is doing through the circumstances around us. And if we wait to see before we experience anything or do anything based on what we do know, we will never see!
POINT #2
When our faith is lacking, problems seem bigger than they really are. At this point the ten spies are given to a bit of hyperbole (they are exaggerating). They compare themselves to grasshoppers tying to take on the proverbial giants who were the descendents of Anak. (Not that bad!!!) The more we focus on the problems the bigger they seem. But when we put our problems next to the greatness of our Lord, they get smaller.
*Any discussion of improvement or change… we can make simple things complex.
The people now have a choice: do they believe the majority report or the minority report? They respond probably the same way we would respond. They are swayed by the majority. After all it is ten to two. They conclude that any hope of entering the land God promised is hopeless. They have made this trip for nothing. The people despair. They speak these fateful words,
If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” (Numbers 14:2-4)
Have you ever been in that situation? Have you been tempted to trust the majority rather than the Lord? What about to trust yourself rather than the Lord? Or what is popular more than the Lord? Or what is convenient? Or what you’ve always done?
There is a problem with basing our confidence on the majority opinion. The majority could be wrong (as here).
POINT #3
We MUST be willing to stand against the majority if that is what it takes. EVERY TIME! Sometimes you and I will have to stand against the majority. And when those times come, it may not be pleasant. The crowd will be against us. It would be easier to cave in. But it will not be better. We must stand with the Lord.
Hebrews 10:38-39 – “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
3 Final Reflection Points > 1st 1 is negative, the final 2 are positive.
1. AMBIVALENCE WEAKENS & EVEN DESTROYS INDIVIDUALS AND CHURCHES.
***In our story, some repent and say will go… it was too late.
The question isn’t about JA in 2015 or 2020… rest of 2010-2011
2. THE FAITHFUL ARE REWARDED WITH GOD’S PROMISES AND FAVOR. (J & C)
And the faithful are blessings to others. We are blessed to be a blessing…
Covenant of Abraham? “Through your seed all nations of the earth will be blessed.”
3. THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW!!!!!
The time for ministry is now. The time for preaching/teaching/praying/serving/leadership is now! The time for loving and giving is now. The time for making a difference is now.
MARRY THE LESSON TO AN ACTION/VERB!
SO WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?
GO HOME AND ASK GOD – WHAT DOES THIS MESSAGE MEAN YOUR LIFE? JA?
AND CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL YOU HAVE CONVICTION > DO AS YOU ARE LEAD AND CONVINCED BY GOD’S SPIRIT AND WORD.
As we sing Light The Fire,
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO LIGHT OUR FIRE TO LIVE FAITHFULLY TO CHRIST!
