I’m just going to tell you that this sermon really resonated with me! I hope I’ve got your attention because this is for everyone of us. We can all serve in some capacity. Maybe you can’t preach, but can you cook, send cards to shut ins who need encouragement? Can you sing or play an instrument? Mow or clean? Can you lead others in a Bible study or help teach Sunday school or VBS? We each have different gifts, but we can all serve in a way that we haven’t even realized God has gifted us.
The LORD said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.
Numbers 13: 1-2
Faith is a tough quality to have. But, you can’t lead in a godly manner without growing in faith! Let me say that again…
You can’t lead in a godly manner without growing in faith!
Twelve tribes meant there would be twelve scouts that would explore. Even the best leaders can falter. 10 of the twelve leaders assigned came back with the opinion that it was too dangerous to move into the land that God had promised them. They went to see what the inhabitants were like, what produce was available, was the land good or bad? Did the cities have walls or not?
After their exploration, they reported back to Moses and the whole community. They had one bunch of grapes that had to be carried by two men! It was a land flowing with milk and honey. However, they reported that the people who lived there were very large and strong. Only Caleb and Joshua were of the thought that the Israelites could surely take the land.
And so, the people rebelled. Joshua and Caleb assured them that if the Lord said they could take the land, then he would make sure that they could. God was furious with the lack of faith in the people and the explorers who gave a bad report.
Let’s talk about leadership for a minute. First of all, a place of leadership is a place of great honor. Out of 2 million people, only 12 were called to be tribe leaders. Ten of them failed miserably and paid a heavy price for their failure. Joshua and Caleb were true leaders.
That brings us to the second thing about leadership. It comes with a cost of some kind. It may be time, money, or even a place of danger.
One thing about leadership is that those who want to be leaders often do it for the wrong reasons.
The qualification of leaders in the church is that they should be in excellent standing with the church. They should be a step above, not because they are better than anyone else. Leaders are above so that they can be seen as an example as they are directing, parenting, or in their job.
The danger of leadership is where the leader wants honor without taking responsibility.
The responsibility to the tribe leaders is that they were sent to scout out the land. But, 10 of them folded under the pressure. They reported that they should not go. They were to lead on God’s promise, but they forgot his promise!
The responsibility is to be a faith driven leader.
If God says he’ll be with you, he will be. They reported their fear. And the people who sided with fear, didn’t get into the promised land. The promise of the Promised Land was delayed for hundreds of years because there was a generation too cowardly and they stayed in the desert instead of taking the land that God had given them.
Generational sin occurs when we don’t take personal responsibility for our actions.
We need a generation of faith that trusts in God. To weed out the unbelief in the ten tribes, Moses talked God into only destroying a generation. Moses didn’t let the problem stop the plan.
The “buts” get in the way sometimes. We have doubts that cause us to block out the promise that God has for us. There will always be problems along the way. But, if God has promised you something, he will deliver! Have faith!
Effective leaders refuse to let something that looks so large it blocks out the promise. But, Gods is bigger than the problem. Don’t let a temporary problem block you reaching the goal.
God wants to speak to you in your time of prayer. Fully trust in him and don’t let anything cancel the promise.
Faith is knowing you’re going to be okay. Let God show you who he created you to be. Don’t let your critics prevent you from completing the task God has for you.
Did the Israelites forget all the signs that God was with them along the way?
The disciples worshipped, but some still doubted.
God says, do you trust me? Has he ever let you down?
The disciples were human just like we are.
Faith is a tough quality to have. Silence the doubts, they come from Satan. He doesn’t want you to succeed.
Believe… Act confidently!
Faith-based action comes from trusting God. The rewards are priceless!
Thanks for reading! May God bless you in your faithful pursuits.
Where God Leads 