Pastor Dave Martin ~ Cross Creek Community Church ~ August 19, 2007

“Pivotal Decisions”

Life of Moses part 12

Numbers 13-14

Key Principles from earlier weeks…

·         God specializes in using broken vessels.

·         God speaks to us today by His Holy Spirit.

·         The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

·         Predicaments teach us dependence upon God.

·         God gave Divine rules for human conduct.

·         Being a Gap Stander makes all the Difference.

The book of Numbers picks up the story where the book of Exodus ends… covering the entire wilderness journey

·         All of us are here because of a decision made in life… some turned out wonderful, some awful

·         We may have been on the brink of blessing, when we made a wrong choice… Pivotal Decisions…

·         An old prospector digging for years in his gold mine barely made enough to survive on… he decided to sell the old mine to a new owner… the new owner came in and began to dig… three more feet and he struck the mother lode, one of the biggest gold strike ever… the old prospector made a “Pivotal Decision”!

·         I’ve heard about two brothers who wanted to start a new business venture, they each put up $100 but needed one more equal partner in the venture.  They asked their close friend to join them and invest $100 in the startup venture… he refused.  The two brothers decided to go without another partner… they were the Hertz brothers… “Pivotal Decisions”

“The nation of Israel was standing on the brink of blessing”

·         Nation of Israel, 2 million people standing on the verge of tremendous blessing… to enter the Promise Land, they were on the very brink of blessing yet missed it by a bad pivotal decision.

·         Every decision we make should be weighed in light of God’s Word…

When Making a Decision…

1.    Continually Seek God’s Perfect Will Num 13:17-20

Numbers 13:3,18 So at the LORD's command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites…¹⁸See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.

·         At the Lord’s command, Moses sent out 12 spies… all leaders specially selected from each tribe

·         Moses sent 12 spies to check-out the land and its people then to report back… 10 neg & 2 positive

·         They were to ascertain what the land was like, crops, people, cities, fortresses… get the low down

Ø  God’s plans are always the best (Promise Land)

·         Seek God’s plans, God perfect not permissive will… God promised this land to Abram in Gen11-12

·         This is God’s perfect, dead center will for His people… Land flowing with milk & honey

·         As we make wise decisions we will be in position for God best/blessing/Promised Land!

Ø  Life is made up of a long series of choices

·         700 years after Abraham… promise given many times… Israel now stands on the brink of blessing

·         Sometimes we come to the very edge of great blessing where we turn away and miss what could have been… all the choices made by the Hebrews brought them to a “Pivotal Decision”

·         This was God’s perfect will to go in and possess the land… His permissive will involves our choices

·         He has great plans for each of us & desires for us to walk His way… surrender, seek in humility

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

2.     Expect to Encounter various Challenges Num 13:26-30

Numbers 13:27-28 ²⁷ They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. ²⁸ But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.

·         Every Pivotal Decision we make will produce challenges… God never calls us where He doesn’t equip us… where He leads, He provides.

·         The spies reported back… yes it is a good land – flows with milk & honey, good soil & crops…BUT

Ø  Large fortified cities & powerful people

·         The people are powerful & huge – descendants of Nephilim (wicked Anak race of giants from before the flood)… walled cites (Jericho)… Can’t you see all the challenges to do God’s will?

Ø  Obedience is costly ~ “take possession” of the land

·         Walking in the center of God’s perfect will is not getting the blessings on a silver platter

·         You must go take possession of the land… there is a cost associated with blessing

·         Take possession by force (God will fight for you)

·         When you make a Pivotal Decision expect challenges along the way… why?  They’re for your good!

·         The Lord uses challenges to make us more Christ like, maturing our faith, growing us spiritually.

James 1:2-3 ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

3.     Refuse to Listen to ungodly Counsel Num 13:31-14:4

Numbers 13:32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.

·         Ten spies were negative (an attitude) – they whined, whined, whined… affecting the whole camp

·         They choose barrenness rather than blessing… they choose the wrong way to respond

Ø  Gossip, murmuring, grumbling, complaining is sin

·         Like a spiritual cancer… begins small but spreads and grows lethal… poisoning everyone

·         Our fleshly nature has no problem fostering gossip, backbiting & complaining… it’s good at it.

·         It appeals to the fleshly old nature… it’s sin and must be guarded against aggressively.

Ø  Majority is not always right, but God is

·         The 10 spies were in majority yet wrong… Who’s right?  God is, we must trust Him in everything

·         The church is a Theocracy – Jesus is the head of the church, yet sadly we have brought our form of government into the church of Jesus Christ… running it like a democracy… vote enough and on everything you will have a church divided and out of fellowship to experience God’s blessing.

·         Refuse to listen to ungodly counsel… why would a child of God go to a secular humanistic worldview counselor?  Instead of picking up the phone – drop to your knees!  Pivotal Decisions!

Psalms 1:1-2 ¹ Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

·         The people listened to ungodly counsel and made a horrible costly decision.

4.    Maintain Focus on God not the Obstacles Num 14:5-9

Numbers 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

·         We must position ourselves to be a recipient of God’s blessings… trust Him.

·         If God promises, He will fulfill it… He always keeps His end of the bargain… Keep focus on Him

·         Where was the focus of the 10 spies & most of the people?  Giants, walled cities, powerful armies…

Ø  God is Sovereign and in control

·         How BIG is your God?  BIG ENOUGH!  Big enough to handle any obstacle, problem, difficulty

·         When facing a Pivotal Decision… don’t wander off-focus and into confusion… TRUST GOD.

Ø  Live by faith not in unbelief and fear

·         BUT the people are huge & strong… we’re like grasshoppers… they will squash us under foot

·         Notice their focus was on the problem and not the solution… fear set in and it spread like fire.

·         We’re saved by faith + nothing else… we also live by faith, controlled by faith not circumstances…

·         When we trust Him it pleases God, Joshua & Caleb keep focus on omnipotent God

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

·         We fix/focus our eyes on our Eternal Lord – even when things “don’t make sense to us”

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

·         When challenges come do you turn negative or positive?  See the cup half full or half empty?

·         If you’re always focusing upon why you can’t, and all the obstacles you will wear yourself out, worry.

·         Operate your life by firmly believing God is In Control… He’s Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscience… God, I’m going with you no matter what!  You win every time!  Be blessed!

5.     Be Sensitive to Satan’s Devious Detours Num 14:10

Numbers 11:4-5 ⁴ The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.

·         Ever notice how the Devil always tells you half truths?  Let’s go back to Egypt… we had fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic… all true BUT…

·         There is no mention of 400 years of bondage, cruel slavery, taskmasters, beatings, death, pain…

·         On the brink of blessing… actually see the Promise Land… Satan will always attempt a detour.

·         Notice the “rabble” among the people… Satan goes to the spiritually weak links to do his bidding…

Ø  Appealing, attractive, easier, instantaneous, seductive

·         Satan’s devious detours are usually wrapped in quicker, easier, attractive ways…

·         The Devil always tries to thwart God’s best for your life… just snort some cocaine, just take an innocent drink, just roll the dice & wager small amount of money… He’s got you – DETOUR

·         Let’s stone Moses to death and pick a new leader – then just head back to Egypt.

Ø  Submit to and obey God while resisting the enemy

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 

·         God tells us in His Word that Satan masquerades as an angel of light…

·         His agenda is relentless, He comes to steal, kill & destroy Jn 10:10  He’s a liar Jn 8:44

·         He gets a foothold in our lives Eph 4:27 then is able to build up a stronghold 2Co 10:4

·         Beware of his schemes… submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you Jam 4:7

2 Corinthians 2:11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

·         Satan is a real player in our decision making… 3400 years ago in the days of Moses and today.

·         He look good, he doesn’t come in a little red suit but clothed in your brother or a friend

·         Right on the brink of God’s wonderful blessing and we take a detour and settle for second best.

6.    Consider the Ongoing Consequences Num 14:11-45

·         Last week we saw how Moses stood in the gap… he did the same here at Kadesh Barnea as they stood before the long awaited, highly anticipated Promise Land.

·         Verse 20 says God answered Moses’ prayer and forgave them BUT there are consequences

·         You may find yourself facing a pivotal decision… this is serious business… you want God’s best

·         The nation of Israel was on the brink of blessing and they made a costly wrong decision

·         Be sure you’re living in the center of God’s perfect will and not in His permissive will

Apply the Truth…

è Every decision is Pivotal for God’s blessing.

è You cannot live outside God’s will and be happy.

è You may be one step away from God’s Promise Land.

·         It all begins when we surrender to Him… will you?

·         The biggest Pivotal Decision you will ever make is when you turn from your sin and trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  God loves you but hates your sin… Jesus died to pay the penalty for sin, was buried and rose from the dead… He wants to forgive you and come into your life!

·         As a believer, you’ve been playing loose & fancy with God… not serious, always struggling, lacking commitment and victory, walking/living in spiritual barrenness, God seems so distant, you’re feeling your decision making process is flawed, you’re scared and afraid of failure… why?

·         You need to surrender to Christ’s Lordship, seek His forgiveness and return to the place of blessing

·         You have heard truth from God’s Word today… question is, how will you respond?

 Let’s Pray

Messages

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary”, John Walvood/Roy Zuck; Victor Publishing 1985

“Moses, A Man of Selfless Dedication”, Charles Swindoll; Word Publishing 1999

 “Basic Stages in the Book of Ages”, Dr. Willmington; Liberty Publishing 1975

“Experiencing God’s Best”, Charles Stanley; InTouch Ministries 1998

 “Experiencing God”, Henry Blackaby; LifeWay Press 1990

http://www.wyattmuseum.com