Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The testimony of Caleb is an inspiration

2. The way he consistently displayed his faith was outstanding

a. In his earlier years   (Numbers 13 – 14)

b. In his later years   (Joshua 14)

3. The example of Caleb is worth aspiring towards

a. But how did he even come to possess such a faith?

b. We will need to trace how such a faith came to be

THE FAITH EXHIBITED BY CALEB

30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”   Numbers 13:30

1. The spies gave a report that included the strong enemies in the land

2. The people were filled with unrest

3. Caleb quieted the people before Moses

a. He gave due respect to what was said by the other ten spies

b. But he disagreed

c. He saw the same things, but understood them differently

4. His response of faith was to say:

a. Let us go up at once

b. Take possession

c. We are well able to overcome it

5. How did Caleb come to possess such faith?

THE WORK AND WORD OF GOD

1. Experiencing the Work of God

a. Caleb would have experienced the work of God as Israel was delivered from Egypt

b. He would also have witnessed the hand of God in leading them through the wilderness

c. Moses reminded the people of this

29 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 32 Yet, for all that, you did not believe the Lord your God, 33 who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.

Deuteronomy 1:29-33

2. Being taught the Word of God

a. All Israel, including Caleb, was present at Mount Sinai to hear God give the Ten Commandments   (Exodus 20)

b. Moses also never failed to teach the Word of God to Israel

“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess.

Deuteronomy 4:5

3. This was most likely how Caleb’s faith started

a. He experienced the Work of God

b. Through it all, he heard the Word of God taught

4. This demonstrates to us an eternal principle of Faith

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God   Romans 10:17

a. Faith comes by hearing

b. And hearing the Word of God

THE DIFFERENCE IN CALEB – HE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD WELL

1. The other ten spies would have also had the same experience as Caleb

2. They would also have been taught the Word of God by Moses

3. But they still faltered in faith

4. The difference for Caleb

a. He applied faith in receiving the Word of God

b. He followed it fully

i. Paying attention to it

ii. Remembering it

iii. Obeying it fully

iv. Not following his own thoughts or the words of others

5. This demonstrates to us another eternal principle of Faith

For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.   Hebrews 4:2

a. Even though the Word of God is taught

b. Our part is to combine it with faith

c. It is only then that it will profit us – bear fruit in us

THE RESULT OF CALEB’S FAITH – IT AFFECTED HIS VERY CHARACTER

1. Faith was always meant to shape us at the level of our character

2. As exemplified by Caleb

3. The character of Caleb

a. He was Courageous

b. He was Confident

c. He was full of Conviction

4. His character was consistent throughout the years

CONCLUSION

Let us Aspire to have a faith like Caleb:

1. We are reminded of what makes up the Core of our faith

a. Experiences of God

b. More importantly, the Word of God

2. It is to be Combined with belief and obedience

3. Until we have a faith by which our Character is defined