Is That Your Final Answer?

(Game show – Who Wants To Be A Millionaire)

Joshua 14:12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

“Give Me This Mountain” was Caleb’s final answer.
Caleb appears first in the Bible as a member of the twelve spies who were sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land.

• The spies were to report on the people, the cities, and the land and to bring back some samples of the fruit of the land.
• They were supposed to encourage Israel and show them by these samples of fruit that the land they were about to posses was worth fighting for.
• The spies were not sent to test the strength of the enemy, but they were sent to test the hearts of the Israelites.
• The twelve spies were chosen from the twelve tribes, one spy from each tribe.
• Caleb represented the tribe of Judah.  The Name Judah Meant “Praise”.
• These men were chosen in recognition of their leadership in their tribes, every one of them was a ruler in each tribe.
• Caleb was a nobleman, or prince, in Judah.

When the spies returned to the camp, ten of them gave a negative report.

• They said, the land is fertile; it is flowing with milk and honey.
• But the inhabitants are strong and many. They told them about the great walled cities and reported even seeing giants in the land.

When they gave this negative report, fear gripped the hearts of the people.

• So Caleb steps to the front to give his report from Joshua and himself.

He did not disagree with the facts presented by the other ten spies.

• But he did assure the people that there was nothing to fear.
• He reminded them of how God brought them out of Egypt
• He reminded them how God parted the Red Sea just in time to escape Pharos army.
• He reminded them that God had given them victory over Amalek.
• He reminded them of how God supplied manna for them and their children to eat when they thought they would starve in the wilderness.
• Then he reminded them of the manifestation of God on Sinai.
• He told them, “God is with us, therefore we will overcome the walled cities and any giant that gets in our way.”
• Lets go right now and possess it.
• But the other ten spies said, we cannot do it.

These men accepted defeat without a battle.

• They accepted the spirit of forfeit without even trying.
• Listen… “you will never fail until you give up.”

• Most of the battles you lose in your life, you will lose right here.  (Mind)
• When you lose it here (mind) you lose it out there.

 

You can’t loose a war until you quit fighting.

• Someone said… I’m just a loser.”  Listen, You are not a failure until you quit!
• All the ten spies saw, were the problems.
• All they saw were the obvious shortcomings.
• All they noticed were the reasons why it couldn’t be done.

You cannot focus on your problems and be an over comer.

• We cannot dwell on every difficult thing that is going on in our lives and expect to have victory in our lives.
• We need to dwell on the promises of God.
• “For He is able to do exceeding, abundantly, above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh within us.”
• What’s that talking about?  It’s talking about our faith!

Mathew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard see, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
The Bible definition of faith is…
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

• No matter what your mountain is, you can conquer it.
• The Bible says “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

David wrote in Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living..

• It is in the dark times that faith lights the lamp for us to see the goodness of God.
• The psalmist also wrote, Psalm 34:19, Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
• Everybody has trouble in their life. It’s part of life.  But if all you think about is the bad stuff that goes on in your life, then you’re not going to be a very faithful person.

Someone said, “I’m a Faithful Christian.”

• Lets look at this word – Faith – Ful = Faithful.
• Is your faith full?Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We can conquer the mountains in our life if we will learn how to think positively and with hearts full of faith.
Let me tell somebody, that you can be forgiven and set free from sin.

• Romans 6:22 says that we are now made free from sin, and become servants to God.
• Romans 8:1 reads, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
• Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

The words were and now indicate that the promise has become real.

• There is a difference between were and now.
• I used to think God didn’t hear my prayers, but now I have faith in God!

Someone said, “There’s something different about you….”

• Ya…. Now.
• Now is different than what used to be.
• Now I’m going to church!
• Now, I’m a part of something that’s life changing.
• Now, I’m heading in a right direction.
• Now I’m saved.
• Now I’m baptized.
• Now I’ve got the Holy Ghost.
• Now I’m living by faith!

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I know there’s a huge problem in my life, but Now, I have Faith that God is going to work it all out.

Before I knew Jesus, I didn’t have faith.

• Before I knew him, I thought that God and the rest of the world were all against me.
• But now, I have Faith in God!

Paul said in Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

• Paul said, I’m not the same guy I used to be.
• Paul said there’s been a death in my life.
• There’s been a crucifixion.  (That’s what baptism is all about).
• Who I used to be is not who I am anymore.  Now I have Jesus living in here.
• He said, “Ya, I’m still living in this flesh, but now I’m living in this flesh with the realization that Jesus loved me so much that he died on the cross of Calvary for me.
• The difference between what I used to be and who I am now is the understanding and revelation that God really does love and care about me.

As long as I think God hates me, I will easily accept defeat.

• But If I realize that God loves me, I will live to fight another day.
• I will win the battles of my life when I know that HE is on my side.
  • 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God…

What’s your final answer?

Is that your final answer?