Experiencing a Faith Failure (Numbers 13-14)
This sermon examines the critical concept of faith failure, using the dramatic biblical account of the Israelite spies in Numbers 13-14. It invites reflection on how easily we can lose sight of God's promises when confronted with fear and challenging circumstances.
This sermon explores faith failure through the Israelites' refusal to enter the Promised Land, defining it as failing to trust God when challenged. It outlines common causes like fear and false information, emphasizing the importance of focusing on God's power and past faithfulness.
Overview
The sermon introduces faith as a vital gift, defining faith failure as the inability to trust God when confronted with challenges, trials, or temptations. It uses the biblical account of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land in Numbers chapters 13 and 14 as a powerful illustration.
Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan, who reported the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey, just as God promised. However, ten of the spies added a "nevertheless," highlighting the strong people, fortified cities, and giants, concluding that they could not conquer it. In contrast, Joshua and Caleb expressed strong faith, asserting that they could surely overcome because God was with them.
Despite God's past deliverance from Egypt and clear promises, the congregation chose to believe the negative report. They wept, grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and even wished to return to slavery in Egypt. Joshua and Caleb pleaded with them to trust God, reminding them of His power and presence, but the people's fear led them to reject God's plan.
The sermon identifies key causes of faith failure, including the fear of failure, listening to false information, forgetting God's past acts of power, and failing to see circumstances from God's perspective. Ultimately, it emphasizes that a "prayerless life" makes all obstacles appear larger, shifting focus from God's capability to perceived difficulties.
Key points
- Faith failure is defined as the inability to express faith to trust God when confronted with a challenge, trial, or temptation.
- The sermon illustrates faith failure using the account of the Israelite spies in Numbers chapters 13 and 14.
- Ten of the twelve spies reported the Promised Land was good but focused on the strength of its inhabitants and fortified cities, concluding they could not take it.
- Joshua and Caleb alone maintained faith, reminding the people of God's power and promise that they would overcome.
- The Israelite congregation responded with fear, weeping, grumbling, and a desire to return to slavery in Egypt, rejecting God's plan.
- Causes of faith failure include the fear of failure, believing false information, and neglecting to recall God's past acts of power.
- Another cause is the failure to view situations from God's perspective, instead focusing on obstacles, which appear larger in a prayerless life.
In Charles Stanley's words
“A faith failure is the failure to express faith to trust God when confronted with a challenge, a trial, or temptation.”
“Our view should be fixed on God, not on the people around us, not what somebody else has, not where we have been, but what God Almighty has for us.”
“Everything looks larger in a prayerless life.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Gift of Faith and Its Failure
- A. Defining Faith Failure
- B. The Promised Land of Canaan
- II. The Spies' Report and the People's Rebellion (Numbers 13-14)
- A. The Goodness of the Land and Its Obstacles
- B. Caleb and Joshua's Expression of Faith
- C. The Congregation's Grumbling and Desire to Return to Egypt
- III. Causes of a Faith Failure
- A. The Fear of Failure
- B. False Information
- C. Failure to Recall the Power of God in the Past
- D. Failure to See Things from God's Perspective
- E. Focusing on Obstacles Rather Than God
- IV. Conclusion: The Choice to Believe God
Scripture references
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Insights
Faith is a vital gift, shaping how we live each day.
Trusting God means believing His word, despite what we see.
Perceived obstacles often overshadow God's promises in our minds.
Questions & answers
What is a "faith failure" according to the sermon?
A faith failure is defined as the inability to trust God when facing a challenge, trial, or temptation. It occurs when one is confronted with a situation that demands trust in God, but fails to express that trust.
What biblical story does the sermon use to illustrate faith failure?
The sermon primarily uses the story of the Israelite spies in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. This account details how ten of the twelve spies, despite God's promise, feared the inhabitants of Canaan and discouraged the people from entering the Promised Land.
What was the "nevertheless" moment for the Israelites?
The "nevertheless" moment was when the spies, after confirming the land flowed with milk and honey, immediately pivoted to describing the formidable strength of the people, fortified cities, and giants. This shift from God's promise to perceived obstacles initiated their faith failure.
What are some causes of faith failure discussed in the sermon?
The sermon identifies several causes, including the fear of failure, listening to false or negative information, failing to recall God's powerful acts in the past, and failing to view circumstances from God's perspective.
How did Joshua and Caleb differ from the other spies?
Joshua and Caleb, seeing the same challenges, chose to believe God's promise that they could overcome. They looked at the giants through the "eyes of God," recalling His past deliverance, while the others focused on their own perceived weakness.
What is the significance of a "prayerless life" in relation to faith failure?
The sermon states that "everything looks larger in a prayerless life." Without consistent communication with God, obstacles appear magnified and overwhelming, contributing to a lack of trust and potential faith failure.
Flashcards
Turn your pastor's sermon into notes like this
Record at church or paste a YouTube link. Sermon Notes gives you summaries, scriptures, flashcards, and a daily devotional from your own sermons.
More from Charles Stanley
Related on similar themes
Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.