The Consequences of a Faith Failure (Numbers 13-14)
This sermon delves into a pivotal moment in Israel's history, highlighting the deep impact of disbelief. It invites us to consider how our own trust in God's promises shapes our present and future.
This sermon explores the consequences of failing to trust God when faced with challenges, using the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. It emphasizes that while God forgives, many disobedient actions carry lasting penalties.
Overview
The sermon begins by recounting the Israelites' journey from Egyptian bondage to the border of the Promised Land, Canaan. Moses sent twelve spies into the land, and upon their return, ten gave a fearful "bad report," focusing on the strong inhabitants and fortified cities, despite acknowledging the land's abundance. Only Caleb and Joshua maintained faith, asserting that God would enable them to take the land.
Despite Caleb and Joshua's faithful witness, the congregation wept, grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and expressed a desire to return to Egypt, even suggesting appointing a new leader. The preacher defines a faith failure as a refusal to trust God when confronted with a challenge, trial, or temptation. God's response to their disbelief was a decree that the entire generation (aged 20 and up) would die in the wilderness over 40 years, one year for each day the land was spied out.
The sermon highlights several consequences of this faith failure: bitter disappointment, a distorted view of their circumstances, and causing others to suffer. The preacher emphasizes that while God is a forgiving God, He often does not remove the penalties or natural consequences of deliberate disobedience, even after forgiveness. The Israelites' attempt to correct their disobedience without God's help led to further defeat.
To counter faith failure, the sermon points to God's instructions to Joshua after Moses's death, found in Joshua chapter 1. God commanded Joshua to "Be strong and courageous," promising His unfailing presence and success if Joshua would meditate on God's law day and night. This serves as a powerful reminder that God provides all His children with what they need to live a godly, victorious life if they trust and obey Him.
Key points
- The Israelites, after being freed from Egypt, reached the border of the Promised Land, Canaan, which they had longed for.
- Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan; ten returned with a "bad report" emphasizing the strength of the inhabitants, while Caleb and Joshua urged faith.
- The congregation's fear led them to weep, grumble, and wish to return to Egypt, rejecting God's promise.
- A "faith failure" is defined as a failure to trust God when faced with a challenge, trial, or temptation.
- God declared that the disbelieving generation (20 years and older) would die in the wilderness over 40 years, one year for each day the land was spied out.
- The sermon stresses that while God forgives sin, He often does not remove the consequences or penalties of disobedience.
- God later commissioned Joshua to be strong and courageous, promising His presence and success if he meditated on God's law and obeyed it.
In Charles Stanley's words
“A faith failure is a failure to trust God when you're confronted with a challenge, a trial, or a temptation.”
“God forgives but He does not erase the consequences oftentimes.”
“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Outline
- I. The Israelites' Response to God's Blessing (Numbers 13)
- A. Reaching the Border of the Promised Land
- B. The Spies' Report
- 1. The "Nevertheless" Crowd: Fear and Doubt
- 2. Caleb's Faithful Perspective
- II. The Consequences of a Faith Failure (Numbers 14)
- A. The Congregation's Reaction: Weeping and Grumbling
- B. Defining Faith Failure: Not Trusting God in Challenges
- C. God's Judgment: Death in the Wilderness
- III. Manifestations and Results of Faith Failure
- A. Bitter Disappointment and Distorted Views
- B. Forgetting God's Answers to Prayer
- C. Causing Others to Suffer
- D. God Forgives, But Penalties May Remain
- E. Attempting to Correct Disobedience Without God Leads to Further Failure
- IV. Correction for Faith Failure: Getting in God's Word (Joshua 1)
- A. God's Commission to Joshua
- B. The Promise of God's Presence and Success
- C. The Importance of Meditating on God's Law
- D. Personal Application: Trusting God Wherever You Go
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 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Insights
Faith is truly tested when faced with a significant challenge.
God's grace offers what we cannot earn or deserve.
Listening to fearful voices can hinder divine blessing.
Questions & answers
What is a faith failure, according to this sermon?
A faith failure is defined as a failure to trust God when one is confronted with a challenge, a trial, or a temptation. It means saying no to God's promises out of fear or doubt.
What happened when the Israelites failed to trust God and grumbled?
Because of their disbelief and grumbling, God declared that the entire generation aged 20 and older, except for Caleb and Joshua, would die in the wilderness over 40 years instead of entering the Promised Land. Their children would inherit the land they rejected.
How does the sermon explain God's forgiveness regarding consequences?
The sermon states that while God is a forgiving God and will forgive confessed sin, He often does not remove the consequences or penalties associated with those actions. We will reap what we sow, and forgiveness does not always erase the outcome.
What is the 'nevertheless crowd' mentioned in the sermon?
The 'nevertheless crowd' refers to people who acknowledge God's blessings but immediately follow with negativity, focusing on obstacles and impossibilities. They cannot accept that God wants to do good things for them due to their own self-perceived unworthiness or fear.
What correction does the sermon offer for faith failure?
The sermon advises getting into God's Word, asking God to speak to your heart, and strengthening your faith. It emphasizes meditating on God's law day and night, as God instructed Joshua, to gain prosperity and success.
What is the significance of Joshua 1 in this sermon's argument?
Joshua 1 illustrates God's plan for overcoming faith failure. After the disbelieving generation died, God commissioned Joshua, promising His presence and success if Joshua was strong, courageous, and obedient to God's law. It shows God's continued faithfulness despite human failure.
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Source
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