WHAT IT IS
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, July 4, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
WHAT IT IS
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Numbers 13:1-32
Text: Numbers 13:18
Numbers 13:18 And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
Introduction: “And see the land, what it is …” “What it is” is an expression of the black people of our society. They sometimes greet one another with it. Moses, at the Lord’s command, sent 12 men to spy out the land of Canaan to “see the land, WHAT IT IS …” By the way, neither God nor Moses ever asked the 12 to vote on whether or not to enter. That was settled. God had already ordered them to take the land. The 12 spies were just to serve as scouts before the invasion.
All of the Israelites but Joshua and Caleb, and those under the age of 20, lost out on the opportunity to enter the promised land, because they were afraid to go in. The Old Testament church under Moses rebelled against God, by voting on God’s devine decree. If you get saved — if you cross the Red Sea of the blood of Jesus Christ — you are going to heaven. You couldn’t miss it if you tried. However, a believer’s VICTORY in this life is OPTIONAL. It’s up to YOU to experience victory AFTER you are saved. MOST BELIEVERS DON’T. Therefore, although Canaan is a good picture of heaven in some ways, it is an even better picture of THE VICTORIOUS LIFE.
I believe the greatest days of victory for our church are just around the corner. Are we going to enter into the victorious life as a church?
You can experience victory as an individual believer. Will you do it, or will your unbelief rob you of the blessings of Canaan’s land?
Let us look at the land of the victorious life and see WHAT IT IS …
I. IN SEEING WHAT IT IS, WE SEE THE LAND’S FIGHTERS
Numbers 13:18 And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
Who is opposing your victory?
A. Some of them may be family 1. Matthew 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 2. An unsaved spouse or other family member 3. An unspiritual spouse or other family member
B. Some of them may be friends 1. Be careful how you choose your companions. 2. Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 3. Not even every church member should be your COMPANION.
C. Some of them may be your fellow employees
II. IN SEEING WHAT IT IS, WE SEE THE LAND’S FORTRESSES
Numbers 13:19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
Although UNBELIEF prevented the Israelites from entering Canaan, another problem was that of the attractions and memories of EGYPT, a type of the WORLD. These attractions are summed up in 1 Jn. 2:16.
1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
A. We must overcome the PLEASURE of this world – the lust of the flesh
B. We must overcome the PICTURES of this world – the lust of the eyes
C. We must overcome the PRIDE of this world – the pride of life
III. IN SEEING WHAT IT IS, WE SEE THE LAND’S FATNESS
Numbers 13:20a And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean …
Numbers 13:27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
It was a land of milk and honey. When I think of milk and honey, I think of SWEETNESS!
There is the sweetness of
A. Fellowship with the Son of God
B. Following the Spirit of God
C. Feeding on the scriptures of God
D. Faithfulness in the service of God
IV. IN SEEING WHAT IT IS, WE SEE THE LAND’S FRUIT
Numbers 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
A. There is the fruit of holiness
B. There is the fruit of the harvest – winning people to Christ
C. There is the fruit of happiness 1. There is pleasure in sin for a season, but there is no greater joy or happiness than in living the victorious life of a believer. 2. Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 3. Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 4. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.