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Sermon Notes of Rev Dr I.J.W.Oakley (27-4-1975 Strandtown Baptist Church)
After the escape from Egypt and Crossing of the Red Sea,
the children of Israel were encamped below Mount Sinai, during which time God
gave them the Law and the tabernacle. Then they moved across the desert till
they came to Kadesh, on the border of the land promised them by God. By God’s
direction they sent twelve spies to search the land and bring back word whether
the people were strong or weak, few or many; whether the land was good or bad;
whether the people lived in tents or strongholds. They had to make a thorough
search of the whole land.
After forty days the spies
returned bearing clusters of grapes, pomegranates and figs. All assembled to
hear the reports. Ten of the twelve spies reported that the land was good, surely
it floweth with milk and honey (Numbers 13:27), but the people were strong,
the cities were walled and very great. The people appeared too strong – they
were like giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers (Numbers
13:33). Therefore the conclusion was that it would be better to return to Egypt
than enter the land God had promised.
But Caleb and Joshua were in
complete contrast. Let us go up at once and possess it for we are well able
to overcome it (Numbers 13:30). It is an exceeding good land. If the Lord
delight in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us. Only rebel not
ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land (Numbers
14:7-9). Joshua and Caleb were certain God would be with them, so there was no
need to hold back, and no need to fear.
The children of Israel were
infuriated with Joshua and Caleb, and wanted to have them stoned. As a result
they suffered God’s chastisement, Surely
they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any
of them that provoked me see it (Numbers
14:23). Only Caleb and Joshua would reach and enter the land. All the
rest who were 20 years and above would die in the wilderness during the 40 years
they would wander there. This was punishment for their unbelief and rebellion.
The ten spies who had caused the discouragement died by plague.
In the middle of it all, Caleb
was commended because My servant Caleb had another spirit with him and hath
followed me fully (Numbers 14:23). The same incident is reported in
Deuteronomy: He hath wholly followed the Lord (Deuterono1:36). The Hebrew
word used for “wholly followed” is a pictorial word describing a ship going
out in full sail. Every power of mind and body and spirit was fully exposed to
the winds of God’s grace, providence and Spirit. God could take him in
whatever direction he desired and make of him what he wished. He went in
whole-heartedly for God and His cause, unhampered by any spirit of limitation.
From that arose his assurance, confidence and optimism.
This was the perfect pattern of the man of God in Old and New Testaments. The Lord called him to follow, he committed his life to God and became under God’s authority. He was Christ’s in body and soul. Whosoever will come after me – let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me (Mark 8:34).
Firstly, we need to follow the Lord all our days. This
was true of Caleb. We find it recorded 45 years later, when he was an old man of
85, that he had wholly followed the Lord God of Israel (Joshua 14:9). He did not
follow in fits and starts, but all his days. Sadly it is not true of all the
great men of God – David was a man after God’s own heart, yet fell into open
and gross sin; at the start of his reign, Solomon was full of such promise, yet
his heart turned to other gods. Some men followed Jesus for a time, and were
called his disciples. They heard first hand the gracious words from His mouth,
but sooner or later they were offended by some of what He taught, and they went
back to their old life, walking no more with Jesus.
The people in Ephesus were
blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, true
followers of God, walking in love (Ephesians 1 & 5). But later we read To
the church at Ephesus, I have this against thee, that thou hast left thy first
love (Revelation 2:4). And it is still true of many today. Some turn to
Christ in a time of affliction, sickness or bereavement, but as soon as they
have overcome the difficulties, they go back to the world and their old ways.
Is that true of anyone here? Was
there a time when you ran well, were so interested, the Bible was a new book,
and Christ appeared so wonderful? But where are you now spiritually? You need to
get fully into Christ and then you can follow Christ fully. If ye continue in
my word, then are ye my disciples indeed (John 8:31). Those that be
planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They
shall still bring forth fruit in old age (Psalm 92:13,14). Be like Paul: I
am ready to be offered, and the hour of my departure is at hand. I have fought a
good fight, I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith (2 Timothy
4:6,7). He followed the Lord fully, never looked back, halted or slumbered. He
was a second Caleb.
Secondly, we need to follow the
Lord at all hazards, as did Caleb. The people of Israel wanted to stone him, but
he did not care. He would do his duty, whatever evil should befall him. It is
easy to follow Christ in the sunshine, but not in the storm. As long as it is
fashionable in some circles to follow Christ, many make a profession. But
trouble soon discourages them. Jesus pointed out that His followers must bear
reproach even of their nearest friends. He that loves his father or mother
more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves his son or daughter more than me
is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:37).
Sometimes it is not persecution but love of ease that discourages men from following the Lord fully. It is probably why John Mark refused to go with Paul and Barnabas into Asia. If Christ was crowned with thorns, we must not expect to be crowned with roses. Paul could testify, For whom I have suffered the loss of all things (Philippians 3:8). This loss may even go to the extent of losing life. This is the point of “taking up the cross”.
Him will I bring into the
land (Numbers 14:24). The other spies died of the plague, but Caleb and
Joshua went into the Promised Land. In keeping the commandments there is
great reward (Psalm 19:11). To follow Christ fully is the only way to a
happy life. There is no one more miserable than the backslider or the Christian
with a divided heart. Some have enough religion to make them miserable, but not
enough to make them happy. When we turn aside from following Christ fully, we
are providing misery for ourselves. True happiness entails giving up our heart
and all to Him.
“They that trust Him wholly
Find
Him wholly true.”
Inconsistency mars communion and therefore joy. Past
experience shows that we were happiest when walking closely with God. True
self-denial brings hundred-fold reward, even in this life – if not materially,
then spiritually in peace of conscience and joy in the Lord.
We are also motivated to follow
the Lord fully because this is the way to be useful. The useful Christian is a
thriving Christian. The word came to Abraham, I will bless thee and make thee
a blessing (Genesis 12:2). To follow Christ fully leads to blessing in the
home, church, world around us. This in turn means we will die happily. If we
would die the death of God’s people we must live their life. Happy the man at
the end of a life following the Lord fully who can say, “I am ready to be
offered.”
Another motivation is the reward we shall receive. We shall be rewarded according to the work we have done. 1 Corinthians 3 warns that though we shall be saved, loss may be suffered if we have not fully followed the Lord. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15). The more fully and unreservedly we follow now, the more abundant our entrance into His everlasting Kingdom will be. A closer walk with Christ now, means closer with Him in eternity.
Not only the requirement, but also the means are pointed
out. God knows our weaknesses, waywardness, fickle hearts and infirmities. He
does not bring us to salvation and then leave us to walk to the great city on
our own. Many imagine this is so, especially when despair and discouragement
grips their life and outlook.
The first thing we learn from
Caleb’s example is that he kept his eyes on the Lord. He endured as seeing
him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). I have set the Lord always before
me (Psalm 16:8). His eye, his interest, his concern was only in one
direction. His own reputation, name, honour and his own ends would have kept him
from following fully. We cannot have eyes in two directions at a time.
The indescribable loveliness in
Christ attracts our soul to follow Him. He is so suitable, for He answers the
needs of the soul. We are guilty and He is righteous. We have weakness and He
has strength. We are stained and He is pure. He completely answers the needs of
our soul. He will forgive us seventy times seven. He will in no wise cast out
(John 6:37). Run the race.. looking
unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:1,2). My soul followeth hard after thee (Psalm
63:8).
The second means we have to help us follow fully is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Caleb had another spirit. The Christian has the Holy Spirit within, and how well equipped He is. He heals, sanctifies, teaches, upholds and renews. What divine resources we possess. Yet how little we use them. The Spirit in the soul is meant to be a constant stream. Out of his inner man come rivers of living water (John 7:38). Meant to flood in, fill up every part of the heart, will and being, and overflow.
Caleb lived well over 3000 years
ago. Yet his God is our God. Much has happened since. There has been more
revelation. Above all, Christ has come. Yet the same God is in and through all.
The principles remain the same – of service, blessing and consecration. My
son, give me thine heart (Proverbs 23:26).
We are not our own. Ye are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 7:23). If we would be a Caleb, we must give ourselves away to Him. Understanding, will, affections, body and its members – eyes, tongue, hands, feet – are to be His alone. It is sweet to give up self to God, to be filled with His Spirit, and ruled by His Word. A little vessel full of Him, to bear His name.
