GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN

INTRODUCTION:
A. I would like to direct our attention to the Old Testament in order to glean some
New Testament instruction and motivation.
 1. Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our
learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might
have hope.
 2. 1 Corinthians 10:6 - Now these things became our examples . . .
B. Attention is called to one of my favorite Old Testament characters.
 1. Joshua 14:12 - Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD
spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there,
and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be
with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said."
 2. Joshua 15:13 - Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a share
among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD
to Joshua, namely, Kirjath Arba, which is Hebron (Arba was the father of
Anak).
 a. This passage is the fulfillment of a promise made many years earlier.
 b. In fact, after more than 40 years this aged leader gets his reward from
 God.
 c. The very fact that Caleb had been able to enter Canaan was a lesson in
and of itself.
C. The background of these events is found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 13
and 14.
 1. A man from each tribe was selected to spy out the promised land.
 2. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was selected from the tribe of Judah.
 3. The 12 spies were gone for 40 days in carrying out their mission.
 4. Upon their return to the camp of Israel, 10 reported that the land could not
be taken.
 a. Two (Joshua and Caleb) reported that God would help them take it.
 b. Numbers 13:30 - Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and
said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to
overcome it."
 5. A series of events occurred:
 a. The people wept sore.
 b. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes in disgust of the faithlessness of the
people.
 c. God was angry and threatened to destroy the faithless people.
 d. Moses interceded.
e. A year of wilderness was assigned for each day the spies had been
gone.
 f. All twenty years of age or above would fall in the wilderness. The
exception being Joshua and Caleb.
 g. The other ten spies died of a plague.
 h. Numbers 14:38 - But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of
Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land.
D. The life of Caleb is worth of imitation, yea, this side of the cross of Calvary.
 1. Let’s study why God gave him his mountain.
 2. If we apply these principles to our lives, God will help us claim our
mountains.
E. Consider these parallels as we study together:
 1. Joshua & Caleb — Elders & Deacons
 2. Spying out the land — Exploring the areas of work needed to be
undertaken.
 3. Joshua & Caleb’s report — A call to rise up and undertake the work that
has been described.
 a. Good things to be undertaken.
 b. Good things to be accomplished.
 c. Good benefits to be accomplished.
 4. The 10 spies — The negative elements.
 a. “We can’t do it.”
 b. It will be too hard.”
 c. “I don’t want to be involved.”
 d. “I don’t think it is a good idea.
 e. “I’m not interested.”
CALEB WAS A RESPECTED LEADER
A. Numbers 13:1-3 - And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
 "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children
of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a
leader among them."
 So Moses sent them from the Wilderness of Paran according to the
command of the LORD, all of them men who were heads of the children of
Israel.
B. These men were carefully chosen.
 1. It takes hard work to earn this kind of respect.
 2. We must work to develop respect as we lead for the Lord.
C. You respected them enough to appoint them . . . now respect them
enough to follow their lead and work with them.
CALEB ACCEPTED A DANGEROUS ASSIGNMENT
A. It takes nerve and faith in God to go as a spy into an unknown land.
B. Caleb did not have a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
C. Like Caleb, we must arise and work. Titus 3:1 - Remind them . . . to be ready
for every good work.
CALEB WAS AN OPTIMIST
A. Ten of Caleb’s fellow spies said they couldn’t take the land.
 1. Caleb and Joshua were outnumbered.
 2. More people won’t than will.
B. Caleb said, “Let go up at once.” Numbers 13:30
C. A negative spirit kills faith very quickly
D. We need to be optimistically involved.
CALEB ALWAYS TRUSTED GOD
A. Numbers 14:8 - If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land
and give it to us a land which flows with milk and honey.
 1. Caleb knew the source of his strength was God.
 2. Caleb said in Number 14:9 - “The Lord is with us.”
B. We do not work alone.
 1. When we do god’s work, God works with us.
 2. 1 John 4:4 - You are of God, little children, and have overcome them,
because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
CALEB WAS A MAN OF COURAGE CALEB WAS A MAN OF COURAGE
A. in Numbers 14:10, the people were going to stone Joshua and Caleb
 1. His life and his faith were on the line.
 2. He didn’t back down . . . nor did he change his faith.
 3. He didn’t back down or change his words.
B. The Lord needs:
 1. Courageous leaders in each local congregation.
 2. Courageous workers in each local congregation.
CALEB’S KEY TO SUCCESS
A. Joshua 14:8 - Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart
of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
 1. Joshua 14:14 - Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son
of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the
LORD God of Israel.
2. Caleb had a choice. a. He could have chosen foolishly as did ten of the twelve spies. b. He chose God’s will and God’s work. B. Faithful workers are special to God. C. We want you to be among them. CONCLUSION: A. Caleb said: “Now therefore, give me this mountain . . .” Joshua 14:12 B. What does all this mean to us? 1. There are mountains yet to be claimed. a. There are places of work yet to be filled. b. There are opportunities yet to be grasped. c. There are areas of service yet to be fulfilled. d. What mountain has your name on it. 2. The opportunity is before you. C. God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation