GIVE ME THIS MOUTAIN PERSONAL STORY

Transcription

1 1 Scripture Reading: Joshua 14:6 14 (6) A delegation from the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb said to Joshua, Remember what the Lord said to Moses, the man of God, about you and me when we were at Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave from my heart a good report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people and discouraged them from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I followed the Lord my God completely. So that day Moses promised me, The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your special possession and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God. Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eightyfive years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So I m asking you to give me this mountain that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the Anakites living there in great, walled cities. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said. So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as an inheritance. Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. PERSONAL STORY GIVE ME THIS MOUTAIN This is one of my favorite stories. I enjoy reading personal biographies of people who have overcome mountains and Caleb s Story causes me to reflect upon my own life and what God has done in times past, and what God continues to do presently, while preparing me for the future As a young boy, I grew up with a single-parent mom in the inner-city of Washington, DC, during a time when DC was called Murder Capital As a teenager, I got caught up hustling and selling drugs, spent 7 months in a Juvenile Detention Facility, and lived in a Group Home away from my family. When I returned to high school, the school band was converted into a military program and I met an incredible mentor, Sidney Thomas, who became like a father, big brother, and friend It was through his leadership and mentoring like him, I too joined the Marine Corps While in the military, it took 10 long, difficult years taking remedial classes, and building confidence to finish, and gain courage to believe that I was smart enough You see, when you grow up in an environment where education was not the priority, but your priority is to survive not being shot, it has an impact on your life and grades

2 2 Nevertheless, mentors, strong men, and those who were willing to walk alongside me made a difference Great men like Sidney, later my own father, and so many men within the military and ministry have made a difference in my life Today, I applaud every father, brother, uncle, cousin, and every man who takes the time to reach out to mentor, coach, train, and prepare young men and women for the future I salute and applaud what you do! Fathers, mentors, coaches, and teachers have an INCREDIBLE IMPACT. Side-NOTE: That young man who mentored me He retired as a Marine Corps Sergeant Major and married an incredible woman Would you believe, I performed his military retirement ceremony and later the Chaplain who presided over their wedding ceremony Talk about paying it forward. Introduction: As I reflect upon this message, Dr. King often said, The measure of a man is not where they stand during times of comfort and convenience, but where they stand during times of challenge and controversy. History tells a remarkable story of men and women who stood the test during difficult times of challenge and adversity. As they maintained a connection with God and persevered, they were able to rise above the smokescreen of adversity and overcome mountains. Transition: Listen to the voices of these men and women who serve as models for us today. Their life stories encourage us that, whatever comes our way, we too can face and overcome mountains. Put on Screen: Abraham Lincoln, one of the most prominent Presidents of our day on January 1, 1863 had the courage to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed those who were enslaved in the Confederacy. This was not a popular decision, but he did what was the right thing to do, and as a result said, Give Me This Mountain. Put on Screen: The Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American men to fly in combat, struggled to be accepted by a country who considered Blacks as inferior successfully completed hundreds of missions, taking down enemy planes and helped America the Beautiful become victorious; they too said, Give Me This Mountain.

3 3 Put on Screen: During the 911 attacks on our country, brave firefighters and police officers ran into burning buildings placing themselves in danger, disregarding their own agenda helped countless civilians to safety; they too said, Give Me This Mountain. Put on Screen: A time when our country was racially divided men, women, children, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics people from all walks of life stood up against racial intolerance and prejudice walked hand-in-hand to bring forth liberty and justice for all they, too, said, Give Me This Mountain. TRANSITION We all will be challenged with obstacles and adversity, but I believe the Lord will give us the strength to rise up and face them with faith, hope, and determination. God is always looking for those who will say, Give Me This Mountain. Today, Brothers and Sisters Young People when we unfold the pages of this story, Caleb encourages all of us that with God, we too can face and overcome mountains Imagine Caleb in our congregation Imagine Caleb as one of us, he too would face mountains Perhaps, Caleb would face the challenge of prisons being built based upon the test scores of elementary children Perhaps, Caleb would face the challenge of urban communities redeveloped for the affluent, while the poor fight to find affordable housing that impacts children and low-income families Perhaps, Caleb would face teachers struggling to educate children, because they can barely survive off minimum wage salaries Finally, Caleb too would confront the concerns of children having to prepare, not only for firedrills, but active shooters in buildings. Caleb would be praying to God and PARTNERING with communities to find vibrant solutions to deal with these challenges Brothers and Sisters Men we have some mountains to climb; but I m so glad God is in the mountain-moving business I m so Glad that we have a GOD that still empowers people to keep going

4 4 Keep loving. Keep praying Keep building Keep marching Keep participating And Keep doing what is necessary to advocate change in our SOCIETY and as FATHERS impact our Nation and encourage our children Transition: Put on Screen: A significant question to ask. What would Caleb do? What words of inspiration can we derive from the life of Caleb that encourage our Men Fathers to overcome Mountains? Would Caleb recline or acquiesce from helping to eliminate these challenges; or would Caleb role up his sleeve and get to work, determined in his soul to say, Give Me This Mountain. At eighty-five (85) years old, instead of accepting something easy, Caleb is asking for a mountain. Let me say that again At eighty-five (85) years old, instead of accepting something easy, Caleb is asking for a mountain TRANSITION Why would an 85-year-old man, who could simply enjoy placid lakes and peaceful shores, ask for a mountain? It s like being 85 years old, retired from the military but asking to go to Airborne Ranger School or try out for Special Forces. Put on Screen: This idea of Caleb asking for a Mountain seems unreasonable The text has three suggestions that I find encouraging about Caleb asking for a mountain First, Caleb focuses on the history of God. Second, Caleb follows the Lord God fully and Third, Caleb is not afraid to fight Put on Screen: vs. 6 and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me Put on Screen: Point #1: Caleb focuses on the history of God: vs. 6

5 5 The first thing we must understand is found in vs. 6 Caleb begins to focus on the history of God. This is the time when Joshua is distributing the land God promised to the Children of Israel and their descendants; Caleb says, You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me Men, Caleb gives us an example of how we, too, can teach our sons, daughters, and families to REMEMBER WHAT GOD said And what God did Caleb has a history of seeing God s miracles at work! Remember, when we study the book of Exodus Caleb was younger; he remembered when he and the Israelites where enslaved in Egypt under Pharaoh. During a time when his people were economically deprived; marginalized; and un-justly treated; but, when the people came together and began to pray to God, God answered their prayers and sent them a Leader who would stand up to Pharaoh Caleb s memory of Egypt: Men IMAGINE while in Egypt, Caleb, watching God give Moses the courage to stand before Pharaoh demanding that the people are set free But, each time Moses confronted Pharaoh, things got worse Caleb witnessed Pharaoh s cruelty of his people It took God to bring forth several plagues upon Pharaoh s household and land, before letting the people go Once they were free they marched out in victory, singing joyful songs of freedom and liberation of how they had overcome! Caleb was there Caleb was there, to witness Pharaoh relent on his promise that all people were created equal and tried to take GOD s people back into bondage Isn t that just like the devil Always trying to discourage God s people or get us to return back to bondage. That is what happened with the people of Israel; Pharaoh deployed his entire Army and military force to come after the children of Israel Caleb was there!

6 6 As soon as it seemed like Pharaoh would overtake them, God drowned them in the Red Sea You see the significance of Caleb s statement Caleb has a history of experiencing the mighty works of God and how God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that he asks or thinks When the people needed water to drink, God allowed water to run from rocks Caleb was there! When the people were hungry, God fed them quail which was enough meat to sustain them for weeks. Caleb was there! When the people were too hot or too cold, God provided a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Caleb was there! When they needed protection from their enemies, God gave them peace Caleb was there! As a young boy, Caleb learned firsthand how God would take care of them and provide for them whenever they were in need. Is there anybody in this place who has a relationship with God and remembers how God sustained you when you needed Him most? When you felt alone, God sent a friend? When you felt overwhelmed, God gave you peace? When you were hungry, God fed you? When you didn t know if you would lose your mind, God kept you sane? When you worked for an egregious boss, God delivered you? When you didn t know how the door would open, God opened doors and closed doors that needed to be shut! Fathers Men Brothers One of the greatest things we can TEACH OUR CHILDREN. teach them our own history of how God showed up in our life Do you remember the history of what God has done? What I am trying to tell you, is that if we are going to face mountains, we have to remember our history with God

7 7 That is what Caleb did He kept a journey within his memory of who God is and what God is capable of doing Don t now become amnesiac of what God has done Personal Experience: God has kept me through deployments God has kept me through missions God has kept me through PTSD God has kept me through a near divorce God has kept me when I wanted to walk away from ministry God has been mighty good to me! Caleb is an incredible REMINDER that we too have a history with God and should continually remember how God saved us, how God delivered us, how God continues to give us strength day-byday Put on Screen: The song writer said, When I think about Jesus and all that he has done for me, my soul magnifies the Lord Put on Screen: Psalm 1 says, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers Caleb is standing before Joshua, the tribes of Israel, and the community reflecting and testifying about God That is the foundation of the text Remember GOD God will do what He said He will do, just stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord Put on Screen: Vs. 7 8: I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And, I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly another translation says, FULLY Point #2: Caleb followed God fully (wholeheartedly): vs. 7 8

8 8 Men. Brothers and Sisters The second thing that encourages us about Caleb is found in verses 7 8. If we are going to ask for mountains, Caleb encourages us to follow the Lord thy God Fully or wholeheartedly Biblical Evidence: When Caleb was forty (40) years old, Moses told Joshua and Caleb to leave Kadesh-barnea and go out to explore the land of Canaan Moses had instructed them that God had already promised them the land; this is not a debate or question inquiry all they had to do was go out and scout out the land God had promised them And, if there were anyone there to oppose them, God would fight their battles! I like those ODDS God has already said it was so Nevertheless, there were 10 others from different tribes who went along with Joshua and Caleb, and once they reached the land, they were able to grab some of the fruit that was in the land. They all saw that the land was plentiful; the land was abundant; the land was everything they could ever imagine. It was a place that they could raise children, grow crops, and live peaceably until God had returned A place where they could build green housing and designed that embodied wholeness A place where God Himself would have dwelled with them A land that was flowing with milk and honey This was a good land. A great land! What a beautiful site!!! The possibilities that they saw were enormous and, while they were there together, they all were on the same page Parenthetical thought: Much like when we are in church or gathered together. We all have prayed, fasted, and heard God together and are ready to move out on the same page But something happened when they got back to give the report to Moses. They started out telling the people how beautiful the place was and a place where they could dwell.

9 9 They even showed the people the grapes they brought back from the land. The report seemed favorable. It seemed like it was going to be a good day, and the people would go toward the Promised Land. Yet, at the last hour, the same people that said that the land was good started telling the people that the land could not be occupied because of giants, and the giants would devour them if they came in Can I use my imagination? Didn t the leaders of Israel who went with Joshua and Caleb hear Moses say, go and explore the land that God has given to us? Didn t they complete a market and SWOT analysis to survey the land and envision great possibilities? Such as building affordable housing, expanding the church, and developing more leaders? How silly their conversation must have been Didn t they just return successfully without getting devoured? They told the people, the Giants of difficulty were so great that we were like grasshoppers in our own eyes; therefore, we cannot go into the land Illustration: I couldn t imagine the frustration It was like celebrating the thought of going home, after being in Iraq for 12 months We are prepared to go, everything is packed, the planes are ready, our families are waiting, but at the last minute, you are told that you have to stay another 24 months without leave... Can you feel and imagine the disappointment on the faces of the people? You see, the report that the other 10 gave caused the people to become discouraged. All the people began to weep bitterly and became afraid. Their fears became so out-of-control that they wanted to stone and kill Moses. This spirit disrupted the entire community; the entire company began to rebel all except Joshua and Caleb.

10 10 Put on Screen: The text says, in Numbers 14:24: But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Joshua and Caleb s perspective: Joshua and Caleb tried to encourage the people: Wait, don t you all realize that we are more than conquerors?! Don t you understand that the God who was with us in our past is with us now and He will fight our battles? Don t you know that God has no comparison, and, if He promised something to us, God will bring it to pass?! We can dwell in this land! We can take this mountain! We will overcome and live victorious! We can build an economy that is more than sufficient! We can be a model people for the entire world! We can go into the promise that God has given to us You see, Joshua and Caleb chose to follow God fully! And, when we follow God fully, we too have God s spirit that will encourage us to face mountains. Is there anybody in here who wants to follow God fully?! Just wave your hands and shout, Give Me This Mountain! But, unfortunately, those who were with Joshua and Caleb chose to neglect God; doubt God; and discouraged the people from going into God s promise... ANOTHER 40 YEARS They had to spend another 40 years wondering in the desert outside of their full-potential.

11 11 Put on Screen: Young people I can hear Mark Twain saying, Stay away from people who try to belittle your ambitions causing doubt Small people do that, but the really great, make you feel that you too can become great. Put on Screen: I can hear Will Smith telling his son in the movie, The Pursuit To Hapyiness, Never allow someone to tell you that you cannot do something, because they cannot do it Put on Screen: I can hear the Apostle Paul saying, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Therefore, if God has told you something, and has birthed it in your soul, it would be best to follow the Lord thy God fully! How do you know if you are obeying God and following God fully, well, that is a great question? Come here, Jeremiah, and tell them what it is like to follow God fully: It is like fire, shut up in my bones! Help us Paul, what do you say: I am thoroughly convinced, that nothing can separate me from the love of God, neither by demons nor angels What do you say, Nehemiah: I am doing a good work; I will not come down! In other words, when God says something to you, no matter how many times you try to shake it off, or become complacent, or try to fit in with the crowd, it just keeps coming back; until you go after it You see, Caleb was ready to rise above mountains! But 40 years ago, he could not go into the promised land because of negative people; doubtful people; complacent people hindering God s vison; as a result, God allowed all of those people to just die off; but at 85 years Old, God kept Caleb strong and vigorous as he says, I am strong now as I was then; therefore, Give Me This Mountain Brothers and Sisters, the encouragement is to follow God through FAITH And, so we too can we face mountains; when we like Caleb, focus on the history of God and follow God fully; but wait, there is a final word of encouragement that Caleb wants us to understand If we are going to do it, if we are going to face mountains, we must be ready to fight

12 12 Put on Screen:.. vs. 12 Now give me this mountain that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said I m beginning to believe maybe Caleb did have some Special Forces training, that he is willing to go up against an Army that has fortified cities Notice, Caleb is not fighting in his own strength, but he is trusting in the Lord Point #3: Caleb wasn t afraid to fight: vs The final word of wisdom that encourages us today is this. Caleb wasn t afraid to fight In vs , Caleb acknowledges that there are Giants in the land, yet at 85 years old, I am as strong now as I was 40 years ago and, with God on our side, we will defeat mountains As I close, how do we fight like Caleb It is easy to fight someone with racial indifference It is easy to fight because we are afraid of others differences This is how we fight The scriptures remind us to love our enemies and pray for them. That s how we fight It reminds us to care for the poor, the sick, the homeless, and those who cannot defend themselves. That s how we fight It reminds us to forgive those who have offended us, 7x7x7 and not hold grudges and bitterness and envy. That s how we fight It reminds us to tear down images in our imagination of prejudice, bias, racism, and things that causes separation that s how we fight We have mountains to face, but with God we can and will overcome these challenges to walk as Brothers and Sisters in Action We fight by going to the mountain that represents the Cross-Called-Calvary I m reminded of someone else who asked for a Mountain Jesus Christ went to the mountain of Golgatha, to be nailed upon a cross to die for all of humanity, and, through Him we have life Let us fight the good-fight of faith Let us fight with our weapons of moral righteousness and stand for what we believe Let us fight to uphold one another and encourage each other in this Christian journey

13 God Bless You 13