3.  I commend this congregation for its positive attitude towards the study of the Old Testament: Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11  Israel sent 12 spies into the Promised Land: Num. 13:1-16  Their “recon” of the land took 40 days, then they returned and made a report: Num. 13:17-26 3

4.  The report of the ten spies: Num. 13:26-29, 31-33  Synopsis:  As promised the land is fruitful, indeed a land “flowing with milk and honey”!  “Nevertheless”: a big red flag!  A clear signal for an excuse!  “Nevertheless”: the people are strong, the cities are large and fortified, the land devours its inhabitants, and there are giants! 4

5.  The reaction of the people to the ten spies: Num. 14:1-4  Synopsis:  Moan: “all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night.”  Murmur: “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!”  Mutiny: “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” 5

6.  The rebellion caused the adult generation to fail to gain the Promised Land: Num. 14:26-35  “Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it!”  God gave them what they asked for:  God answered their prayer: Num. 14:28-31  They complained their children would die: Num. 14:3  God answered that prayer too: Num. 14:31 6 “whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.” Do we really get that?!

7.  Christians are like the Israelites: delivered from bondage, from slavery to freedom: Rom. 6:6-11; Col. 2:12  Initial zeal after being baptized: 2 Cor. 10:2; Rom. 6:17-18 and ready to enter Promised Land.  We too have seen the promised inheritance, Jesus has spied out the land and made a good report.  “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” Ex. 24:7-8 7 “Nevertheless”

8.  Our Report: Giants!  Work: Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14; Phil. 2:12; Col. 1:10  Other giants:  Teaching others  Attendance  Giving  Life’s little distractions  Family  A “besetting sin” 8

9.  Our Reaction: Moan, Murmur, Mutiny!  Moan: “We cannot face it, we will not go up.”  Murmur: dissatisfaction over even the most trivial of things produces murmuring among some: Phil. 2:14  Mutiny: once moaning and murmuring are on the loose, mutiny will surely follow. 9

10.  Our Result: Failure!  When our problems close in and we remove God from the equation, failure is inevitable.  Moaning, murmuring and mutiny leads us into taking matters into our own hands.  The Israelites did this and the results were disastrous: 2 Cor. 7:10; Num. 14:39-45  We must resist the temptation to give in to moaning, murmuring and mutiny! Col. 1:21-23 10

11.  Action, Assurance, Allegiance!  Instead of moaning we need action! Num. 13:30; Phil. 3:13-14; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Jn. 3:2-3; Phil. 3:21  Instead of murmuring we need assurance! Deut. 1:29-30; Rom. 8:31-33; Heb. 10:22; Jas. 1:6-8; 1 Pet. 1:3-4  Instead of mutiny we need allegiance! Num. 14:8-9; 1 Jn. 5:4; Heb. 13:5-6; 2 Cor. 4:16-5:2 11

12.  Submitting to God’s will and serving Him in His way will always result in success! Psa. 31:23-24; 46:1-2; Jer. 17:7-8  God gave Joshua the prescription for success: Josh. 1:1-9  The same principles apply to us today! 12

13.  It is so critical we learn from this great lesson: Rom. 15:4; Heb. 3:7- 4:2  For you and me: is the word “mixed with faith”? 13