Deciding What You Want to Be

FROM: AUGUST 21 @ 27, 2018

TOPIC: “Deciding What You Want to Be” Numbers 13:8; 14:6-9 A characteristic, a quality allows us to identify something or someone, distinguishing them from their peers. The characteristics of a person shows him his proper and specific character. Everyone has their own personality. You are absolutely you, no one is the same as you. You are according to what you wanted to be. Some decide to serve the false gods of this world and become corrupt; but if you have decided to dedicate your life to God then you are according to how Jesus has formed you.

I. Let us see here in the Scriptures Hosea, son of Nun. Moses changed the name of this man named Hosea and called him Joshua (Numbers 13:8, 16).

A. Except for Joshua and Caleb, all the other spies of Israel who had been sent to recognize the land (Vs. 13:2) said: "...it is a land that devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size." (Vs. 13:32)

1. The lack of faith of these men filled them with great fears.

2. (Vs. 13:31) They said: "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."

3. The lack of faith led them to give bad news to the people of (Israel) God (Vs. 32).

4. They doubted and did not take into account God's promises that they would have the Promised Land.

5. Only Joshua and Caleb were full of faith. But the rebels rose up against the faith in God (Vs. 6-9).

6. Joshua and Caleb "...tore their clothes." What bravery!

7. They got in the middle of a rebellion of millions of Israelites.

8. Those other spies led all the people to doubt.

9. But, Joshua's faith led him to believe the God of promises.

10. Faith arose in the middle of that act of rebellion and Joshua said: "...because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us." (Vs. 9) That is faith! To not fear!

B. Numbers 32:12 Joshua and Caleb were PERFECT following Jehovah.

1. They consecrated themselves, dedicated themselves to God, separated themselves for God.

2. "They were perfect..."; because it is God who led them.

3. The perfect has all the qualities required or desired.

4. They are the ones who meet the highest possible level.

5. If something is perfect, there is no possibility of doing it better, there no longer exists anything superior to what has been achieved.

6. What we see here is the perfect, so we cannot think of the perfect as something impossible to achieve.

C. Joshua 3:5 Joshua was interested in the spiritual.

1. He says to them: "Consecrate yourselves (separate), for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things...".

2. He who sanctifies himself sees wonders, sees miracles, obtains gains and victories.

3. What seems like a defeat is our victory; Jesus on the Cross obtained His victory, although He took their pain, humiliation and death.

D. We see Godly reverence in Joshua (Joshua 5:14)

1. Jesus appears to him. And he says to Joshua: "...as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come."

2. Immediately, Joshua fell on his face on the ground. He worshiped Him and said to Him: What does my Lord say to His servant?

3. We see him submissive, willing, a lover of God's work for him.

4. "Take off you sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." (Joshua 5:15)

5. Moses also heard these words through the mouth of the Lord (Exodus 3:5).

E. (Joshua 10:25) The courage of Joshua.

1. Courage in war. He told the people of Israel: "Do not be afraid...be strong and courageous..."

2. Let's defeat the enemies! Because God is there to defend us!

3. That you make your enemies tremble, because who is with you is God!

4. The way you face things is how you show your courage, your strength.

5. What you do is a sign of your bravery, your courage.

6. One has to have the courage to do what needs to be done.

F. Joshua 11:15 Obedience of Joshua.

1. "...and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses."

2. He did not add or remove anything for his convenience.

3. Joshua did not work for himself, he was a servant, he worked for the God of Moses. He was faithful to him all his life and until the death of Moses.

4. He did not belong to himself.

5. Deuteronomy 31:14 God gives Joshua the commission.

6. Exodus 24:10-13 Joshua servant of Moses.

7. Exodus 33:11 As a servant of Moses he never departed from his duty.

8. So obedient to the end.

G. He was a man of DECISION! Joshua 24:15

1. He said to them: "If it seems good serve those you want more, but I..."

2. Today also the people define themselves as to whom to serve: the false gods or will you will say as Joshua said: "...but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

3. A determination is made!

4. YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR LIFE! Amen.