Choosing
Christ-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World
Develop
your Christian
muscle memory.
Suppose I asked you whether
you brushed your teeth this morning. Hopefully, you would say yes. But let’s
say I wanted to dig a little deeper and I asked you to describe the experience
of brushing your teeth.
Awkward silence.
It’s not because you didn’t brush
them; it’s just because you don’t give a lot of thought to brushing your teeth.
You probably thought a lot about it when you were a kid, making sure you hit
all the uppers and the lowers; maybe you even sang “The Alphabet Song” in your
head to make sure you spent enough time brushing. But now you’ve been brushing
your teeth for many years, and it’s become a routine you go through without
even thinking about. Brushing your teeth has become second nature to you—an
action so often repeated that it now exists in the realm of muscle memory.
In
Christ, Christians are given a new nature, new desires, new tastes, and a new
lifestyle. As we continue to grow in Christ, we will develop consistent
patterns of living that are the spiritual equivalent of brushing your
teeth—patterns of thinking, believing, and acting that become so ingrained in
us that we scarcely even think about them.
Through the lives of seven biblical
characters, this study will bring out some of those patterns that grow out of
our belief in the gospel. By exploring these stories, we’ll be challenged to
actively develop these character traits until they become second nature.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
I
never saw it. Most of my family and friends saw it—or at least they claimed
they did. I remain convinced they were all in on an elaborate hoax that started
in the mid-1990s. Back then the latest fad was 3D holographic prints. You were
supposed to unfocus your eyes, stare blankly at a repeating pattern, and then
claim you saw a different image suddenly popping out at you.
“It’s a rocket!”
“It’s a grasshopper!” “It’s a panda bear!”
It’s hogwash! Or at least that’s
what I told myself. It became a big joke around my house at the time, but the
truth is I was a little unnerved in thinking something really was there, but my
eyes just couldn’t see it. I didn’t like the idea that I couldn’t trust my own
eyes.
Can we trust what we see around us? As Christians, we must accept the
reality that our senses will sometimes lie to us. That’s why living in a
Christ-centered way means making the choice to place our trust in God, not in
our circumstances.
Christ-centered living
chooses trust in God,
not in circumstances.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE
SAY?
Numbers 13:26-30
26 The men went back to Moses, Aaron, and the entire
Israelite community in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a
report for them and the whole community, and they showed them the fruit of the
land. 27 They reported to Moses: “We went into the land where you sent us.
Indeed it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. 28
However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and
fortified. We also saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites are
living in the land of the Negev; the Hethites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in
the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.” 30
Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up
now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!”
The
Israelites were desperate for God to make good on the promise He had given to
Abraham centuries before: the promise of a land of their own. As we read
Numbers 13, we find God’s people on the brink of finally seeing that promise
fulfilled. But there was a catch.
True enough, the land was fertile and
expansive. The spies sent to evaluate the situation even brought back evidence of
that fruitfulness to show to the people. But while this promised land contained
oversized grapes, it also contained oversized residents—powerful armies with
oversized strength and oversized resolve. All the military evidence indicated
the Israelites had made a terrible mistake.
Surely we can relate, can’t we? We
all have moments when our circumstances contradict our faith— when the
sickness, the failed relationship, the job loss, or the financial downturn
looms large, and all God’s truths that once gave us such confidence suddenly
seem insufficient. We look to the promises we find in God’s Word, yet we find
it difficult to see them at work because of the giants towering before us.
What people or
circumstances have helped
you learn how to trust?
One of the spies was
not overwhelmed, however. Caleb had his eyes fixed not on the extent of the
circumstances, but on the promises of God. Caleb’s statement in verse 30 was
more than an expression of optimism; it was an expression of obedience. “Let’s
go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer
it!.” The key word here is certainly. The other spies apparently thought their
mission objective was to assess what was before them and decide whether or not
they would do what God had told them to do. For Caleb, they had no decision to
make. Regardless of what he faced circumstantially, Caleb had resolved to
actively trust in God. The mission to him was simply to find out how big an
obstacle God was going to overcome on their behalf.
Numbers 14:6-10
6
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted
out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community:
“The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord
is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk
and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be
afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has
been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” 10
While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord
appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.
G. K. Chesterton once
wrote, “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go
against it.”1 Joshua and Caleb, very much alive in their faith, went against
the stream. In this case, the “stream” was the entire Israelite community.
Christians know what
that’s like, given that Christ-followers have always lived set apart from the
culture. In fact, those of us in the church are literally “the called out
ones.” We are willing to stand in conviction when everyone else bows to the
winds of the times.
What gives us that kind of resolve? The same thing that
empowered Joshua and Caleb: the knowledge that God is with us. Such knowledge
offers a number of benefits, as well:
- The presence of God means we are never truly alone. God has given us His Word with more than enough direction for us to follow His will. When we make the choice to live faithfully by what God has already said, we can be confident we’re living inside of God’s revealed will. When we are doing what He’s told us to do in His Word, we can do so with confidence. He is with us.
- The presence of God means we never walk without direction. Joshua and Caleb didn’t know the specifics of how the conquest of the promised land would pan out. They simply trusted God to give them the direction they needed when they needed it. The same is true for Christians today.
- The presence of God means we’re never away from His power. Numbers 14:10 shows God’s emphatic support for Joshua and Caleb. Similarly, Christians have the blessing of God’s Holy Spirit. When we’re walking in God’s will, we can rest assured we’re also walking in His power.
What makes fear a significant
obstacle to faith?
Numbers 14:21-24
21 Yet
as surely as I live and as the whole earth is filled with the Lord’s glory, 22
none of the men who have seen my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and
in the wilderness, and have tested me these ten times and did not obey me, 23
will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have
despised me will see it. 24 But since my servant Caleb has a different spirit
and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land where he has gone,
and his descendants will inherit it.
People have short memories—even when it
comes to the things of God. We can live for decades with God providing for us
physically, emotionally, and spiritually, yet wake up one day overwhelmed with
doubt. It’s that way with us, and it was that way with the forgetful
Israelites. The same people who saw the wonders of God at work in Egypt were
now doubting God’s deliverance on the cusp of the promised land. As a result, the
word of the Lord came to the people and pronounced judgment: an entire
generation would die in the wilderness rather than take possession of the
promised land. Only Joshua and Caleb, who had stood faithfully, would be the
exceptions.
Both the Israelites’ punishment and Caleb’s reward prove God’s
faithfulness. God always keeps His promises, even when not all of those
promises are happy. We shouldn’t be shocked when trouble comes.
When has God kept His promises
in a way that helped you trust
Him more?
We shouldn’t be
surprised at being insulted or marginalized. We shouldn’t be dismayed when
God’s people lose their jobs or lie sick in the ICU. Why shouldn’t we be
surprised? Because Jesus told us it would be so. (See John 16:33.)
Not every
promise is a happy promise. But every promise is an opportunity to reflect on
the faithfulness of God. Let’s not shrink back when we face difficult
circumstances. Instead, let’s commit again to follow God wherever He might
lead. We can do so with the confidence that God, who is faithful, says what He
means and means what He says.
How can we continually
remind one another of
God’s faithfulness?
LIVE IT OUT
How will you actively
trust in God this week, rather than circumstances? Consider the following
suggestions:
- Share. Share with your group one set of circumstances that is causing you to waver this week.
- Think. Think about one specific person you know is dealing with difficult circumstances. Write a note of encouragement to that person.
- Time. Spend some time researching and gathering some of God’s promises to His people. Write these on note cards to carry with you as reminders of His faithfulness.
An unwavering faith
doesn’t mean circumstances won’t be daunting. It certainly doesn’t mean you’ll
never face opposition or trouble. Instead, an unwavering faith trusts that your
circumstances are not the final say. It means choosing to trust in God,
regardless of what your senses might tell you.
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Teacher Notes:
Movie Clip: The Ten Commandments – Parting of the Red Sea
Click Here to Watch
Second Nature: Choosing Christ-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World
Developing our Christian muscle memory.
- Brushing your teeth has become second nature to you—an action so often repeated that it now exists in the realm of muscle memory.
- In Christ, Christians are given a new nature, new desires, new tastes, and a new lifestyle. As we continue to grow in Christ, we will develop consistent patterns of living that are the spiritual equivalent of brushing your teeth—patterns of thinking, believing, and acting that become so ingrained in us that we scarcely even think about them.
Through the lives of seven biblical characters, this study will bring out some of those patterns that grow out of our belief in the gospel.
Caleb / Solomon / Ruth / Barnabas / John / Hannah / Andrew
Faith / Wisdom / Commitment / Encouragement / Focus / Prayer / Witness
We’ll be challenged to actively develop these character traits until they become second nature.
Caleb: Unwavering Faith - Caleb is one of the great characters in the Bible. The secret to his greatness is found in a simple statement made by God and repeated several times: “My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has remained loyal to me” (Num. 14:24). Caleb was great because he followed God with all of his heart. He had an unwavering faith.
- He saw what the crowd could not see.
- He believed what God could do.
Christ-centered living chooses trust in God, not in circumstances.
I. Trust God More than Circumstances Numbers 13:26-30
26 The men went back to Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite community in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for them and the whole community, and they showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They reported to Moses: “We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. 28 However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We also saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites are living in the land of the Negev; the Hethites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.” 30 Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!”
You remember the story. The nation of Israel was perched on the southern border of the promised land. Seeing the promise land with their own eyes, they sensed that a practical, rational approach must be adopted before any action was taken to seize control of it. Therefore, Caleb along with eleven other leaders, one from each of the twelve tribes, were sent by Moses into Canaan to spy out the land. They spent forty days in the land, surveying, observing, and gathering information.
- The land had great potential. The land “is flowing with milk and honey” (v. 27).
- They spoke of the wonder of the land. It would be great place to live. They brought back fruit samples to prove the productivity of the land.
“However” (v. 28). One word:
- Changed their focus from looking at the land to looking at the people and its cities.
- Changed their report from reporting the facts to giving their opinion.
The Jewish spies felt inferior to those who lived there. For the people were strong—some were giants, the cities fortified and large. The strong fortifications and large cities intimidated these nomadic people.
10 saw only their circumstance – the giants
- Ten of the spies saw the enormity of the task and the size of the inhabitants, so they wanted to return to Egypt. Egypt represents the world and its ways and power. For us, this corresponds to doing what’s comfortable, familiar, habitual, and most easily tolerated by those around us. They were pessimistic about the outcome of the military campaign. The ten focused on the giants. Their negativism was infectious. The whole of Israel jumped on their bandwagon.
2 saw what God would do if they would only have faith
- Caleb and Joshua, in contrast, knew with God’s help they could defeat the giants, occupy the land, and overcome any resistance.
- They focused on God, not the giants. They recognized God’s wonder-working power. They were optimistic. Caleb’s attitude was positive and founded on his faith in God. He was a “can-do” kind of guy.
Surely, we can relate, can’t we?
Name some moments when circumstances contradict our faith.
- Sickness / Failed Relationships / Job Loss / Financial Downturn - We all have moments when our circumstances contradict our faith— when the sickness, the failed relationship, the job loss, or the financial downturn looms large, and all God’s truths that once gave us such confidence suddenly seem insufficient.
- We look to the promises we find in God’s Word, yet we find it difficult to see them at work because of the giants towering before us.
Caleb had his eyes fixed not on the circumstance, but on the promises of God. Caleb’s statement in verse 30 was more than an expression of optimism; it was an expression of obedience.
“Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!.”
Points:
1. The way to the good things God has for us may include facing circumstances that challenge our willingness to trust Him.
2. Sometimes like Caleb and Joshua, we have to stand alone for what is right.
3. The promises of God become reality to those who claim them by faith.
II. Trust God to Be with You Continually Numbers 14:6-10
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community: “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.
What gave Joshua and Caleb confidence to stand alone? What should give Christians the confidence to stand alone?
- The same thing that empowered Joshua and Caleb: the knowledge that God is with us. Such knowledge offers a number of benefits, as well: The presence of God means we are never truly alone. God has given us His Word with more than enough direction for us to follow His will. When we make the choice to live faithfully by what God has already said, we can be confident we’re living inside of God’s revealed will. When we are doing what He’s told us to do in His Word, we can do so with confidence. He is with us. The presence of God means we never walk without direction. Joshua and Caleb didn’t know the specifics of how the conquest of the promised land would pan out. They simply trusted God to give them the direction they needed when they needed it. The same is true for Christians today. The presence of God means we’re never away from His power. Numbers 14:10 shows God’s emphatic support for Joshua and Caleb. Similarly, Christians have the blessing of God’s Holy Spirit. When we’re walking in God’s will, we can rest assured we’re also walking in His power.
Why do different people have different reactions to the same reality? Caleb and Joshua saw the same land as the other ten, and they said, “Go!” while the others screamed “No!”
- We see events and situations not as they are, but as we are. Ten saw the barriers. Two saw the blessings. Ten saw giants. Two saw God. Ten saw fortified cities and their faith crumbled. Two had faith and saw the fortified cities crumble. Ten said, “The best is behind us. Let’s go back to Egypt. We were better off in the past than we’ll be in the future.” Two said, “The best is yet to be.”
What did Caleb have that the other 10 did not? What made the difference?
- He had a godly perspective. (14:7-8) Perspective. Caleb saw with eyes of faith and trust. He saw God as bigger than any giant or problem. The others measured the giants from their own strength, but Caleb measured the giants from God’s strength.
- He spoke the truth. (14:7-10) Caleb, like any strong leader in a time of crisis and decision, addressed the Jews. He spoke the truth. He reminded them what he had seen: a good land, a fertile land. He repeated God’s promise of providing for them a land, a gift. He challenged them not to rebel against God and not to fear the inhabitants. He told them that taking the land would be a “cake walk,” (the biblical term is “they are bread to us”), for the inhabitants’ protection was removed. He claimed God’s perpetual promise to the nation of Israel: “the Lord is with us.” Caleb spoke the truth and what did it get him? They wanted to kill him, stone him to death on the spot. And, probably would have, if God had not intervened by appearing in all His glory. God’s people wanted to kill God’s leaders. They had rejected God’s truth and God’s men.
Points:
1. People of faith must continue to stand strong for God in the face of resistance.
2. We can trust God to be with us at all times, in all situations, against all opposition.
3. Refusing to trust God is to rebel against Him, His Will, and His purpose, which opens us up to His judgment.
III. Trust God to Be Faithful Numbers 14:21-24
21 Yet as surely as I live and as the whole earth is filled with the Lord’s glory, 22 none of the men who have seen my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tested me these ten times and did not obey me, 23 will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have despised me will see it. 24 But since my servant Caleb has a different spirit and has remained loyal to me, I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it.
What did Moses say in the movie clip?
- “10 times you have seen the miracles of the Lord and still you have no faith.”
- People have short memories—even when it comes to the things of God. We can live for decades with God providing for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, yet wake up one day overwhelmed with doubt. It’s that way with us, and it was that way with the forgetful Israelites. The same people who saw the wonders of God at work in Egypt were now doubting God’s deliverance on the cusp of the promised land.
- As a result, the word of the Lord came to the people and pronounced judgment: an entire generation would die in the wilderness rather than take possession of the promised land. Only Joshua and Caleb, who had stood faithfully, would be the exceptions. Both the Israelites’ punishment and Caleb’s reward prove God’s faithfulness.
How did Caleb show his continued faithfulness in these verses?
- He had incredible patience. (14:21-23) God was disappointed with the Jews. Their hearts were not right. They were not loyal like Caleb. They were not prepared to enter the promised land. So, they were not allowed to enter the land. In fact, the Jewish people would wander the desert for forty years so the unbelieving and reluctant people would die off. None of those who were afraid to go ever got into the promised land—not a one. Only their children and their grandchildren lived to see the dream come true. And guess what? That meant that Caleb and Joshua would have to wait forty years before they would enter the promised land. Even though their vision had been right and their actions correct, they, too, had to wander the desert with the others.
- He believed in a better tomorrow. (14:24) God gave Caleb a personal promise: “I will bring him into the land where he has gone, and his descendants will inherit it” (v. 24). Even though he had to wait forty years, God promised Caleb that one day he would reside in the promise land—him and his descendants. He knew God would have been faithful if the people had responded to enter the promised land and he knew God would be faithful in time to His promise. He did not doubt. He trusted. He believed. For him the future was not fearful. He knew God controls the future.
Points:
1. People of unwavering faith bring glory to God and make His glory known to others.
2. When we demonstrate a spirit of unwavering faith and are obedient to the Lord, we too will enjoy the blessing of His great promises.
Close with…
We can Trust God to Be Faithful - God always keeps His promises, even when not all of those promises are happy. We shouldn’t be shocked when trouble comes. We shouldn’t be surprised when we are insulted or marginalized. We shouldn’t be dismayed when Christians lose their jobs or lie sick in the ICU. Why shouldn’t we be surprised? Because Jesus told us it would be so. (See John 16:33.) Not every promise is a happy promise. But every promise is an opportunity to reflect on the faithfulness of God. Let’s not shrink back when we face difficult circumstances. Instead, let’s commit again to follow God wherever He might lead. We can do so with the confidence that God, who is faithful, says what He means and means what He says.
When have you faced circumstances in which the voice of the majority suggested you make one choice, but your faith led you to make another choice?
How did you conclude that the majority was wrong and God’s way was right?
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
