Numbers 13:14
The sermon explores the critical moment at Kadesh Barnea, highlighting the dangers of doubt and the importance of faith in claiming God's promises.
Chuck Smith discusses the tragedy of Kadesh Barnea, where the Israelites, despite being on the brink of the Promised Land, succumbed to fear and doubt due to the report of ten timid spies. He emphasizes that the land of promise represents liberty, rest, and fulfillment, contrasting it with the restlessness and discontent of the wilderness experience. The crisis arose from focusing on the giants and obstacles rather than trusting in God's power and promises. Smith warns that by not pressing forward, the Israelites missed out on God's blessings, leading to a life of instability and unfruitfulness. He challenges listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider whether they are also standing at their own Kadesh Barnea, hesitating to embrace God's promises.
Text
"THE TRAGEDY OF KADESH BARNEA"
Intro: The history of Israel is typical history. Children of Israel under heavy bondage in
Egypt. Led out through Red Sea, Marah - Elim, Sinai Now to border of promised
land Kadesh Barnea.
I. THE LAND OF PROMISE BEFORE THEM.
A. Liberty instead of oppression.
1. You who have been enslaved by sin.
a. Some habit.
b. Some desire.
c. Some personality characteristic.
B. Rest instead of wandering.
1. Settle in their own homes, farms.
2. Away with the unstable wanderings.
3. "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people."
C. Possession for Promise.
1. They had the promises of Jehovah.
2. Now going to possess that which was promised.
D. Variety for monotony.
1. Some complain of the monotony of Christian life.
II. THE CRISIS BEFORE THEM.
A. Crisis created by the report of the timid ten.
1. Giants in the land.
2. Cities are walled and very great.
3. A land that eateth up the inhabitants.
B. As we look at this vast territory of self that God seeks to conquer in us.
1. Giants, etc.
C. Crisis resulted from looking at enemy rather than at God.
1. Sure there are giants - bread for us.
2. Cities are walled and great, but they are bread for us, their
defense has departed.
3. Sin might be deeply entrenched in your character - God is
greater.
D. By their doubt and fear they impeached God.
1. His Word - as though He would lie.
2. His Power.
3. His Goodness, as though He would allow them to be destroyed.
Ill. THE TRAGEDY OF KADESH BARNEA.
A. They did not press forward into the land.
1. The promises went unfulfilled.
B. The continued on their carnal plain.
1. Restlessness - no settled abiding place. No restful Christians
in wilderness.
2. Discontent murmuring against God. No contented Christians in wilderness.
3. Fruitfulness - they fought and won battles but gained no territory.
No fruitful Christians in the wilderness.
4. Vacillating - up and down. drawn by desires toward Egypt. When no one
looking make excursion into Egypt. No stable Christian in wilderness.
Is this what you are experiencing? Do you desire something better?
You are standing at Kadesh Barnea.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''Liberty instead of oppression'', ''B'': ''Rest instead of wandering'', ''C'': ''Possession for Promise'', ''D'': ''Variety for monotony''}' - THE LAND OF PROMISE BEFORE THEM
- II points: - '{''A'': ''Crisis created by the report of the timid ten'', ''B'': ''Looking at the vast territory of self'', ''C'': ''Crisis resulted from looking at enemy rather than at God'', ''D'': ''Doubt and fear impeached God''}' - THE CRISIS BEFORE THEM
- III points: - '{''A'': ''They did not press forward into the land'', ''B'': ''Continued on their carnal plain'', ''C'': ''Experiencing restlessness and discontent'', ''D'': ''Lack of fruitfulness and stability''}' - THE TRAGEDY OF KADESH BARNEA
Key Quotes
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people.” — Chuck Smith
“Sure there are giants - bread for us.” — Chuck Smith
“His Word - as though He would lie.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Reflect on the areas of your life where fear is holding you back from God's promises.
- Seek to replace doubt with faith by focusing on God's past faithfulness.
- Embrace the journey towards spiritual rest and fruitfulness rather than remaining in a state of unrest.