Numbers 13:26
The sermon emphasizes the significance of Canaan, the legitimate and illegitimate wilderness experiences, and the importance of trusting God's promise and word.
Chuck Smith discusses the significance of Canaan as the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, emphasizing that it represents liberty, rest, and abundance for believers. He contrasts the legitimate wilderness experience, which teaches trust in God, with the illegitimate wilderness experience marked by rebellion and discontent. The sermon highlights the crisis at Kadesh Barnea, where the majority of spies reported fear and doubt, while the faithful two saw God's promise as attainable. Smith encourages listeners to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and the choices they make in faith.
Text
Intro: Life divided into three planes: Natural man, Carnal man, Spiritual man.
History: God promised land to Abraham.
I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CANAAN.
A. Fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
1. 500 years later Abraham's descendants brought to the gateway to the land.
a. God brought them out of Egypt (plagues).
b. God brought them through Red Sea.
c. God brought them through wilderness of Shur.
B. Many of hymns and songs spiritualize Canaan as heaven and Jordan as death.
1. Songs.
a. "Swing low - I looked over Jordan."
b. "I won't have to cross Jordan alone."
2. Our present life in the heavenlies.
a. No sin in heaven.
b. No baffles in heaven.
c. No defeat in heaven.
C. What Canaan did represent.
1. Liberty for oppression. "Sin shall not have dominion over you."
2. Rest for wandering.
3. Possession for promise.
4. Variety for monotony. "My cup runneth over love - that passeth
knowledge joy unspeakable and full of glory peace - that passeth
human understanding."
II. THE LEGITIMATE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE.
A. Journey from Red Sea to Kadesh.
1. We are led through some bitter experiences - Marah that God might show
His sweetness.
2. Restful. beautiful experiences - Elim.
3. We learn to trust God for provisions.
Ill. THE KADESH BARNEA CRISIS.
A. They sent out spies, came back - confusing reports.
Timorous ten - we are not able.
Trustful two - we are well able.
Ten - cities walled & very great.
Two - their defense is departed from them.
Ten - the men are giants.
Two - neither fear ye the people.
Ten - saw through magnifying glass of unbelief.
Two - say through magnifying glass of faith.
The majority impeached God's promise and word.
(God was not big enough?) They didn't relate to God.
IV. THE ILLEGITIMATE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE.
A. Rebellious experience.
B. Marked by:
1. Restlessness (no restful Christians in wilderness).
2. Discontent (no contented Christians in wilderness).
3. Fruitfulness - The battles they fought only for permission to pass
through land. Battle of rebellion not conquest. Carnal Christian has
plenty of fights.
4. Negative experience - They were no longer doing the things of Egypt. Some
accentuate the negative so interested in things they don't do, they do
nothing.
5. Vacillation - up and down.
Conclusion: Perhaps you are today at Kadesh Barnea.
Sermon Outline
- The Significance of Canaan
- The Legitimate Wilderness Experience
- The Kadesh Barnea Crisis
- The Illegitimate Wilderness Experience
- Rebellious Experience
- Marked by Restlessness, Discontent, Fruitfulness, Negative Experience, and Vacillation
- What Canaan Did Represent
Key Quotes
“Sin shall not have dominion over you.” — Chuck Smith
“My cup runneth over love - that passeth knowledge joy unspeakable and full of glory peace - that passeth human understanding.” — Chuck Smith
“Neither fear ye the people, for it is I that have sent you.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Trust God for provisions and rely on His promise and word.
- Avoid restlessness and discontent by learning to trust God.
- Recognize the consequences of unbelief and rebellion against God's promise and word.