Caleb
The sermon emphasizes the importance of growing in the Lord to the end, maintaining spiritual power and strength, and being wholehearted in one's commitment to Him.
David Wilkerson preaches about Caleb, a model of unwavering faith and commitment to God, who exemplified the importance of following the Lord wholeheartedly throughout his life. At 85, Caleb's strength and determination to claim Hebron, a place of spiritual significance, demonstrate that true faith requires continuous growth and perseverance, even in old age. Unlike Solomon, who faltered, Caleb remained steadfast, inspiring his family to grow stronger in their faith amidst a world that often turns away from God. The sermon emphasizes that our spiritual journey should be marked by an ever-increasing faith and a deep association with the community of believers. Ultimately, Caleb's legacy is a call to live a life fully dedicated to God, influencing future generations.
Text
Caleb, whose name means "forcible, fortitude," is a type of Christian who goes all the way! He was inseparable from Joshua, a type of Christ, and represented one who continually walks with the Lord.
Caleb had been over Jordan with the spies. While there, he was drawn by the Holy Spirit to Hebron--"the place of death." With awe he climbed that hallowed mountain and faith flooded his soul. Abraham and Sarah were buried here, as were Isaac and Jacob. Years later, David's kingdom would begin there. Caleb prized that hallowed place! From that time on he wanted Hebron for his possession.
It was said of Caleb that he "followed me [the Lord] wholly" (Numbers 14:24). He never wavered to the very end. Solomon wavered in his later years and "he went not fully after the Lord." But at 85 years of age, Caleb could testify: "As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in" (Joshua 14:11).
At 85 Caleb waged his greatest battle! "Now therefore give me this mountain (Hebron)..." (Joshua 14:12). "And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb...Hebron for an inheritance..." (Joshua 14:13). "Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb...because that he wholly followed the Lord" (Joshua 14:14).
The message is glorious! It is this: It is not enough to have died to sin--to have entered fullness sometime in the past. The need is to grow in the Lord to the end! To keep your spiritual power and strength--to not waver, to "wholly follow the Lord"--even in old age! It should be an ever-increasing faith.
Hebron, Caleb's inheritance, means "a company associated." Associated with what? The answer is, "with death." Not only with the death in Jordan to sin but also to live with a company of people, a community of fellow believers who are associated with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was on Hebron that Abraham had built an altar to sacrifice his son and it was here that Caleb and his family would live. They would live constantly associated with that altar of living sacrifice.
Caleb's wholeheartedness for the Lord produced a holy fire for God in his children. While the children of the two and a half tribes living in the middle ground turned away and embraced the world and its idolatry, Caleb's family grew stronger in the Lord!
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Caleb
- A. Caleb's name means 'forcible, fortitude'
- B. He was a type of Christian who goes all the way
- II. Caleb's Faith
- A. He was drawn by the Holy Spirit to Hebron
- B. He prized that hallowed place
- III. Caleb's Commitment
- A. He followed the Lord wholly
- B. He never wavered to the very end
- IV. The Importance of Growing in the Lord
- A. It is not enough to have died to sin in the past
- B. The need is to grow in the Lord to the end
Key Quotes
“He was inseparable from Joshua, a type of Christ, and represented one who continually walks with the Lord.” — David Wilkerson
“As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in” — David Wilkerson
“Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb...because that he wholly followed the Lord” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- As we grow in the Lord, we must continually seek to deepen our commitment and faith, just like Caleb.
- Maintaining spiritual power and strength requires a lifelong commitment to growing in the Lord.
- Wholeheartedness for the Lord produces a holy fire in our lives and in the lives of those around us.