영어설교 : 일편단심 믿음 - 여호수아 14:7-15 (Unchangeable Faith - Joshua 14:7-15

                  

                                      Unchangeable Faith

                                                                                               Joshua 14:7-15

I will introduce a true story about Napoleon. When Napoleon’s army marched to Moscow, Russia, the Kazakh tribe surrounded his army and enclosed them therefore Napoleon’s army had to back up, however the Kazakh tribe took over all the bridges and destroyed them so his army had nowhere to go. Therefore, it was a game of cat and mouse game. Moscow’s weather was extremely cold and Napoleon’s started to get really exhausted, but he chose a bridge that was not completely destroyed and he sent his army to hang out to the supported pole and the rest of the soldiers safely passed, however when the last soldier passed the army, Napoleon ordered the soldiers who were holding the pole to back up, but there was no answer. While they were holding the pole, they froze to death. This is what we call loyal unchangeable faith. Once you make up your mind, not changing it once is what is called unchangeable faith. Today’s message is “unchangeable faith.”

When you know youre going to die from eating something, and keep on eating it anyways that is called “age” (in Korean terms)

If you look at today’s message, someone who was young and healthy and did not get old by used by God. That person was Caleb. We will look at Caleb’s following faith to God, and what kind of passion he had for God to use him? Why did God give Caleb the strong passion to seek land?

Firstly, Caleb was a person of unchangeable faith. Through caleb, we learn the first lesson of unchangeable faith. Caleb was 40 years old then and with Joshua and the leaders of 10 tribes, we went to spy on a land. However when they returned, a serious problem occurred. Because the spies’ opinion were different. It was divided into 2 opinions. If you look at Numbers 13:28 but the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. It was a very desperate report and the Israelites started crying out of the report. Theyre last hope was to enter a Canaan land, however they could not conquer the canaan land. That means they were to die in the desert. Because of that, there was conflict between the citizens and the people who appeared then was Joshua and Caleb and started to persuade the citizens. Its not like they could lie, but they told the truth. “The canaan wall was very high and the people who live there are Anakites and used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba. Those people are giants. But God is not with them, He is with God. He said he would lead us into the Canaan land therefore you have to believe him, “he said for them unchangeable faith; Caleb was 40 years old then”

Moreoever, story we are reading now is 45 years later; he was 85. verse 8: “but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” If we have decided to worship and folliow God and have unchangeable faith, then we are to be like Caleb. Once we accepted something, then we have to carry that out forever; that is the way of the cross. If it’s bitter we must not spit it out and if it is sweet; we must not swallow it. That is the way of the cross. You are to walk happily and if you are sad, you must walk with tears, and when you are in pain you must tolerate it. Last year’s newspaper, when the owner of the dog died, the dog guarded his owner’s tomb for 6 years. He is a loyal dog. He is of a shepherd breed in Argentina and his name is Capian. His owner; Manuel Guzman, after he died in 2006 the dog disappeared. After a week later, Capian was found next to his owner’s tomb and was loitering around. Therefore, Guzman’s family brought Capian home but Capian went straight back to the tomb and was next to the tomb for 6years. A manger of the tomb site said that capian when exactly 6, he would go lie next to the tomb and would not leave. The IQ of the dog who has a lower IO than us. The dog’s owner probably just fed him and took care of him. God gave up his one and only son Jesus to us. That is like giving up everything that He had. However, we still do not follow him completely and turn around. Today, Caleb when he was 40 and until 85, his faith did not change. Today’s passage is similar to what happened 45 years old. Verse 12Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that he Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

45 years old, it is the same as to what Caleb said; which indicates that his words stayed true and his faith remained the same for 45 years. I hope that our Tucson dream church members have this sort of unchangeable faith. Not like a reed who constantly moves, or the ocean waves that move up and down but people who walk straight into heaven’s gate. Then we can enter the Canaan land; Heaven.

Secondly, caleb was a foolish person. Foolish as in resentment towards God.If we look at verse 12: God says Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. It seems that he just asked for the Canaan land from God, this hill country is referring to the Hebron land. In verse 15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.) Then the land had rest from war. Therefore, the people who lived in the Hebron land were the Anakites who were giants. But Caleb says “give to me” and says he will go like a fool.

When you have a Christian lifestyle, many people make it easier. We want to walk in the easy path, therefore many people attend mega-church. Because there is no need for work and if you do not attend sometimes, it is not noticeable. People think that way is the easier Chrstian life. Therefore, are the Tucson Dream church members foolish? Yes. We are. We are foolish people like how Caleb was a fool. We are attending a way that is not taken to much and people do not take this road. A foolish person for God is a person of true Christain faith. This is not a easy way. Jesus went to Jerusalem and went up like a fool. When caleb asked for the Hebron land, people thought he was a fool. People most likely thought “does he not know what the land holds and is like?”However, Caleb like a fool went anyways and lived a war throughout his entire life. He knew everything, however if it weren’t for Caleb then there was nobody else. “The road of faith” is like this. Knowing it is a hard journey, but going anyways. Though looking like a fool to others, in the future you will look towards the Canaan land; heaven.

In verse 10, Caleb’s age is 85. When youre 85, you usually look at your grandchildren and relax but Caleb was different. Physically, he was 85 but mentally he had a young mindset. When looking at verse 11I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. When you have the strength, you have to serve God. When you can work, you do it. Later when you have no strength, you cannot.

Today’s if you look at our environment we have a lot of youths who are mentally weak/old like 80/90 years old who are not awake and sleep. People who are awake will receive many blessings in heaven. In church there are positions such as elders, deacons, and members. There are retired elders and associate elders. However, these days there are “honored elders.” Honored elders are those who have the position but do not do anything. John chapter 5: 17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." However, honored elders and honored deacons do not do any work. We have to work every single day till we die, so within the church there are no retired people. If you can and follow it, that is unchangeable faith. That is being a fool. Today even though caleb was 85, he was a like a fool who followed God until the end. Being 65 these days isn’t even considered old enough. But in the 60’s being 65 was considered very old. In Kentucky, there was person who challenged to start a new life when 65. He had 105 dollars in his pocket and a old car, however he stated “I cannot end life like this.” Therefore, his talent was to make delicious chicken that his mom told taught him when he was young. He wore white suit and went to a restaurant with his chicken recipe and offered a deal, every time someone bought his chicken he got 5 cents. The restaurant owners said this was absurd and kicked him out. He met 1008 restaurant owners, however by the 1009 restaurant accepted his deal and made a contract with the old man. After 2 years, he made a contract with 5 restaurants. Within 11 years, he made a contract with 600 other restaurants. This franchise was called KFC. He left the world when 90, and during his time he donated much money to thousands of churches. When you still have the strength, please try. Today, I have shared the message of unchangeable faith.

Caleb through 40 years old to 85, he kept his faith running. We are to follow calebs faith. Just saying, if we do not follow God’s way and if the bride goes to work in a faraway land, and if the bride-groom turns worldly, what happesns when the bride-groom returns? You must act as if God (the bride groom) can come back anytime in this world and we are the brides. We must seek God like a fool, then the brides (us) can meet the bride-groom (God).

 

Movie: Papillon. In the movie Papillon, there is a scene where the Papillon (the protagonist) yells out to God “I am innocent. I did not kill anybody!” God responds “Papillon, I know you did not kill anyone. But, you are guilty.” But the main actor, Papillon, gets shocked and asks “why?!” But God responds” you’ve wasted your time on earth. That is your guilt.”

 

Everyone, if you have decided to live the Christian lifestyle, do not waste time and when you have the strength, serve God like a fool. That may seem foolish, in fact, the truth is that, that is a blessing. When you stand in front of God, then you will know clearly. I hope that our church members resemble Caleb’s unchangeable faith and believe in God like a fool in the way of the cross.