This exposition of Joshua 14:6-14 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 26, 2015.
Intro:
Today is “Senior Adult Sunday.” This is a day we set aside to honor the senior members of our church family. Now I recognize that this “senior” thing can be a delicate subject. Some folks are not so quick to embrace that “senior” title unless they are standing at the cash register – “don’t forget my senior’s discount!” Admittedly, it is hard to determine where that senior line should be drawn. When I was a child – I thought a man or woman in his or her twenties was at death’s door. It’s funny how far and fast that age line is moving away from me the older I get! We live in a culture that worships youth. Look young, feel young be young! The result? People who are old enough to know better are doing stupid things to prove they are not old. But there’s nothing wrong with getting old! Proverbs 16:31 says, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory…” Proverbs 20:29 says, “the glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.” Biblically we are to recognize and honor those who have lived long and well. The aged in a society are to be revered and honored. Now, there are other ways to know that you belong in the senior category, besides gray hair. You know you are there when it takes you longer to rest then it takes you to get tired. When your pharmacist becomes your new best friend. When the iron in your blood turns to lead in your pants and when you bend over to straighten the wrinkles in your socks and discover that your not wearing socks!
To all you seniors out there we want to say thank you. Thank you for your faithfulness to Christ and His church. Thank you for years of service and the legacy that you have help to preserve. But I also want to say to you – “Don’t stop.” Don’t stop serving Christ or His church. Continue to give yourself to the service of Christ and His kingdom. You have so much to offer, so much that we need. We can not afford for you to quit. You may have to move from one kind of work to another. You may have certain limitations – but we cannot afford to lose your wisdom, your insight, your knowledge, your experience or your prayers. We are depending on you.
He was 85 years old. He had survived 40 years of wilderness wandering; seven years of intense fighting in order to take possession of the land – yet he was not satisfied. He was not ready to give up. A good 20 years beyond retirement age and he was pressing on to new heights – literally! In many respects he is an “unsung” hero. Though he was a man of great courage, dignity and faithfulness. He is often overlooked because he lived out his days in Joshua’s shadow. His example instructs us all today. An example of faith in action. A life of continual commitment and service until the end.
We, as a church, stand like the children of Israel at the threshold of a new day. The days are growing dark. The winds of change have been blowing for years now and we are beginning to see the dawn of a new day. A day in which good is called evil and evil is called good. A day where biblical faithfulness may prove to be costly. Churches are closing their doors in record numbers. Denominations are dwindling. Biblical standards are mocked even from within the church. We see what is happening to our brothers and sisters around the world and the threat of persecution looms large here at home. The great temptation for some would be to step back and watch others carry on the fight. But this is no time for stepping back. This is a time for stepping up. This is a time for renewed commitment and vigor. It is time to build upon the solid foundation that has been laid. And it is time for some of you, like Caleb, to set an example. Our text this morning is found in the 14th chapter of Joshua.
Text: Joshua 14:6-14
Thesis: The life of courage, faith and devotion refuses to quit until it possesses all that God has promised to those who love Him.
Note the repeated phrase – “I wholly followed the LORD, the God of Israel.”
Whole-heartedly, fully, completely, consistently followed the LORD.
There are 4 marks of this whole-hearted devotion reflected in the life of Caleb.
Marks that I am happy to say I see reflected in the lives of many of our senior adults.
Traits that must be modeled and reflected for our younger members.
- Such a life possesses the courage to stand alone. (14:6-9)
- Such a life remains anchored in the Word of God. (6,10,12)
- Such a life springs from the experience of God’s faithfulness. (10-12)
- Such a life finds strength to accomplish the task. (12-14)
Conclusion:
God grant that we would have an army of Calebs. Folks not content to set back and survey the great victories of the past but who look to the future and dream of reaching even greater heights. People who will not be satisfied until they have experience all that God intends for them.