CALEB FOLLOWED THE LORD FULLY

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"CALEB FOLLOWED THE LORD FULLY"
NUMBERS 14: 24

Intro:
In 2000, my family suffered a great loss. As my cousin Mindy was on her way to visit a friend, she had a car accident, and was killed instantly. We were all devastated by her death.
The day of her funeral was both difficult, and at the same time, very inspiring. The building in which Mindy’s services took place was packed beyond belief. The minister who conducted the service spoke of the Mindy whom we had known for the 19 years we had her. He spoke about the way in which she would go out to eat, and would eat nothing but french-fries. He reminded us of her smile, her laugh, her amazing personality.
However, it was his comments regarding her spirits which uplifted our family so much. He spoke about the many people she touched with her remarkable faith. Mindy was baptized several years before her death, and had truly lived her life for God.
What a wonderful legacy. How comforting it must be to her family that she lived her life for Christ. I want to ask you, what would they say about you? Would they say, oh he or she lived their life fully for the Lord."
That is exactly what the Lord himself said of his servant Caleb. In a time when morale was low, and the children didn't think they would make it, Caleb was a ray of sun in an otherwise dark landscape.
Well, what does it mean to follow the Lord fully? How can we do it? Tonight, I want us to look at the answer to this question.

I FOLLOW THE LORD ALL OUR DAYS

1. We know that Caleb did just that.
A. While in the wilderness, Caleb followed the Lord!
B. In the land of Cannon 45 years later, Caleb followed the Lord!
2. He wasn't like many of us today.
A. Gen 19: 26 many of us are like Lott's wife, and turn back to our old life.
B. Gal 3: 1 many of us are like the Galatians, and allow ourselves to be led astray.
3. How should we LIVE?
A. 1Ti 4: 12 we should follow him in the days of our youth!
B. Psa 92: 12-15 we should follow him in our old age!
C. Above age or race or gender, we are first to be followers of the Living God!

II FOLLOW THE LORD WITH YOUR HEART

1. We are told that Caleb followed the Lord fully and wholly.
A. This means that he applied his whole heart to the task.
B. Mk 12: 30 Caleb was the perfect model for what Jesus called the greatest commandment.
2. Again, many in our world today can't seem to understand this concept.
A. 1Kings 11: 3-4 they become like Solomon and allow others to dictate what they do and think.
B. Jam 4: 4 they become like the people James describes, and want worldly approval, rather than Godly favor.
3. How should we live today?
A. Mt 6: 24 we need to understand that we must make a choice.
B. there is no such thing as a divided heart.
C. You either go one way or the other, but not both at the same time.

III WE SHOULD FOLLOW THE LORD DESPITE THE DANGER

1. Though dangers threatened, Caleb never wavered.
A. Numb 14: 7-9 he did not fear the giants.
B. Num 14: 10 he did not fear persecution from his own people.
2. Today, it is a different story.
A. Some are like the multitude that followed Jesus.
B. Mt 26: 69-75 some are like Peter and only do it when it is popular.
3. How should we follow the Lord today?
A. Mt 5: 10-12 we should follow with no regard for persecution.
B. Phil 1: 21 we should follow with our eyes fixed on the prize.