HAVE YOU BEEN TO KADESH?Numbers 13:26-33

NUMBERS 13:26-2826 Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.

ARE YOU AT KADESH?• Every church (and every Christian)

comes to Kadesh.• Kadesh represents the point of

decision.• « Crunch time » is where we decide

to go forward or retreat.

HUNGRY FOR TURKEY?I am sitting at home watching TVA cooking show is telling me how to prepare, stuff and cook a wonderful roast turkey.Just one problem – no turkey in the house.

HUNGRY FOR TURKEY?What is stopping me from having that

wonderful roast turkey dinner?• MOTIVATION – Am I hungry enough

to do all that work?• COST – Am I willing to pay the price?• INGREGIENTS – What else do I lack?

APPLICATION FOR CADESWhat is stopping this church

from growing and going forward?• Lack motivation?• Willing to pay the cost?• Lack ingredients?

KADESH - BARNEA

GROWTH IS NATURALQuestion is not : How can we grow?

The church is a living organism – therefore it grows.

Question is : What is stopping us from growing?

PLANT NOT GROWING?Look at the plant – brown, dried up?

It is dead – can't grow.

Church near Centerville, TN – Church of Christ at Defeated Gap

We may not need a new recipe – WE NEED RESURRECTION!

KADESH = MAJOR DECISIONWe will always have minor decisions to make.

When you come to Kadesh = MAJOR decison – forward or backward, advance or retreat, grow or shrink

Easier to know when you have just been there than when approaching it

WE ARE AT KADESH IF :Only half come back on Wednesday nightHard of hearing turn off their earphonesSomeone says “Praise the Lord” and is told “We don't praise the Lord in this church.”Child asks, “Is he live or on tape?”Congregation stops growing.

AT KADESH IF :Look at your attendance pattern

Look at your contribution

Look at your involvementAre you willing to work?

Look at self rather than “somebody ought to”

HEBREWS 12:1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

HEBREWS 12:1

THERE ARE THREE REQUIREMENTS :1 – Lay aside all the things that impede, hinder, slow us down2 – Examine your life for THE SIN that slows you down3 – Run with endurance your race