Heroes of Faith

Do We Need Faith?Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:1, 6 NIV) Without faith, we have no hope or assurance. Without faith, we cannot be commended. Without faith, we cannot please God! We must have faith:

– God exists.– God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Caleb’s MountainThen the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the LORD said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God. So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ (Joshua 14:6-9 NKJ)

Caleb’s Mountain“And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” (Joshua 14:10-12 NKJ)

Caleb’s MountainAnd Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. And the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim). Then the land had rest from war. (Joshua 14:13-15)… Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a share among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, namely, Kirjath Arba, which is Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from there: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. (Joshua 15:13-14)

Lessons from Caleb Contrasted Kinds of Heart & Influence. Rewarded because “wholly followed”. Did not seek excuse because of age. Did not know if God would give him the

mountain. Desired God’s promised reward. Trusted in God’s protection and

promises – not crazy or blind ambition. Defeated 3 giants in fortified cities in

mountainous hill country.

Jonathan’s ChargeThen Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.” So his armorbearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.” Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. “But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.” (I Samuel 14:6-10 NKJ)

Jonathan’s ChargeSo both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden.” Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.” Jonathan said to his armorbearer, “Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land. (I Samuel 14:14-23 NKJ)

Jonathan’s ChargeAnd there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling. Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there. … Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. (I Samuel 14:15-20 NKJ)

Jonathan’s ChargeMoreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven. (I Samuel 14:21-23 NKJ)

Lessons from Jonathan Recognize the enemy, “uncircumcised”? Never outnumbered, if on God’s side! Do we need a sign from God today to

know His will? Arrogance blinds people to their doom. Great victories may start with 1, but

they never end with just 1. Ultimate victory does not depend on us. Tremendous power of influence. War is not won with 1 victory.

Conclusion Faith is critical to please God. Faith follows God. Faith keeps on following God! Align with God, and you will* succeed. You must not be frightened by:

– Your age or strength– Their size or numbers– Uncertainty of Immediate Outcome– Current momentum.

Trust God. “Fight the good fight!” And, shift the momentum.