“A VISION FOR THE FUTURE”

Numbers 13-14

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”                                                                                 Hebrews 11:  1

I.   WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SEE WITH EYES OF FEAR?

     1.  We overestimate ___________________________________.       “But the people living there are powerful, and their cities are fortified and very large!  What’s more, we saw Anakim giants there!”                             Numbers 13: 28 (LB)

“...the other spies said, “they would crush us!”  So the majority re- port of the spies was negative.”            Numbers 13:  31-32 (LBN)

     2.  We underestimate what _____________________________. 

   “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”       Numbers 13:  33 (NIV)

THREE TRAGIC RESULTS

· Discouragement

      “Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they carried  on       all night.”                              Numbers 14:  1

· Discontent

“All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron…’We wish we had died in Egypt’, they wailed, ‘or even here in the wilder ness…’”                                         Numbers 14:  2 (NIV/LB)

· Despair

“Why is the Lord bringing us to this land to be killed with swords?  ...We would be better off going back to Egypt!”

      Numbers 14:  3 (NCV)

II.  WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SEE WITH EYES OF FAITH?

1.  We become ____________________________________.

“Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can cer- tainly do it.”                   Numbers 13:  30 (NIV)

2. God_______________________________________________. “Be bold and strong!  Banish fear and doubt!  For remember the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”                     Joshua 1:  9

“...Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will GIVE you...do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”

          2 Chronicles 20:  17

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling…”    Ephesians 1:  18

FOUR PURPOSES OF “THE GREAT INVESTMENT 2” EMPHASIS

1.  TO HELP US _______________________________________.

Through the message series “High Yield Spiritual Investments.”

By reading through “The Gospel of John” together. 

Be memorizing a Scripture verse every week.

2.  TO DEEPEN OUR __________________________________.

By having fellowships of 40-50 people each night at our church during the last week of October and first week in November.

3.  TO CHALLENGE US ________________________________.

By having a Commitment Day on November 19 when each of us can make a gift and a three year giving commitment.

4.  TO CELEBRATE ___________________________________.

By having our children participate in the worship service.

By celebrating communion together.