December 31, 2017 Sermon Notes
“Finishing Well”
Joshua 14:1-15, Numbers 13-14
Forgetting who God is and His promises amid crisis lead to unbearable fear and irrational decisions.
A wholehearted follower of God is one that is unwavering and unhesitant in their obedience to God rather than his/her own perception or someone else’s.
That is what faith is. It is believing God. Taking God at His word, living in obedience to His revelation whatever the cost.

Going Further: Finishing Well
Please note that you can always review the sermon on our website www.suburbanchurch.com.
Monday: Read Numbers 13:1-25. What do we learn about God in this passage? Why do you think God had Moses send men to check on the land instead of just telling them? Why do you think God had Moses send “some” men and not a man? What can we learn about our own obedience from this passage?

Tuesday: Read Numbers 13:26-33. What was the major difference between the group’s report and Caleb’s? Israel was overwhelmed by fear. They saw the fortified cities and the size of those who lived there… the task they were facing was bigger than they were. What you think a faith filled response would have been? How do you often respond to those crises in life that feel bigger than you are?

Wednesday: Read Numbers 14:1-9, 20-24. God had promised the Israelites this amazing land. Why do you think they believe God is unable to deliver? In this passage, it says that they would rather go back to Egypt where they lived as slaves. Joshua and Caleb stood alone. They had a faith filled response in the midst of fortified cities, huge people, and a doubting culture. They believe in God. They believed God. Where are you at on this? What happened to those who didn’t respond in faith?

Thursday: Read 14:6-15. It was Joshua’s faith and obedience that caused Him to experience what God had promised. Still today a lack of faith and obedience can keep us from experience all that God has for us. Are there things in your life that are causing you to react in fear, doubt, or unbelief? What would it look like to step into those things with a faith filled perspective? Spend some time praying that God would give you the strength and courage to believe God and to act on that belief.

Friday: Read Hebrews 12:1-6. What do we learn about God in this passage? What do we learn about people? What do you think it looks like to live a life with your eyes “fixed” on Jesus? In the course of life, it is easy to sometimes “forget” about God. The author of Hebrews tells us that there are things in life, even good things, that can bog us down and that sin trips us up. How do you think we live and finish strong in Jesus?
A little more: Why God allows Crisis by Tony Evans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urwuN8GNc4E.
Two great lies by Francis Chan. Why are these lies so dangerous? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlNx7m1KW7Y.
Learning how to stand strong in the Lord https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-55-standing-strong-standing-firm-ephesians-610-11