Numbers 33:51-56 – USEFUL!
What did you do that was useful to yourself this week?
What did you do that was useful to your family this week?
What did you do that was useful to others this week?
What did you do that was useful to God this week?
Why is it good to be useful?
Titus 2:14 – Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Why is it sometimes hard to be useful?
This week we see God challenging the Children of Israel to enter into the Land of Canaan, The Promised Land.
According to Theodore Epp, “Canaan is not a type of Heaven, but a type of spiritual Christian usefulness.” Theodore Epp, Joshua – Victorious By Faith, (Lincoln Nebraska, Back To The Bible Broadcast, 1968) p. 33
THE WAY TO USEFULNESS – Vs. 51
The children of Israel had to decide to obey God and to be disciples, or followers of their leaders who would bring them into the Land of Canaan.
- DECISION – John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- DISCIPLESHIP – Luke 9:23 – And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
THE WORK OF USEFULNESS – Vs. 52-54
- DRIVE – Vs. 52 – The Spiritually useless inhabitants of the land were to be identified and the work of driving them out initiated.
Proverbs 6:16-19 – These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
- DESTROY – Vs. 52 – All reminders of our previous life without Christ are to be destroyed.
Colossians 3:5-9 – Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: [6] For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: [7] In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. [8] But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. [9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Galatians 5:24 – And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
- DISPOSSESS – Vs. 53 – Don’t let any part of the old life control the new life.
Philippians 3:8-9 – Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
- DWELL – Vs. 53 – We will dwell in usefulness as we abide in Christ.
Philippians 3:10 – That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
John 15:4-5 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:7 – If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
- DIVIDE – Vs. 54 – We are to share the responsibilities of usefulness with other believers.
Romans 12:3-8 – For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. [4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: [5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
THE WARNING AGAINST USELESSNESS – Vs. 55-56
DISOBEDIENCE – Disobedience will result in uselessness and punishment.
Revelation 2:4-5 – Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.