The sermon highlights the danger of evil reporting and the importance of a positive and faith-filled mindset in our relationship with God.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of courage and faith in facing challenges, using the story of Caleb and the spies sent to explore the promised land. Despite the obstacles and negative reports, Caleb believed they could overcome the giants and possess the land. It also highlights the tendency of human nature to focus on the negative and spread evil reports, likening it to the nature of a pig choosing sewage over a royal bed. The message warns against being drawn to and spreading negativity, urging listeners to guard against such fallen nature.
Full Transcript
And be of good courage. Bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes.
So when they went in, they saw of course that the land was a good land. And they returned with a great big load of grapes. A whole bunch of grapes.
And now their report. 27th verse. And they told him and said, We came into the land where thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey, and this is the fruit of it.
Now, but nevertheless, the people be strong and dwell in the land. The cities are walled and very great. And moreover we saw the children, the giants, the sons of Anak there.
The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south, the Hittites and Jebusites. The Amorites dwell in the mountains. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south, the Hittites and Jebusites.
The Amorites dwell in the mountains. All these tribes were in occupation. 30th verse.
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses. And said, Let us go up at once and possess it. For we are well able to overcome it.
But the men that went up with Caleb said, We be not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. And they brought an evil report of the land which they had searched. All right, suppose you ask somebody for a report.
Of any general situation. You know, somehow the human mind dwells on the negative. We focus on the dark side.
See, they are like giants, the walls are high. We are no match for them. So often our minds are darkened with evil reporting.
And you will notice another propensity. We love to hear something evil of someone else. I don't know why it is.
That's the pig's nature. If you give the choice before a pig. And you say, Hey, I have got a royal bed for you.
With gold brocade. And you set that bed next to the gutter, the sewage. And you have washed that pig.
And you have used a lot of fragrance too on it. And say, My dear pig, choose. What will the pig choose? You tell me.
You all are not intelligent people. What will the pig choose? Oh, here is the king's bed. No pig has ever gone into the king's bed.
I want to be the first pig in the world to sleep through the night on this royal bed. How many would say, that's what the pig will say, let me see your hands. Not one hand, not even one mad person here.
You all know that the pig will jump into the sewer water. Watch out for that nature. When you hear an evil report, you just love it.
You will jump into it. And then you broadcast it. That is the fallen nature.
Now we have been hearing of perfect love or sanctification. I can't understand how God can love me. There are so many things in me which are perfectly ugly and unlovable.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Problem of Evil Reporting
- A. The tendency to focus on the negative
- B. The influence of the fallen nature
- II. The Example of the Israelites in the Promised Land
- A. Their report of the land was negative
- B. They focused on the giants and the strongholds
- III. The Contrast with Caleb's Positive Report
- A. Caleb's faith in God's ability to deliver
- B. The importance of a positive and faith-filled mindset
- IV. The Danger of Evil Reporting
- A. It can lead to fear and unbelief
- B. It can hinder our relationship with God
Key Quotes
“You will jump into it. And then you broadcast it. That is the fallen nature.” — Joshua Daniel
“I want to be the first pig in the world to sleep through the night on this royal bed.” — Joshua Daniel
“How many would say, that's what the pig will say, let me see your hands. Not one hand, not even one mad person here.” — Joshua Daniel
Application Points
- Be aware of your own thoughts and emotions, and focus on the positive and faith-filled aspects of a situation.
- Avoid falling into the trap of evil reporting by being mindful of your words and actions.
- Cultivate a positive and faith-filled mindset by focusing on God's love and ability to deliver.
