Faithful Living: Embracing God's Promises and Community

What a joy it is to gather together and celebrate all that God is doing in our midst. We give thanks for the many ways God has blessed our community this summer—from the impactful summer camp and Vacation Bible School, to the generosity shown through our back-to-school outreach, where we gave out over 700 book bags filled not just with supplies, but with love, grace, and encouragement for our young people. We honor those who serve, recognizing that every act of kindness and every hour volunteered is a reflection of Christ’s love in action.

As we look ahead to the Tri-City Revival and the return of our Bible study, we are reminded that our journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. We welcome new members and invite everyone to deeper fellowship and discipleship, knowing that God calls us to grow together as a family.

Turning to the Word, we reflect on the story of Caleb in Numbers 14. Caleb stands out as a man with “another spirit”—a different attitude, a different mindset. While the majority of the spies saw only obstacles and defeat, Caleb remembered God’s faithfulness and stood on the promise that God would deliver what He had promised. Caleb’s spirit was not swayed by the crowd, popularity, or the lure of position. He was willing to stand alone, trusting God’s word over the opinions and fears of others.

This “other spirit” is not about being contrary for its own sake, but about being anchored in God’s promises, even when it means going against the grain. Caleb’s example challenges us to examine the company we keep, the voices we listen to, and the motivations behind our choices. Are we more concerned with being popular or being principled? Are we willing to compromise our convictions for the sake of acceptance or advancement? Caleb’s life reminds us that true leadership and blessing come from God, not from the approval of people.

We are called to have a faith that stands firm, even when it’s unpopular, even when it costs us something, even when it means facing threats or rejection. Like the three Hebrew boys who refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s image, we declare that our God is able to deliver—but even if He does not, we will not bow. This is the “if not” faith that trusts God’s character above our circumstances.

Finally, the invitation is always open: to receive Christ, to be changed by His love, and to find your place in the family of God. No matter where you are on your journey, God’s grace is sufficient, and His promises are sure.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The company you keep shapes your destiny. Where you go determines who you meet, and who you meet influences how you think and behave. Surround yourself with those who encourage your faith and challenge you to grow, rather than those who pull you away from God’s purposes. Association brings assimilation, so choose your companions wisely. [45:12]
• 2. Remembering God’s past faithfulness fuels present courage. When facing new challenges, don’t forget how God has brought you through before. Forgetting God’s track record leads to fear and discouragement, but recalling His deliverance gives you the confidence to trust Him for what’s ahead. Let gratitude for past victories strengthen your faith for today’s battles. [47:30]
• 3. Standing on God’s promises may require you to go against the crowd. Caleb’s “other spirit” enabled him to hold fast to God’s word, even when the majority doubted. Popularity can tempt us to compromise our convictions, but true faith is willing to be principled rather than popular. Sometimes, soaring with God means flying alone. [56:51]
• 4. Be careful who “makes” you and what you compromise to gain position. Advancement and opportunity are not wrong, but if you have to sacrifice your integrity or God’s direction to get them, you may find yourself moving backward instead of forward. Let God be the one who establishes you, for what He builds cannot be torn down by people. [59:33]
• 5. True faith is anchored in God’s character, not just His blessings. Like the three Hebrew boys, declare that God is able and willing to deliver—but even if He does not, your worship and trust remain. This “if not” faith is the mark of spiritual maturity, choosing to stand on God’s promises regardless of the outcome, because you know who He is. [65:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Celebrating Community Leaders
• [02:10] - Summer Camp and VBS Highlights
• [04:30] - Back-to-School Outreach Recap
• [07:00] - Volunteer Appreciation
• [09:00] - Upcoming Tri-City Revival
• [11:30] - Bible Study and New Members Fellowship
• [13:45] - Worship Through Giving
• [24:41] - Honoring Volunteers
• [27:11] - New Members Stand and Fellowship
• [41:14] - Transition to the Word
• [43:28] - Caleb and “Another Spirit”
• [51:38] - The Danger of Forgetting God’s Faithfulness
• [54:09] - Standing Against the Crowd
• [56:51] - The Cost of Popularity and Position
• [59:33] - Who Makes You?
• [65:07] - “If Not” Faith and Trusting God
• [69:05] - Invitation to Salvation and Fellowship
• [74:30] - Benediction and Closing

Bible Reading

Numbers 14:23-24 (ESV) — > "None of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it."

Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV) — > "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'"

Observation Questions

1. In Numbers 14:23-24, what set Caleb apart from the other spies, and what was the result of his “different spirit”?
2. According to the sermon, what did the majority of the spies focus on when they returned from scouting the land, and how did Caleb’s perspective differ? [[43:28]]
3. In Daniel 3:16-18, what was the response of the three Hebrew boys when threatened with the fiery furnace, and what does their answer reveal about their faith?
4. The sermon mentions that forgetting God’s past faithfulness led to fear and discouragement among the Israelites. What specific things did they forget? [[51:38]]

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean to have “another spirit” like Caleb, and how does this relate to standing on God’s promises even when it’s unpopular? [[43:28]]
2. The sermon says, “Association brings assimilation.” How does the company we keep influence our faith and decisions, according to both the story of Caleb and the pastor’s teaching? [[45:12]]
3. Why do you think the three Hebrew boys were able to say, “But if not, we will not bow”? What does this kind of “if not” faith look like in real life? [[01:05:07]]
4. The Israelites wanted to choose a new leader to take them back to Egypt. What does this reveal about their mindset, and how does it serve as a warning for us today? [[58:40]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Where you go determines who you meet, and who you meet determines how you think.” Are there people or groups in your life right now who are pulling you away from God’s purposes? What steps could you take to surround yourself with people who encourage your faith? [[45:12]]
2. Caleb remembered God’s faithfulness in the past, while others forgot. Think of a time when God brought you through a difficult situation. How can you remind yourself of that when facing new challenges? [[51:38]]
3. Have you ever felt pressure to go along with the crowd, even when you knew it wasn’t what God wanted? What helped you stand firm, or what would help you next time? [[54:09]]
4. The sermon warns, “Be careful who makes you and what you compromise to gain position.” Is there an area in your life where you’re tempted to compromise your values for acceptance, advancement, or approval? What would it look like to let God establish you instead? [[59:33]]
5. The three Hebrew boys had an “if not” faith—they trusted God even if He didn’t deliver them. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God regardless of the outcome? What would it look like to have “if not” faith in that area? [[01:05:07]]
6. The invitation at the end of the sermon was to receive Christ and find your place in God’s family. If you’re already a believer, how can you help someone else feel welcomed and encouraged in their faith journey this week? [[01:09:05]]
7. The pastor said, “Sometimes, soaring with God means flying alone.” Is there a decision or step of faith you feel called to take, even if it means standing alone? What’s holding you back, and how can the group pray for you? [[56:51]]