Faithful Steps at the Crossroads of Opportunity
Summary
Today, we stand at a crossroads—a moment where opportunity and choice intersect, not just for ourselves, but for the generations that will follow. Looking back over the 150-year history of our church, it’s clear that God has always been at work in these intersections, guiding us through obstacles and into new seasons of blessing. Just as God called Abraham to a promise that seemed impossible, and just as He led the Israelites through the wilderness to the edge of the Promised Land, so too has He brought us to this moment. The story of the twelve spies reminds us that when God presents an opportunity, it is our responsibility to examine it carefully, to weigh the evidence, and to trust in His faithfulness even when the obstacles seem insurmountable.
Throughout our journey, we have seen God’s hand in tangible ways. The very building we now worship in is a testament to His provision—built in the face of expert doubt and financial uncertainty, yet completed because God made a way. Now, as we consider the next step—expanding our facilities to serve not only ourselves but the children and families of our community—we are again confronted by giants: financial challenges, uncertainty, and the temptation to let fear dictate our choices. But the lesson of Joshua and Caleb is clear: faith sees the God who is bigger than any giant, and obedience steps forward even when the way is not fully clear.
This call is not just for a select few, but for every one of us. Whether young or old, whether resources are abundant or stretched thin, each of us is invited to participate sacrificially and joyfully in what God is doing. Our giving, like the widow’s mite, is not measured by the amount, but by the heart and the willingness to trust God with our future. We are building not just for ourselves, but for those we may never meet—just as those who built before us could not have imagined the faces that would fill these pews today.
As we move forward, may our prayer echo that of Isaiah: “Here am I, send me.” Let us renew our commitment to make Christ known in our community and beyond, trusting that God, who has led us thus far, will not abandon us now. The altar is open for all who wish to respond—whether in fear, excitement, or hope—knowing that God’s invitation is for each of us to step into His promise, together.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Faithfulness at the Intersection of Opportunity and Choice
Throughout history, God’s people have faced moments where opportunity and choice meet. These intersections are not random; they are orchestrated by God to invite us into deeper trust and obedience. When we look back, we see that God’s faithfulness is most evident in these pivotal moments, and our response shapes not only our present but the legacy we leave for future generations. [46:09]
- Examining Opportunities with Spiritual Discernment
Before stepping forward, God calls us to examine the opportunities before us with care and wisdom. Like the twelve spies, we are to look honestly at both the promise and the obstacles, seeking evidence of God’s leading. True leadership involves not just vision, but a willingness to explore, question, and discern where God is at work, trusting that He will provide clarity and confirmation. [59:33]
- Seeing Beyond Giants: Faith Over Fear
The majority of the spies saw only the giants and fortified cities, allowing fear to paralyze them. Yet Caleb and Joshua saw the same obstacles and chose to focus on the God who was greater than any challenge. Faith does not deny the reality of difficulty, but it refuses to let fear have the final word, believing that God’s presence and promises outweigh any threat. [01:12:28]
- Sacrificial Participation: Everyone Has a Role
The call to step into God’s opportunity is not reserved for the wealthy, the influential, or the experienced. Every member, regardless of age or means, is invited to participate sacrificially. Like the widow’s mite, what matters is not the size of the gift, but the willingness to give from the heart, trusting that God multiplies our obedience for His purposes. [01:16:00]
- Building for a Future We Cannot See
Those who built before us did so for people they would never meet, trusting God with a vision that extended beyond their own lifetimes. In the same way, we are called to invest in a future that is unknown to us, believing that God will use our faithfulness to bless generations to come. Our choices today become the foundation for tomorrow’s testimonies of God’s goodness. [01:22:42]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:18] - Opening Prayer and Announcements
[46:09] - Opportunity and Choice: A Defining Intersection
[46:55] - God’s Hand in Our Church’s History
[48:27] - The Messiness of Life and God’s Work
[49:18] - Abraham’s Promise and God’s Provision
[50:36] - Slavery, Deliverance, and the Red Sea
[52:39] - Wandering and the Call to Move Forward
[54:16] - The Twelve Spies and the Edge of Promise
[56:14] - Facing the Future: Fear or Faith
[59:33] - Examining the Opportunity: Leadership’s Role
[01:01:45] - God’s Provision in Our Building Story
[01:04:51] - The Next Generation and the New Building
[01:12:28] - Caleb’s Faith: We Should and We Can
[01:16:00] - Sacrificial Giving: A Call to All
[01:22:42] - Building for Generations Unseen
[01:23:28] - The Cost of Declining God’s Opportunity
[01:26:26] - Making Christ Known: Our True Mission
[01:36:47] - Testimony: Jerry’s Story and Invitation
[01:40:48] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Faith at the Crossroads—Trusting God for the Next Generation
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### Bible Reading
1. Numbers 13:1-2, 25-33
(The sending of the twelve spies to explore Canaan and their report)
2. Numbers 14:1-9
(The people’s response and the faith of Joshua and Caleb)
3. Isaiah 6:8
(“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. What did God instruct Moses to do in Numbers 13:1-2, and what was the purpose of sending the twelve spies?
2. According to the spies’ report in Numbers 13:27-33, what were the main obstacles they saw in the Promised Land?
3. How did Caleb and Joshua’s response to the obstacles differ from the other spies? (Numbers 14:6-9)
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of God’s faithfulness in the history of the church, especially regarding the building project? [49:18]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God wanted the Israelites to examine the land before entering, instead of just telling them to go in immediately? What does this say about spiritual discernment and leadership? [59:33]
2. The majority of the spies focused on the giants and fortified cities, while Caleb and Joshua focused on God’s promise. What does this reveal about the difference between fear and faith? [01:12:28]
3. The sermon mentioned that every generation faces its own “giants” and crossroads. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness help us face current challenges? [46:09]
4. Why is sacrificial participation from everyone, not just a few, important in the life of the church? How does the story of the widow’s mite relate to this? [01:16:00]
---
### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you faced a big decision or opportunity. Did you focus more on the obstacles or on God’s ability to provide? How did that affect your choice? [56:14]
2. The sermon talked about “giants” like financial challenges and uncertainty. What are some “giants” you see in your own life or in our church right now? How can you respond with faith instead of fear? [01:11:14]
3. Caleb and Joshua trusted God even when most people around them were afraid. Is there an area in your life where you need to take a step of faith, even if others are hesitant? What would that look like? [01:12:28]
4. The call to give and participate was for everyone, regardless of age or resources. What does sacrificial giving look like for you personally? Is there something you feel God is asking you to give or do that feels like a stretch? [01:16:00]
5. The people who built the church in 1955 did so for future generations they would never meet. How does thinking about the next generation change the way you approach decisions and sacrifices today? [01:22:42]
6. The prayer of Isaiah, “Here am I, send me,” was lifted up as a model for us. What would it mean for you to pray this prayer honestly this week? Is there a specific way you sense God might be calling you to serve or step out? [01:27:54]
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to respond—whether in fear, excitement, or hope. What emotions do you feel as you think about the future of our church? How can you bring those feelings to God in prayer and action? [01:27:54]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray, “Lord, here am I. Use me for your glory,” and to ask God for courage to trust Him at the crossroads of opportunity and choice.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Faithfulness Through Generations
From Abraham to Moses to Joshua, God’s promises and faithfulness have carried His people through obstacles, uncertainty, and generations, always providing a way forward even when the path seemed impossible. The story of Israel’s journey from promise to fulfillment is a testament to God’s unwavering commitment to His people, despite their doubts, fears, and failures. When Abraham was old and childless, God gave him a dream and made him the father of a nation. When famine struck, God raised up Joseph to provide. When slavery seemed endless, God sent Moses to deliver. At every intersection of opportunity and choice, God’s hand was at work, shaping a people for His purpose and glory. [49:18]
Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV)
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to remember God’s faithfulness in the past so you can trust Him with your present and future challenges?
Day 2: Examining God-Given Opportunities
God calls His people to carefully examine the opportunities He places before them, to look beyond obstacles and see the evidence of His provision and promise, just as the Israelites were instructed to explore the land before entering it. The responsibility of leadership and faith is to look honestly at what lies ahead, to gather evidence, and to discern God’s direction, not rushing but taking time to see all that God has done and can do. The Israelites sent out spies to explore the land, and in the same way, we are called to thoughtfully consider the opportunities God gives us, remembering His past faithfulness as we look to the future. [59:33]
Numbers 13:1-2, 21-23 (ESV)
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.” ... So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. They went up into the Negeb and came to Hebron. ... And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs.
Reflection: What opportunity has God placed before you that you need to examine prayerfully and thoroughly, rather than dismissing it because of fear or uncertainty?
Day 3: Seeing Beyond Giants—Trusting God Over Obstacles
When faced with daunting challenges, God’s people are called to see beyond the giants in the land and trust in the God who is greater than any obstacle, just as Caleb and Joshua did when others were paralyzed by fear. The majority saw only impossibility, but Caleb declared that with God’s presence, victory was assured. The lesson is not to ignore the reality of challenges, but to recognize that God’s power and faithfulness are bigger than any threat or uncertainty we face. Faith means moving forward, not because the way is easy, but because God is with us and will not abandon us. [01:13:27]
Numbers 14:6-9 (ESV)
And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
Reflection: What “giant” or obstacle in your life is causing you to hesitate, and how can you choose to trust God’s presence and promises instead of your fears today?
Day 4: Sacrificial Commitment—Everyone Has a Part
God’s invitation to participate in His work is for every person, regardless of age, stage, or resources; sacrificial giving and commitment are not just for a select few, but for all who call themselves part of His people. The story of the widow’s mite reminds us that God values the heart and sacrifice behind the gift, not the amount. Each person is called to give and serve according to what they have, trusting that God multiplies our offerings for His glory and the good of generations to come. The legacy of faith is built by those who give, serve, and dream for people they may never meet, believing that God’s purposes extend far beyond their own lives. [01:16:37]
Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Reflection: What is one way you can sacrificially give or serve this week, trusting that God will use your offering—no matter the size—for His kingdom?
Day 5: Responding to God’s Call—“Here Am I, Send Me”
At the intersection of opportunity and choice, God calls each of us to respond with open hands and willing hearts, ready to be used for His glory, no matter what the future holds. Like Isaiah, we are invited to say, “Here am I, send me,” trusting that God holds the future and will equip us for whatever He asks. This is a moment to renew our commitment, to set aside fear, and to step forward in faith, believing that God will use us to make Christ known in our community and beyond. The invitation is not just about buildings or programs, but about lives transformed and the gospel proclaimed through our obedience. [01:27:54]
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Reflection: In what area of your life is God prompting you to say, “Here am I, send me,” and how will you take a step of obedience today?
Quotes
When we look back in our life, we see those moments. Opportunity and choice. And when they intersect in our life, we see God at work. As a church, we are no different. We look back into the course of the history of our church, the history that next year will be 150 years old. And we can see God's hand at the moment when opportunity and choice intersect. Now, we can't look out into the future so that we can look back. But I want to say today with great conviction, right now, we are at an intersection as First Baptist Church between opportunity and choice. Right now. In the Old Testament, [00:46:02] (81 seconds)
Because there are people who will sit in this room and who will tell you that we brought all the experts in. We all brought them down and we sat them down and they said, this is what we need. We have an older building. We have to go up and down stairs. We can't get anywhere. It is difficult to use. It is becoming cost prohibitive to put money into this building. And architects, financial planners, people who did this for a living said, you can't do this. You can't do this. But God can. In the middle of a pandemic, God can. [01:01:18] (54 seconds)
The story of this church, the story of the building of this church is not about people. It is not about raising capital that took years to do. It is not people who literally put blood and sweat and anguish and agony. Some who are present today and many who are in heaven of what this place could be. And it came about. Not because of what we did. Because the story from a 10 ,000 foot view is that God brought us to this mountain. And that God brought us to this place. And here we are. [01:02:11] (47 seconds)
But it is the person behind the eye that counts. It is us. Caleb said, he, God, will lead us. He will give this to us. Do not be afraid. The Lord is with us. Joshua and Caleb saw the giants. But they also saw the Lord that was behind those giants who was much bigger. And they saw that a God who would lead them, who had brought them this far, who was not going to abandon them, but was going to lead them to new opportunities. They knew that God would lead them and would not abandon them on the edge of this opportunity. [01:12:12] (71 seconds)
But who said, we can, we should, let's go. So, for 150 years, First Baptist Church has been led that when we come to an opportunity, we make a choice. And here we are. Here we are today. For us, it is a specific intervention of God into our lives, right now, this very day. We should and we can. Now, I want to be clear today. Today, I believe powerfully in the story of the widow's mite who gave what they could because they give it graciously and give it sacrificially. And that's my call to us today. [01:14:18] (84 seconds)
And you know, when they built that sanctuary, for those of us who worshipped in the old building, and they built that building in 1955, they did not know any of us. They may have known some family members. They had no idea who was going to be the preacher 75 years later. But they had a vision of a church for a generation that they did not know. And we complete a building project for generations of people that we do not know. Because God is providing for us an opportunity. [01:21:23] (58 seconds)
A church will wither when it declines the opportunity. The history of the church is littered with people who came and saw the opportunity and chose to do something different. We have an opportunity for us. What will we do? What will we do? I'm excited about the opportunity. I'm excited about what God's going to do. Whether it's going to be four -year -olds running in that building. Whether it's going to be a place for us as a church to have, sit down, like Tim said, and have a chili cook -off and get to know people that I hear all the time. I don't know who those people are. [01:23:47] (73 seconds)
For people to hear the story of Jesus. Where there becomes additional classroom space. We've heard our stories. We've heard why. And now it's time. It is a sacrifice. It is a challenge. But behind all of that stands our Lord. Because at the end of the day, at the end of the day, I pray that as it has been with this building, it will be for the future. That when people look back and tell the story of First Baptist Church, it will be, look what God has done. [01:25:14] (48 seconds)
make you know to all the world what can I do as Tim said to go and tell the world at Walmart and at Food City love of Jesus Christ at Cock County High School Cosby High School on the ball field in our homes what can I do to make Christ known make no mistake today is not an ordinary Sunday today we stand at a crossroads between opportunity and choice this is God's moment right now what would you do [01:27:36] (52 seconds)
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