Stepping Boldly into God's Promises and Fruitfulness

Summary

As we gather together, we are reminded of the power and faithfulness of God, who leads us from one season to the next. Just as the Israelites stood on the edge of the Promised Land, so too do we find ourselves on the verge of new opportunities and fruitfulness. God’s promises are not just ancient words, but living realities meant for us today. The journey of Israel from Egypt to Canaan is a story of God’s unwavering commitment to His people, a story that echoes in our own lives as we move from places of bondage and wilderness into the fullness of what God has prepared.

God’s word is clear: He desires fruitfulness for His people. This is not about material prosperity, but about living in the fullness of His promises, walking in obedience, and allowing His purposes to be fulfilled in and through us. The Israelites were given a promise, but they faced a choice—whether to believe God’s report or to be paralyzed by fear and the negative voices around them. Caleb and Joshua saw the same giants and fortified cities as the others, but their perspective was shaped by faith in God’s ability, not by the obstacles before them.

We are called to step into God’s promises with boldness, not shrinking back in fear or rebellion. Faith is not just something we think or speak; it is something we walk out, even when circumstances seem daunting. The “grapes” brought back from the Promised Land were a tangible reminder of God’s abundance and faithfulness, a glimpse of the future He has in store. Yet, opposition and giants will always be present when we move forward—intimidation, weakness, and the voices of our past can threaten to hold us back.

How we see ourselves and each other is crucial. If we see ourselves as grasshoppers—insignificant and defeated—we will never possess what God has promised. But if we see the Christ in each other, the potential, the warrior, the overcomer, we will encourage one another to rise up and be fruitful. Let us not be defined by our past hurts or failures, but by the mercy and grace of God that calls us forward. This is a year to step into the promise, to walk by faith, and to see fruitfulness in our lives and in our community.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Promises Require Our Participation
God’s promises are gifts, but they require us to step out in faith and obedience. The land was given to Israel, but they had to move forward, trust God’s word, and possess it. We must resist the temptation to let fear or past disappointments keep us from receiving what God has prepared. Our willingness to listen and respond to God’s direction determines whether we experience His fullness. [01:09:14]

- Faith Must Be Walked Out, Not Just Spoken
It is easy to talk about faith or to think positively, but true faith is demonstrated in action. God is looking for faith that can be seen—steps taken even when the outcome is uncertain. Like Caleb and Joshua, we are called to walk into the unknown, trusting that God’s favor and provision go before us. Faith that is visible to God often requires us to move before we see the results. [01:15:16]

- Remembering God’s Promises Sustains Us in the Wilderness
In seasons of waiting or difficulty, it is vital to continually remind ourselves and our families of God’s promises. The “grapes” from the future are reminders that God’s plans are bigger and better than our current circumstances. If we neglect the daily discipline of feeding on God’s word, we risk spiritual amnesia and discouragement. Regularly rehearsing God’s faithfulness keeps hope alive and shapes our perspective. [01:20:13]

- Opposition Is Not a Sign of God’s Absence
Giants and opposition are inevitable when stepping into new levels of God’s purpose. Resistance does not mean we are out of God’s will; often, it is confirmation that we are moving in the right direction. The real battle is not with external giants, but with internal mindsets of bondage, fear, and intimidation. What we focus on—God’s promise or the opposition—will determine our outcome. [01:26:49]

- How We See Ourselves and Others Shapes Our Destiny
If we view ourselves and others through the lens of past failures or insignificance, we limit what God can do in and through us. We are called to see the Christ in each other, to recognize potential, and to call out greatness. Our words and attitudes can either reinforce defeat or inspire fruitfulness. Let us choose to see each other as God sees us: overcomers, warriors, and beloved children destined for fruitfulness. [01:36:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[58:09] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
[58:51] - Honoring the Worship and Service Teams
[59:16] - Transitioning into a New Season
[59:42] - The Purpose of God’s Word
[01:00:08] - Reading from Numbers: The Promise and the Spies
[01:03:38] - Tracing the Promise from Abraham to Israel
[01:06:04] - The Wilderness: Preparation and Miracles
[01:07:00] - Two Reports: Division and Delay
[01:08:40] - Stepping into the Promise: God’s Perspective
[01:11:37] - Caleb and Joshua: Boldness and Obedience
[01:14:35] - Faith: Thinking, Speaking, and Walking
[01:18:08] - The Grapes: Reminders of God’s Abundance
[01:24:14] - The Giants: Opposition and Opportunity
[01:30:57] - The Grasshopper Mentality: How We See Ourselves
[01:35:10] - Seeing Others Through God’s Eyes
[01:38:12] - Closing and Call to Fruitfulness

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Stepping Into the Promise

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### Bible Reading

- Numbers 13:1–2, 26–33; 14:6–10
(The story of the spies sent into Canaan, the reports they brought back, and the response of Caleb and Joshua.)

- John 15:1–8
(“I am the vine, you are the branches… If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”)

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### Observation Questions

1. What did the spies see and experience in the land of Canaan, and how did their reports differ? (Numbers 13:26–33)
2. According to the sermon, what was the significance of the “grapes” the spies brought back from the Promised Land? [01:18:08]
3. How did Caleb and Joshua’s response to the giants and opposition differ from the other spies? (Numbers 14:6–10)
4. In John 15, what does Jesus say is necessary for fruitfulness?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The Israelites were on the verge of entering the Promised Land, but most were paralyzed by fear. What does this reveal about the power of perspective and belief in God’s promises? [01:01:45]
2. The sermon says, “God’s promises are gifts, but they require us to step out in faith and obedience.” What does it look like to “walk out” faith rather than just talk about it? [01:15:16]
3. The “giants” in the land were not just physical obstacles, but also represented internal mindsets like fear and intimidation. How do these internal giants show up in our own lives? [01:27:29]
4. The way the Israelites saw themselves (“like grasshoppers”) affected their destiny. How does our self-perception shape our ability to step into what God has for us? [01:30:57]

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### Application Questions

1. The Israelites had to choose whether to believe God’s report or the negative voices around them. Are there any “negative reports” or voices in your life right now that are making it hard for you to trust God’s promises? How can you resist them? [01:08:11]
2. The sermon challenged us to not just think or speak faith, but to walk it out. What is one specific step of faith you feel God is asking you to take in this season, even if the outcome is uncertain? [01:15:16]
3. The “grapes” were a reminder of God’s abundance and faithfulness. What are some “grapes”—signs of God’s goodness or answered prayers—you can remember or share with your family to keep hope alive during difficult times? [01:19:23]
4. Giants and opposition are inevitable when moving forward in God’s purpose. What is one “giant” (fear, insecurity, past failure, etc.) that you are facing right now? How can you shift your focus from the giant to God’s promise? [01:27:29]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of how we see ourselves and others. Is there someone in your life (including yourself) that you tend to see through the lens of past failures or insignificance? What would it look like to see them (or yourself) as God sees them? [01:36:13]
6. The Israelites’ lack of faith led to delay and missed opportunity. Is there an area where you sense God is calling you to move forward, but you’ve been holding back? What’s one thing you can do this week to take a step toward obedience? [01:09:14]
7. The sermon encouraged us to regularly remind ourselves and our families of God’s promises. What is one practical way you can build this habit into your daily or weekly routine? [01:20:13]

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Close in prayer, asking God for boldness to step into His promises, for eyes to see ourselves and others as He does, and for faith that is lived out in action.

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Promises Are for a Specific People
God’s promises are not random or generic; they are given to a specific people, chosen and loved by Him, not because of their own merit but because of His mercy and the work of Jesus on the cross. As children of God, we are called to receive what He has prepared for us, to step forward in faith, and to possess the land He has promised. This means recognizing that our identity and inheritance are rooted in Christ, and that we are invited to live as recipients of His grace, not as outsiders or unworthy. Let us remember that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and we are called to walk in the fullness of what God has for us, not shrinking back but embracing our place in His family. [01:10:09]

Numbers 13:1-2 (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.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to believe that God’s promises are truly meant for you? How can you intentionally receive and walk in His promise today?


Day 2: Faith Requires Action, Not Just Words
It is easy to think about faith and even to speak words of faith, but true faith is demonstrated when we take bold steps that align with God’s promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. God is looking for faith that can be seen—faith that moves us to act, to step out, and to claim what He has spoken over our lives. This may mean applying for a job, starting a new venture, or simply moving forward in obedience, even when we feel unqualified or afraid. Faith that is only thought or spoken is incomplete; it is when we walk by faith that God’s power is revealed and His promises are realized in our lives. [01:17:44]

Mark 2:5 (ESV)
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to put your faith into visible action, trusting God to meet you as you move?


Day 3: Remember and Remind Yourself of God’s Promises
In the midst of challenges and wilderness seasons, it is easy to forget the promises of God and become consumed by our present circumstances. Yet, God calls us to continually remind ourselves and our families of His faithfulness and the hope He has set before us. Just as the spies brought back a cluster of grapes as a glimpse of the future, we must regularly revisit God’s Word, rehearse His promises, and share them with others so that hope is kept alive. The enemy seeks to erase our memory of God’s goodness, but by daily feeding on His Word and speaking His promises, we keep our vision clear and our hearts anchored in faith. [01:20:48]

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Reflection: How can you intentionally remind yourself and those around you of God’s promises today—through Scripture, conversation, or another creative way?


Day 4: Opposition Does Not Mean You Are Out of God’s Will
Whenever there is an opportunity from God, there will also be opposition—giants in the land, intimidating circumstances, or resistance from others. This opposition is not a sign that you are out of God’s will; rather, it is often confirmation that you are moving toward what God has for you. The key is not to focus on the giants or the obstacles, but to keep your eyes on God’s promise and to stand firm in faith. Intimidation, fear, and discouragement may come, but God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Remember, new levels bring new challenges, but God is greater than any opposition you face. [01:26:49]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Reflection: Where are you facing opposition or intimidation right now? How can you shift your focus from the obstacles to God’s promise and power?


Day 5: See Yourself and Others Through God’s Eyes
How we see ourselves and others profoundly shapes our actions and relationships. The Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers—small, insignificant, and defeated—which limited their ability to step into God’s promise. God calls us to see ourselves and each other as He does: fearfully and wonderfully made, full of potential, and carriers of Christ within. Instead of focusing on past failures or brokenness, we are to recognize the greatness and fruitfulness God has placed in each person. This shift in perspective enables us to encourage, support, and call out the best in one another, building a community of overcomers who walk in God’s purpose together. [01:36:26]

Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you have been viewing through the lens of their failures or your own hurt? How can you choose to see and affirm the fruitfulness and potential God has placed in them today?

Quotes