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Moses was a great leader.

God used him to lead 2 million people for 40 years—out of slavery in Egypt, to the brink of the Promised Land on the other side of the desert.

During those years, another generation came up…

And God raised up another leader to take them across the Jordan river into the New Territory.

The Moses era was over. Now, it was Joshua’s turn to lead.

At the end of Moses’ life, God showed him the Promised Land. Moses didn’t get to go in, but he saw it from a distance. He died, and God buried him.

“So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place.” (Deuteronomy 34.5, 6 NLT)

That’s pretty interesting—God took care of Moses’ burial and kept the location a secret.

Theologians agree: God did this so that the people wouldn’t worship the body of Moses, so they wouldn’t turn his body into a shrine or an idol.

The separation of Moses from the people was necessary in order for them to get to the next place.

They had to let go of the old so that they could embrace the new.

I’ve been reading a good book by Dr. Henry Cloud called Necessary Endings.

In his book, Dr. Cloud asserts that “endings” are a healthy and necessary part of life. He says, “Endings are crucial, but we rarely like them.”

Dr. Cloud points out that the “Time and Season for Everything” refrain found in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 gives as much emphasis on endings as it does beginnings.

Quoting from the book:

“Nothing lasts forever…

Each season has its own set of activities.

In the language of Ecclesiastes, are there areas of life where you are trying to birth things that should be dying?

Trying to heal something that should be killed off?

Laughing at something that you should be weeping about?”

It’s human nature to hold on to things for too long—have you ever seen an episode of Hoarders?

As Dr. Cloud says, “Endings are crucial, but we rarely like them.”

I don’t think anyone in Israel wanted to see Moses go.

He truly was a great leader.

But if the people held on to Moses (even after his death), they would never have embraced Joshua.

And without Joshua, they couldn’t take the New Territory.

So, God hid the body.

I think sometimes God has to do this in the church too…

He requires one thing to die and another to come take its place.

We must be careful not to turn an era, leaders, styles, methods or traditions into a shrine or idol to be worshiped.

If we do, we will certainly miss out on what God has for us today.

Life frequently requires: in order for us to receive one thing, we must let go of another.

Married? Gotta let go of the single life.

Have a child? Gotta let go of some freedoms.

Getting healthy? Gotta let go of some unhealthy habits.

In order to grasp the future, we must sever ties with some things of our past.

If we really want to receive something new, we must be willing to let go of something old.

In order to cross over, we must separate ourselves from anything we cannot take forward with us.

As God led his people from Egypt towards the Promised Land, he prepared them for change…

The Israelites had to let go of the wilderness in order to receive Canaan.

They couldn’t have the wilderness AND Canaan.

They couldn’t have Joshua AND keep Moses.

They had to let go.

They had to let go of the wilderness and the lifestyle associated with it (camping, manna, etc.).

They had to let go of Mo.

The things they had to release weren’t bad—they were just never meant to be part of the next season.

Here’s a difficult question to consider…

What things were valid parts of your yesterday—but have no place in your tomorrow?

Historically, the church has not been good at letting go… we want to possess the new AND still keep the old.

God didn’t want Joshua to have to live in the shadow of Moses.

The death of Moses symbolized an end to the previous way of doing things.

The old regime had its day. Those things were relevant in their day, but they have long since passed away.

Leading the Israelites to posses the New Territory would require different strategies and methods.

Joshua knew he couldn’t lead the people the same way Moses did.

The challenges before them were different.

A new generation had come up.

They weren’t where they used to be and they hadn’t arrived yet.

It was a new day. They were crossing over—moving forward, advancing.

The new day required new things: new leadership, new methods, new structures and new strategies.

In order to receive the new, they had to let go of the old.

They had to let go of Mo…

And so do we.

We gotta let go of Mo.

We must release the “Moses mentalities” and “Moses traditions” of our past.

In order for us to receive one thing, we must let go of another.

In order to grasp the future, we must sever ties with some things of our past.

If we really want to receive something new, we must be willing to let go of something old.

In order to cross over, we must separate ourselves from anything we cannot take forward with us.

Letting go of Mo means saying “yes” to crossing over into the new territory.

Swagger:

To move with confidence.

How one presents him or herself.

Swagger is shown in how a person handles situations—it is also shown in the person’s walk.

Too many Christians have lost their swagger.

I’m not talking about arrogance, pride or even self-confidence.

I’m talking about faith.

Confidence in God.

Assurance.

Boldness.

Shining, not hiding.

Advancing, not retreating.

On the offense, not defense.

Playing to win, rather than not to lose.

Saying things like…

“If God is for us, who can ever stand against us?”

“Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loves us.”

“Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.”

That’s the kind of swagger I’m talking about.

Christians lose their swagger because of various things…

Some—because of challenges, difficulties and hurts.

Others—because they’ve gotten lazy and quit growing.

The reasons don’t matter. What matters is that you get your swagger back.

When the 12 spies came back, only 2 had their swagger.

Joshua and Caleb said, “Let’s go—we can do this!”

They moved with confidence.

They presented themselves as ready for the challenge.

They trusted God—and they walked with a swagger.

Here’s what God said about Caleb:

“He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately. I’ll bring him into the land and his children will inherit it.” (Numbers 14.24 MSG)

My interpretation of that verse: “He walks with a swagger because of his confidence in God.”

How about you?

Is it time to get your swagger back?

Do you remember that song from the late ’80’s by Timbuk 3?

It went something like this…

I study nuclear science.

I love my classes.

I got a crazy teacher, he wears dark glasses.

Things are going great, and they’re only getting better.

I’m doing all right, getting good grades.

The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.

When the Israelites were on the verge of something new (entering the promised land), 12 spies were sent out to explore the land and bring back a report.

God had promised them this territory (which is why it was called “the promised land”).

It was an abundant place, a land “flowing with milk and honey.”

When the spies brought back their report, only 2 of them were singing like Timbuk 3 — the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.

Joshua and Caleb said things like…

“Let’s go—we can do it”

“God will lead us into that land.”

“He will give it to us.”

“God is on our side, don’t be afraid.”

The other 10 spies brought back a fearful, negative report…

“We can’t.”

“It’s a land that swallows people whole.”

“Everybody we saw was huge—we even saw giants,”

“We felt like grasshoppers there.”

When you compare the statements of the spies, you will notice something:

Joshua and Caleb emphasized God and His ability.

The other 10 spies emphasized their inability and magnified the strength of the enemy.

They took God out of the equation. For them, the future was all about their abilities -vs- the obstacles.

And that, my friends, is exactly how to make the future a scary place.

Focusing on yourself + focusing on the obstacles = freaking out.

For a bright future, keep God at the center of it all.

He’s not just the God of yesterday—he’s the God of today and the God of tomorrow!

There is no reason for the future to be a scary place.

Our weaknesses aren’t the issue and the size of the challenges aren’t the issue.

The fact that God is with us and for us is the issue.

Our best days are still before us.

The best is yet to come.

Like Caleb, I’m saying: “Let’s go—we can do this.”

Fear exaggerates the threat to your well-being and safety.

Insecurity magnifies the possibility of failure.

Worry paralyzes.

When Moses sent 12 leaders into the Promised Land to spy it out and bring back a report, all 12 received the same instructions. All 12 went to the same places. All 12 saw the exact same things.

Only 2 (Joshua and Caleb) brought back a good report.

The other 10 fixated on the challenges and brought back a negative report.

“We scouted the land from one end to the other—it’s a land that swallows people whole.” (Numbers 13.32 MSG)

Sounds a bit dramatic, doesn’t it? “It’s a land that swallows people whole.”

I believe there is a land that swallows people whole.

It’s not a physical place, but it is a place where people live: a place of fear, insecurity and worry.

And this place of fear, insecurity and worry consumes people…

It eats them for breakfast.

It makes them freeze up.

It kills progress.

It denies potential.

It declares: “You don’t have a chance!”

It causes people to think, “I shouldn’t even bother trying.”

The words of those 10 negative spies became like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

They ran from the challenge and they died without ever receiving what God had for them.

Their story serves as a cautionary tale for us.

We don’t have to live in a land that swallows people whole—a place of fear, insecurity and worry.

We can live in a place of confident trust, courage and faith in our God—who does the impossible.

We’re going somewhere! We’re moving forward, advancing, taking new ground—entering a new territory.
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And we have faith like Caleb, who said: “Let’s go! We can do this.”

Our default position is to focus on self.

It’s all about me…

Give me.

Listen to me.

Help me.

Serve me.

Love me.

Want me.

Need me.

Thank me.

This never works, never satisfies.

We need to flip the M—and move from “me” to “we.”

When we love God and put others before self—life is blessed, satisfying, rich and rewarding.

Loving God, loving people and loving life… this is how it was meant to be.

Flip the M.

Enjoy.

Have you ever questioned the worth of “special china” sitting behind glass doors on display—yet rarely used?

You can’t find a clean cup in the house for a drink of water and you glance over at the china cabinet…

There they are—all lined up, looking good and staying put.

Off limits.

Reserved for something special and important.

Frustrating, isn’t it?

Cups for use are in high demand and in low supply while the “special china” is plentiful but not available for use.

The Apostle Paul pointed out that in a large house, there are all kinds of useful vessels—some gold, some silver, some wood and others made from clay. (2 Timothy 2.20)

What’s important to God, according to Paul, is not the appearance of the vessel but its usefulness.

God doesn’t have special china in His house, only vessels for use.

Unfortunately, many churches are full of “special china” Christians who make an appearance on special occasions, then return to the display case so they can be admired.

Remember the analogy Jesus used when describing the pharisees?

He said they clean the outside of the cup and dish…

In other words, they look good.

They shine and sparkle in the display case, but on the inside they’re full of selfish motives.

Moldy, dirty and nasty… unable to be used.

To all the “special china” in the church cupboard I say:

You’re not special—and we need your help.

You’re a vessel for use, not an ornament to be admired.

You were created by the potter to carry things.

We have a city to love and people to serve.

It’s time to get out of the display case and be used.

Picture a family getting ready to go on a long drive and overnight stay somewhere.

The parents carry suitcases, diaper bags, groceries, backpacks and toddlers.

They load up the car.

They make several trips into the house and back out to the car—each time, their arms full of necessary items.

What do the kids carry?

Maybe a favorite stuffed animal or Nintendo DS.

In this picture, we see a principle:

The mature carry more than their own stuff, while the immature carry only what they need or want.

When Moses was leading the Israelites from where they had been to where they were going, he felt the weight of carrying an enormous burden.

He was surrounded by family, friends, elders, leaders and staff members but he still felt alone—alone in carrying the vision, responsibility and burden to see it come to pass.

Moses complained to God about it…

“What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” (Numbers 11.11-12 & 14-15 NLT)

I can relate to Moses’ frustration and feeling alone in being a “carrier.”

The church is full of people who will only carry what they need or want.

Being a carrier of the vision can feel lonely and overwhelming at times.

Here’s how God responded to Moses:

“Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders… to stand there with you. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.” (Numbers 11.16, 17 NLT)

In essence, God put the same “carrier spirit” Moses had on a group of 70 others.

I believe God is going to do the same thing here at Fairwood Church.

I believe many will rise up to take on the “carrier spirit” – carrying the vision, responsibility and burden to see it come to pass.

How about you? Are you ready to carry more than a stuffed animal or Nintendo DS?

Are you ready to carry more than you need or want?

I’m looking for some carriers…

With approximately 2 million people camping out in the desert, the land could not sustain them.

There were no orchards or farmlands.

There wasn’t a Walmart Superstore nearby.

No taco trucks or hot dog stands…

So how did the Israelites eat?

God provided “manna” – bread from heaven for them.

He gave them instructions to take just enough for their families for the day—assuring them that He would provide enough manna for everyone each day.

He told the people not take more than they needed, not to store the manna.

No manna in doggie bags or tupperware containers.

Can you guess what happened next?

“Some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning By then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell.” (Exodus 16.19 NLT)

I believe God’s blessings are never meant to be stored, hoarded or kept to ourselves.

When we try to keep or contain His blessings, things start to stink real quickly.

God’s supply never diminishes. He’s not in recession.

What He provides, there’s always more where than came from…

More grace. More forgiveness. More mercy. More love. More favor. More blessing.

Our job isn’t to put it all in a tupperware container for safe-keeping.

Our job is to look around and make sure everyone is getting some.

Don’t let what God blessed you with get all stinky.

Don’t let your manna attract maggots.

Instead—share, give and pass on the blessings to others.