Sermon Synopsis
This sermon confronts the problem of spiritual mediocrity by contrasting it with the life of Caleb, a man marked by spiritual aspiration, abandonment, and ascendancy. Drawing from Numbers and Joshua, it calls believers to resist complacency and pursue the full measure of God’s purpose. Caleb’s unwavering faith, distinctiveness, and perseverance model a life that refuses to settle halfway up the mountain. The message urges Christians of every age not to waste their lives, but to be mastered by one great thing—Jesus Christ.
Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.
Let Us Go Up to Possess
Confronting Spiritual Mediocrity through the Life of Caleb
Text: Numbers 13–14; Joshua 14
Introduction: The Problem of Spiritual Superficiality
Good morning, everyone.
As churches and Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas, I want to speak to you about two common issues among churches and Christians—both before Christmas and after Christmas. These issues go to the very heart of what it means to be godly, what it means to be a Christian.
The first is the prevalence of mediocrity.
The second is the absence of maturity among Christians.
These are really two sides of the same coin. Together, they describe the problem of spiritual superficiality. Today, I want to concentrate on the first issue: mediocrity.
What Do We Mean by Mediocrity?
By mediocrity, I do not mean being average or ordinary. There is no shame in that, and there is no blame in that. Most of us are average most of the time. Everyone is good at a few things, bad at some, and plain average at most things.
The problem with mediocrity is not being less than the best, but being less than my best—less than the highest and best that God has intended for me. Not what others expect of me, or even what I expect of myself, but what God intends.
One of the authors I read widely as a young Christian was A. W. Tozer. In one chapter entitled You Can’t Be a Baby All Your Life, he says something very apt:
“The word mediocre comes from two Latin words and literally means halfway to the peak. And this makes it an apt description of the progress of many Christians. They are halfway up to the peak. They are morally above the hardened sinner, but spiritually beneath the shining saint.”
I would add this qualification: it is fine if we are still climbing. Not yet at the summit, not yet at the peak—but still climbing. The problem is when we stop climbing, decide to build a shack halfway up the mountain, and settle there.
Mediocrity is “so-so Christianity.” In the words of John the Apostle in Revelation, it is being neither hot nor cold—lukewarm. Not very good, not very bad, just enough to get by. Subsistence living. Nominal Christianity—Christian in name only.
Vance Havner once said:
“Most church members live so far below the standard that you would have to backslide in order to be in fellowship. We are so subnormal that if we were to become normal, people would think we were abnormal.”
Theme Text: “Let Us Go Up to Possess” (Numbers 13:30)
Our subtitle today comes from Numbers 13:30: “Let us go up at once and take possession.” These are Caleb’s first recorded words in Scripture.
I have chosen Caleb because he is the opposite of spiritual mediocrity. He is an example of spiritual ascendancy—strength, influence, and spiritual power.
We will consider three attributes that set him apart from the mediocre majority.
Aspiration is the spirit that reaches for the highest and strives for the best that God has for us. Caleb exemplified this spirit.
The root of mediocrity is complacency—becoming comfortable, satisfied with where we are.
In Numbers 13:30 we read:
“Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’”
The reconnaissance mission into Canaan lasted forty days. The report was accurate: the land was good, but the inhabitants were strong. The fatal word was “nevertheless.” One negative word triggered an outcry of unbelief.
A single loose rock can unleash a landslide. A single wrong word can undermine the faith of many.
Caleb sensed the mood and seized the moment. His action was not impulsive; it was instinctive—born of a habit of instant obedience. His motto was: no “buts” when it comes to doing what God requires.
Contrast the words:
Same facts. Different conclusions.
Faith sees opportunity where fear sees threat. This is not positive thinking; it is spiritual discernment. The eyes of faith are always open to God’s opportunities.
Those who are audacious for God go for it.
Those who are apathetic simply sit on it.
Numbers 14:24
“But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully…”
Caleb is commended for two things:
Caleb did not conform to the spirit of the age because he had a different spirit—the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit imparts holiness. Holiness is being set apart from sin and the world, and set apart for God’s purpose.
Romans 8:8–9 reminds us that the Spirit of God dwells in us—and that we are to live in the Spirit. It is not enough to know the doctrine; we must cultivate the practice of walking by the Spirit.
The Spirit-led Christian sides with God, not the majority. One with God is a majority.
William Penn said:
“Right is right even if everyone is against it. Wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it.”
Scripture repeatedly says, “Except Caleb.” His exceptional spirit exempted him from judgment.
Caleb “followed the Lord fully.” This speaks of total commitment—no half measures.
Unless this is clearly communicated at conversion, we produce half-hearted disciples. The goal of evangelism is not decisions, but disciples.
Accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord are not two stages; they are co-incident. Anything less is easy believism.
To abide in Christ is to live in continual surrender.
Jim Elliot said:
“Wherever you are, be all there.”
III. “Go Do It” — Spiritual Ascendancy
Joshua 14
At age 85, Caleb declares:
“Give me this mountain.”
His physical strength was remarkable, but more important was his undimmed spiritual vision. His faith did not fade with time.
What marked him was tenacity. Like Abraham, he believed in hope against hope. His concern was the completion of the unfinished task.
Many Christians have vast tracts of unclaimed spiritual territory.
William Carey said:
“Expect great things; attempt great things.”
Between aspiration and accomplishment lies attempt.
Caleb waited forty-five years, yet he did not give up. At an age when many retire, he was ready to act.
“Give me this mountain” was not a selfish choice for the best, but a selfless choice for the toughest.
Late need not mean never. Waiting for God’s time is never wasting time.
Conclusion: Don’t Waste Your Life
The tragedy of a wasted life is the sum of wasted days.
Psalm 90:12 says:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
John Piper writes:
“The people who make a durable difference in the world are not those who have mastered many things, but those who have been mastered by one great thing.”
Beloved, may that one great thing be Jesus and Jesus only.
Closing Prayer
Our Father, we have fallen short in many degrees. We are often less than our best that You intend. Speak to the young, with all their promise and potential. Help them to mount up with wings like eagles. Help the middle-aged to run and not be weary, and those advancing in age to walk and not faint. Grant that we may give our best to our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.