SENIOR ADULTS - FAITHFUL WARRIORS
                                Joshua 14:6-15

  I.  The Melrose congregation serves four generations.
      A.  On a typical Sunday morning we have an attendance
            of about 100.
      B.  Of these 50% are adults.
      C.  Of these 25% are young adults in their 20's and 30's.
      D.  Of these 12% are teens.
      E.  Of these 13% are pre-teens.

 II.  We have much to learn from seniors, for example Caleb.
      A.  The background is from Numbers 13 and 14.
            1.  God told Moses to explore Canaan which He had
                 given to the Israelites as and inheritance.  13:1-2
            2.  Moses sent one man from each tribe to Canaan to
                assess  the people, land, soil, trees, towns and
                their walls
           3.  After 40 days the men returned and gave their report.
                a.  Ten said the land was good but the people were
                     too strong.
                b.  Caleb and Joshua said, "We should go up and
                     take the land."
           4.  The Lord forgave the men who doubted, but punished
                them by not allowing anyone who left Egypt as an
                adult to enter the land.
           5.  Only Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter Canaan
                because they had different hearts and followed God
                wholeheartedly.

      B.  What happened after the Israelites took the land?  14:6-15
            1.  Caleb, who is 84 years old, asks for the land promised
                 to him by Moses.  14:10-12
            2.  Caleb deserved the land because he had been faithful
                 on the mission; he stood for God when others fainted;
                 he served God faithfully; and God had promised the
                 land to him.  14:6-9
            3.  Joshua exhorts the people to be strong, courageous,
                 annd to obey God's word.  Joshua 1:6-9

III.  Take homes about senior Christians.
      A.  Seniors can be strong in the Lord and still work for Him.
      B.  Younger Christians have not had time to become whole-
            hearted for the Lord.
      C.  We need to be consistant year after year.
      D.  Warning:  Your service to God may change, but you
            cannot retire from God's service until He retires you.

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COMING EVENTS 

Please be back tonight at 6 PM  for our monthly singing.

No Wednesday Bible Study this week (July 4th                                                                                                                                                                                       FOOD DONATION: Our pantry is presently very well stocked. If you know of anyone or a family that is in need of groceries, please contact George and Martha Smith.