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The Report.  Numbers 13:25-33

The report the spies brought back seemed overwhelming, yet promising.

1 mile- 400 people

3 mile- 4000 people

5 mile- 6000 people

In 2010 the population of Pearl River County was 55,834.  In that time period 26, 655 of those individuals identified as being some type of evangelical Christian.  19,812 identified having no religious affiliation and 2,260 identified with some type of religion other than Christianity.  This means that a conservative estimate of those in Pearl River County who are lost is 22, 072.  That is about 5,900 to 6,000 away from being half of Pearl River’s population. 

Four salvations and three baptisms in 2017.

We have gained some new members in 2017.

Unfortunately for us, but fortunate for them, we had a few of our faith family members who passed away in 2017.

We got the fellowship hall secured from flooding.

We have replaced some heating and cooling units.

We have ignited a committee to investigate and explore possibilities for our expansion.

We have had some engage in mission work and others in local missions.

We have a few who are engaged in para- church ministries and are doing a good work.

We have many using their vocations as a ministry and are sharing the gospel through that.    

The Urge to Retreat.  Numbers 14:1-4

Many will look at a report and give up, but God has called us to a great work.

The Proper Response.  Numbers 14:5-7

Prayer

The Risk for God’s Reward. Numbers 14:8-10

Genesis 12:1-3 “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. 2 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. 3 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.”

Being obedient is challenging and costly, but Jesus is worth it!

Obedience is faith in action.

The Promised Land was a territory from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates River. The only people of the original group that entered the Promised Land were Joshua and Caleb and those under 20 years of age. 

You may never see the rewards God has in store for Oak Hill Baptist Church, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to know you left a legacy for your grandchildren, and their children.  The most important thing we can do is pave the way for the gospel to go forward. 

Two ways we will risk it for the reward.  Both deal with our spiritual growth.

1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”

Philemon v.6 “and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.”