Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life reminds us that we are all counted as warriors in God’s kingdom—male and female alike. God waited for an old generation to pass so the next could enter the promise together. When the church finally enters God’s promises, it will be as one unified nation, not divided by denomination. Organizing your spiritual life means moving forward with God, taking responsibility, and standing ready as part of His counted people.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
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Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Numbers 1:1-4, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 26:28, 2 Corinthians 5:10,
The Link Between Exodus and Numbers
Last Sunday, the focus was on the first word of the book of Numbers. The word was “then” or “and.” This word links Numbers to the end of the book of Exodus. Exodus had just ended one month earlier with the completion of the tabernacle. Numbers follow immediately, establishing a connection between the two books.
The Unintended Journey: Why Numbers Was Written
The book of Numbers should not have needed to be written. After finishing the tabernacle, the people should have stayed and applied the lessons it taught. Then, they could have moved into the Promised Land within a month or so. Instead, Numbers records what happened next. It tells the story of what took place after the tabernacle’s construction, which was not the original plan.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Two Generations: Wandering or Inheriting the Promise
The book of Numbers tells the story of two groups of people. The first group should have entered the promised land. Instead, they wandered. God waited for that entire generation to die before allowing the next to go in. That is the central theme of the book.
I desire not to die in the wilderness. We should want to go into the promise. God brought His people out to take them in. Still, many Christians today are stuck, dying in their own wilderness. How do you know if you are dying in the wilderness? Ask yourself—are you moving? Are you pressing toward the promise? Or are you camped and standing still?
The Israelites had to travel just a few days from Sinai to the promised land. But they had to move. The same is true today. If we are not moving forward in God, we are dying. It is time to move, to change, and go forward with Him.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
The Church Still in the Wilderness
I believe the wider church today is not in the promised land. The church, in general, is still wandering in the wilderness. This mirrors the theme of the book of Numbers, also called the book of wilderness wanderings. At times, my own life feels this way—wandering and wondering about different things. Many people can relate to this experience of spiritual wandering.
Another key point is the structure around the tabernacle. God told the people to set up camps around it, with each camp flying its flag or standard. Every household also had a banner. This created a visible sign of order and identity. Today, there are standards flying everywhere—across the street, down the road, and all around the things of God. These represent the different perspectives and groups within the larger church.
Entering the Promise Together
No one entered the promised land alone. Entry was always as a group or at least in pairs. When Israel finally went in, the entire nation crossed together. In the same way, when the church moves into God’s promises, it will happen with great unity. The church will not simply wave banners or create signs but will actually move forward and take the land together.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
This process, with people grouped by standards and camps, was God’s idea. Each group saw and approached the tabernacle—the things of God—from its own perspective. People in different church traditions see God through their own backgrounds, whether Baptist, Methodist, or another camp.
Currently, the church remains in the wilderness. But a day will come when God leads everyone forward, brings unity, and the church crosses into the promised land together.
I want to understand how to follow God’s guidance without getting lost or discouraged in life’s difficulties. They emphasize the importance of learning what to avoid to navigate spiritual challenges effectively. The desire is strong to move forward into the blessings God has promised, even if others choose not to join the journey.
We should want to be like Joshua, leading others—especially the next generation—into God’s promises. They express a wish not just to speak about this, but to truly live it out. My central prayer is to take others forward in faith rather than just looking back, recognizing that these actions only have meaning if guided by God.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Numbers 1:1-4
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the
second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
2 ” Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers
households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head
3 from twenty years old and upward, whoever {is able to} go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies.
4 “With you, moreover, there shall be a man of each tribe, each one head of his father’s household.
When the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, he spoke directly to Moses. Moses was physically located in the wilderness, away from the comforts and structure of settled life. The entire nation of Israel was also in the wilderness at this time, camped at Sinai.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Approaching God in the Wilderness
Even in the wilderness, God remained approachable. The setting did not prevent Moses, or anyone, from coming before God. The experience of Moses demonstrates that, regardless of one’s situation, it is still possible to approach God. God spoke to Moses, proving that God is a speaking God. From Genesis to Revelation, God communicates with his people. He wants to be known as a God who talks and reveals himself. This truth encourages anyone in a “wilderness” season to come before God, trusting that he is still willing to speak.
We had a service here, and at that time, our sanctuary and platform were arranged differently. A mighty man of God was with us, ministering. He truly loves God and is known as a man of deep faith. During the service, he made a statement reflecting his theology. He believes God does not speak to us today. He said it must be amazing to hear God speak.
I sat there, puzzled. I know this man is well-versed in scripture—he has written books and studied it intensely. But I thought about what Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice.” I believe God still speaks, and if I am one of his sheep, I should be hearing his voice. Jesus didn’t say his goats hear him; he said his sheep do.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Our God speaks, and we need to learn how to recognize his voice. First Thessalonians chapter 4 says that the Lord will return with the voice of the archangel. When the Lord comes, he will be shouting, and we must be able to hear him. God talks, and I believe it is essential to listen. Still, this is not my only message today; there is something else I feel strongly that the Lord wants me to share.
Numbers 1:1
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the
second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, inside the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt. We are nearing the same month. I long to hear his voice speak to me.
God did not give this principle to Israel all at once. It took them a whole year to learn how to approach God in the tabernacle. Learning to approach God is not instant. It takes time to work this principle deep into your life. You must practice and learn how to come before him. Over time, approaching God becomes a real and personal part of who you are.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Numbers 1:2-3
2 ” Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’
households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head
3 from twenty years old and upward, whoever {is able to} go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies.
In Numbers 1:2, God told Moses to take a census of all the sons of Israel, by families and fathers’ households, counting every male, head by head. The purpose was to number those who could go to war—every man twenty years old and older. This established that in Israel, the ones counted were the warriors.
In the New Testament, the principle of being a warrior applies to every believer. Spiritual battle is not limited by gender. Paul says there is neither male nor female in Christ, and everyone must put on the armor of God. We are all called to spiritual warfare, and the weapons we use are not physical but powerful through God for tearing down strongholds.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
If you don’t fight—if you’re spiritually passive or allow defilement in your life—you are not counted with the warriors. God wants maturity and readiness for spiritual battle from all of us. In the New Testament, everyone in God’s kingdom is expected to be a spiritual warrior, eager to be counted among those who fight for the faith.
In 1 John 2:13-14, John says, “I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.” This highlights a stage of spiritual maturity. As young men in the faith, the expectation is not just to fight, but to overcome the enemy. This means transitioning from passivity to active spiritual warfare and achieving victory through God’s strength.
I see a clear choice before me: either I mature and engage in spiritual war, or I risk spiritual stagnation or defeat. We do not want to die spiritually or miss my calling. I want to be counted among those who wage war and overcome. My desire is not just to survive, but to overcome the wicked one and grow into the maturity God intends for me.
The Call to Personal Responsibility
God commanded Israel to number the warriors by families, but only the ones eligible to fight were counted. The numbering system progressed from the nation to the tribe, then to the family, and finally to each individual who was eligible to go to war. Not everyone in Israel, or any particular family, was included in the census—only those qualified as warriors.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
For example, in my own context, if you numbered the “Americans,” then moved to the “Youngs,” then Delbert’s family, and finally down to me, Lance, Bonnie, Judy, Brittany, and Heather, only those fit for battle would be numbered. In my house, it might just be Lance and me, but the responsibility is personal. Ultimately, God counts individuals. I cannot blame my shortcomings on my nation, my family line, or even my immediate household. I am accountable. The Lord has my numbered.
It matters who my father is and the heritage I receive, but at the end of the day, I stand as an individual before God. Many people forget where they come from, but I want to pass on a spiritual heritage—stories of faith, obedience, and God’s calling. Just as Abraham’s name was remembered for his faith, and his legacy lasted generations, I want my children and grandchildren to remember and desire godliness because of the spiritual foundation passed down to them. I want them to tell future generations how God led and blessed their forefathers, so a desire for godliness continues to be woven into our family line.
It matters who your granddaddy is. The spiritual heritage passed down through generations can give a person strength and foundation. Many Christians struggle because they do not know their spiritual roots. They do not recognize what has been woven into their lives to prepare them for the challenges they face. Understanding where you come from helps in fighting the spiritual battles
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life ahead.
I want my children and grandchildren to know they have a foundation. There are qualities and blessings that God has worked into their lives through previous generations. This foundation is not accidental—it has been intentionally built through faith and obedience over time.
Still, I cannot blame what I am on my father. Personal responsibility remains. My heritage and background are essential, and I can be thankful for them, but ultimately, I must take ownership of who I am. What I carry forward from my family’s legacy is mine to own and put into practice. I hope my children and grandchildren will recognize the foundation laid for them and continue to build on it with their own faith and choices.
I cannot blame my faults or shortcomings on America, my family, my household, my wife, my children, or any of my relatives. It is easy to point at others—our country, our spouse, or our kids—and say they are the reason for our struggles. Many people blame the state of the world on significant issues like abortion or the failures of those around them. I am not saying those things are unimportant, but they are not responsible for who I am or the choices I make.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
The truth is, responsibility comes down to me. I cannot hide behind excuses or pass blame onto others. When God “numbers” his people—when he looks for those ready to stand and be counted—it comes down to the individual. I am responsible for my own actions. I must be willing to say, “I am going to be numbered. It’s me.” Personal ownership before God is what truly matters, no matter the circumstances around me.
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the scripture says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; all things have become new.” This means I am now a new person in Christ. My past no longer defines me. The old ways and failures no longer hold power over me. God has made me new, and I cannot blame my present choices or struggles on who I used to be.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Because I am made new, I need to move forward. Sin does not reign over my life now. God has transferred me from darkness into the kingdom of his Son. He has done this by his own power, not my own.
Romans chapters 5 and 6 show that I am no longer under the law but under grace. The law of sin and death no longer rules. Now, God’s grace rules in my life. I live each day under the rule of his grace, not condemnation. My responsibility is to walk in this new life God has given me, letting grace—not my past—shape who I am and what I do.
Matthew 26:28
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
In Matthew 26, Jesus establishes the Lord’s table—communion—saying, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.” The word “remission” is significant in this context. It means pardon—your sins are not just covered; they are wiped away. The blood of Jesus does not merely hide sin for a time. Instead, it washes sin away completely, leaving no trace behind.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
To illustrate this, I think of the “File Wipe” program on my computer. When you use that, the file is permanently erased. Unlike regular delete options, which leave traces behind, File Wipe makes it impossible for anyone to recover the deleted files. This is what the blood of Jesus does to sin—it is gone forever. No trace remains to be uncovered, not by anyone, not even by the best spiritual “technician.”
God has never come to remind me of my forgiven sin. The only one who often brings it up is me. It is my responsibility to confess my sin, but once I do, the blood of Jesus makes it truly gone. Confession and application of Jesus’ blood bring total pardon. I am thankful and relieved to know my sins are fully forgiven and washed away when I confess and trust in the cleansing power of His blood.
The second meaning of the word “remission” is freedom. Not only am I pardoned—my sins wiped away and gone—but I am also set free from the power of sin. I am no longer under the law of sin and death. Now, I live under the law of God’s grace. God is moving in my life, He helps me, and I am free from what used to hold me captive.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
When I sin now, as a believer, I am both pardoned and freed. But sin no longer controls me; it no longer reigns in my life. If I sin, it is because I made a choice. It’s not something I can’t resist, and it is not something I can blame on the devil or anyone else. The responsibility is mine alone.
Through the blood of Jesus Christ, I have become a new creature. Old things have passed away. Because of the new covenant, I step into a new way of living. God has translated me out of the earthly realm and seated me with Christ in heavenly places. Now, I rule my life by His grace—not by guilt, not by law, but by grace.
I cannot blame my struggles or shortcomings on the nation, my family, or any other person—not even the devil. I am the one who is counted, the one responsible for my choices. God already has the devil’s number, and He has mine too. The freedom I have in Christ means I am truly responsible for how I live, but I live empowered by grace, not by my old nature or former chains.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(NASV) 2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
I cannot blame my actions or my spiritual movement on anyone else. My walk with God is personal and individual. When God calls me to move—whether that means stepping forward in faith, going to battle spiritually, or seeking Him more deeply—it is my responsibility to respond. There are times to camp and wait, but there are also times to move, and I need to recognize those moments in my life.
This verse shows that every believer, including me, will stand before Christ. There is no escaping it. Each one of us is numbered, and one day I will give an account for what I have done in my body. This includes everything—both the good and the bad. My deeds, choices, and actions are my own, and I will be recompensed according to what I have done in this physical life.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Nothing I do is outside my body—everything, both sin and service, is done right here, in this earthly life. The judgment seat is not for things I pretend or intend, but for what I actually do. I am called to take this reality seriously, to live each day ready to move with God, and to take full ownership of my journey. The responsibility is mine—not my nation’s, not my family’s, and not anyone else’s. I will stand before Christ and answer for my own life, trusting in His grace as I respond obediently to His leading.
Standing Alone Before the Judgment Seat of Christ
Every single one of us will stand before Christ one day. On that day, I cannot point to anyone else—my spouse, my children, my family, my nation—and try to blame them for my choices or my life. I won’t be able to say, “It was that woman you gave me,” or “It was because of my kids,” or any other excuse. Christ will say, “I have your number—I am talking to you.” Each person will stand alone before Christ, without anyone else to take the credit or the blame.
This moment is intensely personal. No one else can stand in my place or answer for me. It doesn’t matter what others have done, whether family, friends, or people in my community. My appearance before the judgment seat of Christ is a reflection of my own internal decisions and actions.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
This truth is sobering. It forces me to acknowledge that my walk with God—and my eternal accountability—is a matter between me and Jesus alone. It’s not comfortable, but it is vital. I must honestly face this reality and live in light of my personal accountability before Christ.
Standing before the judgment seat of Christ is a profoundly personal experience. It isn’t just a time of rewards, but a moment of honest reckoning with Jesus. At that place—like the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle—there are no distractions, no natural light, and no one else to blame or lean on. It’s just me and Him, alone in that holy darkness.
Outside, things can appear clear in the sunlight and even in the holy place’s lamplight, surrounded by others and spiritual activity. But at the judgment seat, all excuses disappear. God is a consuming fire, and everything I have done will be tested. Wood, hay, and stubble—the things that do not matter—will be burned away. Only gold, silver, and precious stones—the things of eternal worth—will remain.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
The Call to Stop Blaming Others and Take Responsibility
This time of judgment is not just about fear or regret. It is a time for God’s mercy and truth to work in me. It’s a call to stop blaming others, to stop focusing on distractions, and to face God honestly. Here, I am challenged to desire Him above all else and to come into His presence with humility and openness.
As I reflect on the journey through the book of Numbers, I see there are only two paths: either die in the wilderness or go into God’s promise. The deciding factor is whether I am willing to be a warrior in faith. If I view obstacles from a heavenly perspective and trust God, then I can move forward and claim His promises. But if I only see myself as weak—as a grasshopper compared to the challenges—I remain outside.
Being numbered among the warriors means I must be willing to fight spiritually, to accept personal responsibility, and to seek God’s presence above all. I confess there have been times when I focused more on moving forward than on leading others into God’s presence. I repent for that. Then, I asked for His forgiveness and seek a renewed heart—one that longs for Him and is ready to go into the promised land, not just for myself, but to lead others as well.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Lord, move in our hearts by your grace. We ask that you touch us so that we do not leave as if we have only listened to another sermon. Let this time be truly life-changing. Help us stop blaming America, our heritage, our families, or anyone else. Let us stand before your throne with honesty and say, “Lord, you have my number. I am ready to change. I am going in.”
This is the heart of the message: God wants to touch your spirit, not just your mind. He calls you beyond just a mental agreement or hearing another teaching. The Spirit is drawing you to real, personal change—to approach God for yourself. Throughout this service, the focus has been clear and consistent. It is not about what others do or the circumstances you face. It is about you and God, face to face, standing in his presence. He sees you as you are, and calls you to respond from your heart.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4: How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
The Invitation to Approach God in Surrender
You know, deep inside, that now is the time to approach God. There is an area of your life where he wants your complete surrender. The invitation today is not just to agree but to be truly changed—to leave behind excuses and step forward with courage. God’s grace is here to help you go in, to stop blaming others, and to accept his invitation for transformation. Respond to him today, from your spirit, and let this be more than a sermon—let it be the moment God changes you.
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4 – How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
Numbers Chapter 1:1-4 – How to Organize Your Spiritual Life
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Numbers Chapter 1:1-4 Warriors Numbered
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