Caleb - God's 2nd Fiddle

“Caleb – God’s Second Fiddle”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:

Text: Deuteronomy 1.19 - 40

Thesis: First fiddles can’t fiddle without a 2^nd fiddle!

1           Introduction

A. Source of phrase

B. Washington had his 2^nd fiddle spies

             1. The landing of the French army

             2. The saving of West Point from Benedict Arnold

             3. The stealth of Yorktown

C. Grant had two 2^nd fiddles, Sherman and Sheridan

D. Sometimes 2^nd fiddles get promoted and 1^st fiddles get demoted. 

             1. Prior to the 2^nd WW, the Filipino commander was Douglas MacArthur.  His aide?  Dwight Eisenhower.

2          Caleb spoke up for obedience before Joshua – Numbers 13.26 - 33

A. What’s right, not who’s right

B. Leadership was the result of faith, not ambition

C. He cared not for his own safety, reputation or career

3          Caleb took up his second fiddle willingly and played the same tune – Numbers 14.1 - 10

A. He tore his clothes with Joshua

B. He spoke with unison with Joshua

C. He accepted death as a consequence with Joshua

4         Caleb took up his 2^nd fiddle willingly and publically – Deuteronomy 1.34 - 38

A. He accepted that Joshua was on the platform and he wasn’t

B. He accepted that he was in the audience and Joshua wasn’t

C. He was comfortable in the 2^nd chair

5          The Meaning of the Text

A. There is no shame in the 2^nd chair

B. The 1^st chair fails without the 2nd

C. Accept elevation and demotion with equal grace

6         The Challenge of the Text

A. Am I subservient to God and others?

B. Am I ambitious to be 1^st chair?

C. Do I see my worth to God regardless of chair?

7          “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston  Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

·         On Friday night, August 12, 2016 Russ will dramatically portray the life and times of his 5^th Great grandfather, John “Justice” Gaston entitled; “A Patriot of the Revolution.” A portion of the event will cover also the life and times of his brother, Hugh Gaston.  The event will take place at the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 at 7 p.m.   The public is invited to this free presentation.