TEXT: By faith Moses — Heb. 11:23-29
INTRODUCTION: Moses’ life can be divided into three forties: He was 40 years in the court as a prince, 40 years in the field as a shepherd, and 40 years in the wilderness as a leader of a nation. Faith is expensive. At the beginning of Moses’ life some would say he was a fool at the end a failure. But in between he was a man of faith. We see three things in the faith life of Moses:
FAITH’S VISION is pronounced as he saw through the temporal things and penetrated to eternal realities — because he saw God.
FAITH’S VALUE is seen as he chose to separate himself and determined to do the will of God.
FAITH’S VICTORY is reflected as he overcame the world as represented by Egypt and Pharaoh. By faith, we see Moses –
I. REFUSING
Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter — Heb. 11:24. It takes faith to say NO– even more than to say YES. Moses refused to remain the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. This meant refusing the wealth, fame, and position of Egypt. He said no! WITNESS AT A DANCE: Once a beautiful young Christian girl had a crush on a certain handsome and popular young man. For weeks she hoped he would ask her for a date. One day he did. He suggested that they go to a dance. She thought of her Christian convictions about such matters. Yet, if she did not accept, he might never ask he again. What should she do. Reasoning thus, she accepted the date. She said to herself I will go to the dance, but I will witness to him about Christ So, as they danced, she asked, “are you a Christian?” “Are you,” replied her friend? “Yes, I am a Christian.” “Then, what are you doing in a place like this with me?” It takes faith real genuine faith to say NO in times of testing and temptations of compromise. MOSES REFUSED
A. POSITION
B. POPULAIRTY
C. POWER
By faith, we see Moses –
I. REFUSING…..THIS IS CONVICTION
II. RESOLVE….THIS IS CHOSSING
Choosing rather to suffer affliction — Heb. 11:25.
Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God. This took faith. It always does. Sin offers pleasure but for just a short season. Behind the “pleasure of sin,” there is always the “deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). Moses made his choice; he made a definite decision; and a man is known by his choice.
Moses was tempted, as all are tempted, by the lust of the flesh “the pleasures of sin for a season, the lust of the eye”the riches of Egypt,” the pride of life “to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”
There is both a negative and a positive side to faith refusing, then choosing. This sequence is unchanging. There must be a “ceasing to do evil” before there can be a “learning to do well” (Isa.1:16).
There must be a “hating the evil” before a”loving the good” (Amos 5:15).
There must be a “confessing and forsaking” before “mercy” (Prov. 28:13). Moses considered the WORST of the people of God, and the BEST of the world but preferred the worst to the best. He did it by faith.
Faith must prove itself in choosing. The reward will then be sure and large.
Faith must not hesitate or halt. It looks at everything in the light of eternity.
I. REFUSING…..THIS IS CONVICTION
II. RESOLVE….THIS IS CHOOSING
III. REASONING…THIS IS COUNTING
Esteeming the reproach of Christ — Heb. 11:26.
This Moses did. We must sometimes bear the reproach of Christ if we are to serve Him.
A. HE KNEW HE WOULD SUFFER…. Esteem means to “count” or “estimate” or”evaluate.”
B. HE KNEW HE WOULD BE IDENTIFIED…..reproach of christ By faith, we see Moses
I. REFUSING…..THIS IS CONVICTION
II. RESOLVE….THIS IS CHOOSING
III. REASONING…THIS IS COUNTING
Iv. RESPONSE …THIS IS CHARACTER Forsook Egypt — Heb. 11:27.
A. LOOK AT HIS DECISION He walked off and left Egypt with all its luxury, entertainment, and popularity. Egypt is a type of the world. It takes faith to walk away from the allurements of this present world. By faith Moses forsook. He went through with the decision of this faith. Forsaking is always the first step. It is the coming out, being separate, parting with sin, bidding farewell to Egypt, the land of our birth, and not fearing the wrath of Satan or the world.
B. LOOK AT HIS DELIGHT….GOD CALLED HIME THEN USED God calls men who are willing to forsake all and endure all. Such was Martin Luther for the Reformation; such was William Carey for the modern missionary movement; such was David Livingstone for the opening of Africa; such was Roger Williams for religious liberty.
I. REFUSING…..THIS IS CONVICTION
II. RESOLVE….THIS IS CHOOSING
III. REASONING…THIS IS COUNTING
Iv. RESPONSE…THIS IS CHARACTER.
V. REWARD…THIS IS CONFIDENCE
As seeing him who is invisible– Heb. 11:27. The faith of Moses did not find immediate response from the people. Instead he met with resentment and suspicion. Yet, he had strength for endurance.
A. HE WAS DISCIPLINED Disciplined faith is irresistible. Moses’ faith made him strong and fearless. He saw Him who is invisible, and left Egypt with courage and certainty. For others to take courage, our faith must remain steadfast through all testings, radiant despite disappointments, and triumphant in all conflicts.
B. HE WAS DARING….VRS 28&29 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
O for a faith that will not shrink, Though pressed by many a foe, That will not tremble on the brink Of poverty or woe;
A faith that will not murmur nor complain, Beneath the chastening rod, But, in the hour of grief or pain, Can lean upon its God;
A faith that shines more bright and clear, When tempests rage without, That when in danger knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt.
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