Faith Of Moses

Hebrews 11:24-28 (NIV) By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. {25} He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. {26} He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. {27} By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. {28} By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

The faith and the life of Moses is very definitely rooted in the faith and life of his parents. You will recall they were two unknown people. They were COMMON SLAVES. They exercised faith by putting baby Moses onto the river Nile. There is no doubt that Moses was influenced by his parents.

As Jochebed took care of Moses, she told and retold their story. She taught Moses what faith in action means. She imparted a confidence and trust in Jehovah God. With this background Moses went on to become what Dr. Kyle said was "the greatest man among men in the whole of history of the world"

We are familiar with some of the details of Moses' life. There are three 40 year periods in his life: 40 years in the house of Pharaoh, as a prince. 40 years in the wilderness tending sheep. 40 years in the wilderness leading the nation of Israel.

The writer of Hebrews could have talked about a number of things of faith in Moses' life. He chose to point out these three things.

MOSES REFUSED TO BE CALLED THAT SON OF PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER
HE FORSOOK EGYPT - NOT JUST LEFT
HE INSTITUTED THE PASSOVER

REFUSING

Vv 24-26 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. {25} He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. {26} He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

We see the mental process that must have taken place in the mind of Moses. As Moses took a look at the choices he had, he made a ledger. He put everything on the scale in order to come to a decision. What did he have to consider?

His own parents were in slavery.
There were treasures in Egypt!

The Egypt of Moses' day was very rich
They had untold wealth
They had educational advantages
They were advanced in the sciences
They were a remarkable civilization
They were powerful

Moses also considered the oppression of his people.

The slaves were kept in cruel subjection. They were in abject poverty

Their only hope was that the Messiah would deliver them. Moses did his accounting. He watched, pondered, thought, Considered it all. After all the facts were in, It was time for a decision. For Moses the balance was tipped in favor of the slaves and righteousness.

He REFUSED to participate in the pleasures of sin. If you think sin has no attraction, you are wrong! There is a passing pleasure in sin. Moses saw first hand the advantages of being a part of Pharaoh's house. He had a choice that most of us never have the opportunity to make. He was not limited by finances of any other advantage.

Moses knew very well what was on both sides of the fence. He made his decision! HE REFUSED! To be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

HE FORSOOK

Next we see him carry out that decision. This suggests a principle that we too often neglect. Once we decide to not participate in the pleasures of sin, we need to forsake! We must FLEE from the setting of Sin!

Moses did not stay in Egypt. He Forsook. If you decide to not eat doughnuts - the last place you need to be is at the doughnut shop. Moses left all of the advantages of Egypt! Forsaking is the action part of making a decision!!

Moses instituted the Passover

He obeyed the Lord in setting up the Passover. The people obeyed the Lord as they obeyed Moses. The Passover was an act of faith. The Passover reminds the Hebrew people of the Lord's deliverance.

When you look at the faith and life of Moses, we must remember Amram & Jochebed. We do not know how our faith will be lived out in the lives of our children.

FAITH IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT IS BETTER CAUGHT THAN TAUGHT!!

Parents, do you want your children to grow up as believers? Live the Life!!

Look at these three statements about Moses' faith:

He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter
He forsook Egypt
He instituted the Passover

I see a principle for you and me:

These areas of faith mentioned here are not so much "actions" as they are life style changes!

These decisions affected his life - not just the flashy, showy things.

We have a tendency to look at the ACTS of faith and not the LIFE of faith.

We like to look at: Crossing the Red Sea, Water coming out of the rock, Miracle of daily provision of Manna, Burning bush. We tend to want to be able to do great acts of faith

GOD WANTS TO EMPHASIS THE LIFE OF FAITH!

The life of faith will see the acts of faith! The difference: One places faith in God - the other places faith in the acts. We must not be looking at the miracle, rather at the God of the miracles.

Is your life a life of faith? Let Moses' life speak to you. Let Moses' life encourage you!!

BE ENCOURAGED!!!

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