April Showers

“Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you.” John C. Maxwell

One of the most significant choices I ever made regarding my life was in 1990 when I chose to be the designated driver for my group of friends.

Wife, best friend, lifelong companion

A new crazy family

Two children

Three grandchildren

Most Decision we make, we have no idea of their consequences. Some decisions, there is no doubt.

For the next couple weeks we will be talking about Moses’ decisions and their consequences. This week, specifically, we look at his first and most significant decision and discovery. “Who am I.”

Last week we saw the decision made by Moses’ parents, this week, baby Moses is all grown up.

Hebrews 11:24–26 NASB95

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Moses - adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, making him the grandson of Pharaoh.

Wealth, power, status, luxury. (passing pleasures of sin) choosing rather to endure ill treatment..

ELENA -Ice Cream or Candy story.

both good…..spoiled for choice.

“Have your cake and eat it too.”

Lap of luxury vs. pain and suffering. WHY? We will come back to that.

Exodus 2:11–12 NASB95

11 Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

WHAT? Is God saying that Moses killing the Egyptian was his act of Faith that he is praised for in Hebrews 11?

None of the commentators I read even mentioned this…..

When was Moses’ choice made?

The choice was made before all this…….read the first half of verse 11 again.

Exodus 2:11 NASB95

11 Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.

The righteous indignation of seeing his brother beaten is a consequence of his choice to identify with his people rather than with Pharaoh’s daughter.

We will see, he didn’t know when he was going to have give up his lifestyle, but by allowing his heart to be with his people rather than his adopted family, he would have known it was coming some time……

I will be surprised that because of our choice to follow Christ, if we don’t find ourselves in opposition to our government and deemed criminals for following Christ.

So back to the question of why he made this choice?

Good vs. good is a hard choice……

Ice cream or candy……

Good vs. bad consequences seems like a no brainer….

$10,000 or a pike in the eye.

Why would Moses choose the stick?

FAITH

Hebrews 11:24–26 NASB95

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Moses turned his heart toward his people in faith that God would reward that choice. (If you are good to those I love, you are good to me.)

reproach of Christ…..Moses knew the promise made by God to Abraham… that through his descendants God would bless the world… and whatever he would have to endure would be worth it…..

In Philippines 3 Paul says if you think you have reason to be proud, look at me…..

Parents followed the law, Tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee, found blameless in the law….

Philippians 3:7–8 NASB95

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

Overripe banana peel…… would anyone regret one minute throwing this away? You would be glad to get it out of your house…..

Consequences of Moses’ decision. Put him into a position to kill a guy…..May have been justified. he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew…..

Exodus 2:13–14 NASB95

13 He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” 14 But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”

Moses gave up everything. EVERYTHING for his people and they rejected him for it……

Sound familiar?

You were made in the image of God. Jesus loves you. One of the biggest differences between Jesus and Moses is that Moses didn’t know that his own people would reject him.

Romans 5:8 NASB95

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Most of us have Chosen Christ, but still want the world…..My prayer it that we would see it all a rubbish….

For those that haven’t chosen Him…today is the day of salvation.