Moses, Premier Prophet—Faith Is the Victory

Text: Hebrews 11:23-29

Theme: The victory of faith does not come without a fight.

I began this sermon series be sharing with you a quote from D.L. Moody, the great evangelist of the 19th century. He once said of Moses, “He spent 40 years in Egypt thinking he was a somebody. He spent 40 years in the wilderness finding out that he was a nobody. And he spent another 40 years finding out what God could do with a somebody who found out that, without God, he is a nobody.”

Moses is one of the great men of faith in the Old Testament. We all know that. A postscript at the end of the book of Deuteronomy says of him: “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,” (Deuteronomy 34:10, KJV).

But when we look at the life of Moses, we discover that he is something of an irony. On one hand he was a mighty man of God. He was obedient and faithful and courageous. On the other hand, he was often rash and impetuous and initially tried to weasel his way out of God’s calling. His life teaches us many lessons.

In this series we’ve looked at his miraculous deliverance as a baby from Pharaoh’s edict to kill all the Hebrew male children. We’ve looked at his spiritual preparation for becoming the deliverer of his people. We’ve examined his call of grace and his sundry excuses for not heeding God’s call. And we’ve discovered that the God Moses served was bigger than any of the false gods the Egyptians served. As I conclude this series on the calling of Moses, I’d like for us to consider the faith of Moses and how it affected his life. That faith is exemplified in the last video segment we’ll watch from Dreamwork’s animated film, The Prince of Egypt.

In the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, we find a roll-call of the faithful from the Old Testament era. In vv. 23-29 Moses has a prominent place in that roll-call. We read repeatedly the phrase, By faith Moses ... . Moses belongs in this pantheon of the faithful, because his faith was the victory. The one common experience he shares with the others mentioned in this chapter is that their victory did not come the easy way, but in every case involved hardship, difficulty, and sacrifice.

The life of Moses is a good example of the requirements for victorious living.

I. GOD CALLS A PERSON TO MAKE A CLEAN BREAK WITH THEIR PAST AND TO MAKE A NEW BEGINNING WITH HIM

"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin." (Hebrews 11:24-25, ESV)

1. the title son of Pharaoh’s daughter was prestigious in Egypt and entailed power and privileges

a. to break his tie with the daughter of Pharaoh and to choose to be identified with the Hebrew slaves called for faith and courage

b. for Moses, breaking this tie, meant leaving the security of ...

1) his adopted homeland

2) his adopted his family

3) his adopted friends

4) his adopted legacy

2. in spite of his ties to Pharaoh’s family, Moses put his faith in Israel’s God and severed his ties with Pharaoh’s daughter

a. he refused to be recognized as an Egyptian prince, because he knew himself to be a descendant of Abraham, and a son of the covenant that God had made with the

patriarch

3. Moses could have taken a compromise position

a. as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he might have concluded that his influence would be invaluable in setting the Israelites free

1) after all father Joseph 400 years before had wielded his power and authority in the interests of his kinsman

2) Moses could have concluded that it was God who had providentially placed him where he was

3) why, then, would he forsake such an advantageous position?

b. why not retain his position of power and use his great influence with the King on behalf of the oppressed Hebrews?

1) in retrospect Moses could have been the William Wilberforce of the ancient world

4. what was it, then, which prompted Moses to make this noble sacrifice?

a. the Bible gives us a simple answer – he was guided neither by reason nor sentiment nor guilt but by faith

"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter," (Hebrews 11:24, ESV)

A. GENUINE FAITH ALWAYS INVOLVES A ‘LEAVING’ BEFORE A ‘CLEAVING’

"choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin." (Hebrews 11:25, ESV)

1. by faith Moses makes several and noble renunciations

a. First, he refused Egypt’s fame

1) he was the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter and therefore assured of a place in the social elite, perhaps even as Pharaoh’s successor

b. Second, he repudiated the pleasures of Egypt

1) humble association with the suffering people of God meant more to him than the transient gratification of his appetites

c. Third, he recoiled at the treasures of Egypt

1) Egypt was the dominant superpower of the day

2) wealth and tribute poured in to the nation from around the Mediterranean world

3) as a prince of Egypt, Moses would have worn rings on his fingers; necklaces of gold, ivory and precious stones hung around his neck: his body was perfumed with the finest oils and closed in the finest linen

4) faith enabled Moses to see that the fabulous treasure houses of Egypt were worthless in the light of eternity

d. Fourth, he renounced Egypt’s monarchy

1) because of faith Moses did not fear the wrath of Pharaoh

e. Fifth, he rejected Egypt’s religion

1) in worshiping the one true God of his fathers – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – Moses flung down the gauntlet in defiance of the religious establishment

2. Moses left all of these things behind, and he turned in faith to the true God

a. Moses had to make a clean break with his past before he could walk with God by faith

b. Moses had to ‘leave’ before he could ‘cleave’

B. THE LESSON

1. Hebrews 11:24-25 describe the primary characteristics of saving faith

a. the faith of Moses shows us that saving faith does something ... it has faith

1) Moses reveals that faith is a definite decision of the mind, it is an act of the will, it is a personal and studied choice to follow God

2) it reveals the fundamental fact that saving faith includes, yea, begins with, a deliberate renunciation or turning away from all that is opposed to God

3) the bible calls this repentance

"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom ofheaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17, ESV)

"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10, ESV)

b. saving faith is a determination that denies self and elects to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ

1) listen to the apostle Paul’s testimony to the Christians at Philippi

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," (Philippians 3:7-10, ESV)

2. like Moses, true faith makes us break with the world we had previously loved, true faith makes us serve the true and living God, and true faith puts us in relationship with a new family of fellow believers

a. faith in Christ that is not willing to give up everything—including one’s right to self—is not true faith

"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:23-25, ESV)

1) you don’t get much blunter than that

2) the prodigal must leave the far country, before you can come home and cleave to the father

3. God Calls a Person to Make a Clean Break with Their past and to Make a New Beginning with Him

II. GOD DOES NOT PROMISE THAT THE LIFE OF FAITH WILL BE AN EASY LIFE

1. in a sense, Moses faced a greater test and more severe trials after bringing the people out of slavery, then he ever faced in his confrontation with Pharaoh

a. often it is easier to live by faith as we journey toward an unseen goal or promise then to do so once we receive it

2. it is after Moses leads the people out of Egypt that we see his faith faltering at times

3. God calls on us to stay the course, to keep the faith even when times are difficult

a. God calls us to stay out of our shells, so that we might experience victory

4. what does Moses’ faith teach us?

A. THE LIFE OF FAITH EXPOSED MOSES TO HARDSHIPS, TRIALS AND SACRIFICES

"When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:10-12, ESV)

1. it doesn’t take long before the Hebrews are questioning their decision to leave Egypt and are questioning Moses’ leadership

ILLUS. George Muller, a great man of faith, once said, "God delights to increase the faith of His children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God's hand as a means. I say and say it deliberately ... trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith."

2. if Moses thought Pharaoh was a stiff-necked a rebellious man, just wait until he had to deal with his very own kinsmen!

a. here was a situation that would test to the limits Moses’ faith in God

1) but God always come through for His people in unique ways

"The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left." (Exodus 14:15-22, ESV)

b. the victory of faith won out and Moses obeyed knowing the power of God would prevail

3. the Christian life is also like this

a. we are to trust in the power of God to do great and mighty things

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)

B. THE LESSON

1. the life of faith is not an easy race

a. it takes some spiritual endurance

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

2. God has decreed that the general state of His people on earth shall be one of hardship, opposition, and persecution

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)

3. why does God allow hardship, opposition and persecution of his people?

a. First, to arouse us to spiritual diligence

1) God, speaking to the Prophet Micah, said: "Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction." (Micah 2:10, ESV)

2) this world is no place for the Christian to find rest—it is full of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction

3) nevertheless there is a tendency in us to settle down in this world—this world that is not our home because we are just pass’n through

4) again and again God bids us to watch and pray, to be sober and vigilant, alert and active

"for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14, ESV)

4. why does God allow hardship, opposition and persecution of his people?

a. Second, to wean us from the world

1) there is that in us which still loves the world too much

2) in His mercy God seeks to stir up in us a loathing for the pleasure of Egypt

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17, ESV)

5. why does God allow hardship, opposition and persecution of his people ?

a. Third, to conform us more fully unto the image of Christ

1) God has granted us permission to use the things of this world, but has forbidden us to abuse them

2) temporal blessings become a curse if they are allowed to hinder us from our walk with Christ

"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it." (Proverbs 15:16, ESV)

3. God Has Not Promised the Life of Faith Will Be an Easy Life, but it Will Be a Victorious Life

III. THE REWARDS OF FAITH ARE WELL WORTH THE COST

"Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses." (Exodus 14:30-31, ESV)

1. because of Moses’ faith the Hebrews were free, the Egyptians were defeated, God was glorified, and the people believed

a. faith

2. because of his obedience, a nation was born who gave us God's Messiah and the savior of our souls

A. THE REWARD OF FAITH IS FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE

"By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27, ESV)

1. here is the key to all that has been before us

a. Moses endured the attractive honors and alluring pleasures of Egypt’s court

b. Moses endured the repeated compromises of Pharaoh

c. Moses endured the misgivings and criticisms of his people

d. he endured them all because he had seen him who is invisible

2. long before the Apostle John penned the words in his Gospel, Moses had experienced the great truth of our Lord’s admonition to His disciples

John 15:10 "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."

a. Moses leaned that real commitment to him who is invisible brings true contentment

B. THE LESSON

1. living in fellowship with him who is invisible is the most important thing you will ever do with your life

a. it is worth any hardship, any opposition, any persecution you may endure

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

ILLUS. The life of Ruth is a clear example of faith, trust, and fidelity. She did not let circumstances discourage her. Instead, she trusted that God would intervene in a supernatural way to give her victory. She was known among the Israelites for her determination to not leave her mother-in-law. Since Boaz had heard enough about Ruth by the time he met her, he said, “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord.” Purity, simplicity, and optimism were part of Ruth’s character. Orpah was the other daughter-in-law who decided to go back to pagan customs. She could also see in Naomi what Ruth saw. Yet Ruth was steadfast in her commitment to Naomi, who had taught her about the God of Israel. Because of what Naomi had taught her, Ruth was able to show her faith and trust in God by remaining faithful to Naomi and her God. Our works show what kind of faith we truly have (James 2:17). The Lord will reward our faithfulness just as He did for Ruth.

2. The Rewards of Faith Are Well Worth the Cost

God has always accomplished His works in history through ordinary men and women who were possessed of an extraordinary faith. The victory of their faith did not come easy, but only with a fight--the fight to remain loyal and obedient to God in the face of great trials and sometimes uncertain circumstances. This morning, God asks you to be loyal to him and to fight the good fight of faith. What does that mean?

1) It may mean making a clean break with your old life and starting a new life that centers on God.

2) It may mean struggling though difficult times. It may mean asking questions for which God does not immediately give you the answer. It may mean letting go of that which is most precious to you — your children — so that God can move and work in their lives.

3) The rewards of faith are always worth the cost.