Faith to Conquer

Hebrews 11:23–28 KJV 1900

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

One characteristic, which is almost unanimous, that is observed from each of the individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11, is the faith of their parents; the only exception being Rahab.

Moses is no exception to this standard and we see that the first mention of faith in his story is actually the faith of his parents.

Verse 23 tells us that he was hid for three months because his parents saw that he was a beautiful or proper child.

The New American Commentary says this “Two reasons are given in v. 23 for their act of hiding Moses. First, they saw he was “no ordinary child,” the NIV translation for the LXX “beautiful.” Commentators often suggest that behind this word is the notion of God’s favor or approval, or that God had some special purpose for Moses’ life. This is of course true, but it is difficult to extract this from the word itself. The second reason for their action is they were not afraid of Pharaoh’s edict. Although this is not stated in the LXX of Exod 2:2, it is an implication drawn by the author of Hebrews.”

This word proper comes from the greek word Asteios (Ah’-stay-os) meaning- Handsome, beautiful, good, or charming.

Moses was a beautiful child because he was a child born with a divine plan for his life.

The fact that the plan for his life was recognized by his parents speaks highly of their walk with God.

As parents there are many pitfalls that Satan has laid out to destroy our children and to keep them from reaching their potential for God.

A wise parent will attentively watch their children and seek Godly wisdom for the best method of protecting them.

Often we see in society that parents who shelter their children are looked upon with contempt yet we see here in this passage that sheltering parents were in perfect alignment with Gods plan. However, a meticulous study of scripture will help us recognize that the shelter wasn’t to keep them from exposure to the world, or even from Pharaoh himself but rather was intended to allow Moses the opportunity to fulfill what God had planned for his life.

Verse two tells us that both Father and Mother were descendants of Levi, that is to say that they were of a rabbinical heritage. They both were separated from the other tribes and their lives were dedicated to the service of the Lord. Their recognition of Moses’ potential was both derived from his heritage but also stemming from their separation.

As parents we should not seek to shelter our kids from this world but rather shelter them from the destructive power of sin. This should include a premeditated plan to equip them with the necessary tools to function in this world without being allured by the ways of this world. Again, equip them with the necessary tools to function in this world without being allured by the ways of this world.

Moses’ parents only had three-four years with their son and yet their impact upon his life was enough that he would grow up and reject the throne of Pharaoh for the people of God.

You may be here this morning and maybe you share joint custody with your children, maybe your grandchildren do not live close and their parents do not take them to church. Maybe you are estranged from family and your impact upon them is minimal. I want to encourage you to never give up hope, don’t stop praying for the miraculous power of God to intervene.

Remember, the grace of God is greater than any distance, the spirit of God can go through doors and walls that we can never walk through. Live for God, walk with Him, pray without ceasing, it make take 40 years like it did for Moses but God is able to work within the confines of a hardened heart, and to reach deeper that the greatest depths to touch the heart of a sinner.

Before we look at the Faith of Moses I believe that we would be doing an injustice to the Biblical account if we failed to look at the effects of Egypt upon Moses. Moses was used by God in a mighty way and he became the leader of God’s people, however, his time in Egypt left its mark upon Moses.

First lets look at the Marks of Sin.

I. The Marks of Sin

Exodus 2:15–19 KJV 1900

Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.

We see here that Moses ran off the shepherds and drew enough water for seven ladies and their flock. This alone would have been uncharacteristic for an Egyptian prince yet Moses did so without hesitation.

What motivated Moses may never be known, perhaps it was the beauty of the daughters, maybe it was an attempt to hide his royal upbringing. Perhaps it was just an attempt to find company after a long flight from Egypt, or maybe it was even a testimony to his moral character.

What is important is not Moses’ actions but rather the daughters perceptions. Moses had forsaken his Egyptian lifestyle and upbringing to be identified with the people of God yet from the outside he was still an Egyptian. Who he was on the inside was not yet reflected on the outside.

We find no evidence in Exodus five that Pharoah recognized Moses upon his return to Egypt. This could have been because a different Pharoah sat upon the throne but there is also the possibility that Moses was now fully Israelite both inside and out.

As a new christian much of our lives still reflect the world but as we grow in grace and knowledge we should become less like the world and more like Christ.

Moses’ life is divided into three sets of forty. Forty years in Egypt, forty years in Midian, and forty years as the leader of Israel.

I don’t know if it is just happenstance or if there is a deeper meaning to the forty years.

What I do know is that Moses did not return to Egypt as the same man who left.

If you claim to be a follower of God and there has been no change then I would encourage you to check your salvation. A life lived with Christ will always be self evident.

Moses was born an Israelite, he had made the decision to identify with God but his time in Egypt had left its mark.

You may be a child of God but you would be a fool to think that you can spend your life yoked with the world and still maintain you Godly testimony.

Sin will always leave a mark upon your life.

2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV 1900

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV 1900

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

To often children of God desire to look and live as much like the world as possible. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that we should be separate.

Does our appearance matter? I would answer with a resounding yes. Our appearance reflects to the world what is on the inside.

As a child of God I should desire to bring honor to Christ in every aspect of my life. This includes my conversation, decisions, and appearance. I wonder today if the world can see that we are a child of God or if we to are mistaken to be an Egyptian.

Had the average church member been in Moses’ position they would have never left Egypt. To often we are more content to maintain dual citizenship with this world than to lay claim a heavenly heritage.

C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon called “Effectual Calling Illustrated By The Call Of Abraham” said: “For Christ’s sake the Christian man is henceforth obliged to be separated in many respects from such of his family and kindred as remain in their sins. They are living according to the flesh, they are seeking this world; their pleasure is here, their comfort below the skies. The man who is called by grace lives in the same house, but lives not under the influence of the same motives, nor is he ruled by the same desires. He is so different from others that very soon they find him out; and, as Ishmael mocked Isaac, so the sons of the world mock at the children of the resurrection. The call of grace, the more it si heard the more it completes the separation.”

A believers life will be marked by both outside influences which they dwell in and the internal meditations of his heart. What are the marks upon your life?

Secondly I would like to look at the preservation of Faith.

II. The Perseverance of Faith.

Moses would persevere because of the faith that was imbedded within his heart. This was a faith that outlasted the influence of his parents and the convenience of the family of God.

Young people I urge you to develop personal walk with God. It will never be sufficient for Him to be the God of your parents, church, or pastor. You must seek out a personal relationship with God. He must become your God, your rock, and your source of strength.

The day will come when you will have to make a personal choice to follow God; the influences that you now have will be removed and all that will remain is the faith that is within you.

Whether you live for God or turn your back on him may very well be decided right now.

Are the things of God burdensome to you?

Are you weary of being dragged to church? Do you see others living for themselves and desire to do the same? Are songs about Christ boring to you? Is church lame?

How about you adult? Have you just been going through the emotions? Are you telling your children to live for God while rejecting the principles of Gods Word? Does your mouth say you have faith in God while your actions deny His power?

Moses’ faith persevered in-spite of his surroundings because of a love for God and the people of God.

You may ask how? How can someone have faith in a God that would allow all of the children to be killed, or who allowed Moses to be taken away from his parents?

The answer is given to us in verse 26. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Moses’ faith remained because he had purposed in his heart that he would not live for this world but rather for the world to come.

I challenge each of you to survey your heart, weigh out your motivations and determine what it is you are living for.

We have many responsibilities in life, children, spouses, careers, ministries, and families. However, as a child of God we must not allow ourselves to be deceived into believing that these are our source of happiness or meaning in life.

Patrick Henry speaking to the second Virginia Convention of 1775 said “Give me liberty or give me death.” The cry for the Christian should be “Give me Jesus or give me death.”

The child of God is not an earthly being seeking a heavenly home but rather a heavenly child making their way through this world. When we recognize our purpose in God and and turn our eyes towards Him; then will our faith be strengthened and we can live a victorious Christian life.

Thirdly let’s look at the path of faith.

III. The Path of Faith.

Moses lived an extraordinary life. His life was full of excitement and adventure, highs and lows, victory and defeat. Make no mistake the greatest life you can possibly live is through a life of service for the King of Kings.

The path of Moses’ life is no ordinary tale. He was born as a baby condemned to death, grew up in the palace of Pharoah, lived in the desert, and died the leader of a nation.

Hollywood would be doing well to come up with such a story plot. HIs story seems more in line with a Disney fairytale than with reality, yet we know his life was real.

Are you board with life, are you discontent with your plot in life. I challenge you to live for Christ. In serving him there is great joy and fulfillment, without the disgrace of sin.

The service of God has afforded me the opportunity to travel to 48 states, over 15 countries and territories. We have seen the beauty of Gods creation and have both touched and been touched by thousands of souls. I can give you complete assurance that serving God is anything but a mundane life.

A closer look at the life of Moses will reveal many similarities between himself and Jesus.Both where born condemned to death, Moses by Pharoah and Jesus by Herod. Moses’ life was sparred by an Egyptian princes, Jesus was sparred when Joseph and Marry took him to Egypt. Both spent great time in the wilderness and both died leaders.

However, there are also great differences. Moses was raised in a palace, Jesus was raised a carpenters son. Moses died greatly loved while Jesus died being rejected by his closes disciple.

Verse 27 is somewhat perplexing in that it says Moses fled Egypt not afraid of the wrath of the King but Exodus 2:14 tells us that Moses was afraid.

I believe that this difference can be reconciled when we recognize that his flight from Egypt was derived from faith not fear. He feared judgement but he fled because he had faith that God had a calling upon his life.

One of the greatest assets to your faith will come when you find assurance in Gods’ calling for your life. Moses’s stayed upon Gods designed path for his life because he had faith in God.

Could it be that God has a life of purpose and fulfilment for you and all that stands in the way is your forsaking of Egypt.

Matthew 6:24 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Weather you are a pastor, missionary, Dr., Lawyer, carpenter, janitor, or full-time caregiver, you will find the best life when you use your position for the cause of Christ.

The latter part of verse 27 says that Moses endured because he had seen Him who was invisible.

Many scholars will attribute this to the burning bush, the could and pillar of fire, the manna and quail, or possibly even a summation of all these events.

The issue with this thought process is that when Moses flee Egypt he had not yet had these experiences.

Somewhere in Moses’s life he had seen God. Maybe it was in his parents, maybe it was in Gods protection in his life, maybe it was even from an Israelite servant whom he had witnessed their faith.

Somewhere Moses had seen God and placed his faith in that which he could not see. It was the faith of Moses that trusted whom he had not seen that allowed the power of God to work in his life.

If we do not have faith in God today how can we anticipate having faith in the trials of life?

Lastly we will look at the preservation of Faith.

IV. The Preservation of Faith

We find in Hebrews 11:28 that it was the faith of Moses that helped maintain his obedience which resulted in the mercy of God.

Because Moses believed, he obeyed.

If we believe in Him then we will obey His Word and when we obey him we will find safety and satisfaction through Him.

Exodus 12:21–27 KJV 1900

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

There are two things from this passage of scripture that I wish to focus on.

1. Moses lived what he preached.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Moses kept the passover as he had instructed Israel to do.

James 1:22 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James tell us that if we do not live what he hear then we are deceiving ourselves.

Of all the Heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 none are mentioned for their sermons. However each is referenced because of their actions.

The church pews are full of individuals who will talk a good talk but God is interested in a life willing to walk the walk and Moses was that man.

Had Moses just informed Israel of the coming judgement yet not placed the blood upon his own door, he to would have experienced the judgement of God.

Today we have many leaders both in Government, society, and even our homes who say do as I say not as I do.

Politicians saying wear a mask yet they do not wear one except for tv. Parents telling their kids to tell the truth and live a life of good morals, yet themselves living a lie.

If we are to have the blessings of God upon our homes, church, and nation then we must, by faith, turn to God and live the truth.

2. Moses Loved the promises of God.

The second point of interest is that Moses trusted in the promise of God.

Hebrews tell us that by faith he trusted that God would spare the first born.

This was a promise that was given corporately to the nation of Israel but it was more than just that; it was also a personal promise give.

Im glad that God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world but He also sent Him to die for my sins. The sins of Randy Ellis were laid upon Christ and he went to Calvary in my place.

My faith in Jesus is because He took personal interest in my helpless condition and in His great mercy He came and died in my place. Romans 5:6 says: For when we were yet without strength, in due timeChrist died for the ungodly.

I’m not worthy of His salvation, and neither are you but Im thankful that the mercies of God are greater than all my sin.

If you are here and do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then I encourage you today to place you faith in the finished work of Jesus. It is this step of faith that that ushers in pardon for sin and imparts upon the believer new life.