AT THE FORKS IN THE ROADTEXT: Hebrews 11:24-26Introduction: Picture a person traveling down a road and he comes upon a         place where the road divides, a fork in the road. A choice must be made.    One, fearing that he may go in the wrong direction, decides to turn back. Another chooses one of the two and sets himself steadfastly in traveling on.    This is a person of decision.    For the young, the fact of choice is very important. Regarding whether or not we will serve the Lord, there are always important choices to be made. For the older, the subject of choice may not be as critical since many choices have already been made, but this message will serve as a reminder that the choices we have made are, in fact, the right ones.     Also, it will encourage us to abide in the choices that we have made.    As we study the Scriptures we see many people who made the right choices, such as Joseph, Joshua, Elijah, Paul, etc. As we consider these people, none stand out more than Moses. ! I.           MOSES AT THE FORKS IN THE ROAD

A.        When Moses reached the fork in the road in his life's journey, he made definite choices and revealed himself to be a man of      decision.

B.        There comes such a point in every person's life decisions must be made.

1.      Decisions must be made between the Flesh and the Spirit, God and Satan, God's people and Satan's people.

2.      Shall we choose self, friends, family, the way of least resistance, or God?

3.      It matters not what successes one may enjoy or what promises the world may hold, the choice of God must be made.

4.      Anyone who does not decide for God is "against" God.

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

II.         THINGS THAT DETERMINE CHOICE - the No's and Yes's, the do's and don't's.

A.        There are always two elements in every decision the negative and the positive; the refusal and the acceptance.

1.      The negative element. Moses said "No" to something. He said "No," and he meant it.

a)      His refusal implies both strong temptation and keenness of perception.

b)      While considering his course, Moses could have reasoned that God had determined that he was to remain in the house of Pharaoh since God placed him there to begin with.

2.      The positive element. Moses did more than just say "No." He said "Yes," and identified himself with the people of God.

a)      He refused to go one way, in order that he might go another.

b)      Right living does not consist solely of giving up evil things.

(1)  When we take something out of our lives that is not pleasing to God, we must put something in its place; otherwise, the devil will try to fill that void.

Luke 11:24-26 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

(2)  We don't just merely stop serving sin, but we start serving God.

Romans 6:11-13 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

III.       GREAT DECISIONS ARE ALWAYS COSTLY. The negative side of his choice.

A.        In the case of Moses, there was much to give up.

1.      He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

a)      He gave up the highest social position in Egypt. He did not want to be identified with the people of the world.

(1)  Some parents have this in reverse. They want their                children to be identified with the world, accepted into society.

(2)  Often their children succeed in the things of the world, but fail in spiritual things.

b)      No doubt, Moses' decision brought disappointment to those who had given him his training, position and opportunities. Yet, he turned away from all those.

2.      He did not choose the temporary pleasures of sin.

a)      He could have had all of his fleshly desires well satisfied by keeping his position.

b)      All sinful pleasures are only temporary. They don't bring lasting happiness. They all will be destroyed with the world.

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

3.      He did not choose the treasures of Egypt.

a)      Egypt had vast wealth at that time, as is clearly displayed by the excavations of the tombs of the Pharaohs.

B.        The cost of his choice is not to be measured only in what he gave up, but he chose suffering with the people of God.

1.      He expected a life of hardship as a result of his choice.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2.      The term "reproach of Christ" stands for any who unfairly or unjustly suffers.

1 Peter 2:19-21 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

IV.      HOW DID MOSES COME TO MAKE THIS CHOICE? The positive side of his choice.

A.        His faith was the factor that motivated him. "By faith Moses..."

1.      His faith unlocked the treasures of God. He looked to the heavenly treasures rather than the earthly ones.

a)      The gospel is God's statement of what spiritual blessings are ours when we make the choice of them.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 Peter 1:1-4 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

B.        In considering Moses' case more carefully, we note that:

1.      He had a clear eye for distinguishing right from wrong.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2.      He was able to comprehend the things of real value.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

3.      He knew that the pleasures and gains of this world are only temporary.

Luke 12:19-20 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

4.      He set his heart on things above rather than things on this earth.

Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

5.      He anticipated the coming reward and accepted whatever labor and hardship necessary to obtain it.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

*V.        WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF HIS DECISION?

A.        His decision developed him into one of the greatest Bible characters ever known.

Exodus 34:29-33 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in mount Sinai. And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

1.      His face shone, not because he was viewing gold, silver and the pleasures of this life, but because he had looked upon God.

B.        Moses' decision enabled him to render a great service to his people and to the world.

1.      From Hebrews 11, the great men and women of faith contributed much to all the faithful who would follow after them.

C.        Moses’ decision enabled him to reach heaven.

1.      Standing by Moses in Egypt, his choice may seem to be foolish and absurd, but standing by the glorified Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration we know that it was the only wise choice to make.

Matthew 17:1-3 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

 CONCLUSION: What is your decision in life today? Which road will you take?    Our choice is essentially the same one Moses had to make.    Will we identify ourselves with the people of the world or the people of God?    Will we enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season or will we enjoy the pleasures of righteousness?    Will we, by our actions, reap the eternal destruction of the soul or will we be rewarded eternal life?    What will your decision be?