Scripture: (King James Version)
Text - Hebrews 11:24-27 "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."
At Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale California rests the replica of the Statue of Moses The Law Giver. It was sculptured by the great and famous Michelangelo. We are told that when the famous artist finished this work of art of Moses he tapped the lips of the statue, quickly stepped back and clicked his heels together and said "Speak". (Parla)
parla - translation (he/she/it) speaks or talks
The mere statue of Moses cannot speak to us but the message of his life through faith in God yet speaks to us today. A message penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by the writer of the Hebrews. In Hebrews 11:4 it says, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh". So it is with Moses. The title of my message today is The Message of Moses.
This message from God will reveal Moses faith in God. Faith that led him in a series of definite steps. Decisions of Faith. I believe these same steps and same decisions will be ours also if we intend to make Heaven our home.
Let's notice what Moses has to say to us in this message. First of all Moses would say, "REFUSE". Verse 24 - "By faith Moses when he had come to years (about 40) refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter". Moses was reared amid all the splendor, pleasures and advantages of the greatest empire of his day. He was destined for Position, Prestige and Power. Luke tells us that Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. " And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds". (Acts 7:22)
Moses was groomed for high honor. He could of had all that Egypt had to offer. But, he refused - He said, "NO"!
He refused to be called something He was not.
By birth Moses was one of God's people.
He was not an Egyptian.
He was not of the world.
Today, as born again Believers into God's family, the Christian is not of this world. We are not to be enticed, lured or pressed into the mold of this world. The grace of God teaches us in Titus 2:12 says, "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world".
Secondly, Moses would tell us to "CHOOSE". Verse 23 of Hebrews 11 says, Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season". Just because Moses refused some things and denied some things did not mean he lived and negative life and testimony. His refusing was only preliminary to his choosing. Faith refuses that which is wrong and chooses that which is right and is the will of God.
Moses realized that the very worst that God had to offer was better than the very best that this world and our deceiver had to offer.
Next, Moses would say "ESTEEM". Moses made the right choice because he had the right sense of values. He carefully weighted the whole matter. He "esteemed" (or valued) the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Moses realized things of this world are temporal while the things of God are eternal.
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
"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."
Friends, we need to learn to value the things of God above the things of this world.
Moses next word to us is "FORSAKE". Hebrews 11:27, " By faith he forsook Egypt......" not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Moses made a complete break from his old life. This element of separation must be built into our character if we are to live victorious Christian lives!
Our final exhort to us from Moses would be "ENDURE". In the last part of verse 27 of Hebrews 11 we read, "....not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Moses endured. He endured reproach, misunderstandings, temptations, tribulation, persecutions and more.
And then....Moses tells us "how" to endure. How? The last 6 words of Verse 27 say, "as seeing him who is invisible." JESUS.
Because Christ endured we can endure.
Because He overcame we can overcome.
John 16:33 Jesus tells us....."These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
REFUSE
CHOOSE
ESTEEM
FORSAKE
ENDURE
By faith.....
looking unto JESUS
8/15/1979 - Avon, North Carolina
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