FIVE INSTANCES OF FAITH IN THE LIFE OF MOSES
TEXT: Hebrews 11:23-29
Introduction: Heb. 11, “Hall of Faith” or “Faith’s Hall of Fame”--Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph.
Read TEXT. Even though Moses, like these other Bible heroes, lived in Old Testament times, the New Testament says that their lives are recorded for our learning.
So let’s see what we can learn by considering TITLE.
I. Moses’ parents in hiding him, v. 23
A. Here, the faith is on the part of Moses’ parents, but it obviously had an influence on him. How did Moses become the man he was? His parents’ faith opened the door for his mother to be his nurse: Exo. 2:1-9
B. God wants parents to pass their faith on to their children: Deut. 6:4-7
C. How do parents pass their faith on to their children? by teaching: 2 Tim. 3:14-15—cf. 1:5
II. Moses in refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, vs. 24-26
A. We see this choice in Moses’ actions: Exo. 2:11-14
B. He made this choice over the passing pleasures of sin: 2 Cor. 4:16-18
C. We also have such a choice to make between the riches of this earth or the reward of heaven: Matt. 6:19-20
III. Moses in forsaking Egypt, v. 27
A. Egypt represented the “old life” to Moses, and once he made his choice, he willingly left it: Exo. 2:15
B. We likewise must have the faith to forsake the world and all its allurements: Rom. 12:1-2
C. And as those who have chosen to be God’s people, we must continue to put off the “old life” and put on the new: Eph. 4:17-24
IV. Moses in observing the Passover, v. 28
A. Observing the Passover was an act of obedience: Exo. 12:3-7, 12-13, 28ff
B. Just as God demanded obedience from Israel, so He demands obedience from us: Matt. 7:21
C. Someone might ask, “What does putting blood on the doorposts and lintel have to do with being saved from the plague?” just as some today ask, “What does being dunked in water have to do with being saved from sin?”—but it’s simply a matter of obeying God’s will: Acts 22:16, 1 Pet. 3:21
V. Israel in crossing the Red Sea, v. 29
A. Crossing the Red Sea was also an act of obedience that must have taken great faith: Exo. 14:9-10, 15-16, 21-22, 26-31
B. There is no doubt that Israel was saved by God’s grace in giving Moses the power to part the Red Sea, just as we are justified by His grace in sending Jesus to die for us: Rom. 3:23-26
C. Notice even here the importance of faith—like Israel, to be saved, our faith must lead us to obey God’s will: Heb. 5:8-9
Conclusion: These five instances of faith in the life of Moses illustrate that while faith is an essential element in our lives, the faith that pleases God and brings salvation is a faith that is demonstrated by action: Gal. 5:6
Do you have faith?
What kind?
By Wayne S. Walker

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