Choosing Faith: Moses' Bold Rejection of Worldly Gains

 

Summary

Moses' decision to forsake the privileges of Egyptian royalty and align himself with the oppressed Israelites is a profound testament to the power of faith. This choice, as described in Hebrews 11:24-26, was not made lightly or without cost. Moses, a man of high education, rank, and ability, chose to suffer affliction with God's people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. His decision was rooted in a deep faith that esteemed the reproach of Christ as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. This faith was not a result of his noble birth or eccentricity but was a deliberate choice grounded in his belief in the promises of God.

Moses' life challenges the notion that faith is only for those of lowly status or questionable pasts, as exemplified by Rahab. Instead, it demonstrates that faith is a calling for all, regardless of social standing or education. Moses' decision was a conscious rejection of compromise and a bold step into a life of faith, even when it meant leaving behind the comforts and honors of Pharaoh's court. His story encourages us to evaluate our own lives and consider whether we are willing to forsake worldly gains for the sake of truth and righteousness.

The sermon emphasizes that true faith often requires sacrifice and a willingness to stand apart from the world. It calls us to examine our own convictions and to be ready to part with anything that stands in the way of our relationship with God. Moses' example is a call to action for those who are moral, educated, and of high position to embrace a life of faith, recognizing that the eternal reward far outweighs any temporary loss.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith Over Worldly Pleasures: Moses chose to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin. This decision highlights the importance of valuing eternal rewards over fleeting earthly gains. True faith often requires us to forsake comfort and embrace sacrifice for the sake of righteousness. [00:09]

2. Rejecting Compromise: Moses' decision to leave Pharaoh's court was a rejection of compromise. He chose to stand firmly with God's people, despite the personal cost. This teaches us the importance of unwavering commitment to our faith, even when it means standing against societal norms or expectations. [09:33]

3. Faith in God's Promises: Moses' actions were driven by his faith in God's promises. He believed in the ultimate reward of aligning with God's will, despite the immediate challenges. This encourages us to trust in God's plan and remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that our sacrifices will be rewarded. [26:36]

4. The Power of Decision: Moses' life demonstrates the power of a decisive faith. His choice to identify with the Israelites was not based on emotion or impulse but on a deliberate decision to follow God. This reminds us that faith is an active choice that requires intentionality and courage. [39:57]

5. Eternal Perspective: Moses' faith gave him an eternal perspective, allowing him to see beyond the temporary pleasures of Egypt. This perspective is crucial for us as believers, helping us to prioritize our spiritual journey over worldly success and to live with the end in mind. [38:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Moses' Faithful Choice
- [00:40] - Rahab vs. Moses: A Contrast
- [01:24] - Faith for All, Not Just the Lowly
- [02:02] - The Misconception of Superiority
- [03:17] - Moses: A Noble Example
- [04:42] - The Cost of Following God
- [06:14] - Moses' Early Life in Egypt
- [08:35] - Breaking Away from Compromise
- [09:33] - Moses' Decisive Action
- [11:47] - Moses' High Rank and Education
- [13:02] - Moses' Abilities and Achievements
- [16:57] - Associating with the Oppressed
- [22:23] - What Moses Left Behind
- [26:36] - The Source of Moses' Decision
- [38:04] - Faith in the Recompense of Reward
- [43:55] - The Call to Sacrifice for Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 11:24-26

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#### Observation Questions

1. What specific decision did Moses make according to Hebrews 11:24-26, and what were the immediate consequences of this decision? [00:09]

2. How does the sermon describe Moses' background and status before he made his decision to align with the Israelites? [11:47]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of faith, as demonstrated by Moses, in contrast to societal norms and expectations? [09:33]

4. According to the sermon, what were some of the worldly gains Moses forsook, and what did he choose instead? [22:23]

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#### Interpretation Questions

1. How does Moses' decision to forsake the pleasures of Egypt for the reproach of Christ illustrate the concept of faith as described in Hebrews 11:24-26? [00:22]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Moses' faith was a deliberate choice rather than a result of his upbringing or status? [26:36]

3. How does the sermon challenge the notion that faith is only for those of lowly status, using Moses as an example? [01:24]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between faith and sacrifice, particularly in the context of Moses' life? [23:28]

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#### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between comfort and doing what you believed was right. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [09:33]

2. Moses rejected compromise to stand with God's people. Are there areas in your life where you feel tempted to compromise your faith? How can you address these temptations? [09:17]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having an eternal perspective. How can you cultivate this perspective in your daily life, especially when faced with challenges? [38:04]

4. Consider the sacrifices Moses made for his faith. What are some worldly gains you might need to forsake to strengthen your relationship with God? [22:23]

5. Moses' faith was a decisive and intentional choice. What steps can you take to make your faith more intentional and active in your life? [39:57]

6. How can you support others in your community who are making difficult decisions for their faith, similar to Moses' choice? [20:21]

7. Reflect on the idea that true faith often requires standing apart from the world. How can you prepare yourself to stand firm in your convictions when faced with societal pressures? [23:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing Eternal Rewards Over Temporary Pleasures
Moses' decision to forsake the luxuries of Egyptian royalty in favor of suffering with the Israelites is a profound example of prioritizing eternal rewards over temporary pleasures. Despite his high status and the allure of sin's fleeting pleasures, Moses chose to align himself with God's people, demonstrating a faith that values eternal riches over worldly gains. This choice was not made lightly; it required a deep conviction and a willingness to sacrifice comfort for the sake of righteousness. Moses' life challenges us to evaluate our own priorities and consider whether we are willing to make similar sacrifices for our faith. [00:09]

Hebrews 11:25-26 (ESV): "Choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward."

Reflection: What temporary pleasure or comfort are you holding onto that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you begin to let go of it today in pursuit of eternal rewards?


Day 2: Standing Firm Against Compromise
Moses' departure from Pharaoh's court was a bold rejection of compromise. Despite the personal cost, he chose to stand firmly with God's people, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his faith. This act of defiance against societal norms and expectations teaches us the importance of remaining steadfast in our beliefs, even when it means going against the grain. Moses' example encourages us to examine our own lives and identify areas where we may be tempted to compromise our faith for the sake of convenience or acceptance. [09:33]

Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to compromise your faith for the sake of fitting in or gaining approval? How can you take a stand for your beliefs today?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Promises
Moses' actions were driven by his unwavering faith in God's promises. He believed that aligning with God's will, despite the immediate challenges, would ultimately lead to a greater reward. This trust in God's plan encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when the path is difficult or unclear. Moses' life serves as a reminder that our sacrifices for the sake of righteousness will not go unrewarded, and that God's promises are worth holding onto. [26:36]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What promise of God do you find difficult to trust in your current circumstances? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?


Day 4: The Power of a Decisive Faith
Moses' choice to identify with the Israelites was not based on emotion or impulse but on a deliberate decision to follow God. His life demonstrates the power of a decisive faith, one that requires intentionality and courage. This reminds us that faith is an active choice, not a passive feeling, and that we must be intentional in our commitment to God. Moses' example challenges us to make deliberate decisions in our own faith journey, choosing to follow God even when it requires sacrifice or courage. [39:57]

Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Reflection: What is one decision you need to make today to strengthen your faith? How can you take a step of courage in making that decision?


Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Moses' faith gave him an eternal perspective, allowing him to see beyond the temporary pleasures of Egypt. This perspective is crucial for us as believers, helping us to prioritize our spiritual journey over worldly success. By keeping the end in mind, we can live with purpose and intentionality, focusing on what truly matters. Moses' life encourages us to cultivate an eternal perspective, reminding us that our ultimate reward is not found in this world but in the life to come. [38:04]

Colossians 3:2-4 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal priorities today? What practical steps can you take to cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily life?

Quotes



Moses' decision to forsake the privileges of Egyptian royalty and align himself with the oppressed Israelites is a profound testament to the power of faith. This choice, as described in Hebrews 11:24-26, was not made lightly or without cost. Moses, a man of high education, rank, and ability, chose to suffer affliction with God's people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. [00:00:09]

Moses belonged to the noblest order of men, but he was saved by faith alone, even by the same faith which saved Rahab. This faith moved him to the faithful service of God and to a self-denial unparalleled. My honest prayer is that you who are moral, amiable, and educated may see in the action of Moses an example for yourselves. [00:03:38]

Moses endured as seeing him who is invisible, and though for a while a loser, he is now an eternal gainer by the loss. May the spirit of God incline you to follow in the path of faith, virtue, and honor, where you see such a man as Moses leading the way. [00:04:31]

When Moses had come to years, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. We need not narrate the stories which are told by Josephus and other ancient writers with regard to the early days of Moses, such as, for instance, he is taking the crown of Pharaoh and trampling upon it. [00:05:17]

Moses was trying whether he could not serve God and remain the son of Pharaoh's daughter too. Perhaps he thought he could share the treasures of Egypt and yet bear testimony with Israel. He would be known as a companion of the priests of Isis and Osiris and yet at the same time would bear honest witness for Jehovah. [00:07:17]

If when Moses was a child he spoke as a child and thought as a child, when he became a man he put away his childish ideas of compromise. If when he was a young man he thought he might conceal a part of the truth and so might hold his position, when he came to ripe years enough to know what the truth fully was, he scorned all compromise. [00:09:00]

Moses was willing to take upon himself the reproach of Christ and to bear the affliction of God's people. When I ventured to observe again, there was nothing very attractive in the people themselves. They were wretchedly poor, they were scattered throughout all the land as mere drudges, engaged in brick making. [00:17:10]

Moses left honor; he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He left pleasure, for he refused to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and according to our apostle, he left wealth as well, for in taking up the reproach of Christ, he renounced the treasures of Egypt. [00:22:23]

If there be true faith in a man's heart, he will not deliberate which of the two to choose, beggary or compromise with error. He will esteem the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Consider yet once more what Moses espoused when he left the court. [00:23:10]

Moses had faith in Jehovah. It is possible that Moses had seen the various gods of Egypt, even as we see them now in the drawings which have been copied from their temples and pyramids. We find there the sacred cat, the sacred ibis, the sacred crocodile, and all kinds of creatures which were reverenced as deities. [00:28:50]

The faith of Moses also rested in Christ. Christ did not come, says one. Nay, but he was to come, and Moses looked to that coming one. He cast his eye through the ages that were to intervene, and he saw before him the Shiloh of whom dying Jacob sang. [00:32:39]

Moses had faith in the recompense of the reward. He said thus within himself, I must renounce much and reckon to lose rank, position, and treasure, but I expect to be a gainer, notwithstanding, for there will be a day when God shall judge the sons of men. [00:38:04]

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Transcript
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