Choosing Faith: Moses' Journey from Power to Purpose

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound journey of faith as exemplified by Moses. Moses, raised in the opulence of Pharaoh's palace, faced a pivotal decision that would define his life and legacy. At the age of 40, he chose to reject the identity and privileges of being Pharaoh's daughter's son, opting instead to align himself with the people of God. This decision was not made lightly; it was the result of a deep internal struggle between two worlds—one of earthly power and pleasure, and the other of divine purpose and promise.

Moses' choice underscores the essence of biblical faith, which demands a conscious decision to prioritize God's plan over cultural allurements. His story illustrates that faith is not passive but requires active decision-making, often in the face of potential suffering and rejection. Moses understood that the pleasures of sin, while enticing, are fleeting and seasonal. In contrast, the rewards of aligning with God's purposes are eternal and far surpass any temporary gains.

The narrative challenges us to examine our own lives and the choices we make. Are we, like Moses, willing to endure ill-treatment for the sake of our faith? Are we prepared to bear the reproach of Christ, knowing that it may bring shame and criticism? Moses' decision was motivated by a clear understanding of the greater riches found in Christ, which he deemed more valuable than the treasures of Egypt. This perspective invites us to consider the long-term rewards of our faithfulness to God, even when the immediate path seems fraught with difficulty.

Ultimately, Moses' story is a call to maturity in faith, urging us to grow beyond the allure of temporary pleasures and to embrace the eternal rewards that come from a life aligned with God's will.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith Requires a Choice: Moses' decision to reject his Egyptian identity in favor of his Hebrew heritage illustrates that faith demands a conscious choice. This choice often involves rejecting cultural norms and embracing God's priorities, even when it leads to personal sacrifice. [02:21]

2. The Allure of Sin is Temporary: Moses recognized that while sin can be pleasurable, its enjoyment is fleeting. This understanding challenges us to weigh the temporary satisfaction of sin against the eternal rewards of faithfulness to God. [03:52]

3. Enduring Reproach for Christ: Associating with Christ may bring shame and criticism, but Moses' story shows that the reproach of Christ is a badge of honor. It signifies a commitment to a higher calling and a willingness to endure for the sake of eternal rewards. [05:37]

4. The Motivation of Eternal Rewards: Moses' decision was driven by the understanding that the rewards of following God far outweigh the treasures of the world. This perspective encourages us to focus on the eternal benefits of our faith, rather than the temporary gains of worldly success. [06:17]

5. Maturity in Faith: Moses' journey from the palace to the wilderness represents a maturation process in faith. It challenges us to grow beyond the superficial attractions of the world and to embrace a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. [00:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Discovering God's Power Through Faith
- [00:28] - Moses' Choice: God's Plan vs. Cultural Plan
- [00:42] - Choosing God's Priorities
- [00:57] - Moses' Journey to Maturity
- [01:13] - The Struggle Between Two Worlds
- [01:26] - Identity and Heritage
- [01:48] - The Influence of Two Mothers
- [02:04] - Moses' Defining Choice
- [02:21] - Enduring Ill-Treatment for Faith
- [02:39] - The Demand of Faith
- [03:23] - Considering the Reproach of Christ
- [03:52] - The Temporary Nature of Sin
- [04:12] - The Passing Pleasures of Sin
- [05:08] - The Cost of Following God
- [06:03] - The Greater Riches in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:24-26
- Acts 7:20-23

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Observation Questions:

1. What significant choice did Moses make at the age of 40, and what were the two identities he was choosing between? [00:28]

2. How does the sermon describe the influence of Moses' two mothers on his identity and decision-making process? [01:26]

3. According to the sermon, what are the two characteristics of sin mentioned, and how does Moses' understanding of these influence his decision? [03:52]

4. What does the sermon say about the motivation behind Moses' decision to endure ill-treatment with the people of God? [06:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Moses' decision to reject his Egyptian identity in favor of his Hebrew heritage illustrate the essence of biblical faith? [02:21]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the allure of sin is temporary, and how does this understanding challenge believers today? [03:52]

3. What does it mean to endure the reproach of Christ, and why does the sermon consider this a badge of honor? [05:37]

4. How does the sermon describe the motivation of eternal rewards, and how does this perspective encourage believers to focus on long-term faithfulness? [06:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult choice between cultural norms and God's priorities. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [02:21]

2. Are there areas in your life where you are still "dancing between two realities," as the sermon puts it? What steps can you take to make a definitive choice for your faith? [02:39]

3. How do you currently weigh the temporary satisfaction of sin against the eternal rewards of faithfulness to God? What changes might you need to make in your perspective or actions? [03:52]

4. Have you ever experienced shame or criticism for associating with Christ? How did you respond, and what can you learn from Moses' example? [05:37]

5. Consider the eternal rewards that come from a life aligned with God's will. What specific actions can you take this week to focus more on these long-term benefits rather than temporary gains? [06:17]

6. Moses' journey represents a maturation process in faith. What steps can you take to grow beyond the superficial attractions of the world and deepen your relationship with God? [00:57]

7. Identify one area in your life where you feel caught between two worlds. What practical steps can you take to align more closely with God's purposes? [01:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Deliberate Choice
Faith requires a conscious decision to prioritize God's plan over cultural allurements. Moses' life exemplifies this as he chose to reject the identity and privileges of being Pharaoh's daughter's son, opting instead to align himself with the people of God. This decision was not made lightly; it was the result of a deep internal struggle between two worlds—one of earthly power and pleasure, and the other of divine purpose and promise. Moses' choice underscores the essence of biblical faith, which demands a conscious decision to prioritize God's plan over cultural allurements. His story illustrates that faith is not passive but requires active decision-making, often in the face of potential suffering and rejection. [02:21]

Hebrews 11:24-25 (ESV): "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin."

Reflection: What cultural norms or personal comforts are you being called to reject in order to align more closely with God's priorities today?


Day 2: The Fleeting Nature of Sin
Moses recognized that while sin can be pleasurable, its enjoyment is fleeting. This understanding challenges us to weigh the temporary satisfaction of sin against the eternal rewards of faithfulness to God. Moses understood that the pleasures of sin, while enticing, are fleeting and seasonal. In contrast, the rewards of aligning with God's purposes are eternal and far surpass any temporary gains. This perspective invites us to consider the long-term rewards of our faithfulness to God, even when the immediate path seems fraught with difficulty. [03:52]

1 John 2:16-17 (ESV): "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: Identify a specific sin or temptation that offers temporary pleasure in your life. How can you remind yourself of its fleeting nature and focus on the eternal rewards of faithfulness?


Day 3: Bearing the Reproach of Christ
Associating with Christ may bring shame and criticism, but Moses' story shows that the reproach of Christ is a badge of honor. It signifies a commitment to a higher calling and a willingness to endure for the sake of eternal rewards. Moses' decision was motivated by a clear understanding of the greater riches found in Christ, which he deemed more valuable than the treasures of Egypt. This perspective encourages us to focus on the eternal benefits of our faith, rather than the temporary gains of worldly success. [05:37]

1 Peter 4:14 (ESV): "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you hesitant to fully associate with Christ due to fear of shame or criticism? How can you embrace the reproach of Christ as a badge of honor today?


Day 4: Motivated by Eternal Rewards
Moses' decision was driven by the understanding that the rewards of following God far outweigh the treasures of the world. This perspective encourages us to focus on the eternal benefits of our faith, rather than the temporary gains of worldly success. Moses understood that the pleasures of sin, while enticing, are fleeting and seasonal. In contrast, the rewards of aligning with God's purposes are eternal and far surpass any temporary gains. This perspective invites us to consider the long-term rewards of our faithfulness to God, even when the immediate path seems fraught with difficulty. [06:17]

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 is one area of your life where you are tempted to prioritize temporary gains over eternal rewards? How can you shift your focus to the eternal benefits of following God?


Day 5: Maturity in Faith
Moses' journey from the palace to the wilderness represents a maturation process in faith. It challenges us to grow beyond the superficial attractions of the world and to embrace a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. Ultimately, Moses' story is a call to maturity in faith, urging us to grow beyond the allure of temporary pleasures and to embrace the eternal rewards that come from a life aligned with God's will. [00:57]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or challenge in your life. How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and maturity in your faith journey?

Quotes


"you'll never discover what god can do until you trust him to do it and he can do it in ways that will blow your mind when he sees your faith by faith it says but watch this now verse 24 by faith moses when he had grown up refused to be called the son of pharaoh's daughter choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of god than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin considering the reproach of christ greater riches than the treasures of egypt for he was looking to the reward" [00:00:00]

"it says that when moses had grown up he became an adult when moses grew up he refused to be called the son of pharaoh's daughter why did it take moses 40 years to make this decision because he's caught between two worlds see his mama is raising him acts chapter 7 says his mother nurtured him so his mother's whispering in his ear hey you belong to god you're not an egyptian you are hebrew you belong to god you're the offspring of abraham isaac and jacob you're part of god's divine covenant to israel" [00:54:48]

"but then he got over here he got the daughter of pharaoh saying hey hey come on then you come on i want to make you i'm you're going to be the smartest the richest the most powerful man in the world that's what i have in store for you so moses for 40 years is being told by two different mothers he's being pulled in two different ways and it took him to the age 40 to get right but at the age 40 it says he made a choice and he refused i will no longer be known as an egyptian" [01:38:40]

"i am now going to be known for what i truly am i belong to the people of god verse 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of god than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin you see the word verse 25 choosing because faith demands a choice he made a choice many of us have not yet made the choice many have but many have not made the choice you're still dancing between two realities" [02:16:00]

"i'm a ill treatment because you associate with your faith and your faith governs your decisions so i don't do that because i'm a christian i i can't do that because i'm a follower of christ that's where i take my stand and i know there may be repercussions that's why that first word in the next verse is so important because the first word in verse 26 says considering the reproach of christ considering means to think it through carefully" [02:49:36]

"he looked at the pros and cons and when he looked at the pros and cons he said instead of enjoying watch this the pleasures of sin for a season now he tells you two things about sin first of all he says sin is fun okay and anybody who doesn't think sin is fun hasn't sinned right yet but he says the second thing about sin he says while it is sin is fun it's also seasonal he called it the passing pleasures of sin it's seasonal" [03:32:23]

"he made a decision that it's a lot of fun being the son of pharaoh's daughter and if i go over here and hang out with god's way god's word and god's people i'm going to be ill-treated like they are i looked at the pros i looked at the cons i looked at the pros i looked at the cons and moses at age 40 says i have decided that i am no longer going to be identified with pharaoh's daughter as the heir apparent to the throne of egypt" [04:13:04]

"i have now decided at 40 years old i am going to cast my lot whatever the repercussions are with the people of god now the question is why make that decision if i know i'm going to get mistreated you know buked and scorned talked about shows you born if i if i know that there could be negative repercussions why risk it that's the question because he says in verse 26 considering the reproach" [04:48:00]

"reproach means the shame the criticism to bear the reproach means to associate with jesus christ and your faith and understand that that will bring with it some shame that is shame of rejection like jesus was rejected so why do it watch this now considering verse 26 the reproach of christ greater riches than the treasures of egypt for he was looking to the reward" [05:23:52]

"watch this now so there was a motivation factor here it wasn't just so he was so spiritual you know he thought this thing through and what he discovered was the payoff with christ is better than the payoff with the world and he calls it a reward" [05:48:56]

"biblical faith chooses not only god's plan over the culture's plan it chooses god's priorities it chooses god's priorities it says that when moses had grown up he became an adult when moses grew up he refused to be called the son of pharaoh's daughter why did it take moses 40 years to make this decision because he's caught between two worlds" [00:44:32]

"he made a decision that it's a lot of fun being the son of pharaoh's daughter and if i go over here and hang out with god's way god's word and god's people i'm going to be ill-treated like they are i looked at the pros i looked at the cons i looked at the pros i looked at the cons and moses at age 40 says i have decided that i am no longer going to be identified with pharaoh's daughter as the heir apparent to the throne of egypt" [04:13:04]

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Transcript
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