Faith: Burning Bridges to Embrace God's Promises

Faith, brothers and sisters, is fundamentally about falling in love with the reward that God offers us through Jesus Christ. This love is so profound that it burns the bridges in our hearts between God and sin, leaving no path back to our old ways when crises arise. In times of stress and fear, when we are tempted to retreat to safety, we find that the bridge is gone, and there is no turning back. This is the essence of faith as demonstrated in Hebrews 11:23-28, where we see how Moses' parents and Moses himself faced threats with courage and conviction.

The story begins with the king of Egypt's edict to kill all Jewish baby boys, posing a dual threat: one to the children and another to the parents who might defy the king's command. Moses' parents hid him for three months, not out of fear for themselves, but out of love and faith, risking their lives to save their child. This act of courage was driven by faith, which delivers us from fear for our lives by assuring us of the things we hope for.

Similarly, Moses faced a crisis of identity and values when he saw an Egyptian beating a Jewish slave. This moment of crisis led to a life-defining decision for Moses, where he chose to align himself with the people of God rather than the comforts of Pharaoh's palace. Despite the fear of Pharaoh's wrath, Moses' actions were driven by endurance and a commitment to the path he had chosen—a path of suffering and reproach for the sake of Christ, which he deemed greater than the treasures of Egypt.

The key to understanding these acts of faith lies in recognizing that both Moses and his parents had already burned the bridges to their old lives in their hearts before they faced external threats. Their faith was not about the absence of fear but about the presence of a greater hope and assurance in God's promises. This is the kind of faith that we are called to emulate—a faith that looks beyond present circumstances to the unseen God and the eternal reward He offers.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith is about falling in love with God's promises, which burns the bridges between us and sin, leaving no path back when crises arise. This love and assurance in God's promises enable us to face fear and stress with courage. [00:18]
• 2. Moses' parents hid him not out of fear for themselves but out of faith and love for their child, risking their lives. This act of courage was driven by faith, which delivers us from fear for our lives by assuring us of the things we hope for. [03:18]
• 3. Moses faced a crisis of identity and values, choosing to align himself with the people of God rather than the comforts of Pharaoh's palace. This decision was driven by endurance and a commitment to the path he had chosen. [09:19]
• 4. The key to understanding acts of faith lies in recognizing that both Moses and his parents had already burned the bridges to their old lives in their hearts before facing external threats. Their faith was not about the absence of fear but about the presence of a greater hope. [17:29]
• 5. We are called to emulate a faith that looks beyond present circumstances to the unseen God and the eternal reward He offers. This faith enables us to face fear and stress with courage, knowing that the bridge back to our old ways is gone. [22:40]
  ** [22:40]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Faith and Burning Bridges
• [00:40] - Facing Crisis and Stress
• [01:13] - The Threats in Egypt
• [02:07] - Understanding the Dual Threat
• [03:18] - Moses' Parents' Act of Faith
• [05:15] - Courage Through Faith
• [06:14] - Assurance of Things Hoped For
• [08:07] - Moses' Crisis of Identity
• [09:19] - Defining Moment for Moses
• [11:14] - Fear and Endurance
• [12:59] - The Solution to Fear
• [15:39] - Moses' Chosen Path
• [17:29] - Burning Bridges in the Heart
• [22:40] - Emulating Moses' Faith

1. What were the two threats faced by Moses' parents as described in Hebrews 11:23? How did they respond to these threats? [02:07]
2. How does the sermon describe the way Moses' parents acted by faith when they hid him for three months? What was their primary motivation? [03:18]
3. In Exodus 2:14-15, what crisis did Moses face, and how did it lead to a significant decision in his life? [09:19]
4. According to the sermon, what does it mean that Moses "endured" as seeing Him who is unseen? How does this relate to his decision to leave Egypt? [14:11]

1. How does the sermon explain the concept of "burning bridges" in the context of faith? What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of true faith? [20:29]
2. The sermon mentions that Moses' parents were not afraid of the king's edict. How does this reflect their faith, and what does it teach us about the relationship between faith and fear? [05:32]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of identity and values in Moses' decision to align himself with the people of God rather than the comforts of Pharaoh's palace? [09:19]
4. How does the sermon interpret Moses' actions in leaving Egypt as an act of endurance rather than fear? What does this reveal about his character and faith? [14:11]

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a crisis that tested your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Moses' example of burning bridges to his old life? [20:29]
2. Moses' parents acted out of faith and love for their child, risking their lives. Is there a situation in your life where you need to act courageously out of faith, even if it involves personal risk? [05:32]
3. Consider the values and identity that Moses embraced when he chose to align with the people of God. Are there areas in your life where you need to reassess your values and make a similar commitment? [09:19]
4. The sermon emphasizes looking beyond present circumstances to the unseen God and His promises. How can you cultivate a mindset that focuses on eternal rewards rather than temporary comforts? [22:40]
5. Moses endured by seeing Him who is unseen. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your endurance in faith, especially when facing challenges or fears? [14:11]
6. The sermon suggests that faith delivers us from fear. Identify a specific fear in your life and discuss how faith in God's promises can help you overcome it. [06:14]
7. How can you apply the concept of "burning bridges" to your spiritual journey, ensuring that there is no path back to old habits or sins? What specific actions can you take this week to reinforce this commitment? [20:29]