Faith, Identity, and Embracing God's Mission

 

Summary

Today, I explored the profound journey of faith exemplified by Moses, as detailed in Hebrews 11:23-27. This passage not only recounts Moses' physical departure from Egypt but also his spiritual journey towards fulfilling God's mission. The essence of Moses' story is his decision to forsake the fleeting pleasures of sin for a lasting reward in Christ, a choice that speaks to the heart of what it means to live by faith.

In the sermon, I emphasized the necessity of developing faith to engage fully with the mission God has for each of us. This involves moving beyond the ordinary, the comfortable, and the predictable, to embrace the extraordinary works God can perform through our obedience and faithfulness. Moses' life serves as a powerful example of this, from his miraculous preservation as a baby to his leadership over Israel. His choices were driven by a vision of something greater than what the world offered, something that could only be seen through the eyes of faith.

Moses' refusal to be identified as the son of Pharaoh's daughter, despite the privileges it afforded, underscores a critical point about identity and destiny. He chose instead to suffer with God's people, valuing disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt. This choice was rooted in his forward-looking faith, his focus on the reward that faith in God brings.

Moreover, I discussed how Moses' mission mobilized him and can mobilize us. It's about having something that propels you forward, something that infuses your daily activities with purpose and passion. For Moses, and for us, this mission should be about more than personal fulfillment—it's about aligning with God's broader plan and engaging in work that has eternal significance.

Throughout the sermon, I also touched on the importance of letting go of past mistakes and fears, which often hinder us from stepping into our God-given destinies. Like Moses, we are called to live for an audience of one—God—and to find our courage in Him. This involves a daily rejection of the world's values and an embrace of the values of God's kingdom, which provide true and lasting fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith Requires Letting Go of the Past - Moses' ability to leave Egypt and not fear the king's anger was a testament to his faith in God, who is invisible yet ever-present. This teaches us that our faith journey often requires letting go of past securities and stepping into the unknown, trusting that God is with us. [32:12]

2. Identity and Destiny are Intertwined - Moses' refusal to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter highlights the importance of embracing our God-given identity and destiny. It's a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes not from worldly titles or positions, but from walking in the purpose God has ordained for us. [17:44]

3. Mission as a Mobilizer - Engaging in God's mission provides a profound sense of purpose and motivation. It's not just about doing good works; it's about being part of something larger than ourselves, something that eternally matters and aligns with God's will. [30:54]

4. The Value of Spiritual Vision - Moses regarded disgrace for Christ as of greater value than Egypt's treasures because he was looking ahead to his reward. This forward-looking vision is crucial for believers, as it helps us prioritize eternal values over temporal gains. [24:17]

5. The Courage to Reject the World's Values - Living for God means having the courage to reject the world's values and embrace the values of God's kingdom. This often involves making choices that are countercultural and require personal sacrifice, but lead to greater spiritual rewards. [25:40]

Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:55] - Introduction to Faith and Mission
- [03:00] - The Promise of God's Plan
- [13:18] - The Necessity of Faith in Overcoming Challenges
- [17:44] - Choosing Identity Over Comfort
- [24:17] - Finding Meaning in God's Mission
- [30:54] - The Mobilizing Power of Mission

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 11:23-27: "By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Moses take by faith according to Hebrews 11:23-27?
2. How did Moses' parents demonstrate their faith when he was born? [01:46]
3. What did Moses choose to value more than the treasures of Egypt, and why? [01:46]
4. How did Moses' faith influence his decision to leave Egypt? [01:46]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Moses chose to be mistreated with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin? [01:46]
2. How does Moses' decision to refuse being known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter reflect his understanding of identity and destiny? [01:46]
3. What does it mean to have a "forward-looking faith" as Moses did, and how can this perspective impact a believer's life today? [01:46]
4. How can Moses' example of letting go of past securities and stepping into the unknown be applied to modern-day faith journeys? [01:46]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to let go of something comfortable to follow God's plan. How did that experience shape your faith? [01:46]
2. Moses chose to identify with God's people rather than enjoy the privileges of being Pharaoh's daughter's son. Are there any identities or titles you need to let go of to fully embrace your God-given identity? [01:46]
3. What mission or purpose do you feel God is calling you to that requires you to step out of your comfort zone? How can you begin to take steps towards that mission this week? [01:46]
4. Moses regarded disgrace for Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt. What are some worldly values or treasures you need to reject to prioritize your spiritual vision? [01:46]
5. How can you cultivate the courage to reject the world's values and embrace the values of God's kingdom in your daily life? [01:46]
6. Identify one past mistake or fear that is hindering you from stepping into your God-given destiny. What steps can you take to let go of it and move forward in faith? [01:46]
7. Moses' mission mobilized him and gave him purpose. What specific actions can you take this week to align your daily activities with God's broader plan for your life? [01:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Faith Beyond the Past
Faith is not just about believing in the unseen; it's about moving forward from what we know into what we trust. Moses' decision to leave Egypt, as highlighted in Hebrews 11, was a monumental step of faith, not just away from physical bondage but from the past securities and identities that defined him. By choosing to not fear the king's anger, Moses exemplified a faith that relinquishes control over the known and steps into the unknown, trusting that God's presence and promises are sufficient. This act of faith is a call to leave behind past comforts and securities, embracing a future orchestrated by God. [32:12]

Hebrews 11:27 (ESV): "By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible."

Reflection: What past securities or comforts are you holding onto that might be hindering your faith journey? How can you begin to let go of these to fully trust in God's plan for your life?

Day 2: Identity Shaped by Divine Destiny
True fulfillment arises not from earthly titles or achievements but from embracing the identity and destiny God has set before us. Moses' choice to reject being known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter, despite the privileges it afforded, underscores the profound connection between our identity and our divine calling. This decision was rooted in a vision that looked beyond earthly rewards to eternal significance, aligning his life with God's purposes rather than the fleeting treasures of Egypt. This teaches us to find our identity in God, which directs us to our true destiny. [17:44]

Exodus 2:10-11 (ESV): "When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, 'Because,' she said, 'I drew him out of the water.' One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens."

Reflection: How does your current identity align with the destiny God might have for you? Are there aspects of your identity you need to reconsider to fulfill your God-given destiny?

Day 3: Mission as a Source of Motivation
Engaging in God's mission infuses our daily lives with purpose and propels us forward. Moses' life was driven by a mission that was about more than personal fulfillment; it was about participating in God's redemptive plan for humanity. This sense of mission mobilized Moses to lead, to confront injustice, and to endure hardships, knowing that his actions had eternal significance. Similarly, when we align our lives with God's mission, we find a profound motivation that transcends ordinary existence, driving us to act with purpose and passion. [30:54]

Acts 7:23-25 (ESV): "When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand."

Reflection: What mission has God placed on your heart, and how are you currently engaging with it? What steps can you take to further align your daily actions with this mission?

Day 4: Prioritizing Eternal Values Over Temporal Gains
The spiritual vision to see beyond the present and into the eternal is crucial for believers. Moses regarded disgrace for Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward. This forward-looking vision challenges us to prioritize eternal values over temporal gains, shaping our decisions and actions in the present. By focusing on what is unseen and eternal, we can navigate life with a perspective that values spiritual rewards over worldly success. [24:17]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What are some worldly values or gains that you find tempting? How can you begin to prioritize eternal values in your daily decisions and interactions?

Day 5: The Courage to Live Counter-Culturally
Living for God requires the courage to reject the world's values and to embrace the values of God's kingdom. This often involves making choices that are countercultural and require personal sacrifice. Moses' life exemplifies this courage as he chose to align with God's people and mission, despite the potential for loss and suffering. This choice led to greater spiritual rewards and fulfillment. As followers of Christ, we are called to exhibit similar courage, finding our strength and motivation in God's approval rather than human accolades. [25:40]

Daniel 1:8 (ESV): "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you feeling pressured to conform to worldly values? What does it look like for you to courageously live out God's values in these areas?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "And so today I want to talk about faith. We're in 50 Days of Faith, and sometimes the greatest part of faith is to get on mission with what God has for you, and to take the courage to move out of the mundane and the normal that you have to be able to see the extraordinary blessings that God can bring into your life, the miracles that can be manifested as you mobilize your life into God's mission." [00:55](Download raw clip | | )

2. "God doesn't care about your excuses. He doesn't care about your past because we serve a Jesus who can redeem the past, give God some praise. He can take dead things and make them come back to life. He can take the mess of your life and he can give you a ministry. In fact, often your ministry will come out of your mess." [14:28]( | | )

3. "You need to have maturity. You need to have motivation because when you follow his mission, you will get meaning. Meaning. Meaning is the third thing. Meaning. Here's what it says. Look at Hebrews 11, 26. Meaning. Meaning is the next. Who's doing my slides? Meaning is the next one. Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward." [24:17]( | | )

4. "He wants to give you a future. And it's going to give you, thirdly, hope. That God's plan is a future plan. And it is a plan full of hope. But I'm going to talk a little bit about, it's not necessarily always exactly like you thought it was going to be. It may have difficulty. It's going to cause you to have to resist and reject some things." [03:36]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Moses had to give up fame. He had to give up fleshly desire, but also had to give up fortune. Look what it says. He, he regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater value, a greater fortune than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward." [30:54]( | | )

2. "Moses, when he had grown up, refused. He refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." [01:46]( | | )

3. "Moses refused, amen, refused the pleasures of sin. And chose the mistreatment that he would endure by following God's plan. Stop trying to do too much and be too much to everybody. Come on, be who God called you to be. And I promise you, it's not going to necessarily be easy, but at the end, it will be fulfilling to you." [22:55]( | | )

4. "Moses, he, amen, fulfilled the mission by faith because he had to choose. Look what it says. Choose to be mistreated along with the people of God. Amen. Because he, amen, would turn his back on the pleasures of sin. He could have had it better. It would have been easier for Moses." [21:38]( | | )

5. "Moses could never shake that. Y'all don't hear me today. Amen. How many of y'all? Give God praise for a mama. And Mother's Day is next week. And you don't have to wait until next week. You can celebrate your mama who spoke into your life." [06:56]( | | )

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 06, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?