Faith Depends on God

Hebrews 11
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Pastor Colin discusses the shift in Egypt from favour to fear as a new king, unfamiliar with Joseph, subjects God’s people to great oppression and eventually decrees the death of every newborn Hebrew boy. Amidst this darkness, we witness the birth and secret protection of Moses by his faithful parents. Moses’ survival, orchestrated through the princess of Egypt’s compassionate discovery and his mother’s clandestine nursing, is highlighted as an act of grace amidst cruelty.

We then turn our attention to Moses’ faith, examining how his refusal to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and his choice to suffer with God’s people demonstrates a deep commitment mirroring that of Christ. Pastor Colin underscores the sacrifice Jesus made, leaving heavenly pleasures to suffer with humanity, and indicates that Moses had foresight of this redemptive act.

Pastor Colin addresses the importance of faith in enduring the costs of following Jesus, pointing out how Moses, by faith, left Egypt and prepared for God’s work in seclusion. The sermon recognises the trials Moses faced and the internal fortitude he mustered by ‘seeing him who is invisible’, a path we too are encouraged to follow.

The close relationship between the faith of Moses and the observance of the Passover is emphasised, with Moses himself observing it, an act which exemplifies trust in God’s salvation. Finally, the congregation is led in prayer, asking for faith to make difficult decisions, courage to endure, and confidence in the saving blood of Christ.

1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,740 Well, please open your Bible at Hebrews in chapter 11 2 00:00:03,740 –> 00:00:05,680 as we’re continuing our series, 3 00:00:06,640 –> 00:00:07,540 living by faith. 4 00:00:07,540 –> 00:00:10,980 And, today, we come to the story of Moses. 5 00:00:12,160 –> 00:00:15,780 Now, in the series, we’ve seen that 500 years 6 00:00:15,780 –> 00:00:18,760 before Moses was born, 7 00:00:18,760 –> 00:00:22,000 God gave a remarkable promise to Abraham. 8 00:00:22,000 –> 00:00:23,860 I will surely bless you. 9 00:00:24,799 –> 00:00:28,940 I will multiply your offspring like the stars of the heaven 10 00:00:28,959 –> 00:00:32,880 and the sand on the seashore. 11 00:00:32,880 –> 00:00:34,919 Well, we’ve followed the story. 12 00:00:34,919 –> 00:00:39,919 Abraham fathered Isaac, not much growth in one generation. 13 00:00:40,720 –> 00:00:43,180 Isaac fathered Jacob and Esau, 14 00:00:43,180 –> 00:00:46,320 not a great deal of growth after two generations. 15 00:00:47,459 –> 00:00:50,040 But then Jacob fathered 12 sons, 16 00:00:50,040 –> 00:00:51,720 and that really got things going. 17 00:00:52,860 –> 00:00:54,860 In the generations that followed, 18 00:00:54,860 –> 00:00:57,080 God’s people grew rapidly. 19 00:00:57,080 –> 00:01:00,240 They arrived in Egypt as an extended family 20 00:01:00,240 –> 00:01:01,580 of just 70 people. 21 00:01:01,580 –> 00:01:05,139 By the time they left nearly 400 years later 22 00:01:05,139 –> 00:01:09,599 they were around probably two million people. 23 00:01:09,599 –> 00:01:13,099 Last time we saw that when God’s people arrived in Egypt 24 00:01:13,099 –> 00:01:16,500 the smile of the culture was on them. 25 00:01:16,500 –> 00:01:19,639 Joseph was loved in Egypt. 26 00:01:19,639 –> 00:01:23,480 And so all of God’s people enjoyed the favor 27 00:01:23,480 –> 00:01:25,599 that reflected onto them. 28 00:01:26,300 –> 00:01:29,180 But we read in Exodus chapter one in verse eight 29 00:01:29,180 –> 00:01:32,019 that there arose a new king over Egypt 30 00:01:32,019 –> 00:01:34,300 who did not know Joseph. 31 00:01:34,300 –> 00:01:37,459 He feared the rapid growth of God’s people 32 00:01:37,459 –> 00:01:42,459 and God’s people therefore came under a great oppression. 33 00:01:44,120 –> 00:01:46,180 They endured hard labor. 34 00:01:46,180 –> 00:01:48,879 But as we saw last time, even then 35 00:01:48,879 –> 00:01:50,400 God continued to bless them 36 00:01:50,400 –> 00:01:53,199 and their number continued to grow. 37 00:01:53,720 –> 00:01:56,080 But then in Exodus chapter one in verse 22 38 00:01:56,080 –> 00:01:57,120 we read these words. 39 00:01:57,120 –> 00:02:01,860 That then Pharaoh commanded all his people, 40 00:02:02,760 –> 00:02:06,519 every son that is born to the Hebrews 41 00:02:06,519 –> 00:02:11,500 you shall cast into the Nile. 42 00:02:11,600 –> 00:02:16,179 It was a despicable act of ethnic cleansing. 43 00:02:17,240 –> 00:02:21,119 And notice that Pharaoh gave this order to all the people. 44 00:02:22,119 –> 00:02:26,899 He called on the people to ensure compliance. 45 00:02:26,899 –> 00:02:30,139 In other words, this was a license for mob rule. 46 00:02:31,380 –> 00:02:33,839 Every son that is born to the Hebrews 47 00:02:33,839 –> 00:02:37,380 you shall cast into the Nile. 48 00:02:37,380 –> 00:02:40,160 So, when a Hebrew boy was born, 49 00:02:40,160 –> 00:02:43,100 the parents would be required to report the birth 50 00:02:43,100 –> 00:02:44,779 to the authorities who would then 51 00:02:44,779 –> 00:02:46,199 come and take the child away. 52 00:02:47,779 –> 00:02:51,059 And, if the parents did not do that, 53 00:02:51,199 –> 00:02:53,800 well, it was up to the neighbours 54 00:02:53,800 –> 00:02:56,059 to take action themselves. 55 00:02:57,080 –> 00:03:01,119 So, here a Hebrew baby is born. 56 00:03:02,080 –> 00:03:04,300 Word gets around the neighbourhood. 57 00:03:05,320 –> 00:03:07,880 There’s a baby in that house. 58 00:03:07,880 –> 00:03:09,660 I think it might be a boy. 59 00:03:11,080 –> 00:03:13,580 And, so, one night there’s a knock on the door 60 00:03:14,759 –> 00:03:19,759 and a gang of thugs wants to see the baby. 61 00:03:20,660 –> 00:03:23,559 It was a horrific evil. 62 00:03:24,919 –> 00:03:27,619 Never underestimate the evil 63 00:03:27,619 –> 00:03:31,039 of which the human heart is capable. 64 00:03:31,039 –> 00:03:34,979 The heart, Jeremiah says, is deceitful above all things 65 00:03:34,979 –> 00:03:39,979 and desperately sick, who can understand it? 66 00:03:41,600 –> 00:03:44,399 And you remember that this was not an isolated event. 67 00:03:44,399 –> 00:03:49,399 When Jesus was born, Herod purged all the infants 68 00:03:49,520 –> 00:03:53,759 in Bethlehem and do you remember that in that story, 69 00:03:53,759 –> 00:03:58,759 Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus where, to Egypt. 70 00:03:59,600 –> 00:04:04,600 It was in Egypt that the life of Jesus was guarded 71 00:04:05,020 –> 00:04:07,479 and we’re going to see today that it was in Egypt 72 00:04:07,479 –> 00:04:11,679 that the life of Moses was saved. 73 00:04:11,679 –> 00:04:13,860 Now, we begin today with a remarkable story 74 00:04:13,860 –> 00:04:16,040 of how Moses life was preserved. 75 00:04:16,059 –> 00:04:21,059 Verse 23, by faith Moses when he was born 76 00:04:21,339 –> 00:04:26,339 was hidden for three months by his parents. 77 00:04:27,059 –> 00:04:29,540 Now, it seems then that Moses parents were able 78 00:04:29,540 –> 00:04:32,679 to hide their little baby boy in their own home 79 00:04:32,679 –> 00:04:36,640 for at least the initial weeks after his birth. 80 00:04:36,640 –> 00:04:39,660 But after three months, it was clearly getting 81 00:04:39,660 –> 00:04:42,779 more difficult and more dangerous. 82 00:04:42,820 –> 00:04:47,160 And the question arose then where could they hide the baby? 83 00:04:48,200 –> 00:04:52,619 And Moses parents came up with an ingenious plan, 84 00:04:53,799 –> 00:04:58,799 if the mob got hold of our baby, 85 00:04:59,339 –> 00:05:01,320 they’d put him in the river. 86 00:05:02,579 –> 00:05:04,640 That’s exactly where we should hide him. 87 00:05:06,179 –> 00:05:09,739 And so they made a basket and they covered it 88 00:05:09,779 –> 00:05:14,359 with pitch and they hid the infant Moses in the reeds 89 00:05:14,359 –> 00:05:16,720 right at the edge of the River Nile, 90 00:05:16,720 –> 00:05:20,440 while Moses’ older sister, whose name was Miriam, 91 00:05:20,440 –> 00:05:25,440 kept watch over the baby in the basket from a distance. 92 00:05:26,480 –> 00:05:28,600 And you know the story well I’m sure, 93 00:05:28,600 –> 00:05:32,019 that one day the crown princess, 94 00:05:32,019 –> 00:05:35,760 the daughter of Pharaoh came down to the river to bathe 95 00:05:35,760 –> 00:05:38,279 and she found the basket. 96 00:05:38,320 –> 00:05:39,880 And when her servant opened it 97 00:05:39,880 –> 00:05:43,040 the scripture says that she saw the child 98 00:05:43,040 –> 00:05:46,040 and behold the baby was crying. 99 00:05:46,880 –> 00:05:48,799 And she took pity on him. 100 00:05:49,720 –> 00:05:53,600 And she said this is one of the Hebrews’ children. 101 00:05:55,119 –> 00:05:59,380 Now Moses’ sister was watching 102 00:05:59,380 –> 00:06:02,459 and in a stroke of genius, 103 00:06:02,459 –> 00:06:06,320 Miriam at that moment came up to the crown princess 104 00:06:06,320 –> 00:06:10,079 and said shall I go and call a nurse 105 00:06:10,079 –> 00:06:13,100 from the Hebrew women to nurse this child for you 106 00:06:13,100 –> 00:06:15,959 and Pharaoh’s daughter said go. 107 00:06:15,959 –> 00:06:17,320 And so the young girl went 108 00:06:17,320 –> 00:06:20,679 and of course she brought Moses mother. 109 00:06:20,679 –> 00:06:23,519 And so you have this wonderful reality 110 00:06:23,519 –> 00:06:27,320 that Moses’ mother was actually paid 111 00:06:27,320 –> 00:06:30,179 by the crown princess of Egypt 112 00:06:30,179 –> 00:06:33,600 to nurse her own child. 113 00:06:33,679 –> 00:06:36,839 And so this story also reminds us 114 00:06:36,839 –> 00:06:41,839 that grace and love and kindness 115 00:06:42,480 –> 00:06:47,220 can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places. 116 00:06:47,220 –> 00:06:49,279 The crown princess of all people 117 00:06:49,279 –> 00:06:53,160 had every reason to implement the deadly policy 118 00:06:53,160 –> 00:06:56,220 of the regime of which she was part. 119 00:06:56,220 –> 00:06:57,600 But she did the opposite 120 00:06:58,519 –> 00:07:00,140 and her heart was opened 121 00:07:01,019 –> 00:07:04,700 and the life of Moses was saved. 122 00:07:05,579 –> 00:07:10,220 Now I want to focus today on the faith of Moses himself 123 00:07:10,220 –> 00:07:12,279 and we’ve seen in this series 124 00:07:12,279 –> 00:07:16,839 that the Holy Spirit draws out one lesson about faith 125 00:07:16,839 –> 00:07:19,579 from each of the heroes or heroines 126 00:07:19,579 –> 00:07:22,899 who are presented to us in this chapter. 127 00:07:22,899 –> 00:07:26,320 But when we come to the case of Moses, 128 00:07:26,320 –> 00:07:28,940 we find as by the way, in the case of Abraham 129 00:07:29,380 –> 00:07:32,940 that there’s not one lesson, but that there are three. 130 00:07:32,940 –> 00:07:36,480 Notice that the word by faith comes three times 131 00:07:36,480 –> 00:07:39,320 in direct relation to Moses himself. 132 00:07:39,320 –> 00:07:44,079 Verse 24, verse 27 and verse 28. 133 00:07:44,079 –> 00:07:48,019 And so today we’re going to look at the costly decision 134 00:07:48,019 –> 00:07:49,679 that faith makes. 135 00:07:49,679 –> 00:07:51,420 We’re going to look at the courage 136 00:07:51,420 –> 00:07:54,040 and the endurance that faith brings 137 00:07:54,040 –> 00:07:55,619 and then very briefly at the end, 138 00:07:55,619 –> 00:07:58,839 the confidence that faith enjoys. 139 00:07:58,859 –> 00:08:01,739 First then, the choice that faith makes. 140 00:08:01,739 –> 00:08:04,779 Hebrews 11 and verse 24. 141 00:08:04,779 –> 00:08:09,779 By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, 142 00:08:10,100 –> 00:08:13,820 refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 143 00:08:14,739 –> 00:08:19,600 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God 144 00:08:19,600 –> 00:08:24,480 than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 145 00:08:25,359 –> 00:08:29,119 Now this was an extraordinary decision. 146 00:08:30,380 –> 00:08:31,339 Think about it. 147 00:08:32,340 –> 00:08:36,099 Moses grew up in the palace. 148 00:08:36,099 –> 00:08:40,059 He was known as the son of the crown princess. 149 00:08:41,140 –> 00:08:44,859 He had all the privileges of being a full member 150 00:08:44,859 –> 00:08:46,559 of the royal household. 151 00:08:47,559 –> 00:08:50,400 Moses could have gone on to be like Joseph, 152 00:08:50,400 –> 00:08:53,880 second only to Pharaoh in the land. 153 00:08:55,219 –> 00:08:58,400 But he made this astonishing decision. 154 00:08:58,400 –> 00:09:03,400 He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 155 00:09:05,080 –> 00:09:05,919 I wonder, by the way, 156 00:09:05,919 –> 00:09:08,880 what the crown princess made of all this. 157 00:09:08,880 –> 00:09:09,700 What do you think? 158 00:09:09,700 –> 00:09:11,320 She knew, of course, from the beginning 159 00:09:11,320 –> 00:09:14,039 that Moses was a Hebrew, 160 00:09:14,039 –> 00:09:15,880 and according to the king’s decree 161 00:09:15,880 –> 00:09:17,700 he shouldn’t even be alive. 162 00:09:18,559 –> 00:09:20,239 But the crown princess had shown him 163 00:09:20,239 –> 00:09:21,960 this extraordinary kindness. 164 00:09:21,960 –> 00:09:25,440 She’d adopted Moses as her own son. 165 00:09:25,440 –> 00:09:28,000 She had prepared him for a royal career, 166 00:09:28,000 –> 00:09:31,859 and now he says this is not what he wants. 167 00:09:34,119 –> 00:09:38,320 He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 168 00:09:38,320 –> 00:09:42,580 Refused, and chose rather, 169 00:09:43,599 –> 00:09:46,179 to be mistreated with the people of God. 170 00:09:46,179 –> 00:09:47,739 I belong with these people. 171 00:09:49,200 –> 00:09:51,700 Who are despised in the world. 172 00:09:52,840 –> 00:09:55,679 I’d rather take my stand with the people of God 173 00:09:55,679 –> 00:10:00,559 than of all the pleasures and all the treasures of Egypt. 174 00:10:02,000 –> 00:10:04,679 Now in making this decision, 175 00:10:04,679 –> 00:10:09,679 Moses points us very obviously to our Lord Jesus Christ. 176 00:10:09,859 –> 00:10:11,900 Do you see that today? 177 00:10:11,900 –> 00:10:16,640 The Son of God enjoyed the most glorious life in heaven, 178 00:10:16,640 –> 00:10:19,419 one with the Father, but he gave it up. 179 00:10:19,419 –> 00:10:21,940 He did not grasp onto what was his by right, 180 00:10:22,039 –> 00:10:26,400 he left the pleasures and the treasures of heaven itself 181 00:10:26,400 –> 00:10:31,119 and he chose to be mistreated with the people of God. 182 00:10:31,119 –> 00:10:33,479 He came from a throne to a manger 183 00:10:34,780 –> 00:10:38,599 and he went from a manger to the cross. 184 00:10:39,919 –> 00:10:44,359 Now Moses, of course, lived 1,500 years 185 00:10:44,359 –> 00:10:47,760 before the time of Jesus, 186 00:10:47,760 –> 00:10:51,760 but Hebrews makes it very clear that, just like Abraham, 187 00:10:51,760 –> 00:10:55,039 Moses saw Jesus from afar. 188 00:10:55,039 –> 00:10:56,919 Do you see that in verse 26? 189 00:10:56,919 –> 00:11:00,780 He considered the reproach of Christ 190 00:11:01,859 –> 00:11:04,359 greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt. 191 00:11:04,359 –> 00:11:07,599 In other words, 1,500 years before Jesus was born, 192 00:11:07,599 –> 00:11:11,940 Moses had some glimpse of the wonderful truth 193 00:11:11,940 –> 00:11:16,940 that one day God himself would come among his people, 194 00:11:17,799 –> 00:11:20,739 that He would be mistreated, 195 00:11:20,760 –> 00:11:23,460 that He would be reproached, 196 00:11:23,460 –> 00:11:27,299 and that out of this would come a glorious reward 197 00:11:27,299 –> 00:11:30,419 that He would then share with all of his people. 198 00:11:30,419 –> 00:11:34,539 And Moses had some glimpse of what Jesus would do. 199 00:11:34,539 –> 00:11:36,619 And he said, I want to be like Him. 200 00:11:37,719 –> 00:11:40,200 I’m going to take my stand with the people of God 201 00:11:40,200 –> 00:11:42,260 no matter what it costs. 202 00:11:44,539 –> 00:11:48,559 Now the calling of Moses and the calling of Jesus 203 00:11:49,520 –> 00:11:51,520 is our calling too. 204 00:11:53,140 –> 00:11:58,140 Jesus said if anyone would come after me 205 00:12:00,500 –> 00:12:05,500 let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 206 00:12:09,500 –> 00:12:12,840 Jesus is saying here there is a cross for me 207 00:12:14,119 –> 00:12:18,159 and if you’re going to follow me there’s a cross for you. 208 00:12:19,500 –> 00:12:23,000 And you must take up your cross. 209 00:12:23,000 –> 00:12:28,000 If anyone would come after me he must take up his cross. 210 00:12:31,419 –> 00:12:32,799 Thomas Boston said this, 211 00:12:32,799 –> 00:12:37,679 God has one son without sin 212 00:12:40,659 –> 00:12:43,280 but he has no son without a cross. 213 00:12:44,479 –> 00:12:48,080 Think about that God has one son, 214 00:12:48,080 –> 00:12:50,080 only one son who’s without sin. 215 00:12:51,299 –> 00:12:55,979 He has no sons, no daughters without a cross. 216 00:12:57,239 –> 00:13:00,159 And the cross that you carry may change 217 00:13:00,159 –> 00:13:01,900 in different seasons of your life 218 00:13:01,900 –> 00:13:04,219 but there will always be some cost 219 00:13:04,219 –> 00:13:09,140 for each and everyone of us to bear in following Jesus. 220 00:13:10,479 –> 00:13:12,919 So here’s the obvious question that arises from that, 221 00:13:12,919 –> 00:13:16,619 how are you going to take up your cross? 222 00:13:16,619 –> 00:13:17,979 How are you gonna do that? 223 00:13:18,900 –> 00:13:21,500 How are you going to bear the painful 224 00:13:21,500 –> 00:13:24,059 and costly things that confront you 225 00:13:25,039 –> 00:13:27,960 as a follower of Jesus? 226 00:13:29,419 –> 00:13:33,780 Now Hebrews is telling us that Moses took up his cross 227 00:13:33,780 –> 00:13:37,280 and in his case it was renouncing the royal title 228 00:13:37,280 –> 00:13:39,799 and being mistreated with the people of God 229 00:13:39,799 –> 00:13:42,179 and it tells us how Moses did this 230 00:13:42,179 –> 00:13:44,099 and therefor it tells us how we must do it. 231 00:13:44,099 –> 00:13:47,780 It says Moses did this by faith. 232 00:13:49,940 –> 00:13:54,940 So how is it that faith enables us to take up the cross? 233 00:13:55,299 –> 00:13:59,919 Well, faith takes up the cross because it sees 234 00:13:59,919 –> 00:14:02,659 that this world is fleeting. 235 00:14:02,659 –> 00:14:06,260 Do you see that in verse 24 and 25? 236 00:14:06,260 –> 00:14:09,340 By faith, that’s how he did it. 237 00:14:09,340 –> 00:14:12,479 By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, 238 00:14:12,479 –> 00:14:15,039 refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 239 00:14:15,039 –> 00:14:16,599 choosing rather to be mistreated 240 00:14:16,599 –> 00:14:17,900 with the people of the world 241 00:14:17,900 –> 00:14:22,900 than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 242 00:14:26,760 –> 00:14:29,640 Now, in the Book of Acts, we are told that Moses 243 00:14:29,640 –> 00:14:34,200 was 40 years old when he made his life changing decision. 244 00:14:35,280 –> 00:14:39,159 For 40 years, he had enjoyed the pleasures 245 00:14:39,159 –> 00:14:41,580 and the treasures of a royal lifestyle. 246 00:14:41,599 –> 00:14:45,960 Think about what that was, 40 years of riding around 247 00:14:47,020 –> 00:14:51,340 in Egypt in chariots, sailing boats on the Nile, 248 00:14:51,340 –> 00:14:54,979 building marvelous structures, 40 years, 249 00:14:54,979 –> 00:14:58,219 but throughout these 40 years, there was one word 250 00:14:58,219 –> 00:15:00,739 that kept pressing onto his mind, 251 00:15:00,739 –> 00:15:02,960 and it was this word fleeting, 252 00:15:04,260 –> 00:15:07,099 the fleeting pleasures of sin. 253 00:15:07,979 –> 00:15:12,979 For 40 years, he’s enjoying all these things, 254 00:15:15,099 –> 00:15:18,119 and yet what keeps beating in his mind and in his heart 255 00:15:18,119 –> 00:15:20,940 is that this is all passing away. 256 00:15:21,900 –> 00:15:25,119 Here I am, 40-years-old and I’m living 257 00:15:25,119 –> 00:15:27,859 this very comfortable life, but God has brought me 258 00:15:27,859 –> 00:15:30,580 into this world for a greater purpose than this, 259 00:15:30,580 –> 00:15:33,580 my life must be about more than the pursuit 260 00:15:33,580 –> 00:15:36,659 of pleasure and of treasure, these things are fleeting, 261 00:15:36,659 –> 00:15:38,619 they are all passing away. 262 00:15:41,020 –> 00:15:43,119 Faith enables us to take up the cross 263 00:15:43,119 –> 00:15:45,640 because it sees that the world is fleeting, 264 00:15:48,020 –> 00:15:50,179 and second, Hebrews makes it very clear 265 00:15:50,179 –> 00:15:52,619 that faith enables us to take up the cross 266 00:15:52,619 –> 00:15:56,380 because it looks to the reward, verse 26, 267 00:15:56,380 –> 00:15:59,419 he considered the reproach of Christ 268 00:15:59,419 –> 00:16:01,700 greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt 269 00:16:01,700 –> 00:16:05,640 for, here’s why, he was looking to the reward. 270 00:16:07,140 –> 00:16:09,020 Now, you read the rest of the life of Moses, 271 00:16:09,020 –> 00:16:12,159 it’s very obvious that he didn’t get the reward 272 00:16:12,159 –> 00:16:14,760 in his life in this world. 273 00:16:14,760 –> 00:16:18,020 Think what renouncing his royal title 274 00:16:18,020 –> 00:16:20,419 and taking his stand with the mistreated people of God 275 00:16:20,419 –> 00:16:21,260 meant for him. 276 00:16:21,260 –> 00:16:25,440 It meant he spent the rest of his years in the desert, 277 00:16:26,859 –> 00:16:31,859 leading people who were ungrateful and uncooperative. 278 00:16:32,840 –> 00:16:35,320 That was his reward in this world. 279 00:16:37,140 –> 00:16:39,760 Following Jesus means taking up a cross 280 00:16:39,760 –> 00:16:42,700 and if this world is all that there is, 281 00:16:42,700 –> 00:16:44,880 it simply isn’t worth it. 282 00:16:46,739 –> 00:16:48,739 Now you hear people sometimes say, 283 00:16:50,099 –> 00:16:52,099 oh, you know, even if there’s no heaven, 284 00:16:53,979 –> 00:16:56,380 the Christian life’s still the best way to live. 285 00:16:57,099 –> 00:16:58,539 You say that to the Apostle Paul, 286 00:16:58,539 –> 00:16:59,900 he wouldn’t agree with you. 287 00:17:01,840 –> 00:17:04,420 He says in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 19, 288 00:17:04,420 –> 00:17:08,420 if in Christ we have hope in this life only, 289 00:17:08,420 –> 00:17:11,420 we are of all people most to be pitied. 290 00:17:14,060 –> 00:17:16,060 Don’t tell me that it’s worth 291 00:17:17,500 –> 00:17:19,800 being beaten with rods five times, 292 00:17:19,800 –> 00:17:23,140 lashed repeatedly, stoned and shipwrecked 293 00:17:23,140 –> 00:17:24,300 if there’s no heaven. 294 00:17:24,500 –> 00:17:26,579 That is it, shipwrecked if there’s no heaven, 295 00:17:26,579 –> 00:17:27,459 Paul would say. 296 00:17:29,660 –> 00:17:32,439 So how does faith take up the cross? 297 00:17:32,439 –> 00:17:37,439 It takes up the cross because it factors in eternity. 298 00:17:40,000 –> 00:17:43,339 Following Jesus, yes, means taking up a cross now 299 00:17:43,339 –> 00:17:44,959 but it doesn’t end there. 300 00:17:46,260 –> 00:17:50,339 The cross for Jesus led to a glorious resurrection 301 00:17:50,339 –> 00:17:52,260 and right now our Lord Jesus enjoys 302 00:17:52,260 –> 00:17:53,699 a glorious reward in heaven 303 00:17:53,819 –> 00:17:56,180 and one day we who follow him will share 304 00:17:56,180 –> 00:17:57,180 in that reward. 305 00:17:57,180 –> 00:18:00,180 And therefore this is how the Apostle Paul reasons. 306 00:18:00,180 –> 00:18:02,260 He says in 2 Corinthians 4, 307 00:18:02,260 –> 00:18:04,979 this light and momentary affliction 308 00:18:04,979 –> 00:18:07,979 is preparing for us an eternal weight 309 00:18:07,979 –> 00:18:10,640 of glory beyond all comparison. 310 00:18:11,839 –> 00:18:14,099 Always staggers me that Paul could describe 311 00:18:14,099 –> 00:18:16,180 what he suffered as light and momentary 312 00:18:16,180 –> 00:18:18,380 but you see as he compares it with eternity, 313 00:18:19,500 –> 00:18:21,079 he says I got a life ahead of me 314 00:18:21,079 –> 00:18:24,140 that will never, never, never, never, never end. 315 00:18:26,079 –> 00:18:29,060 Now I put these two things together. 316 00:18:29,060 –> 00:18:29,979 I say this. 317 00:18:29,979 –> 00:18:31,680 I look not to what is seen 318 00:18:31,680 –> 00:18:33,319 but to the things that are unseen 319 00:18:33,319 –> 00:18:35,400 for the things that are seen are what? 320 00:18:35,400 –> 00:18:37,160 Transient, fleeting, 321 00:18:38,520 –> 00:18:39,959 they’re all passing away, 322 00:18:41,520 –> 00:18:45,780 but the things that are unseen they’re eternal. 323 00:18:47,280 –> 00:18:49,959 So do you see what faith did 324 00:18:50,040 –> 00:18:54,599 in Moses and what faith will do in us? 325 00:18:54,599 –> 00:18:58,560 By faith, he saw through the world, 326 00:18:58,560 –> 00:19:01,640 he saw through its pleasures and its treasures, 327 00:19:01,640 –> 00:19:04,119 he saw how fleeting they really are 328 00:19:05,199 –> 00:19:07,199 and he looked beyond them to the reward 329 00:19:07,199 –> 00:19:08,479 that’s not in this world 330 00:19:08,479 –> 00:19:11,319 but at the right hand of the Father himself 331 00:19:12,920 –> 00:19:15,719 and if we are going to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, 332 00:19:15,719 –> 00:19:17,859 we must do the same! 333 00:19:17,880 –> 00:19:21,619 We have to factor in eternity. 334 00:19:23,060 –> 00:19:24,619 Now, let me try and make this application 335 00:19:24,619 –> 00:19:26,619 before we move on. 336 00:19:26,619 –> 00:19:28,459 Some of you who are younger 337 00:19:29,500 –> 00:19:32,479 are honestly trying to figure out 338 00:19:33,420 –> 00:19:35,520 if you’ll follow Jesus or not 339 00:19:37,380 –> 00:19:40,300 and you know that if you do, 340 00:19:40,300 –> 00:19:42,599 the smile of the culture will not be on you 341 00:19:43,819 –> 00:19:45,280 and your big question is this, 342 00:19:45,280 –> 00:19:46,900 you wonder if it’s worth it 343 00:19:48,540 –> 00:19:50,439 and I’m saying to you today from the Bible 344 00:19:50,439 –> 00:19:52,739 that there’s only one way that you will be able 345 00:19:52,739 –> 00:19:55,800 to make the costly decision to follow Jesus 346 00:19:55,800 –> 00:20:00,439 and that is by faith that factors in eternity. 347 00:20:02,300 –> 00:20:05,780 Faith that sees through the fleeting pleasures 348 00:20:05,780 –> 00:20:07,579 and treasures of this world 349 00:20:07,579 –> 00:20:11,800 and faith that looks beyond it to the reward. 350 00:20:13,160 –> 00:20:15,020 Now, that’s the first thing. 351 00:20:15,020 –> 00:20:20,020 The choice, the radical choice that faith makes. 352 00:20:21,979 –> 00:20:23,079 Now, here’s the second thing 353 00:20:23,079 –> 00:20:26,140 and when we look at the choice and how difficult it is, 354 00:20:26,140 –> 00:20:27,859 we desperately need this second thing 355 00:20:27,859 –> 00:20:31,979 and that is the courage that faith brings. 356 00:20:31,979 –> 00:20:33,459 Notice verse 27. 357 00:20:33,459 –> 00:20:36,640 By faith, He left Egypt, 358 00:20:37,719 –> 00:20:41,380 not being afraid of the anger of the king, 359 00:20:41,380 –> 00:20:46,380 for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 360 00:20:49,099 –> 00:20:50,599 Now again, you know the story 361 00:20:50,599 –> 00:20:53,760 and let’s call it to mind together again. 362 00:20:54,780 –> 00:20:58,819 When Moses made his decision to leave the palace, 363 00:20:59,760 –> 00:21:04,300 his first venture as an advocate for the people of God 364 00:21:04,300 –> 00:21:07,040 was an absolute disaster. 365 00:21:08,400 –> 00:21:11,300 He decided he’d go out and do some research. 366 00:21:11,680 –> 00:21:12,760 He’d been living in the palace 367 00:21:12,760 –> 00:21:16,239 in this cossetted environment. 368 00:21:16,239 –> 00:21:18,300 Better get out and see what life is like 369 00:21:18,300 –> 00:21:20,280 for my Hebrew brothers and sisters. 370 00:21:20,280 –> 00:21:23,020 And, when he got out, what he saw appalled him. 371 00:21:24,800 –> 00:21:28,880 He came across an Egyptian beating one of the Hebrew slaves 372 00:21:28,880 –> 00:21:31,640 and on an act of impulse, 373 00:21:32,760 –> 00:21:37,479 he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 374 00:21:38,920 –> 00:21:41,199 And Moses thought that what he had done 375 00:21:42,040 –> 00:21:45,000 was hidden, but what he did was seen. 376 00:21:45,979 –> 00:21:48,280 And, when Pharaoh heard about it, 377 00:21:48,280 –> 00:21:53,079 the Bible tells us that he sought to kill Moses. 378 00:21:54,119 –> 00:21:55,140 So, think about this. 379 00:21:55,140 –> 00:21:58,439 Moses went from being a favored son 380 00:21:58,439 –> 00:22:02,040 to a hunted fugitive in a single day. 381 00:22:03,239 –> 00:22:06,920 And the scripture tells us that Moses fled from Pharaoh 382 00:22:06,920 –> 00:22:10,060 and stayed in the Land of Midian. 383 00:22:10,939 –> 00:22:15,939 Now, moving to Midian may not sound like an act of faith. 384 00:22:18,339 –> 00:22:21,260 And some scholars suggest that Hebrews 385 00:22:21,260 –> 00:22:25,680 is referring to the second time that Moses left Egypt, 386 00:22:25,680 –> 00:22:27,920 which of course, was when he left 387 00:22:27,920 –> 00:22:31,920 with all of the people of God in the Exodus. 388 00:22:31,920 –> 00:22:34,579 But I’m convinced that Hebrews is referring here 389 00:22:34,579 –> 00:22:38,420 to the first time that Moses left Egypt, 390 00:22:38,420 –> 00:22:39,920 and for several reasons. 391 00:22:40,920 –> 00:22:41,760 Because let me just give them to you very briefly. 392 00:22:41,760 –> 00:22:44,020 First, because of the flow of the story, 393 00:22:44,020 –> 00:22:47,140 if you follow the order of it in Hebrews here, 394 00:22:47,140 –> 00:22:49,459 it tells us that Moses left Egypt 395 00:22:49,459 –> 00:22:52,380 after He had renounced His position in the palace, 396 00:22:52,380 –> 00:22:53,979 but before the Passover. 397 00:22:53,979 –> 00:22:55,699 That indicates it’s the first leaving 398 00:22:55,699 –> 00:22:57,040 that’s being referred to. 399 00:22:57,040 –> 00:23:00,599 The Passover is spoken of in verse 28. 400 00:23:00,599 –> 00:23:03,359 Second, I don’t think this is referring to the Exodus, 401 00:23:03,359 –> 00:23:05,060 because the story of the Exodus 402 00:23:05,060 –> 00:23:07,660 is repeated later in verse 29. 403 00:23:08,599 –> 00:23:12,119 And third, I don’t think this is referring to the Exodus, 404 00:23:12,119 –> 00:23:15,119 because Hebrews here in this verse 405 00:23:15,119 –> 00:23:18,099 describes Moses leaving Egypt alone. 406 00:23:18,099 –> 00:23:20,619 By faith he left Egypt. 407 00:23:20,619 –> 00:23:22,199 There’s no reference to the people of God 408 00:23:22,199 –> 00:23:23,459 leaving Egypt with him. 409 00:23:25,060 –> 00:23:28,420 Now of course, the reason that some scholars suggest 410 00:23:28,420 –> 00:23:30,819 that Moses leaving Egypt by faith 411 00:23:30,819 –> 00:23:32,819 must be a reference to the Exodus 412 00:23:32,819 –> 00:23:35,800 is that the Old Testament tells us 413 00:23:35,819 –> 00:23:40,819 that Moses was afraid when what he did was made known. 414 00:23:42,959 –> 00:23:45,979 But simply the fact that he was afraid 415 00:23:45,979 –> 00:23:48,040 because what he did was made known 416 00:23:48,040 –> 00:23:52,819 does not mean that fear was his motive in leaving Egypt. 417 00:23:53,719 –> 00:23:58,739 Hebrews tells us he left Egypt by faith. 418 00:24:00,560 –> 00:24:03,439 Now there are really three questions here. 419 00:24:03,439 –> 00:24:05,640 Why did he leave Egypt? 420 00:24:05,640 –> 00:24:08,420 Why was that an act of faith? 421 00:24:08,420 –> 00:24:09,780 And then how did he endure 422 00:24:09,780 –> 00:24:11,880 the years that followed in the desert? 423 00:24:13,040 –> 00:24:14,479 Why did he leave Egypt? 424 00:24:15,800 –> 00:24:17,699 Why did he not stay and fight? 425 00:24:19,800 –> 00:24:22,260 Well first, because God’s people were not ready. 426 00:24:23,739 –> 00:24:27,119 Remember that the first response to Moses was to say, 427 00:24:27,119 –> 00:24:29,900 who made you a prince and a judge over us? 428 00:24:31,780 –> 00:24:34,719 And second and probably more important, Moses wasn’t ready. 429 00:24:36,359 –> 00:24:38,540 The man clearly had a violent temper. 430 00:24:40,359 –> 00:24:42,140 What damage might have been done 431 00:24:42,140 –> 00:24:44,079 if he had assumed leadership 432 00:24:44,079 –> 00:24:46,040 of the people of God at the age of 40? 433 00:24:47,959 –> 00:24:50,920 Moses needed to learn to master himself. 434 00:24:52,439 –> 00:24:54,660 He needed to learn self-control 435 00:24:56,680 –> 00:24:59,219 and God taught him these things in the desert. 436 00:25:01,560 –> 00:25:03,359 Moses was not ready for the work 437 00:25:03,359 –> 00:25:04,880 that God would call him to do. 438 00:25:04,959 –> 00:25:09,640 His time had not yet come and so God taught 439 00:25:09,640 –> 00:25:14,359 this passionate, impulsive man to master himself 440 00:25:17,500 –> 00:25:20,439 and over these years his character was formed 441 00:25:20,439 –> 00:25:23,119 so that in Numbers in chapter 12 in verse three, 442 00:25:23,119 –> 00:25:26,540 we’re told that Moses had become the meekest man 443 00:25:26,540 –> 00:25:27,839 on the face of the earth. 444 00:25:30,479 –> 00:25:31,719 Why did he leave Egypt? 445 00:25:31,719 –> 00:25:32,560 That’s why. 446 00:25:32,560 –> 00:25:34,760 God’s people were not ready and nor was he. 447 00:25:35,640 –> 00:25:37,680 Why was it an act of faith? 448 00:25:39,680 –> 00:25:42,439 Well, Moses knew that his time had not yet come 449 00:25:43,619 –> 00:25:46,859 but he also knew and believed that his time would come 450 00:25:47,839 –> 00:25:52,119 and that’s why by faith he left Egypt to prepare himself 451 00:25:52,119 –> 00:25:54,699 for the work that God would call him to do. 452 00:25:56,180 –> 00:26:00,020 I believe that God has a future for me 453 00:26:00,020 –> 00:26:02,439 and I am going to prepare for the work 454 00:26:02,439 –> 00:26:04,459 that he will give me to do. 455 00:26:05,839 –> 00:26:07,219 And if you think about it, 456 00:26:07,219 –> 00:26:11,119 you will see that that is a marvelous act of faith 457 00:26:12,640 –> 00:26:17,020 because after the disaster of his first venture 458 00:26:17,020 –> 00:26:20,520 into ministry, Moses might easily have said 459 00:26:20,520 –> 00:26:22,119 it’s all over for me now. 460 00:26:23,760 –> 00:26:24,920 I messed up. 461 00:26:26,420 –> 00:26:28,099 God’s people don’t want me. 462 00:26:29,160 –> 00:26:34,160 Pharaoh wants to kill me and, done, I’ve blown it. 463 00:26:35,800 –> 00:26:37,380 There’s no future for me. 464 00:26:38,979 –> 00:26:40,880 Moses might, at this point in his life, 465 00:26:40,880 –> 00:26:44,439 at the age of 40, have caved in on himself, 466 00:26:44,439 –> 00:26:48,619 but he didn’t do that by faith. 467 00:26:50,180 –> 00:26:51,380 He left Egypt. 468 00:26:51,380 –> 00:26:52,619 Now here’s the principle. 469 00:26:54,180 –> 00:26:57,760 Focus your attention on becoming the person 470 00:26:57,760 –> 00:27:00,660 that God is calling you to be 471 00:27:00,660 –> 00:27:04,640 and leave into his hands the future work. 472 00:27:05,719 –> 00:27:07,319 That he will call you to do. 473 00:27:08,839 –> 00:27:11,579 Focus your attention on becoming the person 474 00:27:11,579 –> 00:27:13,619 that God is calling you to be 475 00:27:14,579 –> 00:27:19,180 and leave into his hand the future work 476 00:27:19,180 –> 00:27:20,660 that he may call you to do. 477 00:27:21,859 –> 00:27:25,099 Never despise the years of preparation. 478 00:27:25,099 –> 00:27:26,859 Paul spent years in Arabia. 479 00:27:26,859 –> 00:27:29,900 Jesus worked for years in a carpenter’s shop. 480 00:27:29,900 –> 00:27:32,959 Moses spent 40 years in Midian. 481 00:27:33,160 –> 00:27:36,520 And then the great contribution came 482 00:27:37,680 –> 00:27:39,300 in the last third of his life. 483 00:27:41,119 –> 00:27:43,319 Now here’s the question that really presses in 484 00:27:43,319 –> 00:27:44,359 on us at this point. 485 00:27:44,359 –> 00:27:48,859 How then did Moses endure these long years in the desert? 486 00:27:48,859 –> 00:27:50,119 And can you imagine it? 487 00:27:51,280 –> 00:27:55,359 The man’s 40, and he goes out into the desert 488 00:27:55,359 –> 00:27:57,160 and he’s shepherding a few sheep. 489 00:27:58,319 –> 00:28:00,300 My, how did my life change? 490 00:28:01,140 –> 00:28:04,400 And that’s how it is throughout his forties, 491 00:28:04,400 –> 00:28:09,140 throughout his fifties, throughout his sixties, 492 00:28:10,900 –> 00:28:12,699 and throughout his seventies. 493 00:28:13,780 –> 00:28:17,699 And still, he has not entered in on the great work 494 00:28:17,699 –> 00:28:19,500 that God was preparing for him to do. 495 00:28:19,500 –> 00:28:22,640 How did he endure all these years? 496 00:28:24,839 –> 00:28:26,500 And how are you going to endure 497 00:28:27,380 –> 00:28:30,260 when the cross feels heavy on you? 498 00:28:30,380 –> 00:28:32,500 When the cross feels heavy on you? 499 00:28:32,500 –> 00:28:34,900 Notice the answer is in verse 27. 500 00:28:36,140 –> 00:28:39,459 By faith, he left Egypt, 501 00:28:40,420 –> 00:28:43,239 not being afraid of the anger of the king, 502 00:28:43,239 –> 00:28:47,420 for he endured, ah, how? 503 00:28:47,420 –> 00:28:52,420 He endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 504 00:28:53,619 –> 00:28:56,099 He endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 505 00:28:56,099 –> 00:28:57,619 Take this in, friends, it’s wonderful. 506 00:28:57,619 –> 00:29:00,979 Moses endured when everything was against him. 507 00:29:02,579 –> 00:29:05,199 God’s people were against him, Pharaoh was against him, 508 00:29:05,199 –> 00:29:07,900 no doubt his own conscience was against him. 509 00:29:09,780 –> 00:29:14,239 But he dared to believe that God was for him, 510 00:29:14,239 –> 00:29:16,260 and he endured, Hebrews says, 511 00:29:16,260 –> 00:29:18,920 as seeing Him who is invisible. 512 00:29:21,500 –> 00:29:25,339 Some of you are going through very, very, very tough things 513 00:29:25,459 –> 00:29:29,479 and this is precisely the question that you have. 514 00:29:29,479 –> 00:29:30,979 How am I going to endure? 515 00:29:30,979 –> 00:29:35,000 And it’s precisely what the Bible is speaking about today. 516 00:29:36,199 –> 00:29:37,640 How are you going to endure? 517 00:29:39,819 –> 00:29:44,020 As seeing Him who is invisible. 518 00:29:45,939 –> 00:29:50,939 See, if you could see God standing right next to you, 519 00:29:53,319 –> 00:29:55,140 especially when you’re in the situation 520 00:29:55,260 –> 00:29:56,500 that you most dread, 521 00:29:57,479 –> 00:30:01,819 if you could see Him standing right next to you, 522 00:30:01,819 –> 00:30:03,640 you would trust Him completely. 523 00:30:05,300 –> 00:30:07,239 If you could turn around at any moment 524 00:30:07,239 –> 00:30:10,359 and see the Lord himself standing right there 525 00:30:10,359 –> 00:30:13,920 at your right hand side and hear Him say, 526 00:30:13,920 –> 00:30:17,280 I’m with you, I’ve got you. 527 00:30:18,880 –> 00:30:20,780 Well then you would be able to endure. 528 00:30:22,780 –> 00:30:25,119 And that’s exactly how it was with Moses. 529 00:30:25,439 –> 00:30:27,219 He endured 530 00:30:28,420 –> 00:30:30,260 as seeing Him who is invisible. 531 00:30:30,260 –> 00:30:34,579 He endured and trusted God as if he could see Him 532 00:30:34,579 –> 00:30:35,900 right there in the desert. 533 00:30:35,900 –> 00:30:37,339 That is how he endured. 534 00:30:37,339 –> 00:30:39,439 He endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 535 00:30:41,500 –> 00:30:42,900 And one day you will see Him. 536 00:30:44,000 –> 00:30:45,219 What a day that will be. 537 00:30:47,319 –> 00:30:49,079 Your faith will be turned to sight. 538 00:30:49,079 –> 00:30:51,459 You’ll see the Lord of glory. 539 00:30:51,459 –> 00:30:53,660 And when you do, well I know what I’m gonna say. 540 00:30:53,660 –> 00:30:54,500 I’m gonna say, 541 00:30:54,540 –> 00:30:55,900 didn’t I trust you more? 542 00:30:59,060 –> 00:31:00,939 And then just one more thing very briefly 543 00:31:00,939 –> 00:31:02,040 in these last moments. 544 00:31:02,040 –> 00:31:02,880 And it’s just this. 545 00:31:02,880 –> 00:31:05,599 We’ve seen the choice that faith makes. 546 00:31:05,599 –> 00:31:09,400 We’ve seen the courage that faith brings. 547 00:31:09,400 –> 00:31:10,680 And lastly and very briefly, 548 00:31:10,680 –> 00:31:12,479 the confidence that faith enjoys. 549 00:31:12,479 –> 00:31:13,420 Verse 28. 550 00:31:13,420 –> 00:31:16,079 By faith, 551 00:31:16,079 –> 00:31:19,219 Moses kept the pass over 552 00:31:19,219 –> 00:31:20,739 and sprinkled the blood 553 00:31:21,619 –> 00:31:23,660 so that the destroyer of the firstborn 554 00:31:23,660 –> 00:31:24,900 might not touch him. 555 00:31:24,900 –> 00:31:27,500 We’re coming in just a moment to the Lord’s Table. 556 00:31:28,380 –> 00:31:30,920 And this brings us there beautifully. 557 00:31:31,819 –> 00:31:34,219 We read here about the pass over lamb 558 00:31:35,180 –> 00:31:36,780 and the sprinkled blood. 559 00:31:38,000 –> 00:31:40,540 And we usually think of these, of course, 560 00:31:40,540 –> 00:31:43,619 in relation to all of God’s people. 561 00:31:44,819 –> 00:31:49,859 But Hebrews records the personal faith of Moses 562 00:31:49,900 –> 00:31:53,959 in observing the pass over himself. 563 00:31:53,959 –> 00:31:57,719 By faith, he kept the pass over 564 00:31:59,180 –> 00:32:02,140 and sprinkled the blood, Moses himself. 565 00:32:03,739 –> 00:32:05,660 Here’s this great man of God. 566 00:32:06,939 –> 00:32:08,780 Here’s this man who spent 40 years 567 00:32:08,780 –> 00:32:10,839 in the desert preparing for ministry. 568 00:32:12,300 –> 00:32:15,400 Here’s a man who has seen the presence of God 569 00:32:15,400 –> 00:32:18,339 in the burning bush and heard the audible voice 570 00:32:18,479 –> 00:32:20,959 of God announcing his own name. 571 00:32:20,959 –> 00:32:23,099 Here’s a man who would do miracles. 572 00:32:23,099 –> 00:32:26,060 Here’s a man who God would use 573 00:32:26,060 –> 00:32:28,119 to form and lead an entire nation. 574 00:32:28,119 –> 00:32:30,180 And this man says, 575 00:32:31,239 –> 00:32:34,780 I am a sinner who needs a Savior. 576 00:32:36,199 –> 00:32:41,199 I need the blood of the sacrifice sprinkled over me. 577 00:32:44,239 –> 00:32:47,040 And faith says more than I need a Savior. 578 00:32:48,459 –> 00:32:52,280 Faith says, I have a Savior. 579 00:32:53,640 –> 00:32:58,640 The son of God loved me and he gave himself for me 580 00:32:59,739 –> 00:33:04,739 and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin. 581 00:33:06,660 –> 00:33:07,680 Let’s pray together. 582 00:33:10,020 –> 00:33:11,880 Prayer for the person who is facing 583 00:33:11,880 –> 00:33:16,880 a costly choice, Father strengthen my faith. 584 00:33:18,560 –> 00:33:20,239 Help me to see through the world 585 00:33:20,239 –> 00:33:22,699 with its fleeting pleasures and treasures 586 00:33:22,699 –> 00:33:26,060 and look to the eternal reward 587 00:33:27,619 –> 00:33:32,619 that belongs to all who take up the cross and follow Jesus. 588 00:33:35,339 –> 00:33:38,959 The prayer for the person today who needs courage to endure. 589 00:33:41,099 –> 00:33:44,420 Father, help me to endure as if I could see you 590 00:33:44,420 –> 00:33:47,020 standing right next to me. 591 00:33:48,619 –> 00:33:52,140 Help me to say I have set the Lord always before me 592 00:33:52,140 –> 00:33:57,140 and because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 593 00:34:00,020 –> 00:34:01,300 And a prayer for all of us 594 00:34:01,300 –> 00:34:03,540 as we prepare for the Lord’s table. 595 00:34:05,300 –> 00:34:10,040 Father, I acknowledge my need of a savior. 596 00:34:11,580 –> 00:34:16,219 Thank you that Jesus is the savior I need. 597 00:34:17,179 –> 00:34:20,260 Give me the peace and confidence of knowing 598 00:34:20,260 –> 00:34:23,820 that the blood of Christ was shed for my sins 599 00:34:25,219 –> 00:34:30,219 that through Him I may walk in peace with you. 600 00:34:31,459 –> 00:34:34,120 Through Jesus Christ my Lord, amen.

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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Hebrews 11 is an exposition of faith. It begins with a definition, and then gives us models of men and women who exercised faith. The series ‘Living By Faith’ looks at 10 of them to learn what it means for us to live by faith today.

Colin Smith

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