Faith's Consequences #2

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2005 Sermons Archive

2004 Sermons Archive

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FAITH'S CONSEQUENCES #2 (Faith #6) 01.30.05
(Hebrews 11)

To begin today, I want us to pause for one minute and think about the following:

“What two or three things (relationships, situations, etc.) do I spend the most mental and spiritual energy on?”

In light of what you have just thought of, factor in these truths about faith in God:

“…the life of faith elevates the power of God over circumstances.”

What we believe about God has everything to do with how we live our lives.

“The higher our view of God, the stronger our theology, the more risks we will be willing to take.”

“The issue of faith is not the amount but the object of your faith.”

All people live by faith. The real question is: what or who is the object of their faith?

Choosing to live a life of faith means conflict will be an inevitable consequence.

~~~~~~~

Today I’m going to conclude our look at faith from Hebrews 11. Before as I do I’d like to share with you some thoughts I’ve gathered over time from various others; thoughts that are fitting within the context of living by a radical, dynamic, faith in God:

"God wants to be our Partner in miracles." (unknown)

"Decaying sets in where growth leaves off." (unknown)

"All God's dreams seem impossible at the first." (unknown)

"God entrusts dreams to people of faith." (unknown)

“God's aim appears to have missed the mark, because we are too nearsighted to see the target at which He is aiming.”

(My Utmost... 8/3)

St. Augustine declared of God:

“You are ever active, yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, though you suffer no need. …You grieve for wrong, but suffer no pain. You can be angry and yet serene. Your works are varied, but your purpose is one and the same.… You welcome those who come to you, though you never lost them. You are never in need yet are glad to gain, never covetous yet you exact a return for your gifts . . . You release us from our debts, but you lose nothing thereby.

“You are my God, my Life, my holy Delight, but is this enough to say of you? Can any man say enough when he speaks of you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you.”

Now, relax and tune your ears, head and heart to these words from an unknown author:

THE FIRST AND LAST

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...

Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom! He was dead and brought life! He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can’t understand him,
The armies can’t defeat Him,
The schools can’t explain Him, and The leaders can’t ignore Him.

Herod couldn’t kill Him, the Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and the people couldn’t hold Him!
Nero couldn’t crush Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him, the New Age
can’t replace Him, and talk show hosts can’t explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and good. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.

He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior, He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size. His goal is a relationship with ME!

He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I confess failure, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!

When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.

So, if you’re wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul. (unknown)

~~~~~~~

I don’t know about you, but I think I can trust, place my faith in, a God like that!

~~~~~~~
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him. Hebrews 11:24-26 NLT
~~~~~~~

Moses’ faith got him into a lot of trouble, and it cost him dearly.
– Because of his faith, Moses rejected his adopted identity. He was born a Hebrew slave, but was raised as Egyptian royalty.

Pharaoh had groomed Moses to be his successor; Moses was a prince who was going to be king.

Consider the questions Moses had to deal with because of his faith:
1 “Am I willing to give up incredible PRESTIGE?”
2 “Am I willing to give up incredible POWER?”
3 “Am I willing to give up incredible WEALTH?”

Can you imagine?
– Moses was living in the king's palace, had servants waiting on him hand and foot.

The problem, however, was that for those comforts and lifestyle to continue, Moses would have had to make a total commitment to Egypt.

Egypt represents the world, the values and ways of the world, and identity with the world.
– Because of his faith, Moses rejected the world's identity.

Moses faced the same choices we face: will we sell our souls [to the] world … because it offers us prestige, power, and wealth?

Understand that when Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, it meant he was renouncing all association and identification with Pharaoh and Egypt.
– To live by faith and live for God today, we too must give up allegiance to this world.

“You cannot be Pharaoh's child and God's child at the same time. You must make a choice.” (Evans)

How do you know whether you've chosen the world or God?
– Look at verse 25: Moses knew that when he became publicly identified as a Jew, the Egyptians were going to treat him like they treated all other Jews - as a despised slave and outcast.

Think about this: IF no one ever puts you down because you’re a Christian, if no one ever calls you a fanatic, if no one ever says to you, “You're crazy; you're carrying this [religion] stuff too far,” THEN you’re still living in Egypt.

What’s the difference between a “true Christian” and a “false Christian”? (responses)

The world sees “true Christians” as people on the lunatic fringe of acceptable society.
– Once you get that label, get ready because those who live for power, prestige, wealth, and I would also add, personal autonomy (self-rule) are going to start “shooting” at you in various ways and to varying degrees.

Verse 25 also tells us two important things about sin.
1 Sin is fun. Sin has to be fun, or no one would do it.
2 Sin's fun is short.

Verse 26 shows us how, by faith, Moses was …looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him.
~~~~~~~

As we conclude, look at verse 27:

It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. (NLT)

By an act of faith, he turned his heel on Egypt, indifferent to the king's blind rage. He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going. (MSG)

Moses wasn't afraid of Pharaoh.
– The reason many people won't live for God is they’re too afraid of what others will say or think.

You see, Moses didn't fear Pharaoh, even though Pharaoh was a visible threat.
– Rather, Moses was motivated by the one who is invisible (NLT).
– He had his eye on the One no eye can see…. (MSG).

Don’t you just love that paradox? How can you see someone who can't be seen?
– With the eyes of faith!
– Pharaoh wasn't any big deal after Moses saw God.

Who or what are you afraid of today?
~~~~~~~

SO WHAT?
1 Put God in your line of sight.
2 Don’t fear the world; look to Jesus.