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HEBREWS 11:23-27

"BY FAITH"

Intro: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen."
       Faith is believing something I cannot see. I believe the wind exists though I
       have never seen it, I have felt it, and I have seen evidence of it. I believe
       electricity exists, I have felt its current, I have seen its arc. I believe God
       exists, I  have felt His touch and I see evidence of His existence all around me.

I. "BY FAITH MOSES WHEN HE WAS BORN."
        A. When he was born his parents were slaves in Egypt.
        B. When he was born there was a standing decree that all baby boys born
           to the Hebrews should be thrown into the Nile river.
                1. By faith his parents defied that decree and hid him for three months.
                2. Mother finally placed him in Nile in a little reed basket.
        C. Moses life was steeped in faith from birth.

II. "BY FAITH MOSES WHEN HE HAD COME TO YEARS" HE WAS FORTY YEARS OLD, NOT THE RASH IMPULSE
    OF A CHILD.
        A. Refused to be called the son of pharaoh's daughter.
                1. As such, a possible heir to the throne.
                2. At the least, a place of lofty distinction as a member of the royal
                   family.
                        a. A life of luxury and ease.
                        b. A life of indulgence to the flesh.
        B. Chose rather to be identified with God's people.
                1. As such afflicted.
                2. Reproached.
        C. Why such a choice?
                1. Recognized that pleasures of sin are only for a season.
                        a. The thrill of sin is so short-lived.
                        b. A moment of folly, a lifetime of regret.
                        c. A lifetime of folly, an eternity of regret.
                2. He had respect for the final reward.
                        a. A life time of sin to be rewarded with an eternity without God.
                        b. A life of righteousness shall be rewarded by eternity with God.
                3. He knew it would profit him nothing if he gained the whole world
                   and lost his own soul.

III. HIS SECRET OF ENDURANCE WAS THE ABILITY TO SEE THE INVISIBLE  GOD.
        A. Remember that faith accepts the evidence for things not seen.
                1. I believe in God, to me it is evident.
                2. I know He loves me supremely, evidenced in the suffering and
                   death of His Son.
                3. I know that He controls my life and the circumstances that
                        surround my life.
                        a. This does not mean life to be a bed of roses unless you
                           include the thorns.
                                1. Moses suffered afflictions.
                                2. Reproach of Christ.
                        b. It does mean God has an eternal plan for everything that
                           happens.
        B. We must look beyond the immediate to the eternal.
                1. Moses compared.
                        a. The afflictions of God's people with the momentary
                           pleasures of sin.
                        b. The reproach of Christ with the riches of Egypt.
                        c. The worst God has to offer is better than the best the world
                           has to offer.