We Believe Series God Rewards the Faithful Hebrews 11:23-28 October 30, 2016

Intro: We Believe Envelopes/Schedule • Next Sunday we’ll turn in our envelopes • Historic day next week!

Road trip to Dallas. Favorite restaurants – Pappadeaux, Pappasito’s, MiCocina, Babe’s Chicken, Rudy’s BBQ. What if we leave here knowing we can have an unbelievable dinner, but we stop in Sherman at a gas station and I pig out on Snicker’s and Dorito’s? You would tell me I’m crazy. If I would have just recognized there was something much better on the way – I would have been able to live for that moment instead of the momentary gratification of my appetite.

Today’s message is all about this – As a Christian, I live with eyes pointed towards eternity because I know God rewards the faithful.

Today, we’re introduced in Hebrews 11 to Moses.

Highlight Reel of Moses’ Life: • Exodus 2 • Parents hide him from the Egyptians • At three months old, they put him in a basket in the Nile River, found by Pharaoh’s daughter • Grew up in luxury and comfort • Knew of his Hebrew background, one day saw an Egyptian beating a Jewish man, he defends the man and kills the Egyptian, buries him in the sand • Moses is found out, flees to Midian and lives • Exodus 3 – Burning bush • God tells Moses he will bring the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt • Long story made short – God comes through and brings Israel out of Egypt

READ HEBREWS 11:23-28

Three Pictures of Faith: Faith looks like standing against opposition • Moses’ parents stood against the king’s edict o To hide your child from the king’s edict to save their lives was to put your own life at risk o Evidently, Moses’ parents knew something was special about this child although they probably didn’t understand the full scope of how God would use him o The word “beautiful” here is the word “asteion” which is only used here in the NT and in Acts 7:20 which spoke about Moses also o Moses’ parents displayed faith over fear o Some of the greatest displays of your life will come when you are the most afraid o In my notes, I typed out then deleted this phrase: o Faith and fear cannot co-exist o I actually think that’s wrong…that’s why I deleted it o I think they can totally co-exist – but the difference is this – the fear doesn’t stop the faith o In other words – People of great faith act in faith even when they are scared to death o I can only imagine each time there was a knock on the door at Moses’ parent’s house – was this the Egyptians? Did they hear him cry out in the night? o They hid Moses, in the midst of fear, because of faith

• Moses left Egypt, not being afraid of the king o Which time is the Bible referencing here? o Because the first time he flees Egypt in fear of the king o This one I believe is referencing when Moses leaves Egypt with the Israelites after all of the plagues o Moses is not afraid of the king – even with all that has happened o Again, fear is mentioned o Without question, Fear is the number one detractor to taking steps of faith o Our minds are dangerous things o We can create all kinds of worst case scenarios where our lives end in ruin o Illustration: Micro Machine Guy (SHOW VIDEO) § I wonder if our prayers lives ever look like this in the midst of crises in our lives? o God doesn't need information about our crisis. He’s waiting for our trust in it. - Charles Swindoll o God knew exactly where Moses was and what he was doing o “…for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” o How did Moses take the big such a big step of faith? He kept his eyes on the Lord! o Are my eyes on my crisis or on Jesus?

Faith looks like living for eternity instead of this present world • Two of the most powerful verses anywhere in the Bible are found in this section on Moses • READ HEBREWS 11:24-26 • Remember our main idea for today – As a Christian, I live with eyes pointed towards eternity because I know God rewards the faithful. • For Moses, eternity affected how he lived on earth: o Refused the comfort of being in Pharaoh’s family o Chose to be mistreated with the people of God o Denied the fleeting pleasures of sin § “Walking by faith means defeating sin’s pleasures with the promise of a superior pleasure in God.” – John Piper o He considered Jesus better than the things of this earth § A life-changing statement: Jesus is better. § Than sin, than money, than pleasure, Jesus is better! • “He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Hebrews 11:26 • What does this mean? o It means he was willing to suffer for God and considered his association with God and His people of more importance than all that this world had to offer o Said in another way – he was looking towards eternity knowing that God rewards the faithful • The Financial Cost • Living in luxury with servants vs. Living in the wilderness with whiners • There was a MAJOR financial cost to following God here • There is usually a cost to following Jesus o Relationally o Job o Financial o What we’re in as a church is a call to sacrificial giving • Illustration: Meredith and I coming to our $ on commitment o Go up one line – we need God to do some things • Big Question – Will we live for eternity knowing that God rewards the faithful? o Illustration: University of Arkansas is expanding Razorback Stadium o Total Cost - $160 million o 2017 Schedule – 6 home games o I’m in support of the expansion…think it’s a great idea…hope you’ll give towards it o BUT THIS IS A GREAT DOSE OF REALITY…WE LIVE FOR SOMETHING SO MUCH MORE THAN FOOTBALL! o We’re trying to raise $6 million for a building that will be filled with people hearing the Gospel every week for generations to come

Faith looks like trusting in the covering God has provided • READ HEBREWS 11:28 • Story – 9 plagues down, 1 (the worst) to go • Cover the blood of a lamb over the doorpost of your house – if not, your firstborn will die • Passover – the Death Angel (Destroyer) will go through Egypt and kill the firstborn, it will PASS OVER those who applied the blood of the lamb to the door posts • READ EXODUS 12:29-31 • Can you imagine? • This is one of the most demonstrative pictures of what Jesus would one day do for us • All of us are under judgment because of sin – all of us will be visited by death and judgment o Apart from surrendering your life to Jesus, you will spend eternity in hell • What must we do? Apply the blood of the Lamb – who is that? Jesus • “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John the Baptist (John 1:29) • What is the covering God has provided? JESUS!!! • Jesus was crucified on a cross for your salvation, for your forgiveness of sins • We must apply the blood • When we do…judgment PASSES OVER us and we are forgiven because of the covering of the blood of Jesus

Song – Under the Blood O the blood of the Passover Lamb Is applied to the door of my life No power of darkness could ever withstand The force of the blood sacrifice

Though Satan will bring accusations I let Him know right where I stand For now there is no condemnation I’m under the blood of the Lamb

I’m under the blood of the Lamb That covers the guilt of my past By the mercy of God, holy and righteous I stand

I’m under the blood of the Lamb I’m safe and secure from the enemy’s plan No weapon formed against me will stand I’m under the blood of the Lamb

Conclusion: Are you under the blood of the Lamb?