August 12, 2014
THE PIONEERS OF FAITH
Hebrews 11:23–31
Kevin Mainz
Central Truth
Faith in things or people other than Christ has a long track record of disappointment. Moses, Joshua, Rahab, and others got it right. Will you?
Key Verse | Hebrews 11:24–26
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26)
Hebrews 11:23–31
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 11:23–31
It is impossible to live a single day without exercising faith in something -- faith that your car will start when you need it to, faith that the plumber you called knows how to fix your problem, or even faith in your son's GI tract that it won't start moving during bath time. I am constantly reminded of how my faith is only as good as the object in which I place it. So, I shouldn't be surprised that I end up being disappointed when I place my faith in anything but Christ. For a long time, I placed my faith in my own good works, thinking it would earn me favor with God. I always came up short. I finally realized that the one thing missing was simply taking God at His Word: "[N]evertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus . . . ." (Galatians 2:16, NASB)
Imagine exercising such a remarkable faith that somebody would write about it over 1,000 years later. I am extremely encouraged, while at the same time intimidated, by these Pioneers of Faith. Moses was adopted at a young age by Egyptian royalty and was on course to have a pretty easy life. However, God got ahold of his heart, and Moses chose rather "to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin." (Hebrews 11:25, NASB) He went on to lead thousands of Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and later write the first five books of the Old Testament. God does not call us to have faith in Moses -- "For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses . . . ." (Hebrews 3:3), but imagine what it would have been like had Moses not exercised such tremendous faith!
Imagine what it will be like if you and I exercise such tremendous faith!
Discussion Questions
1. What are some specific examples of how faith in things other than Christ have left you disappointed?
2. What is keeping you from placing your faith in Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our lives?
3. What is one way you can take God at His Word and exercise faith today?
4. How do the stories of Moses, Joshua, Rahab, and other Pioneers of Faith encourage your heart?