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LIFE LESSONS FROM MOSES

March 14, 1999 AM

Sermon Outline

Heb 11:23-27

INTRO: When the subject of favorite Bible personalities arises, I expect Moses would be prominently mentioned. The life of Moses presents us with a vast array of possibilities in a discussion of life lessons. his life took him from the threat of death as a baby to life in the splendors of Egypt as the grandson of Pharaoh. From a shepherd in the wilderness of Sinai to incredible face to face meetings with God to forty years of nomadic existence as the leader of over a million people called Israel.

I. THE LESSON OF PARENTS OF GREAT FAITH

A. Ex 1:22-2:4 Faith in God surpassed faith in Pharaoh!

1. when conviction is in conflict with convention, conviction must prevail

2. of his parents we know little - but they were of Levi - and Heb 11:23!!

B. Ex 2:7-9,11 A mothers care, instruction!

1. so, he know he was a Hebrew and it meant something to him as an adult ... what is the source of this significance? 2 Tim 1:5

2. 1 Chron 23:14 man of God ... tribute to parents!

II. THE LESSON THAT SOME PLACES GODS PEOPLE DONT BELONG

A. Heb 11:24-26 He had a choice to make

1. apparently, he couldnt have it both ways - choose

2. everything Egyptian was counter to God and righteousness (note Josh 24:14 and in Egypt)

B. What choices of this sort must we make?

1. professional? recreational? entertainment?

2. a question you must ask? 2 Cor 6:14! and it must be asked in view of 7:1

III. THE LESSON OF THINKING THROUGH THINGS

A. Heb 11:26 He looked beyond immediate gratification

1. he could stay in Egypt and have material want and power unequaled in the world

2. or, he could forfeit all of that for eternal reward

3. life often presses us to take the immediate

B. Thinking through things is such a wise course

1. yes, we may make some immediate sacrifices, forfeit some of earths pleasure (and I know thats not a popular thing)

2. but we will still be whole - untouched, unharmed, not anxious about what may now come

3. listen: Prov 4:26,27 - Ps 119:59 - 2 Cor 5:8,9

IV. THE LESSON OF PRAYERS POWER

A. Ex 32:14 and Num 14:20 Gods responses to Moses prayers

1. yes, I accept that neither you nor I is Moses

2. but think of Jas 5:16-18 ... of Elijah

B. Where is our confidence in praying?

1. I do understand about conditions of prayer

2. but I also know that the Bible gives examples of the power of prayer for our benefit

V. THE LESSON OF ANGERS DANGER

A. Num 20:10-12 It appears Moses was angry

1. certainly, his patience had been tested

2. but there is never a right way to do a wrong thing

3. and the cost of his anger was so great!

4. the consequence of his anger, rebellion could not be averted - note Deut 3:23-26 (40 years of anticipation gone in an instant)

B. A moments wrecklessness can be very costly

1. plainly, in a moment when he did not control his spirit he disobeyed God

2. so many people live by their emotions ... and behave in ways which do not glorify God

3. and there is usually a high price to pay

4. regret is not satisfying - so, 2 Pet 1:5,6 ... temperance is self-control

CLOSE: I think of Moses, though, as a man who listened to God and who did Gods bidding. I think of him as one who was careful about his life. One thing to add: Moses pointed the world to Christ. Acts 7:37.

Cecil A. Hutson

14 March 1999

God's Plan of Salvation

You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

You must believe and have faith in God because "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save. (James 2:19; James 2:24; Matthew 7:21)

You must repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19) But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called "Sinner's Prayer" that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the "Sinner's Prayer" to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save. Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11), but Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later (Acts 22:16). Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved (Acts 10:2, 6, 33, 48). If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, prayer alone will not save you. You must obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:8)

You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10) Note that you do NOT need to make Jesus "Lord of your life." Why? Because Jesus is already Lord of your life whether or not you have obeyed his gospel. Indeed, we obey him, not to make him Lord, but because he already is Lord. (Acts 2:36) Also, no one in the Bible was ever told to just "accept Jesus as your personal savior." We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but, as with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save. (Matthew 7:21)

Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38) It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven. (Acts 22:16) It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation. (Acts 8:35-36; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Once you are saved, God adds you to his church and writes your name in the Book of Life. (Acts 2:47; Philippians 4:3) To continue in God's grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death. Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God's grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book. (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Galatians 5:4)