Enduring Faith

Enduring Faith

Portrayed in the life of Moses

Hebrews 12:1-3

Hebrews 11:24-27

Introduction: The key to success in the Christian life is the same as it was for Christ and the heroes of our faith. Spiritual success is found in the ability to endure. In Hebrews 12:3 we read how we are to consider Christ who “endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

If there is one character flaw that we should be without, it would be that we are quitters. A Christian should never quit. We are admonished, over and over again to endure, to stay in the fight to the very end.

Then, as we look back at all the heroes mentioned in chapter 11, we note that they too were people who were able to endure to the end. Note what the Bible says about Moses (11:27) how he was a man of endurance.

Let’s go back to the story of Moses and take a look at his life to see how he fought through great adversity and at the ripe YOUNG age of 80, God found a use for him.

I. The Fleeing From Pharaoh, Exodus 2:11-15

The early life of Moses was characterized by running away from things. Many people today spend their lives on the run…

A. Running From The Past

Moses was on the run. He was a fugitive that was running from Pharaoh into the Midian Desert. He had made a mistake and now he was running from it…

How many times have people shown up in churches who you later find out were running away from a problem in another place, another church, another town….

Anyone who does anything for God becomes a target of the devil. One of his favorite tools to use on people is to attack their character… Maybe it was earned, maybe not…

B. Running From God

Many people are not just running from the past, they are running from God. The Prophet Jonah could tell us how to do that. Just as Jonah learned, God knows where you are tonight and He can find you, move you, stop you any time He pleases. You cannot hide from the eyes of God.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

C. Running In Circles

Moses, like the children of Israel whom he would later lead, was running in circles. He was wandering in the Midian Desert tending sheep. Here he was, raised in the palace of Pharaoh, as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter and he was out tending sheep. What an ending after such a prominent beginning to his life.

Moses was running in circles, lost and wondering. He was lost to himself, but he was not lost to God. He was far from the palace of Pharaoh, in a dead end job herding sheep.

Many of you feel like you have made it as far as you can go in life. You have reached your limits, this is your lot in life. But this is where God steps in and says “Moses, Moses” He is talking to you tonight, calling your name saying something like “remember me??”…. Are you wandering in the wilderness of life tonight?

II. The Turning Point: Turning To See God, Exodus 3:1-4

At 80 years of age, Moses turned from his wanderings and turned to see God. You are never to old to get saved, never to old to serve God.

A. Turning back, (away from God)

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Tonight, you need to decide to follow Jesus again, no turning back, no turning back…

The prodigal son came to a place in his life when he realized how bad he wanted to go home to his father…

B. Turning To Your Circumstances,

Moses had every excuse in the book:

1) Not fit, 3:11

2) No Authority, 3:13

3) No Power, 4:1

4) No Eloquence, 4:10

What excuse have you been using on God??

C. Turning To Christ,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Hebrews 12:2a

When are you going to “turn”

Which way are you turning? Are you headed toward Christ tonight? Are your eyes fixed on Him? Or are your eyes cast upon the world and its pleasures??

III. Returning To Egypt, Exodus 4:18-20

Egypt for Moses was the PLACE of God’s service. God has a PLACE, a location where He wants you to be at so you can serve Him. Now that Moses had turned to Christ, Egypt was where the race course was for him. Where has God laid out your race course? For now, it is right here at First Baptist Church. Right now, it is to the people who live next door to you. Right now, it is to the people you work with every day. Right now it is to your husband, your wife, your children…