Moses: the Character of Leadership
Hebrews 11:23-29.
This morning in our study of Hebrews chapter 11 we look at the life of Moses.
Moses was a leader and his epitaph is recorded in the last three verses of Deuteronomy:
Deuteronomy 34:10-12 - Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Here are some of Moses’ accomplishments:
• He led the people of Israel out of Egyptian Captivity.
• He led the people of Israel across the Red Sea.
• He led the people of Israel for 40 years in the Desert.
• He personally received the Ten Commandments directly from God.
• He is credited with the writing of the first five books of the old testament.
He’s an amazing person, and an amazing leader.
One of the things that stands out about Moses to me is that for 40 years he NEVER let go of the Vision God had given him
- The People complained, but he continually reminded them of who God is.
- The people sinned, but he continually brought them BACK to God.
- Moses would NOT see the fulfillment of the Promised land God would give them, but he was faithful as a leader to make sure his people got there!
I don’t know ANYONE who doesn’t want to make some kind of positive difference in the world.
If you want to make a difference in this world, who better to learn from than Moses?
Here’s a little background…
Hebrews 11:23 - By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
God protected Moses and he knew what Moses’ purpose would be before he was even born.
KNOW WHO YOU ARE
1. Hebrews 11:24 - By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
2. Hebrews 11:25 - He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
i. Basically, Moses gave up Royalty for Suffering, oppression, and mistreatment. Why would he do something like that?
ii. He Knew who he was. He knew that he BELONGED TO GOD.
3. 1 Peter 1:18-19 - For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
i. God paid a High Price for You! Why did God think you were worth it?
ii. Because he made you. Because before you were even born, he had a plan for you.
iii. In the same way that God preserved Moses and allowed him to grow up in pharaoh’s palace, he has a plan and a purpose for you.
4. 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
5. This is your identity, this is your purpose.
6. Moses learned who he was and sacrificed EVERYTHING to identify with God and His people.
7. And really he was giving up what was temporary, for what was eternal
i. Broken cisterns –
ii. Jeremiah 2:13 - "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
8. Know who you are.
KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LIVING FOR
• Hebrews 11:26 - He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
• Moses knew that His purpose in Life was not his purpose, but it was God’s purpose lived out through Him.
• That is so important. If you want to make an impact. If you want to make a difference. Realize that God is the potter and you are the clay.
• Romans 12:1-2 - 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
o There are two pictures here:
o One is that of being Conformed (like a handprint in playdough)
o The other is of being Transformed (like clay)
• PAUL’S STORY IS SIMILAR TO MOSES’
• Paul was a Pharisee. He was basically a jewish lawyer. He was expert and people looked up to him because he had authority.
• Philippians 3:8 - What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
KNOW WHERE YOU STAND
• Hebrews 11:27 - By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
• Moses knew where He stood, He stood with the God most High
• In Exodus 3-4, Moses is working at the edge of the desert as a shepherd when he comes upon a bush that was on fire, but it didn’t seem to be consumed by the fire. So he went over to check it out.
• READ EXODUS 3:1-10 (ends with “ so I am sending You”)
• Moses’ Reply
o Who am I that I should go? (vs. 11)
God’s Answer I will be with you
o What if they won’t listen? (vs. 13)
God’s answer: Tell them I sent you (vs. 14-15)
o What if they Don’t Believe me? (Vs 4:1)
God’s Answer: What’s that in your hand? (vs. 2-5)
o I’m not a good speaker! (vs. 10)
God’s Answer: I am with You, I made You, You are a tool in my Hand! (vs. 11-12)
o God PLEASE SEND SOMEONE ELSE! (vs. 13)
• How does a person like THIS, get to the point of Deuteronomy 34:10
o Deuteronomy 34:10-12 - Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
• MOSES TALKED TO GOD. It’s a reality of his character and it’s the most important quality of Godly leadership.
o MOSES LISTENED AND OBEYED
God said to Moses…I’ve got a dream…and I want you to help carry it out.
It was way back in Genesis 12 when God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations…that God would build a people for himself and he would give them the Land of Canaan as their inheritance.
God’s people were currently under Egyptian captivity and in God picked Moses…long before He was an Egyptian, long before he was a shepherd…long before Moses even knew it…to do something Great for Him
And God has a reason for your existence.
I can’t tell you what that purpose is, but God created you for himself…he loved you before you were even born.
LISTEN TO GOD…and know where you stand.
•
So What Did God Do?
Hebrews 11:29 - By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
Think about how big a step that first step was.
WHAT IS FAITH? It’s the “substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.”
One thing we learn about Faith from the life of Moses is that it causes people to step up in ways they never would have before.
Moses moved forward fearlessly because
He KNEW WHO HE WAS (He belonged to God)
HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS LIVING FOR (For God’s Purpose, not his own)
HE KNEW WHERE HE STOOD (WITH GOD)
