On April 21st, in the year 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He brought with him only about 600 men. Over the next two years his vastly outnumbered forces were able to defeat Montezuma and all the warriors of the Aztec empire, making Cortez the conqueror of all Mexico. How was this incredible feat accomplished, when two prior expeditions had failed to establish a colony on Mexican soil? Here’s the secret. Cortez knew that he and his men faced incredible odds. He knew that the road before them would be dangerous and difficult. He knew that his men would be tempted to abandon their quest and return to Spain. As soon as Cortez and his men had come ashore and unloaded their provisions, he ordered their entire fleet of eleven ships destroyed. His men stood on the shore and watched as their only possibility of retreat burned and sank. From that point on, they knew there was no return, no turning back. Nothing lay behind them but empty ocean. Their only option was to go forward, to conquer or die. (Contributed to Sermon Central by Alan Perkins)
In the spiritual realm there come times when you and I must decide to burn the ships. During those times we make a commitment to go forward with Christ. During those times we make a commitment to live for God. During those times we decide that faith is worth the effort. Today we look at a man that burned the ships of his past and decided to live for Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. Look at the text! "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen." Heb. 11:24-28 (NASB)
This is a timely subject. Some of you are considering following Jesus Christ. In order for this to happen you should burn some ships in your life. Some of you are considering a decision in your relationship with God. In order for this to happen you should burn some ships in your life. Some of you are still praying about your support of the Forward with Faith capital funds campaign. In order for you to do what God desires there are some ships that should be burned. The question remains, will you do what God desires? Jesus once spoke some words that brings this truth home. He said “"No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’’ Lk. 9:62 Lets see what we can learn from Moses about burning ships.
I. When we burn the ships there is a decision that must be made.
Some decisions are easy.
• The decision to go to the rest room is easy.
• The decision to eat a meal is easy.
• The decision to get a drink of water is easy.
Some decisions are difficult.
• The decision to go to the dentist is difficult.
• The decision to go on a diet is difficult.
• The decision to have surgery is difficult.
The decision to live for God can be a challenging decision. It involves eternal matters. It involves change. It involves pressure. It involves a change in lifestyle. It involves a tug of war between two worlds. Someone has pointed out the decision Moses faced.
• In Egypt he was given honor. With God’s people he faced humility.
• In Egypt he enjoyed all of life’s pleasures. With God’s people he faced persecution.
• In Egypt he enjoyed riches. With God’s people he faced ridicule.
The decision to live for God is a compelling decision. Some decisions are so compelling they must be made or face dire consequences.
Illustration: Several years ago we had an interesting speaker share her testimony at our church in Northport. This lady had the painful distinction of being listed in the Guiness Book of World Records (under the weight category). She had lost almost 1,000 pounds at the time I met her. Someone found out that she was to be in the area so we invited her to share her story at our church. She almost died due to her weight problem. Therefore, the decision to lose weight was not difficult to make.
The decision to live for God is a life changing decision. The first three words of verse 24 tell the story. It says “by faith Moses.” Moses made the decision. That decision forever changed Moses’ life. It changed his priorities. It changed his friends. It changed his values. It changed his perspective.
Illustration: William P. Barker tells of a machinist at Ford Motor Company in Detroit who became a Christian. He responded to the invitation and was baptized. As the Holy Spirit began renewing this man he became convicted of his need to make restitution for some parts and tools he had stolen from the company prior to becoming a Christian. So the next morning he brought all the tools and parts back to his employer. He explained how he had just been baptized and asked for his foreman’s forgiveness. This was such an amazing turn of events that Mr. Ford, who was visiting a plant in Europe at the time, was notified of the details of the matter and asked his response. Mr. Ford immediately returned a cable with his decision: “Dam up the Detroit River, and baptize the entire city.”
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Mike Jeffress)
A decision to follow Christ is a challenging decision and a wonderful decision that will change your life.
II. When we decide to burn the ships there is pressure we must overcome. This pressure will hinder our walk with God. The pressure to which I refer are the things we experience in this world.
A. Look at the pressure Moses faced.
1. Moses had power at his fingertips. He was raised by Pharoah’s daughter. Pharoah was the leader of Egypt. (24) They were like the royal family. All government centered around them. The ruling Pharoah had absolute authority. Abraham Lincoln once said “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” (Contributed by SermonCentral)
2. Moses had all the pleasures of royalty (25). There is nothing inherently wrong with pleasure. However, it can divide your loyalty. It can gain your focus.
Benjamin Franklin once said “Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself a slave to it." Benjamin Franklin
3. Moses had abundant riches (26) at his disposal. There is nothing inherently wrong with money as long as we possess it and it does not possess us. There are two verses in I Timothy that explains God’s attitude about wealth. The first verse identifies the real problem. The Bible says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I Tim. 6:10 Notice this verse tells us “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
The second verse discusses God’s attitude about wealthy people.
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” I Tim. 6:17
4. Moses faced the authority of the king. Verse 27 tells us that Moses did not fear the wrath of the king.
B. Power, pleasure, money and authority can hinder our faith, leave us empty and compromise the wonderful gifts God has for us. These are some of the pressures we face as we seek to live by faith in our world.
In the book “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” a Roman Emporer is quoted as saying: “I have now reigned over 50 years in victory or peace, (I am) beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honor, power and pleasure, have waited on my call. In this situation I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: they amount to 14 days!” (Abdalrahman, in The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Contributed to Sermon Central by Roy Fowler)
III. When we burn the ships we must be motivated by the reward. In verse 26 we find an important phrase. The phrase is “he looked to the reward.” Moses was motivated by the reward of what God had prepared for him. What was the reward? God had five rewards set aside for Moses. He also has these for you.
• God offered him a place to belong. He had a place with the “people of God” (vs. 25).
• God offered him a purpose. He was to lead the people of God (25).
• God offered him a promise (26). He looked to the reward.
• God offered him a passion to live out (27). Moses spent his days worshipping God and remembering his goodness.
• God offered him a power to live under. In verse 29 it says they passed “through” the Red Sea.
Moses rejected the wealth, power, pleasure and privileges of Egypt because they did offer the satisfaction he found in following God’s will. The satisfaction of God’s will exceeded the attractions of Egypt.
Illustration: I have a dog named Buster. Buster loves to play catch with a ball. Once he gets a ball in his mouth he does not want to put it down. Buster will willingly put his ball down for two things. He will put it down if he thinks you will throw it again. He will put it down it you offer him a snack. In short, Buster will give up his ball if the second object seems to be an improvement over the ball. Moses saw God’s promises as an improvement over the things he received in Egypt.
There is an old gospel song that speaks to this issue. The song, "I’d Rather Have Jesus", could have been written by Moses. He would rather have Jesus than the riches, wealth, power and authority of Egypt.
Are there some ships that need to be burned in your life?
• It could be the ship of disobedience!
• It could be the ship of excuses!
• It could be the ship of guilt!
• It could be the ship of holding on to old ways!
May we burn the ships that hold us back and move forward with God. He has rich rewards in store for those who obediently follow Him.
