"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT FAITH IN ACTION"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT FAITH IN ACTION"

Hebrews 11:24 “It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”

Hebrews 11:25 “He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.”

Hebrews 11:26 “He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him.”

Hebrews 11:27 “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

In this 11th chapter of Hebrews, we have what has been called "The Hall of Faith".

In it we have many, many examples of faith in action.

The verses we are looking at today are focused on the man Moses, and how and what he did by faith.

May it bring strength and encouragement to your soul on this day. In Jesus’ name.

1. What Moses did, was done by faith just like the faith we have been given by God.

Hebrews 11:24 “It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”

You can see at the start of this verse it says, "It was by faith that Moses etc, etc”.

And then it goes on to list the things he did, or the choices he made and the way he lived.

2. Here's what's said about the faith of Moses. Please take a moment to note what he did.

Hebrews 11:24 “It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.”

Hebrews 11:25 “He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.”

Hebrews 11:26 “He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him.”

Hebrews 11:27 “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.”

3. Here's a breakdown:

(1) He refused to treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Pharaoh in Scripture is a type of satan.

(2) He chose to share in the oppression of God's people.

(3) He chose not to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

(4) He thought it better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah.

(5) He chose looking to the reward God would give him rather than the treasures of Egypt. Egypt is a type of the world.

(6) He left Egypt and was fearless.

(7) He kept his eyes on God through it all.

Some Questions:

1. Doesn't it stir your heart to read about what Moses did by faith?

2. Can you see the parallels between Moses's faith and our faith?

3. Do you think, or know, that you are making the same kinds of choices Moses made by faith?

4. If you are, then You are also in this hall of faith, along with every other person who chooses to walk and live by faith, or trust in God.

A Prayer:

Lord, as we pause for a few moments to reflect on faith and this example in the man Moses, who we will one day meet in heaven, we say thank You, for the record, of what he did by faith. It helps us to want to be the same way, and it encourages us that we can be that way.

Moses trusted You to do what He did, and so must we. Lord, we place our trust in You this day, and ask that You give us strength and grace, as we go through our day. May we find your compassion and mercy towards us and share it with others we may talk with or meet.

May our lives be a living witness of men and women who are walking by faith. In Jesus’ name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH ABOUT WHAT IS PLEASING TO GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH ABOUT WHAT IS PLEASING TO GOD"

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible.

Some background, application, questions and a prayer:

The entire book of Hebrews was written to show the superiority of Jesus Christ above all that the Jews held sacred.

Moses, Angels, the Levitical Priesthood, etc. The new covenant versus the old covenant. 

Jesus is above all of these and is actually the fulfillment of all the these things we’re shadows of.

The verse we are looking at today tells us very plainly how to please God, and there is something else in it as well, it's a great blessing.

1. God can be pleased.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

The author was trying to point out that we can please God, but not in the way his readers thought.

Those readers like many down through the ages, and even today, were under the impression that we had to earn God's pleasure by our good works. 

This, of course, is not true, as the verse states.

But, what a thrill to know that we can please God.

Imagine that for a moment, God can be pleased with you. 

Do you believe it?

2. To please God we must come to Him by faith.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Here's how we please Him.

And, it's impossible to please Him unless we do it this way.

That way is to come to Him by faith, or trust.

If we do come to Him with faith or trust He is pleased. 

We must come to Him this way for Him to be pleased.

God has given you the faith to do that.

And, God gives you a stronger and growing faith through His Word.

Staying in the Word regularly helps us to have faith, and thus we can please God.

It's just simply impossible to please Him any other way, just as the verse states so clearly.

3. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Now here is one other blessing.

It's at the end of the verse.

Not only do we come to Him by faith, believing that He is, but that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

What does it mean to diligently seek Him?

It means to be sincere and genuine in our coming to Him.

You can do this, and so can I.

God has equipped us to be this way.

And, what rewards God gives us.

Praise the Lord.

Some Questions:

1. Are you familiar with this verse, and it's contents?

2. Isn't it a relief to know what it says and means?

3. Can you imagine, for just a moment, God being pleased with you as you sincerely seek Him?

4. And, can you see that God wants to reward you also?

5. Would you take a moment to come to God right now by faith and just praise Him, and thank Him for who He is and what He has done for you, and what He will do for you?

A Prayer:

O Lord, our God and Father. Thank You for making access to You so simple. You have established the way for us to come to You.

And, You reward us also. Our relationship with You is not predicated on what we do, but rather on what You have done in Jesus Christ for us. His death for our sins, His being buried and then His rising from the dead, and our receiving Him have changed our lives for all eternity.

We have no words to express our appreciation for what You have done. 

But, Lord, may we grow in our coming to You, and may we grow in our own personal walk in the Word, Prayer, Church Attendance, Service to You, and being a witness of Jesus to people all through the day. 

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.