Moses: Faith’s Trust

Temple Baptist Church - 4-29-2020

Hebrews 11:28; Exodus 12:1-14

Introduction:

A.  Once again, we find a verse beginning with “Through faith” instead of “By Faith.”  The word “through” is a preposition with the object being “faith.”  Through means “moving in one side and out of the other side” of something. An expected outcome, knowing the outcome in advance.  This phrase is found twice in the preceding verses:

1.  Hebrews 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  (We see the result of God’s creation and understand that this world could not have come from nothing, therefore, it had to be created Ex Nihilo or out of nothing.)

2.  Hebrews 11:11  Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. (Though Sara doubted at first, God gave her the faith to conceive while knowing in advance the outcome.)

B.  “By Faith” normally means an action done not knowing the outcome but trusting God for the outcome, either good or bad.

C.  Through faith, he kept the Passover means that Moses already knew the outcome when he observed it.  Passover-An exemption; to skip or to hop over.

1.  The Passover was a national institution.  Other than the keeping of the Sabbath, no other institutions had been established.

2.  The Passover was to be the beginning of a new calendar year: Nisan – Our April.  Exodus 12:2  This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

3.  The Old Testament Passover was a type of Salvation through the finished work of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ.  The system was Atonement, or a Covering until the Lamb of God would come to “take away the sin of the world.”

4.  The New Testament Passover was a tribute to the sacrificial work of our Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.  The system is Propitiation or Christ taking our place.

5.  The Lord’s Supper is done in remembrance of the body and blood of Christ.  Christ’s body broken found in the bread and Christ’s blood found in the fruit of the vine.

D.  The First Passover:

1.  The Selection of the Lamb.  Verses 3-5.

a.  A Personal Lamb: Verses 3-5:  Verse 3 – “a lamb” (Verse 3),  became “the lamb” (Verse 4), which became “your lamb” (Verse 5).

Notice the progress as almost everyone stops at one of these places.  “A lamb” means that it is one of many, thus there are many ways to heaven.  “The lamb” is recognition that Jesus Christ was the Son of God but ends in personal rejection.  “Your lamb” is personal faith in Jesus Christ that results in eternal salvation.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

b.  A Pure Lamb: Verses 5-6:  Without blemish; a male of the first year; observed for 14 days.  Though scrutinized by Pharisees, lawyers, scribes, and mankind in general—no fault was found in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2.  The Sacrifice of the Lamb.  Verses 6-7.

a.  The Lamb’s Body Died.  A price for sin had to be paid through death.  The wages of sin have never changed. 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

b.  The Lamb’s Blood Applied.  The death of the lamb availed nothing with the application of the blood to the door.  It had to be applied on the door of every home.

Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

3.  The Substitution of the Lamb.  Verses 6-13.

a.  The Entering of the Sanctuary.  Every individual had to personally go through the door into the house to be saved from death.

John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

b.  The Eating of the Sacrifice.  Every individual had to allow the sacrifice to become a part of them.

John 6:51-53  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  (52)  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?  (53)  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

4.  The Salvation of the Lamb.  Verse 13.

a.  The Criteria of Salvation.  The token of the blood was the reminder that only it would take away the sinfulness of man.

Hebrews 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

b.  The Commencement of Salvation.  The Passover was that moment that the LORD passed over that door and, because of the acceptance of the individuals inside, delivered them.

Acts 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

5.  The Celebration of the Lamb.  Verse 14.

a.  The Ordinance.  The Passover was to be on the 14th day of the 1st month from that point on.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  (24)  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  (25)  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

b.  The Observance.  As the Old Testament saints observed the Passover in anticipation of the Messiah, the New Testament saints observe the Lord’s Supper in retrospect.

1 Corinthians 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

The Valley Of Weeping

Temple Baptist Church - 4-26-2020

Psalms 84

Introduction: 

A.  The word Baca means weeping.  Life is full of heartaches and disappointments.  Life is full of tears.  The Valley of Baca is a Valley of Desolation, Despair, Disappointment, Discouragement!

B.  A common text for funerals is Job 14:1-2 which says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.” 

C.  Life begins with weeping (a baby is born crying).  Life ends with weeping (We mourn for those who die). 

D.  Psalm 84, where we find the Valley of Baca or Weeping, begins by detailing the importance of the house of the Lord to the Christian.  In a day of the de-emphasizing of God’s house (it has become non-essential to the world), the Bible clearly emphasizes God’s house. 

1.  Vs. 1 – It is a place of great beauty and is well beloved.  The devil hates it and the Christian loves it.

2.  Vs. 2 – It is a place of desire and worship.  Oh, what vehement desire is portrayed here!

3.  Vs. 3 – It is a place of nesting and sacrifice.  I wonderful place to raise your children and to give to the Lord His due!

4.  Vs. 4 – It is a place of continuance and glory.  Those who are faithful to God’s house continue to praise His wonderful name!

5.  Vs. 5 – It is a place of blessing and strength.  It is in the house of the Lord that we find strength to endure in the hard times!

E.  It is of no small wonder that God introduces the Valley of Weeping with the importance of steadfastness in the house of the Lord.

F.  I want to look at two things about this valley:

1.  The Valley of Weeping Is Temporary – vs. 6 - “passing through”  (With all of life’s tears, there is still much joy!)

a.  Tears Are Temporal - John 16:20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

Psalms 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

b.  Joy Is Eternal - Isaiah 65:19  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

Revelation 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

2.  The Valley of Weeping Can Become A Blessing – vs. 6 – “make it a well”  (Not make a well in the Valley of Weeping, but make the Valley of Weeping a well!)

a.  You Can Pass Through The Valley Of Weeping And Come Out Empty (Most people never see what the Lord is doing for them in this valley.)

b.  You Can Pass Through The Valley Of Weeping And “Make It A Well.”  (A well in the middle east was a precious commodity, a place of refreshment and strength.)

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ephesians 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

                   1)  You can make it a well by being faithful to God’s house – vs 4, 10

                   2)  You can make it a well by exercising faith in God – vs 12

                   3)  You can make it a well by continuing in God’s service – vs 5

c.  You Can Pass Through The Valley Of Weeping And Come Out An Example.  (Others will one day pass where you have passed, and your testimony can be a comfort and encouragement to them.)

An old man travelled a lone highway
Who came to the evening at the end of day,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim
For that sullen stream had no fear for him,
But he paused as he reached the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Good Friend!" said a fellow traveller near,
"You are wasting your time in building here,
Your journey will end with the passing of day,
And you must never again come pass this way.
Why cause you build a bridge vast and wide?"

"Good Friend" said the old man lifting his head,
There cometh after me, he said,
"A youth who also must pass this way
He too must pass in the ending of day
He too must cross in the twilight dim
Good Friend, I'm building this bridge for him."

WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN THE VALLEY OF WEEPING

1.  You Can Find The Presence Of The Lord – vs 9 “Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.” (Without loneliness there would be no realization of God’s Presence.)

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

2.  You Can Find The Strength Of The Lord – vs 5, 7 – “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them…They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” (Without weakness there would be no need of God’s strength.)

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

3.  You Can Find The Guidance Of The Lord – vs 11 “For the LORD God is a sun” (Without loss of direction there would be no need of God’s guidance.)

Psalms 23:2-3  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4.  You Can Find The Protection Of The Lord – vs 11 “For the LORD God is a…shield” (Without danger there would be no need of God’s protection.)

Isaiah 43:2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

5.  You Can Find The Grace Of The Lord – vs 11 “the LORD will give grace” (Without trials thee would be no need of God’s grace.)

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

6.  You Can Find The Glory Of The Lord – vs 11 “the LORD will give…glory” (Without accomplishment there would be no need of God’s glory.)

Exodus 14:13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Psalms 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

7.  You Can Find The Comfort Of The Lord – vs 11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield” (Without heartbreak there would be no need of God’s comfort.)

2 Corinthians 1:3-5  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

8.  You Can Find The Answer To Your Prayers – vs 8 “O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob” (Without prayer there would be no need of God’s answers.)

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 29:12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

9.  You Can Find The Reward Of The Lord – vs 11 “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly”  (Without suffering, there would be no reigning with God.)

Psalms 56:8  Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

10.  You Can Always Rejoice In The Lord!  Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  (Rejoicing in the Lord who never changes!  Rejoicing “always” is a personal choice to be made in both good and bad times.)

Moses: The Testing of Faith

Temple Baptist Church - 4-22-2020

Hebrews 11:27

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we took a biblical look at the first 40 years of the life of Moses, one of the greatest men in the Bible.

Acts 7:20-23  In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:  (21)  And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.  (22)  And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds.  (23)  And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

B.  1 Corinthians 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

C.  Moses was all three of the above:

1.  Moses was a wise man.  “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians”

2.  Moses was a mighty man.  “and was mighty in words and in deeds”

3.  Moses was a noble man.  “Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son”

D.  Now we come to the middle 40 years of the life of Moses.  A period of testing his faith.  I knew who he was; he was no doubt a man of faith; he knew what the Lord wanted him to accomplish; But he was rejected and fled from the face of Pharaoh.

Exodus 2:15  Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

E.  It was not God’s way (killing the Egyptian-Moses was a man of renown and could have stopped the smiting without killing him) nor God’s time.  What did Moses learn in his time of testing?

F.  Moses endured 40 years of God’s silence because he “saw” Him who was invisible!  My thoughts ran to these verses in the New Testament:

John 20:28-29  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  (29)  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  (There are times when we do not “hear from God,” and we certainly do not see God but know who He is, what He can do, and that He is always there with and for us!)

G.  God’s “Bible College” is often found in difficulties or on the “backside of the desert!”  Here is what Moses’ “education taught him.”

1.  Moses learned Affiliation – Exodus 2:11a  And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens:

Moses gave up his position and possessions for his people.  From wise, mighty, noble, and rich beyond our imagination to affiliate with God’s people who were slaves.

2.  Moses learned Persecution – Exodus 2:11b-15  And he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.  (12)  And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.  (13)  And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?  (14)  And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.  (15)  Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

Moses learned that he would be persecuted by both his own people as well as the world.

3.  Moses learned Waiting – Exodus 2:15  Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

Moses knew that God would use him to deliver Israel from Egypt but would now spend the next 40 years waiting.  He learned that God would do these things in His time, not when Moses though it was right.

4.  Moses learned Subjection – Exodus 2:21a  And Moses was content to dwell with the man:

Moses became subject to the priest of Midian for period of 40 years.  Before Moses could lead, he had to learn to follow.

5.  Moses learned Family – Exodus 2:21b  And he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

Moses married the daughter of the priest of Midian and she bore 2 children for him.  The New Testament “shepherd,” the Bishop or Pastor, had to be married and had to have his children in subjection.

6.  Moses learned Shepherding – Exodus 3:1a Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian.

Moses was placed in a position of care for Jethro’s flock of sheep, a menial task but a very important one.  Shepherding sheep prepared Moses for shepherding God’s “sheep,” Israel!  Those who are faithful over small things can generally be trusted with large things.

7.  Moses learned Communion – Exodus 3:1-5  Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.  (2)  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.  (3)  And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.  (4)  And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.  (5)  And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

I believe that it would be safe to say that Moses spent time communing with God in the solitude of the “backside of the desert,” much after the manner of David’s writing the 23rd Psalm while tending his father’s sheep.  Moses knew God before he came to Midian and there was nothing to entertain one’s thoughts on the “backside of the desert.”  No TV, no radio, no cell phones, just solitude where a man had time to think and ponder the things of God.  It was there that God appeared to Moses and we find the first recorded time that God actually spoke to him.

8.  Moses learned Obedience – Exodus 3:10, 4:20  Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt ... And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

When God met with Moses, Moses became obedient to God’s command to face Pharaoh, possibly the same Pharaoh that he fled from 40 years previously, and deliver the people of Israel.

9.  Moses learned Trust – Exodus 3:11-12  And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?  (12)  And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Moses offered up excuses to God but learned to trust God and follow the command given to him.  This man, Moses, was the one to deliver Israel out of the hand of Pharaoh and Egypt!

10.  The first 40 year period of the life of Moses was one of Testimony while the second 40 year period of his life was one of Testing.