HOW GOD TESTS YOUR FAITH (MOSES)

HISTORY MAKERS: Lessons On Living By Faith – Part 1

Romans 15:4 (NIV)

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

GOD ALWAYS TESTS THOSE HE INTENDS TO USE

In each person we see...• An Opportunity (God gives a promise)• An Obstacle or Opponent• An Ordeal (A waiting period or test)

I. (NOAH) GOD MAY TEST YOUR FAITH WITH...

AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK

FAITH IS BELIEVING WHEN I DON’T SEE IT

II. (ABRAHAM) GOD MAY TEST YOUR FAITH WITH…

A MAJOR CHANGE

FAITH IS OBEYING WHEN I DON’T

UNDERSTAND IT

III. (MOSES) GOD MAY TEST YOUR FAITH

WITH...PROLONGED PAIN

Heb. 11:24-26 (NIV)“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. HE CHOSE TO BE MISTREATED along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 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.”

FAITH IS PERSISTING WHEN I DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

Heb. 11:27 (NIV)

“By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; HE PERSEVERED because he saw him who is invisible.”

1. GOD __________ MOSES WHEN HE CHOSE TO SACRIFICE / SUFFER WITH GOD’S PEOPLE (Midian).

PREPARED

• God prepared Moses in Egypt, knowing, that he would chose right.

“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me… You know my every thought when far away… You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You both precede and follow me… Such knowledge is… too great for me to know!”

Psa. 139: 1-6

“At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child… Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.”

Acts 7:21 – 22

“One day when he was forty years old, he decided to visit his relatives, the people of Israel. 24During this visit, he saw an Egyptian mistreating a man of Israel. So Moses came to his defense and avenged him, killing the Egyptian.”

Acts 7:23

• God prepared Moses as a Fugitive / Shepherd in the desert of Midian.

“Moses assumed his brothers would realize that God had sent him to rescue them, but they didn’t… “But the man in the wrong pushed Moses aside and told him to mind his own business. ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’ he asked. 28‘Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?’ 29When Moses heard that, he fled the country and lived as a foreigner in the land of Midian…”

Acts 7;27-29a

“…Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro…”

Exodus 3:1

2. GOD __________ THE JEWS BECAUSE MOSES WAS PREPARED TO LEAD GOD’S PEOPLE (Passover).

RESCUED

“It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.”

Heb. 11:28

“Then each family in the community must slaughter its lamb. 7They are to take some of the lamb’s blood and smear it on the top and sides of the doorframe of the house… When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

“So the people of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded through Moses and Aaron. 29And at midnight the LORD killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn son of the captive in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed.”

Exodus 12:28-29

3. GOD _____________ MOSES TO STAND ALONE WHEN HE TOOK RISKS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE (Exodus).

EMPOWERED

“Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. “Leave us!” he cried. “Go away, all of you! Go and serve the LORD as you have requested…The people of Israel did as Moses had instructed and asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. 36The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So, like a victorious army, they plundered the Egyptians! Exodus 12:31-36 (NLT)

“Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all these slaves get away?... All the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses, chariots, and charioteers—were used in the chase. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.”

Exodus 14:5-9

“As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic … Then they turned against Moses and complained, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness?

Exodus 14:10-11

“But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. 14The LORD himself will fight for you.”

Exodus 14:13-14

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16Use your shepherd’s staff—hold it out over the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea..”

Exo. 14:15-16

“When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and put their faith in Him and His servant Moses.”

Exodus 14:31