Moses - Seeing Him Who is Invisible

Sunday November 11, 2012 Phone: 570.829.5216 Pastor David Miklas e-mail: pdmikbbm@aol.com Message Hebrews 11 - #12 Text: Hebrews 11:23-29 Moses - Seeing Him Who is Invisible Introduction: Again turning to Hebrews 11:1-3 we read, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (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." True Bible Faith is CONFIDENT OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD IN SPITE OF CIRCUMSTANCES or CONSEQUENCES. Regarding verse 3, someone said, "Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen." With that in mind, again let's turn our attention to the faith of Moses found in Hebrews 11:23-29. In review, we have previously focused on: First: Moses parents had Faith to DISOBEY the Laws of Egypt, verse 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Second: Moses had Faith to DEFY the life of Egypt, verses 24-26. Here Moses had the courage to refuse three things. Moses refused the World's Prestige, verse 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, REFUSED to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;.. Stephen, in his sermon of Acts 7:22 said, And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. Yet when Moses reached the age of forty, Hebrews 11 tells us what he did with the honor of the palace. In simple words: He chucked the whole thing! Moses refused the World's Pleasure, verse 25 CHOOSING rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Moses refused the World's Plenty, verse 26 ESTEEMING the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." Third: Moses had Faith to DEPART from the land of Egypt, verses 27-29. Here Moses was not afraid of three things. Moses was not afraid of the king's anger, verse 27, By faith he FORSOOK Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he ENDURED, as seeing him who is invisible. Moses was not afraid of the king's authority, verse 28, Through faith he KEPT the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. Moses was not afraid of the king's army, verse 29, By faith they PASSED through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. Now in this message, notice verse 27 where the Bible says of Moses "endured as seeing Him who is invisible." I believe with all my heart Moses had a clear vision of the Lord Jesus Christ as did: Jacob, who saw Him during the wrestling match in the night. Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego, who saw Him in a fiery furnace. Daniel, who saw Him in a den of lions. Isaiah, who saw Him high and lifted up in the temple. Stephen, who saw Him standing at the Father's right hand. Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul), who saw Him in a blinding light on the road to Damascus. John, who saw him while he was in exile on the Isle of Patmos. Page 1

Now in examining this illustration of faith, I want to remind you that every Bible passage has one primary interpretation with many applications. I'm going to share with you the primary interpretation of verse 27 in the first part of this message, and then I'm going to apply that interpretation to the life of our teenagers and to the life of your pastor, parents, teachers, and youth workers. This will be a very familiar story to you. Moses was born in Egypt during the time when the edict of Pharaoh was hanging over his head that none of the Hebrew boy babies would be allowed to live. His parents, who saw that he was a proper child, fashioned a basket of bulrushes with pitch on the inside, and his mother placed him there in the river leaving his sister Miriam to watch over him. Pharaoh's daughter came down to the river with her entourage of servants where they spied the little ark of bulrushes. Pharaoh's daughter placed Moses in his mother, Jochebed s charge for those early years. Then Moses was brought to Pharaoh's daughter and reared in the palace. Now we pick up the story when he is a grown man, and where the Bible tells us in verse 25 that he "chose to identify with God's people rather than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season." He turned his back on Egypt. Wow! Can we possibly understand what he was turning his back on here? He had been reared in the culture and educational system of Egypt. He had all the luxuries that the nation of Egypt could provide for Pharaoh and his household. He was the next in line to sit on the throne of Egypt as Pharaoh. Moses turned his back on all that by accepting the fact that, "Life is not what you want it to be; life is what you choose it to be. Life is made up of choices and decisions." Moses was a man of godly character, because he was a man of right decisions; for character is built on decisions. But his decisions were based on godly values, and those values were based on faith. The world is concerned about popularity and reputation, but the people who walk by faith are concerned about character and bringing glory to God. The Bible says Moses chose to identify with God's people and turned his back on all that Egypt had to offer him. He did it by "not fearing the wrath of the king," verse 27. The Bible tells us in verse 26 when he made his choice he did so by "esteeming the reproach of Christ." He decided that the reproach of Christ would be greater riches than all the treasures in Egypt. This is why some struggle with standards and convictions that are different than the world s. Why, because there is a reproach that goes with them. Christian people today, all over our country, are spiritually weak-kneed. They can't handle the reproach that goes with being a separated, fundamental Christian. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy. God's people have never been in the majority. Most of the time they're not popular, and today, we're no exception to the rule. Remember God never promised that you would have a flowery bed of ease when you got saved. And the Devil knows he has but a short time. You can rest assured that with each and every passing day, the Devil is going to work as hard as he can to thwart the Word of God. In order for him to do that, he will focus his attention on those of us who know Christ as Savior. The truth is that we are all having a difficult time in some area or another. All of us go through hard times in our lives; we all have problems. Just like you: Page 2

I get discouraged when fighting battles. I get tired of having just about everything go wrong. I get frustrated when I try so hard, but can't seem to get over the brick wall in my way. I get aggravated at the Devil for getting into our church, tearing up people's lives and causing so many problems among our church people. However, notice again verse 27, Moses was able to bear up with courage in the midst of danger, under the stress of his duties, and through discouraging time, Moses did it by "seeing Him who is invisible." Again, I sincerely believe the writer here is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses endured the afflictions, burdens, troubles and trials, because he could see Him who was invisible. There were seven places in Moses' life where he got a glimpse of God. In Exodus 3:14, he got a glimpse of God when he turned aside to look at the burning bush, and God said to him, "I AM THAT I AM." In Exodus 12:13 he got a glimpse of God when God said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." In Exodus 14:21 he got a glimpse of God when "the LORD... made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided." In Exodus 14:27 he got a glimpse of God when "the LORD over-threw the Egyptians in the midst of the sea" and destroyed every one of them. In Exodus 15:25 he got a glimpse of God when the water was too bitter to drink, "and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet." In Exodus 34:29 he got a glimpse of God when he walked out from under that glory cloud, and "Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him" In Exodus 33:22-23 he got a glimpse of God when He put him in the "clift of the rock" and Moses saw the "back parts" of God, but not His face as He passed by. We have a privilege Moses did not have. We have a wonderful picture of God the Father written in scripture. The description is found in His precious Son, Jesus Christ. What did Jesus tell us? "If you're seen Me, you're seen the Father." Moses did not have the written Word of God that we have. But by faith, Moses persevered by seeing God who is invisible. By faith he kept his eyes on the invisible God who encouraged him. I ve just shared with you the primary interpretation of that Scripture, as best as I can tell. The application I want to share with you is this: In this church, we are looking at young people who are clearly visible to those who love them. We see you with our eyes and hear you with our ears. We see the visible you. But young people, you need to understand that the visible you is not all that we see. We also see the invisible you. We don't see you just at 12, we see you at 22. We don't see you just at 15, we see you at 25. We don't see you just at 17, we see you at 37. We don't see you just at 18, we see you at 48. That does not mean that we don't enjoy the current, visible you. I happen to love teenagers. I have heard people say, "Pastor, pray for me. I have teenagers. I don't know what I'm going to do." I loved my children and thoroughly enjoyed them when they were teenagers. They have left the nest now, but it would be nice to have them there again. I enjoyed them as teenagers. Page 3

Today, we enjoy the visible you. It's a wonderful privilege to know the visible you. But what keeps us going is not only seeing the visible you, it's also seeing the invisible you. We see more than just what you are right now. What keeps your dad going for you? What keeps him working to pay the bills? What keeps him praying for you? What keeps him dealing with your problems and encouraging you? What keeps him doing all that he does for you? I believe that he is seeing the invisible you. Thank God, if you have a godly dad that's able to provide for you maybe not always the latest gadget, but he is probably putting away something for your education and future needs. Thank God, if you have a godly dad who is striving to give to the work of God and the cause of Christ. What keeps your mom going for you? What keeps your Mom cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry? What keeps your Mom clipping coupons and going from store to store to make the best deals? What keeps her praying for you? What keeps her doing all that she does for you? I believe that she sees the invisible you. She not only sees you now; she sees you 10, 15, 20 years from now wishing all along the years that you do not come and go so quickly. What keeps those going, who work with you in church? What keeps Sunday School teachers planning meaningful lessons? What keeps youth leaders planning meaningful activities? What keeps your pastor studying, teaching and preaching to urge you on to excel and do your best for the glory of God? What keeps all of these folks praying for you? I believe that we see the invisible you. We see you grown up as a woman or man that will love the Lord with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your soul. Do you know what keeps us engaged? For sure, we see you, and enjoy you. In fact: We see you right now at 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, and remember our own youth. We know you have burdens, because we had them, too. We know you have heartaches, because we had them, too. We know you have cares and concerns, because we had them too. We understand life from your perspective. You're an exciting part of this God-given ministry. But the visible you is not the only thing that keeps us going. We live not only seeing you, we live seeing the invisible you, somebody that you're not, but that we hope you'll become. Let me try to put it right down where you live. In your mind, go with me to a few years from now. (Actually, it will be here before you know it!) It could be your graduation day from high school, technical school or college. But what I am thinking about is the day you stand before God and vow to be a partner for life - your wedding day For months you sat down with that special someone with whom you re in love and planned your wedding, your reception, your honeymoon and future. The invitations have been sent out. Page 4

The rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner have taken place. Your family from far and near has arrived. Now it's that day, your wedding day. Beautiful music is playing as the guests are arriving in the decorated church auditorium. Soon, two men come down the middle isle to light those candles in the candelabras. On their return they take that white runner and they unroll it to the back of the auditorium. There the young lady, the bride, is waiting with her daddy, and maybe her sisters, brothers and friends that have been chosen as her bridesmaids and groomsmen. The young man, the groom, stands to the side somewhere, nervous as a new kitten and sweating up a storm. The door opens to the side and the preacher and the husband-to-be step out. Young man, many people have loved you and prayed for you and worked for you. These folks didn't only see you at 15, 16, or 18, they saw you on this day, your wedding day. Then the bridesmaids and groomsmen slowly walk down the aisle to set the stage. Next, come two little people. They may trip and stumble and make funny faces, but they too take their places at the front. Then, with pride, the chosen maid of honor comes to take her place. The music changes as the bride steps into the back of the auditorium and begins her walk down the aisle, that last journey on the arm of the man who brought her into this world. I have watched so many daddies come down the aisle, as I have on three occasions with my own girls, with tears just streaming down their faces. He has that girl on his arm for whom he prayed, and held as an infant, and rocked and loved and loved When she got to be a teenager he saw her as more than just a little 12 year old. He saw her at this moment, her wedding day. He saw a young lady, pure and clean, right and wholesome before God. The young man stands at the altar, heart pounding, as he watches his bride come down that aisle. She stops, and her daddy gives her a kiss and then gives her away to the young man to become his wife. They stand in front of a congregation of friends and grandparents and relatives and loved ones as they repeat their holy vows to each other. In just a matter of minutes the pastor pronounces them husband and wife. They have the wedding kiss, and are introduced as Mr. and Mrs. The recessional takes place, and soon they leave to begin their life with God's chosen partner. Teenagers, that is what we see and live for. We don't just see you as a 12, 13, 16 or 18 year old, we see what God wants you to become. We see you, and we preach, and we pray, and we make rules, and we work with you, and we plead with you, and we stay on top of you, because we don't just see the visible you, we see the invisible you. Just let me say four things in drawing this application to a close. Number One: We see the INVISIBLE you. Number Two: Everything done now is to help the INVISIBLE you become the VISIBLE you. Therefore, it makes sense for you to pay attention to those who are trying to teach you to do right. Number Three: We don't have much time until the INVISIBLE you becomes the VISIBLE you. Number Four: Help us to secure your future and realize the INVISIBLE you. Page 5

Would you stop fighting your Dad and Mom? Would you cooperate with your teachers? Would you quit disrupting plans and activities meant to help you? Teenagers, all we're doing is trying to help the invisible you become the visible you. And if you'll help us, you won't regret it. We pray and beg God for your future, as well as your present life, decisions and happiness. We work, teach and enforce rules to protect and train you, not for our happiness, but for yours. Today, I'm seeing the invisible you, what you will become in the next few years. Won t you please help us as we try to help the visible you become what God has in mind for the invisible you? Now in closing, go again to Hebrews 11:27 where we read of Moses, "as seeing him who is invisible." I sincerely believe the writer here is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses saw into the future the person of Jesus Christ. As we close this message I want to call your attention to Him. In Hebrews 12 these heroes of the faith are witnessing to us of Jesus. They are calling on us in verse 2 to be "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." The Greek word for "looking" occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It should be translated as "LOOKING OFF UNTO JESUS." In Isaiah 45:2 God said, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, For I am God and there is none else." It was there on the cross that the Author and Finisher of FAITH cried, "It is Finished." Look off, look beyond to the one where the vision may be PERFECTLY SATISFIED, "Looking off unto Jesus, FINISHER of our faith,.." Do you want to go to heaven when you die? Do you want to know this very moment that you can have the hope of eternal life in Heaven? The greatest decision in your life is to look to Jesus in Faith believing He died on the cross of Calvary to pay the full penalty of your sin. The greatest choice you can make is to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. If you have never done so before then this very moment look to the one whom you have not seen, yet believe in with your whole heart, and say, "God, I believe Jesus died for me, save me for Jesus sake." ***************************************************************************** If God has spoken to your heart, after reading the sermon Moses Seeing Him who is Invisible right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you. Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in Acts 16:31,...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved... Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation. If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior would you let me know? Please send an e-mail to, pdmikbbm@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life. Page 6

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