Hebrews 11:29 ~ Crossing the Red Sea Page 1 of 9

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

Hebrews 11:29 ~ Crossing the Red Sea

Intro.

Looks can be deceiving…

• “Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas

decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I

had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. But two

things made me take it down…

• First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they

almost wrecked when they drove by.

• Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed

herself putting it against my house and didn’t realize it was fake until she

climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who

attempted to do that. My yard couldn’t take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where

people literally drove up my yard.”

Tonight’s Main Idea

It isn’t so much an idea as much as it is a command, an admonition, a word of caution, and a call to

action!

• Be intentional what you focus on, for it directs your trust!!!

Let’s ask God’s Spirit to open our eyes as we study the passage that we’ll see how this idea connects.

Pray

Personal Study Time

As last week demanded a little more of your personal participation and interaction, so this week will as

well. For this set of events in Hebrews 11 involves the whole of God’s people, not just a few individuals.

Brief recap of where we’re at in Hebrews 11 – last week with Moses as a main character

Hebrews 11:29 “29By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they

attempted to do the same, were drowned.”

Read Exodus 14 and look for two things:

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

1. The big picture, what’s happening?

2. Observe what God’s people are feeling and what influences that outlook.

How? Look for these key words which help reveal big ideas: for, therefore, thus, in order that, so, shall

Group Sharing

• Summarize what God tells Moses will happen now that they’ve departed from Egypt…

o V. 1-4I (God) will harden Pharaoh’s heart that he pursues Israel.

• What was God’s reason?

o V.4 Exodus 14:4 “4And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will

get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the

Lord.” And they did so.”

• What did the people of God see next?

o V. 10 Pharaoh in hot pursuit w/ army, chariots, officers

• How did the people of God feel & respond when they saw this?

o They feared greatly

o They cried out to the Lord & said to Moses:

Exodus 14:11-12 …“Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have

taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us

out of Egypt? 12Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we

may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the

Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.””

• What was informing and influencing their outlook at this point?

o What they saw with their physical eyes.

o Their comforts; rather be slaves in Egypt with some comforts than die in the wilderness

without them

• How did Moses respond, what is he trying to do???

o Exodus 14:13-14 “13And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the

salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

today, you shall never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be

silent.””

Fear not

Stand firm

See the Salvation of the Lord

o The KEY here is Moses wants to change what they are looking at. He knows they need

to see what the Lord will do, rather than what man will do. He seeks to redirect their

focus.

• What specifics stuck out about the sea being divided and their walk through it?

o The Lord did the work of bringing a wind to divide the waters

o Who crossed the sea?

Just Moses? No, all of the people of God

The Egyptians attempted.

o What did the Egyptians realize?

That God is fighting for the Israelites. Ex 14:25

o Note God is in all the details as well:

They crossed as if on dry land

• Noteworthy! If we could chip through the ice in the Plitt’s pond right

now and drain it, how easy would it be to walk across? One person,

doable. But some 2 million? Mud pit!!! And how slow!!

• God has such great control of all things! He parts the waters and dries

out the ocean floor!

Bound the wheels of the Egyptians to slow their progress

o After the Israelites cross, God drowns the Egyptians.

• Who did the saving work of parting the sea and killing the Egyptians? GOD!!!!

• As a result:

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

o Exodus 14:30-31 “30Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians,

and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31Israel saw the great power that

the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in

the Lord and in his servant Moses.”

o The KEY here to note is that the people of God now see something else. They saw the

great power of God. They fear not man, but fear God.

The big picture – Your life is not your own

We’ve discussed the big picture of events, but what’s the big picture in terms of the purpose for which

all this is happening?

I’d answer that answer in this way – Your life is not your own.

• In the case of Ex. 14:

o Exodus 14:4 “… I will get glory over Pharaoh…”

o Exodus 14:17-18 “… I will get glory over Pharaoh … the Egyptians shall know that I am the

Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh…”

o Exodus 14:31 “31Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the

people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.”

• Everything that happened here in Ex 14 was not primarily to rescue the people of God, although that

did happen. It was chiefly to put the mighty works and power of God on display that He would be

know as great and glorious to the rest of the World!

These purposes are not a one time occurrence in the OT, is it? No, it’s all over the place!

• Often times God will arrange for undesirable situations that his greatness would be displayed and

rejoiced in. For instance:

o In the case of Job, God allowed Satan to ravage Job’s life to proving that God’s children love

Him not just because he provides for them.

o Remember the man born blind in John 9? What was His response to the question of why

that man was born blind?

John 9:3 “3Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that

the works of God might be displayed in him.”

o 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “… You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So

glorify God in your body.”

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

I don’t show you this in scripture tonight as one who is unfamiliar with pain and tears. In the case of my

medical disaster in 2008, God was among other things seeking to display his ability to bring life back

from the edge of death.

o I’m not going to spend time re-telling that story of God’s provision now as I think most are

familiar with it. But if you are not, I’d love to share it with you.

o As a side note, this last weekend was 1 year post closure of my guts. Had a very thankful

weekend. God is so faithful!

• This is not merely a theological teaching in the Bible which can’t comfort you. Knowing that God

oversees the hard times and is always in control brings such comfort! I know then that he’ll never

let me go. Life will never get so out of control that we are separated!

o Remember what Paul said in Romans – nothing can separate us from the Love of God. Rm.

8:38-39

o Don’t waste your trials when they come your way! If you raise your fist at God or others

around you – you’ll completely miss the point. God is probably doing more in and through

your life than you probably know

• In your case, God is…. well.. I wonder. What has God been doing in your life through your hard and

challenging circumstances? How has He been growing your faith or displaying His might?

o Have you asked God?

As Chris’ Dad said – Not “WHY GOD!!!” but rather “why God??”

• What’s unfortunate in the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, they essentially asked why,

but did so with their fists!!!

Israel’s Perspective

What was the reaction of the Israelites to seeing that pursuit?

• Their first reaction was to scold and blame Moses for this grave mis-fortune that they’re now

being pursued by Pharaoh

• Frustration, resentment, fear

What a drastic contrast to Moses’ reaction when he saw the Egyptians pursuing!

• Moses had trust and confidence in God’s spoken plan from Ex 14:1-4

• Moses instructed them in Ex 14:13-14

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

o “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you

today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14The Lord will

fight for you, and you have only to be silent.””

Hebrew’s Perspective

Bringing this back to Hebrews now seems almost puzzling…

• Hebrews 11:29 “29By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians,

when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.”

Doesn’t seem like a natural fit, or an accurate description does it?

• Remember that faith as its core trusts God, takes Him at his word, believes what He has said,

and behaves in accordance to it!

Moses certainly had faith, but where’s the Faith of the Israelites?

Because scripture says they had faith, something must have changed! Through Moses they were all

once again given another opportunity to trust God’s word. As the sea parted, each one of them had to

cross that sea floor. No one could do it for them, they had to step out in faith – or remain on the shore.

Had the instructions not come from God to walk across the sea floor, I should would not have! Can you

imagine???!!!

• Show poster!

And isn’t that an encouragement to you? Moments of massive doubt in God do not compel God to cut

you off from Him. His mercies are new every day and give you another chance to trust Him in faith and

follow Him!

But even more importantly, what lead to their change of heart? What took them from blaming God or

doubting his goodness to trusting God and obeying His commands? This is so important for us because I

know I need that change of heart! What current situation are you in where you need that change of

heart? Where do you need to be moved from doubting God to trusting God?

This brings us to the main idea for tonight…

Main Idea

Be intentional what you focus on, for it directs your trust!!!

In the case of their crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites initially focused on the physical reality around

them – the pursuing Egyptians. That lead to their complaining and forgetting what God had promised

them.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

Moses’ solution was to redirect the focus of the people of God to the God of the people.

• “Fear not,

o Stop worrying – this will be ok!

• …stand firm,

o Hold on for just a moment, have a little endurance for goodness sakes!

o You endured all the years of slavery in Egypt and now at the first sign of hardship you

want to give up?!

• …see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.

o Look at what God is going to do today – how he’ll come through!

• For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you,

and you have only to be silent.””

o The Lord will be the one to fight and to save.

o You let him win the battle for us.

o Watch and trust in him!

If we evaluate God’s likelihood to sustain us & get us through only by our physical surroundings, we are

more susceptible to doubt and put God into a box and eliminate some of his most powerful moments of

provision!

• When did Israel doubt God – when the Egyptians were closing in!

• When was Peter’s denial – when everything was falling apart!

• When did the disciples squabble about how to feed the multitude before them – when there

were only a few fish and some loafs of bread!

• When Elisha and the Young man of God were surrounded by the Syrian army:

o 2 Kings 6:15-17 “15When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and

went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the

servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16He said, “Do not be afraid, for

those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed

and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes

of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots

of fire all around Elisha.”

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

Remember that God is God and we are not. He’s able to work in ways which we can not see, would not

expect, or can not understand. And aren’t some of those times of miraculous “God things” the most

amazing!

They saw God’s power and moved from fear of man to fear of God, and crossed the Red Sea in Faith.

Therefore, when those hard times come in your life, when the trials arrive, or the pain increases, when

God is seemingly absent, be intentional what you focus on.

Application

Practical ways to redirect your focus:

• Do you have Moses like people in your life?

o Are there people in your life like Moses who will tell you “Fear not, stand firm, look at

God!” when you stray?

If not, find some!

I certainly hope that YG serves that function for you. But you should have

people in your everyday life at school, at home.

Have you invited people in your life to speak to you in that way? Tell them

something like – “Hey, you feel free to call me out when I’m straying ok?”

• Pray

o One of my closest guy friends in college – A Moses for me – was fond of saying “when in

doubt, pray”.

If you’re at a loss for what to do, think, or say when a difficulty or temptation

comes your way – pray. You direct your attention to God by speaking with him

and ask Him to do what only God can do.

• Fill your mind with what God has done

o Read scripture

Daily strive to be in His word – think on it day and night.

o Listen to God centered music

Not just “Christian” music – but music which is full of What He has done for us,

music that makes God look great.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 9th, 2009

o Preach the Gospel to yourself and to others

Doing to forces you to recall truths about how insufficient you are and how

incredible God is to have come in the form of a man in Jesus to die for us.

Which is a perfect place to bring tonight to a close.

For, as Moses pointed the Israelites towards God, so Hebrews 12 points us towards God as well.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ” 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay

aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set

before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before

him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

• Set your eyes on Jesus!

• As God did the saving work of parting the sea and killing the Egyptians, so Jesus does the saving

work to save the sinful souls of all who would ever turn and trust in him.

• As a Matt Redman song sings – “Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life”

Pray

Application Questions

• What situation are you currently in where you need a change of heart? Where do you need to

be moved from doubting God to trusting God?

• What specific methods will you use to 1) fight against looking only at the physical reality rather

than God’s promises, and 2) to defend yourself from doubt and fear?

• Pray as a group over these situation and the grace needed to fight for proper perspective!

Thoughts leading into Worship

• Lastly, the other outcome of such redirection of your focus is – Worship, see Ex 15.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

Hebrews 11:28 ~ Moses pt. 3

This is a crazy world, how do we make sense of it?

• By now you’ve surely heard the reports about the murder of the 4 police officers in Lakewood

WA. The man alleged to have done so was killed by police yesterday. Reports are also surfacing

regarding his past, a life of crime and law breaking. A life enslaved to sin.

• And then just this afternoon, a murder suicide within a mile of my house! There have been 12 in

Oregon in the last 2 months alone! What do we do when sin and hopelessness abound?

These are a timely current events for tonight’s passage in Hebrews 11.

Tonight’s Question:

What is the solution for your death and slavery?

How can you avoid the death you face and find freedom from the slavery you’re in?

This should feel incredibly relevant to you, because we all face death and slavery. God speaks to us in

tonight’s passage as to how we can avoid death and find freedom.

Pray

Additionally, I’ve designed tonight to be a bit more interactive than you’re used to. So be prepared to

participate a little…

Context

God’s people have been enslaved in Egypt for nearly 400 years now, prevented from returning to the

land promised them by God. As Moses petitions for their release, Pharaoh continually refuses. God

gives Moses the ability to perform great wonders, miracles, and plagues to authenticate this request and

command is of God.

The last of these plagues will be our focus this evening. In Hebrews 11:28 we read:

• Hebrews 11:28 “28By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer

of the firstborn might not touch them.”

There is so much great content to study here, but we can’t cover it all in one night. I had a hard time

cutting this down to fit into our time frame tonight. But start with…

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

Personal Study Time

Read Exodus 12:1-32

Follow the lamb:

• What do you observe about it?

• What role does the lamb play

• What happens to it?

To answer our big question tonight, “What is the solution for your death and slavery?” we need to look

at God’s Plan, Provision, and Passover.

First God’s Plan, as this will set the stage to discuss the lamb

God’s Plan

If you want to follow along in your Bible, God lays out his plan to get His people out of Egypt in Exodus

chapter 11. There God tells Moses that:

• 11:1 There will be one more plague and then you’ll be freed

o 12:25 Not just leaving Egypt, but reaching the promised land

• 11:4-5 He will kill the firstborn of both man and beast throughout Egypt in the night

o How many firstborns do we have here?

o So quite a few were in harms way!

• 12:12 He will execute judgment upon the gods of the land – “I am the Lord”

o The Egyptians were guilty of sin, guilty of worshiping other Gods, idols.

o This is significant because we should not think that the Egyptians were innocent

bystanders who just happened to be living in the wrong place at the wrong time. They

had idols, and were rightly receiving judgment from God.

o Because judgment is occurring, the reference of at night is significant as well.

If you were at Church this last week, Chris’ Dad preached in part on how

darkness symbolizes judgment and sin. This is also the case here. It’s no

mistake the Lord killed the firstborn in the middle of the night.

• 11:8, 9 He will get the honor and glory he deserves

o V. 8 They will bow down to me

o V. 9 I will put my wonders on display

Implications:

• God is fully in control of the situation, nothing will thwart his plans

o He is Sovereign, and is actually exercising that sovereignty

o He’s the one hardening Pharaoh’s heart, and softening it when appropriate

• Sin is serious

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

o Sin earns the sinner judgment and death!

However, in light of God’s plan exercising judgment against the sinfulness of Egypt, what about the

sinfulness of his very own people? Certainly they were guilty of sin as well. If God is coming to bring

judgment, how are they to escape the coming plague themselves? Or will God not punish some of the

wrongdoing? Thus making God somehow unjust?!?!

Thankfully, God is fully just and provides a remedy for his people in light of this coming judgment, so

now we turn to God’s Provision…

God’s Provision

God’s provision is what… the Lamb! Share your observations from reading the text…

• What kind of lamb was it?

o lamb without blemish – thus a costly sacrifice to slaughter such a valued animal

o A male, a year old.

• What happened to the lamb?

o Blood was used – discuss in a moment…

o God instructed that no part of the Passover lamb remain. Whatever was not eaten was

to be burned, Ex 12:10

• What role did the blood play?

o Indicated to God a sacrifice had already been made on their behalf

o Exodus 12:13 “13The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And

when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you,

when I strike the land of Egypt.”

o Exodus 12:23 “23For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he

sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door

and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.”

• How far reaching were the saving benefits of the slain lamb’s blood?

o Only upon the homes with the blood.

o In such a way to demonstrate that God has a unique and particular love for his people.

Exodus 11:7 “… that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between

Egypt and Israel.”

Thus showing a special/particular love. Yes God love everyone, but not

everyone in the same way. He has a saving love for his people and not for the

unbelievers of Egypt.

This is the doctrine known as “Particular Redemption” or “limited atonement”

• Who was involved? Was this just Moses?

o Who this involves –Every family within God’s people are to slaughter their lamb,

consume all of it either by eating or fire, and apply the blood of that lamb to the top and

sides of their front doors at home.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

o Everyone in God’s people!

o Not only applying the blood, but worshiping and telling there kids about it 12:27

• How did the people of God, the Israelites come to know these things?

o 12:21 Moses told them to do all this

It is a publicly bloody indicator of who the people of God are, that they might be passed-over when God

comes to kill all the firstborn of the land.

The blood of the lamb is the only thing to save them from the coming judgment.

God’s Passover

That fearful night then when all across the land of Egypt, mothers, fathers, and even Pharaoh himself

walk in upon their dead first born, God mighty plan is at work. As Exodus 12:30 records, there was so

great a cry because there was not a house in all the land where everyone lived, all homes lost someone

that night.

However, no home which had the blood of the lamb on the door posts suffered the loss of the firstborn.

That night, Pharaoh came and found Moses, instructing him and his people to leave at once!

• “Let my people go” becomes “Leave my people”

• “Bless me also” – Pharaoh recognizes he’s lost, and that Moses and God have the true power

and ability to bless.

In the end, all of God’s plan came to pass:

• Pharaoh recognized that God was the true God with the only real power

• The Israelites were freed from captivity

An example of Faith?

Instead of discussing the faith of Moses here, I want to zoom out. I want to shift the focus beyond

Moses, to the people involved. For here in this part of Hebrews, the author begins considering events in

which the faith admired and commended, is held by more than a few individuals – rather the whole of

Israel:

• The people of God sprinkled blood on their door posts – Heb 11:28

• The people of God crossed the red sea – Heb 11:29

• The people of God encircled Jericho for 7 days – Heb 11:30

Which, incidentally is part of why I’ve made this evening study more interactive than previously.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

How does this impact your faith tonight?

You need a Passover lamb

So, back to the big question for tonight: “What is the solution for your death and slavery?”

You say my death? But David, I’m alive! I reply, we’re not talking about physical death here…

In Exodus, God brought about death as a punishment for sin, that’s the issue here.

• Romans 6:23 “23For the wages of sin is death,

o Speaking of spiritual separation from God for eternity in Hell – that’s what sin earns you

Your active rebellion or passive indifference toward God and His law is sin. For that you deserve death,

Hell. In fact, by default you are dead – separated from God. You are already DEAD! The living and

walking dead…

Thus, I want you each to see that you need a Passover lamb.

Where is your spotless lamb?

But how? Where is your spotless lamb:

• Who is without blemish?

• Who was sacrificed for you?

• Who’s blood was upon wooden timbers?

• Who’s body was fully consumed and could not be found?

I want to let the scriptures answer that question:

• TURN HERE 1 Corinthians 5:7 “…For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

• 1 Peter 1:19 “19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or

spot.”

Jesus is that perfect spotless sinless lamb, because he was God in the flesh.

As the Exodus Passover Lamb died that the firstborn of the people of God would not, the Divine

Passover lamb Jesus died so the people of God do not.

Most of Hebrews 9 argues that Jesus is the superior lamb, who as Heb 9:26 says:

• Hebrews 9:26 “… But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin

by the sacrifice of himself.”

Therefore your salvation, your freedom from death and sin is only based on the blood of the lamb Jesus

which IF it covers your life.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

NOT –

• Good works

• Conquering sin

• Going to the Youth Group

• Prayer or reading your Bible

Your response & life

So I ask you, does the blood of the lamb on the door posts of your life? Does Jesus’ blood cover your

whole life? Do you submit to His Lordship over your life?

• When people look at you do they see you submitting to Christ as Lord in every area of life? Do

they see you making public decisions which don’t align with the world’s wisdom, but with

God’s?

If the blood of the lamb doesn’t already cover your life, how does one change that?

God saves you and you repent!

• He extracts that cold dead heart of stone in your life which is uninterested with the things of

God, and implants a living, loving, serving, believing, submitting, following, heart of flesh that

loves God and his word.

• Remember that you’re already DEAD, and dead people do anything but rot and smell. Humans

are separated from God, due judgment, and basicly evil. So what needs to happen?

o Eph 2:4-6 “4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved

us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by

grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the

heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”

• Feeling convicted of your sin, and drawn to Christ, is a sign that’s occurred in your heart. So run

to Him! Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. You need to respond to his message

and repent of your sin!

• Romans 10:9-10 “9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in

your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one

believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Jesus saves from Spiritual death

How are you freed from slavery?

You are transferred from one master to another.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

• Romans 6:22 “22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God,

the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.”

• “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”

• “I do not call you slaves but friends”

In the spiritual sense, when sinners come to God and are saved, they are no longer slaves to sin and to

the flesh, but to God and to righteousness.

• You leave Egypt and go to the promised land to live under God’s reign.

So you’re not free from slavery, but your master has changed.

And yet we all feel enslaved to the flesh still don’t we?! While Christians are not slaves to sin, it

sometimes feels that way. Yet in reality we are now Children of the Lord through Christ.

A call to evangelize

That day when all the firstborn died there was a great cry of anguish and pain as people saw the result

of their rebellion against God and suffered the loss of loved ones. How much greater will that cry be

when they are the ones dying an eternal death due to their sin?

Remember that God’s saving love, that blood of the lamb is a particular love. It doesn’t cover everyone.

Rather only those who will submit to Christ as Lord, and allow his blood to cover their entire life. Or,

what is called the doctrine of limited atonement or particular redemption.

How does this connect to evangelism?

• Moses didn’t actually save anyone. God did as he Passover those who were covered by the

blood. But Moses was the messenger that the blood was so important!

• Without Moses telling the Israelites about the blood, how would they have been saved??

• So go share this message!

• God does the saving, you do the informing!

When you go share this message you will always be successful. Those whom God has chosen will

respond!

• God said to the Apostle Paul in Acts 18:

o Acts 18:9-10 “… “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10for I am

with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are

my people.””

o The context was for Paul to enter the city and evangelize, speak this great Gospel of

reconciliation with God, because God has many in the city who are his people.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

December 2nd, 2009

The word of the lord goes out and will never return void. It always accomplishes the purpose God has

for it.

Pray

Isn’t it a divinely arranged time that we’d come to this passage about the Passover lamb at the

beginning of the Christmas Season? Without the birth of Christ we would not have our Passover lamb.

Application Questions

• What does Jesus’ sacrifice and blood mean to you?

• What do you feel enslaved to?

• What did you feel learning the Bible’s teaching that the blood of the Passover lamb (Jesus) only

saves those whom it covers? How does that motivate you towards evangelism? If it doesn’t,

what does motivate you to share this with your friends?

Hebrews 11:27 ~ Moses pt. 2 Page 1 of 7

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 18th, 2009

Hebrews 11:27 ~ Moses pt. 2

Pray

I want to see built up in you a “Muscular Christianity” – which endures and sustains being in the world

but not of the world. This is relevant content! I want to build your faith and challenge you to take risks!

We’ve been speaking about Moses and the faith that was exercised in his life over the past two weeks.

And now we come to his departure from Egypt.

Tonight’s Passage

Hebrews 11:27 “27By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as

seeing him who is invisible.”

Personal Study Time

1. Make basic observations of Heb 11:27:

a. Who’s the subject?

b. What’s happening?

c. What are some key words to understand here?

2. Make a list of questions you have regarding the text.

Observations

Observe with me a few things the text in Hebrews tells us:

• Moses departed Egypt

• He did so in faith

• When he did he was not afraid of the anger of the king.

• This leaving had aspects which demanded endurance on the part of Moses.

• This endurance was sustained by seeing him who is invisible

Context

Picking up where we ended last week.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 18th, 2009

Departure from Egypt #1

By faith Moses, the Hebrew child raised in the house of Pharaoh’s daughter, identified himself with the

people of God, rather than the Royalty of Egypt, through very bold and drastic means. He did so by

killing the Egyptian taskmaster he found beating a Hebrew slave. In so doing he completely cuts himself

off from all benefits and privileges associated to his title and status as the Son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

At this point, Moses thinks his people will warmly receive his saving hand and welcome his rule over

them. However, they quickly rebel and reject him. Moses realizes that knowledge about his murder has

spread. Pharaoh learns of it, and wants to have Moses killed.

Moses, who wrote the Exodus account himself, tells us there that he worried the story of the killing had

spread and was afraid. He then departed Egypt and went to Midian.

Now, as we attempt to understand our passage in Hebrews 11:27 tonight, I wonder if these events are

those to which the writer of Hebrews is referring.

• It seems like it would be a stretch though. Hebrews tells us that Moses was not afraid when he

left, and Moses himself tells us in Exodus that he was. Also, we don’t see anything which Moses

endured here. So, let’s hold our judgment for a moment and continue the story.

Encounter with God in Midian

While in Midian for the next 40 years, Moses marries, has two sons, and spent his days shepherding

flocks. At the end of those 40 years he has that great encounter with the living God where God calls

Moses to return to lead God’s people out of Egypt.

Here God gives to Moses his very name “I AM THAT I AM” and allows Moses to see the back of his head.

Moses pleads with God that he’d send anyone but himself to lead the Exodus out of Egypt. Finally after

much stubbornness on Moses’ part, and much provision on God’s part, Moses agrees to return to Egypt

and lead the people out of captivity.

Again, as we attempt to understand our passage in Hebrews 11:27 tonight, I wonder if this event is to

what the writer of Hebrews is referring when he writes “…for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.”

• At the burning bush Moses got a clearer vision of God than ever before. This might be the

“seeing him who is invisible” as mentioned in Hebrews 11:27. However, this event is 40 years

after his first departure from Egypt, and considering all of Moses’ stubbornness and resistance

to God’s call it’s a difficult connection to say he was exercising great faith then. It seems like a

stretch to connect the two. So, let’s hold our judgment for a moment and continue the story.

Return to Egypt and departure #2

Moses now back in Egypt, meets with and gets the leaders of God’s people onboard with the plan to

petition Pharaoh for their release. Now this was no small task! One of which I would have been greatly

afraid.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 18th, 2009

• Recall that all the Hebrew people of God were slaves for the Egyptians. They provided a vast

amount of slave labor for the Egyptian economy.

• It would have been the equivalent to asking the Southern States of the USA in the early-mid

1800’s for the release of all the African American slaves, to take them elsewhere. FAT

CHANCE!!! A major portion of the South’s economy depended on the labor of the Black

community.

Moses walks into the court of the supreme and unchallenged dictator of the land. To request the

release of God’s people from Slavery. But this is no easy negotiation:

• Pharaoh has all the earthly power.

o At any moment with only a word to his soldiers could have Moses imprisoned, tortured,

and killed.

• Moses has no earthly power at all.

o From Pharaoh’s perspective, Moses is nothing more than an old guy with a stick.

o But what Moses lacks in Earthly power, he more than gains in Heavenly Authority!

Essentially Moses walks in saying, “Pharaoh. God says ‘let my people go.’”

• Pharaoh quickly submits, releases them from slavery, prepares camels for everyone, and sends

them on their way with a sack lunch… not quite…

• Pharaoh responds “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know

the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go. Get back to work.”

As the story proceeds, Moses returns time and time again to request the release of the people of God,

performing miracles and wonders and plagues. God had hardened Pharaoh’s heart and only after 10

plagues did Pharaoh finally send them away.

Arguably the moment of greatest fear would have been when the Egyptian army was hot on their trail,

soon to overtake and re-enslave them again in Egypt. And yet this is where Moses replies:

• Exodus 14:13-14 “13And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation

of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall

never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.””

Connecting to Hebrews 11:27

Is this now what the writer of Hebrews is talking about?

Looking back at those observations do we see the connections?

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 18th, 2009

• Moses left Egypt in obedience to God’s call on his life, namely in faith.

• When he did he was not afraid of the anger of the king.

• This departure had aspects which demanded endurance on the part of Moses.

o Namely all the appeals to Pharaoh and so many threats and plagues.

This is the best fit. Hebrews 11:27 refers to the exodus, Moses’ second departure from Egypt.

But what about the other part of the verse? “seeing him who is invisible”???

• What sustained this boldness? What empowered Moses’ ability to confront the Pharaoh over

and over again?

Connecting the “seeing him who is invisible” clause

First a clarification is needed, because the English here is not as clear as we’d like.

• This was not a singular event

o In the Greek – Moses kept on continually putting God before his eyes

• Moses continually put God before his eyes

o Thus because it was an ongoing and continued reality, it can not refer back to the

burning bush experience

Now as I read the whole story this week, there is one great difference in what’s recorded for us that

stands out between pre- burning bush and post- burning bush.

• Pre-burning bush, God is relatively silent towards Moses.

o Not that Moses wasn’t previously saved, or that God didn’t speak to him.

o I’m simply observing that it not recorded for us.

• Beginning at the burning bush and following, God directly speaks to Moses on a regular and

frequent basis.

o The phrase “The Lord said to Moses” or “God said to Moses” begins to appear

everywhere!

o In fact over 25 times in the chapters recording getting the people out of Egypt.

o Exodus 33:11 “11Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to

his friend.”

We see in Exodus that Moses continually based his actions and decisions upon what God said.

Therefore it was this regular communication with God, this ongoing instruction from God, and NOT the

burning bush experience, to which the writer of Hebrews is referring. The text points to Moses’

continual focus on what God has to say as the source of what resulted in endurance for Moses.

The vision of God that Moses had (as alluded to here in Hebrews 11:27) is more like the normal

experience of everyday Christians like you and I.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 18th, 2009

Application to you

As your Youth Pastor and fellow brother in Christ I know that God has great plans for his children – for

your lives. There will be hard things which God has you in the middle of now or in the future. So I, and

the rest of the Youth Staff, want you to be equipped and prepared to be men and women of great faith!!

We want to see Eph 4:13-15 be a reality in each of your lives:

(Turn there if time allows) Ephesians 4:13-15 “13 … [that] we all attain to the unity of the faith

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of

the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves

and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful

schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is

the head, into Christ,”

We saw Moses grew up in this manner, endured trials, persevered over the enemy, by continually

receiving communication from God, constantly keeping the Lord at the forefront of his mind.

• You might think that Moses had it easy back in the day. If only God would speak to me I know

that I’d do what he said. I just need to hear directly from God. Then I’d have great faith.

• If that’s you tonight, I want to gently say that’s a lame excuse for inaction and a lack of trust on

your part. I want to challenge you to go deeper with the Lord.

How then can you and I do the same? How do we hear from God? How does God communicate to us?

• (Turn there if time allows) Hebrews 1:1-2 ” 1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God

spoke to our fathers by the prophets [in the case of our passages tonight – to the people of God

through Moses], 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the

heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

God the Father has spoken to you right here tonight through God the Son. His teachings, His words, His

instructions for your life are recorded right here for you in this book.

A caution

And before you start feeling guilty because you have slacked off and fallen behind on your Bible Read

through plan, or are realizing that you don’t have a Bible read-through plan at all, allow me to

emphasize this one more time.

• I want you to see your fellowship and communion with and your hearing from God not as a

duty, but as a delight! I want you to want Him more than anything. Realizing that it’s God who

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 18th, 2009

will get you through the hard times, God who will grow you up in Godliness, and God who will

give you Joy in all things.

• I want you to pursue God, love God, and read your Bible not because I told you to, or because

your Bible read through plan tells you to. But rather because HE is where you receive your daily

bread from God.

o Jesus said Matthew 4:4 “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every

word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ””

I tried to think about a time in my life when putting the Lord continually before me made a huge impact.

• I think back to all my time in the Hospital last year close to death.

o Reading of God’s faithfulness sustained my joy through my pain

o Reading of God’s promises of Heaven dispelled my fears of death

The call

Thus, I want to call you to daily keep before your eyes and mind the communication from God into your

life!

This is not a new idea from the Bible. So many before us have been primarily driven by keeping God at

the front of their minds and hearts:

• King David – “I have set the Lord always before me” Psalm 16:8

• Jesus in the desert – scripture & focused on what God would say/think. Constantly had the

Father encompassing His thinking.

• Knowing that God’s word is his communication to us I think of:

o I think of the call of Ezekiel when he is told by God to eat the scroll (representative of

the Word of God) and it was food to him and a sweet as honey.

o Ps 119 – Rich repetition of thinking about and loving God’s law

So maybe a practical application for you tonight is to increase the frequency and desire with which you

intentionally think on and commune with God:

• Plug Bible read through plans

• Plug Scripture memorization

• Plug the key memory verse sheet from last week

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 18th, 2009

Art Azurdia made a helpful observation & caution here in this context:

• Be careful, the acquisition of knowledge does NOT guarantee great faith. We can think of the

Pharisees as a great example of this. However, your capacity to exercise great faith is

dependent upon your knowledge of who God is and what he is like.

• Your potential to exercise faith isn’t dependent upon anything in you. But upon the God who

gives faith.

• Therefore we effort not so much to call you to have more faith, but we effort more to increase

your understanding of the object of their faith will result in the greater reflex of faith to the

object of faith.

That’s why in all we do we aim to magnify and cause us to look upon God and Jesus!!

What does it say about the power and greatness of God when even just thinking about Him or hearing

what He has to say yields great endurance and hope?

• This is the God who rescued his people from Slavery

• This is the God who chased after his people when they ran the other way – away from him.

• This is the God who has the ability to harden and soften your hearts

• This is the God who hears the cry of his people when they are in trouble

• This is the God who gives you everything you need to be faithful and obedient to Him

• This is the God who forgives your sins when you turn to him and repent.

• This is the God who speaks now to you through his son Jesus!

Read Hebrews 1:1-4 ” 1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the

prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all

things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact

imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification

for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to

angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

Application Questions

1. Why is God worthy to constantly have the first place in your hearts & minds?

2. What makes it hard for you to constantly have God in the first place in your hearts & minds?

3. What are you doing to increase your view of and understanding of God?

Hebrews 11:23 ~ Moses’ Parents Page 1 of 8

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

Hebrews 11:23 ~ Moses’ Parents

Pray

Pray for study and that the Gospel would be seen, heard, and responded to this very evening!

My fears on the bus

As an engineer w/ one car for the family, I rode the bus a lot. Do we have any city bus riders in the

room? One day coming home, I felt God prompting me to have a spiritual conversation with someone

on the bus. They weren’t doing any thing and neither was I. But I was worried about:

• What to say,

• If I would say the wrong thing

• Not being able to answer one of his questions

• Worried about what others around us would think as they heard the conversation

• What would it be like if I saw them on the bus in the future

I was afraid to have a conversation and share the Gospel with this guy.

I’ll come back to this story later, but… We all have fears at one point or another in our Christian life…

how are we to deal with them?? God will speak to us on this issue through tonight’s passage.

Introduction

It’s been 4 weeks since we last deeply looked into the lives contained in Hebrew’s 11. This portion of

scripture where compiled for us a great list of heroes of the faith who demonstrated authentic, living,

obedient faith in a variety of situations. We last looked at Joseph’s life and dying words. Tonight we’ll

begin looking at the life of Moses.

Personal Study Time

Read over Hebrews 11:23 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his

parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict..

Make some basic observations, and write down some questions.

• Extract observations and questions from group

Basic observations from Heb 11:23:

• The faith which we’re looking at tonight does not belong to Moses, but rather his parents.

• This faith compelled them to hide Moses for three months.

• This motivated by the fact that they saw Moses’ beauty/physical appearance

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

• Lastly, that in doing so they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

But before we dig into the story, allow me just a moment to connect Joseph to Moses.

Continuing the History

• Joseph dies and all the tribes of Israel (all the sons of Jacob) are in Egypt and growing in number.

• At this time, all in Egypt knew of and respected Joseph and his people. You’ll remember Joseph

was a very influential person in Egypt. In fact, second only to Pharaoh. Thus Joseph’s people

received preferential treatment from the Egyptians.

• However, as time goes by nearing 400 years, the kings (or Pharaoh’s) of Egypt transition from

one to another over time and eventually lose that special concern for Joseph’s people. The

Pharaoh really just sees the Israelites as a growing national security threat.

o Due to the great number of Israelites, if they ever sided with enemies of Egypt, Pharaoh

would have a hard time protecting his land.

• Pharaoh’s solution, oppress and crush the Israelites by:

o Making their manual labor hard and ruthless

o Instructing the Hebrew midwives to kill off all the male children when born

A Midwife was essentially a birth assistant or nurse who delivered the child.

o He takes it one step further. He makes an edict (or law or decree) that when born the

little boys shall be thrown into the river.

Effectively making them food for the crocodiles of the Nile.

• Pharaoh’s thinking: Kill off all the males, and the race will weaken, deteriorate, and die off

• This context of genocide and population control is when Moses’ parents (Amram and Jochebed)

give birth to their son Moses.

This is where we read from Hebrews 11:23:

• Heb 11:23 “23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents,

because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

Tonight’s two main questions for us are:

• What does this passage tell us about God?

• What does this passage tell us about how we should live? More specifically, how does faith

enable obedience when afraid?

But to fully answer these questions, first we need to understand a bit more about the faith exercised by

Moses’ parents.

Hebrews 11:23 ~ Moses’ Parents Page 3 of 8

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

The Parent’s Faith

As we’ve gone through Hebrews 11, beginning all the way back with Abel, there’s been a pattern. That

authentic Christian faith is based on communication from God regarding things in the future. Or to say

it differently, authentic faith is governed by God’s word, is focused on things to come, and is then

validated (or evidenced) by living in obedience.

That to say, as we now look to the faith of Amram and Jochebed, we expect to find some form of God’s

revelation upon which they act in faith. But, the Bible does not record for us the whole story.

Scripture does tell us that they found Moses to be beautiful.

• But, every parent thinks their kids are adorable when they’re born. There must be more than

that.

• The NIV translation is a bit more helpful here as it says “…they saw he was no ordinary child…”

o There was something different about Moses when compared to the rest of the children

born in those days.

• Acts 7:20 gives us a little more direction in saying “20At this time Moses was born; and he was

beautiful in God’s sight.”

Somehow Moses was approved, or divinely favored, by God in a way which his parents recognized.

The significance of such divine approval is really seen when we consider what God had probably

communicated to Amram and Jochebed. The historian Josephus records the story of Amram receiving a

vision from God that Moses would be the one to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. And what an exciting

thing this must have been! Finally after nearly 400 years of captivity in Egypt the people of God were

finally nearing the Exodus Joseph spoke of.

Since this vision isn’t detailed for us in scripture, we’re not going to focus on that much. However, it is

important to realize that Moses’ parents knew that God had certain future plans for him and that

allowing him to be killed by Pharaoh was simply not an option. The unique and unordinary qualities

about Moses confirmed for them that Moses was the child for which God had communicated special

plans.

Though their earthy authority instructed that Moses be killed, the heavenly authority instructed

otherwise. Trust God’s communication to them, Moses’ parents did what was right by submitting to the

Heavenly authority. In faith, they hid Moses for three months, preventing his being thrown into the

river.

What does this passage tell us about God?

To fully appreciate how God is at work in this situation we need to continue the story a little.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

After three months, Moses gets too old to keep a secret. His family devises a plan to place him in a

basket which they’ll float down the river. The goal is to have Pharaoh’s daughter find him, have mercy

upon him (rather than killing him), and keep him alive.

The plan works so well that after Pharaoh’s daughter finds and has mercy upon Moses, he is given back

to his mother Jochebed to nurse and raise until he’s old enough to leave home! At that point he’ll finish

growing up by living as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter in luxury, security, education, a Royal life.

Again then, what does this passage tell us about God?

God is Sovereign

This is an example of God’s sovereignty – His control of all things at all times. As shown here, man’s sin

can never ruin God’s plans. Though Pharaoh would try his hardest to crush the Israelites, God would not

allow it. God’s plans are unstoppable! It is a demonstration of God’s complete control over and in all

circumstances. In fact, in a great divine twist, God uses the resources of Pharaoh to raise the one who

will one day lead the Exodus out of Egypt.

The God of the Bible, the creator of this universe and of you is so big and powerful that He controls all

things. Even when it looks like your life is falling apart God is still in control. He will still fulfill the

promises which He has made no matter what your situation looks like. Nothing can or will cripple God’s

ability to be faithful! So even if:

• Your family moves you to another state

• You get injured and can’t finish the season on your sports team

• Your parents get a divorce

• You get seriously ill

o God’s plans and purposes for your life are not stopped. He will be faithful.

This passage shows us that God is sovereign, and second,

God is to be feared

I get this from the reality that Moses’ parents did obey the king’s edict. However it was not the earthly

king’s edict, but the Heavenly King’s edict.

• Moses parents submitted to God’s direction for the life of Moses when it didn’t match up to the

earthly laws.

God is to be feared above all powers, authorities, rulers, and governments. This is not to say that God is

scary and that believers should be afraid of him. But rather the emphasis here is on who do you respect,

honor, and submit to.

We are to follow the earthly laws when they don’t contradict the laws given by God. When they differ,

we always follow the Heavenly King. We fear Him more, we respect him more, we submit to him above

all else – regardless of what the consequences might be.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

The earthly powers and governments we have are established by God. So if President Obama enacts a

military draft, we should all submit to that decision. But if our President orders all Churches destroyed

and we worship Him instead – we should not submit!

Much like what happened to Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego in the book of Daniel. The king told

them to worship a false God, and they refused in the face of certain death in the furnace.

This brings us to our second big question of the evening

What does this passage tell us about how we should live?

For us more specifically, how does faith enable obedience when we’re afraid?

Now, make no mistake that Moses’ parents were probably very afraid! The text says they were not

afraid of the king’s edict, meaning they didn’t submit to it. They certainly had some anxiety and worry

about the task ahead of them though!

• To illustrate, who here has ever babysat before? Specifically a newborn? Is that easy? To

personalize this, my son Jonathan is just now three months old. Can you imagine trying to keep

him a secret for three months? Keeping the noise down, telling stories about why you’re not

coming out to all the neighborhood gatherings, worrying about who might come to the door at

any moment to visit. To further complicate matters, Moses had two older siblings who

constantly had to be reminded to make no mention of the new arrival to the home.

• So this was no easy task, and one which earned them certain death if Moses was discovered.

Direct defiance of the Pharaoh would likely mean death for the whole family.

Yet, their faith and trust in God’s direction motivated them to obedience in the midst of great risk, fear,

and danger. The fear of Pharaoh’s instructions did not scare them into neglecting God’s instructions for

their life.

I want to remind you of the times in which the original recipients of this letter lived in. They were about

to be persecuted for their faith, some of them killed for it. So fear was an emotion the first readers of

this letter had on a regular basis.

And I think incredibly relevant for us tonight as well. Because don’t you also experience fear in your

Christian life??

• A fear of being looked at differently because your friends discover you love Jesus

• A fear in not knowing what to say when you share the Gospel

• A fear to share first place

• A fear to obey certain commands of God because of how it might impact your life

• A fear to abstain from certain activities with your friends you know God does not approve of

• A fear to be honest with yourself about your sin problems

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

There are so many things we Christians find ourselves being afraid of. I wish I could say I’m never afraid

and am super courageous Youth Pastor, but I get afraid as well. I also have seasons of fear, or things

that are hard for me to do.

• That story of the bus – which I’ll finish here in a moment

• What will the kids think of this sermon

• What will your parents think about what I’m teaching you

• A fear to say the wrong thing

So what do we do when we’re afraid?

• When you’re afraid do as Moses’ parents did, depend on the commands and promises of God,

and then act. I don’t think that Moses’ parents were without fear over those three months.

They most certainly did have fears and concerns over every day in those three months. But

their faith empowered obedience in spite of the fear. They were not afraid of the king’s edict in

the sense that Pharaoh decided their behavior. The king of the universe decided their behavior.

o The action of Moses’ parents was empowered by having faith in what God had said.

Thus they had to know what God had said. And by now I hope you all know where I’m

going with this. If knowing what God has promised is central to obedience in spite of

fear, how can we know what God has said to us??

READ YOUR BIBLE!!!! You have to know what the promises are if you’re going

to trust in them!

• What have others here in Hebrews 11 done in the face of fear?

o Recalled the words of God and trusted in what God’s said. Trusted in the promises and

character of God.

o Passages like:

Romans 8:31 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who

can be against us?

Matthew 10:28 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the

soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

2 Timothy 1:7 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and

self-control.

2 Corinthians 12:9 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my

power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of

my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor

rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor

depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love

of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

o And I hope you have your own list of promises of God that you love and find shelter in

That you might have faith in God’s faithfulness and go act!!

Hebrews 11:23 ~ Moses’ Parents Page 7 of 8

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

When our fears get the best of us

But we don’t always boldly act full of faith in the face of fear do we? What happens when God tells you

to do something, and you don’t have the faith of Moses’ parents??

• Well, to finish that story about my fears while on the bus… it turns out I gave up. I didn’t fight. I

just turned my head, looked out the window, and I have no idea where that person is today.

In those sorts of situations, remember two things:

First, that God is in control of all things. If you disobey, even that sin will not thwart God’s plans. He will

still accomplish what He has in mind for you and for those around you.

• In my story of being on the bus, it was sin for me to ignore the Great Commission and God’s

prompting to share the Gospel with him. But, God’s plans are not thwarted. In His sovereignty

if God plans to save that man, He knew I would shrink back in fear that day and not share. So

God, in His complete control of all things, will bring someone else along to evangelize to them.

If he dies without ever having responded to the Gospel, his damnation is not on my shoulders.

Second, that for believers, God’s love and care for you is not dependent upon your ability to keep it

together under pressure, to obey when you’re afraid. It is grounded in the life of someone else:

Someone who in a similar way:

• Had parents who had to keep him a secret when young.

• Someone who would have been killed by the ruler of the land.

• Someone who as evidenced by sweating drops of blood, experienced extreme quantities of

internal anguish that you and I will probably never know the depths of

• Someone who came to do the will of the father perfectly regardless of what those around him

thought

• Someone who was born to lead the greatest exodus of all – out of the captivity of our sin to the

freedom and Heaven found only in Him.

It is in Jesus Christ where believers find their righteousness and merit before God. Because when

sinners turn and trust in Christ alone, the perfect life that Jesus lived is credited to their account. God

looks at the sinner David Brashler and sees the perfection of Christ, not my imperfections that I still live

with each day.

However, if you have not turned from your sin and trusted in Christ alone, you have a different story.

You have more to fear that you probably are aware of. You should be afraid of the coming judgment

and eternal punishment in Hell that awaits all unforgiven sinners. So turn and trust in Christ!!!

Hebrews 11:23 ~ Moses’ Parents Page 8 of 8

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

November 4th, 2009

Application Question

• Parts of the Christian life can be scary at times. In what areas do you find yourself fighting

against fear? Why do you feel that way? Can others in the group encourage them by identifying

any of God’s promises or character traits which might embolden them or increase their faith?

Hebrews 11:20-22 ~ Descendants of Faith Page 1 of 8

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

Heb. 11:17-22 ~ Descendants of Faith

Intro

Over the last many weeks, we’ve been looking at Hebrews 11:17-22, the story of Abraham through

Joseph. If you were with us last week, we zoomed out to notice one common thread through each of

these stories, that they all exercised faith in the face of death.

• In some cases when facing death they did not die: like Isaac and myself

• In some cases when facing death they did die: like Abel and Rachel Scott from Columbine High

School.

We took comfort for over all those situations we know that when true believers face death, God will

give us the words to say and the power to say them that we might remain faithful in our moment of

testing. We know that God uses death to accomplish great things in us personally, and in those around

us.

I know we’ve said this before, but we don’t and can’t know when these sorts of events will happen in

our life. When don’t know when our lung might spontaneously collapse like Colton’s did again on

Friday. Just this last Sunday a couple at our Church faced their own death themselves. They were hit by

a car in the oncoming lane. Both in the other car died, and they nearly died themselves. But in the

same way, God will accomplish great things in their life and in the lives of those around them.

Show their photos in PPT

Pray for them and for the evening!

The next part of Hebrews will take us to study the story and character Moses. But before we do, I want

to take one final week on this section. There is one more pattern we’ll benefit to investigate.

Personal study time

To find it, recreate the family tree we’ve been developing from Abraham to the Sons of Joseph.

• If you can, try to only use your memory and the Bible.

• If you need some help, refer to Hebrews 11.

Discuss:

Create lineage of family tree:

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

• Who fathered who?

• Who was the wife of each of these men?

Discuss what was passed down from generation to generation (shown in green):

• The covenant blessing, the promises of God to their sons, Meaning:

o A prophetic word upon their lives.

o That they would walk with God, trust him, be a believer, be saved.

o That they’d be blessed, have a great land to possess, and be part of a great nation

With that progression now colored, what do you notice?

• The blessing was always passed down to the younger son.

Why is that odd?

• That blessing was traditionally supposed to go to the firstborn (Deut 21:15-17).

o Thus why Esau was so angry with Jacob for stealing it.

Additional Observations

In addition to the blessing being passed down, I want to observe a few other things.

The generational progression of faith

We see the blessing is passed down from generation to generation, but we also see a lineage of family

members who walked with God and trusted him. A great spiritual heritage has developed from

Abraham down to Joseph and his sons.

I wonder what the spiritual heritage is like in your family? Are you a child like Joseph where you desire

to carry on the faith of your Father and there are several generations of believers that come before you?

Or are you like Abraham, being the first in your family’s past to walk with God?

Before we think one is better than the other, or that one deserves more credit or applause than the

other, we need to quickly make another observation:

How the blessing is carried forward

Do you see a pattern here?

• The blessing Abraham had was not automatically inherited by the older Ishmael. It was

bestowed/given to the younger Isaac.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

• The blessing Isaac had was not automatically inherited by the older Esau. It was bestowed/given

to the younger Jacob.

• The blessing Jacob had was not automatically inherited by the older Reuben. It was

bestowed/given to the younger Joseph.

• The blessing Joseph had was not automatically inherited by the older Manasseh. It was

bestowed/given to the younger Ephraim.

So what pattern do we see here???

It is the first half of tonight’s main idea: The blessing of the father was not automatically inherited but

gifted

Listen closely now and see if you can hear the pointer to the Gospel…

We already said how it was very abnormal and against tradition for the older son to have his father’s

blessing withheld from him. The younger sons usually didn’t get much in comparison to the older. For

the younger son to get something other than what he deserved, the father had to intervene. Thus, the

Father steps in (at God’s direction) and bestows a greater blessing to the younger son.

A Pointer to the Gospel

Now, how is that similar to the Gospel??

• As the younger son does not deserve the full measure of the father’s blessing, so we don’t

deserve the father’s blessing but rather to pay the just punishment for our sins in Hell for

eternity.

• As the father had to intervene and change what would otherwise happen, so God our Heavenly

Father must invade our own fallen dead lives to change our course.

• The blessing was a privilege of the Father to give, not a right of the younger son to claim

Which brings us to the second part of tonight’s main thought: As the blessings of their fathers were not

automatically inherited but gifted, so salvation can not be inherited; it is a gift of your Heavenly Father

God.

Paul’s take on it

The apostle Paul gives us some great inspired commentary on what’s happening here in the book of

Romans.

Romans 9:6-16 “6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are

descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7and not all are children of Abraham because they are

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8This means that it is not the

children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as

offspring. 9For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah

shall have a son.” 10And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one

man, our forefather Isaac, 11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good

or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but

because of him who calls— 12she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13As it is

written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s

part? By no means! 15For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will

have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So then it depends not on human will or

exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

As the blessings of their fathers were not automatically inherited but gifted, so salvation can not be

inherited; it is a gift of your Heavenly Father.

We’re not going to cover everything here, but rather just ask a few questions:

What is it that makes you a child of God?

• Romans 9 just told us that it isn’t because of what family you grow up in

o For instance, Esau was a child of Isaac, but not a child of God, not a child of the promise.

o As Romans 9:6 says, For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7and not

all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring

o 8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the

children of the promise are counted as offspring

• For instance, my daughter Elliana is not a believer just because her father is a Youth Pastor and

her Mother loves the Lord as well.

• Tyler Seavey is not a believer just because his father is the pastor of our Church.

• If this were the case that the family you grow up in solely determines your spiritual condition,

we could also say the following.

o For those who live in a small house without enough room for everyone, and

consequently sleep in the garage, they are actually not a person but rather a car –

because of where they sleep.

• Going to Church doesn’t make you a Christian

• Reading your Bible doesn’t make you a Christian

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

• Wearing air Jordan’s and owning a basketball doesn’t make you a Basketball player.

So what then is it which makes someone a Christian?

• Having genuine saving faith in our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

o Yes, as bi-products, you’ll go to Church, and read your Bible, do justice, love mercy, pray,

forgive, fight sin. But those things don’t make you saved – they show you are, they are

evidences that something has changed at your heart level.

And this should be greatly encouraging because then when we sin, fall short, make mistakes and screw

up, we are not suddenly unsaved because we have sinned. Since that genuine faith and trust in God is

intact – genuine believers are still and always saved.

In addition, as Paul says, “16So then it [salvation] depends not on human will or exertion, but on God,

who has mercy.”

• Your salvation depends more on God than on your own self. I hope that encourages you! The

Pharisies were wrong, we are not saved by our efforts to keep the law and obey God. We are

saved by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross by grace through faith

• Ephesians 2:8-9 “8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own

doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

As the blessings of their fathers were not automatically inherited but gifted, so salvation can not be

inherited; it is a gift of your Heavenly Father God.

The spiritual health of children can grieve or bless their parents

I want to return back to the idea of this generational progression of faith. As believing parents, one of

the things that Claire and I want more than anything else is that our children would grow up to know

and love God with all their heart mind soul and strength.

You as a child of your parents then have a huge ability to bless or grieve your parents.

Don’t be like Esau:

• Remember how he sought revenge against his brother Jacob, and as Genesis said – Esau made

life bitter for his parents. Intentionally rebelling and rejecting the faith of his parents. Married

foreign wives against the wishes of his parents..

o Are you doing that to your parents? Rejecting their spiritual guidance?

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

But maybe you’re not in a spiritual family.

• Ask for God to give you the strength to stand and be the first believer in your family.

• When was the last time you appealed to God that he’d do a miracle in your family?

• When was the last time you prayed for your parents or siblings to be saved?

• In love and boldness strive to follow God whatever that means for you. Remember for Abraham

that meant moving away from home, and to a foreign land.

I challenge you to even at your young age to be an encouragement to your family’s spiritual health

• Talk with your parents about what the Lord is doing in your life.

• Ask your parents about how they came to faith.

• Ask them to pray for you in various ways.

• Spur along and encourage your sibling to do the same.

• As Jacob did, forgive your siblings when they sin against you. Point them to God in all that you

say and do.

• When was the last time you thanked your parents for all of their spiritual guidance and

encouragement in your life? Thanked them for encouraging you to come to youth group, and

diving you here and to Church?

• When was the last time you prayed for the spiritual health of your parents lives??

• When was the last time you thanked them for the discipline they gave you growing up? For it

builds in great character from a young age.

You can be spiritual parents as well as physical parents!

Paul and Timothy had a sweet relationship because Paul lead Timothy to Christ. I have a unique

relationship to the one I call my spiritual mother – a high school friend of mine who God primarily used

to preach the Gospel to me and bring me to faith in Christ.

God can build a spiritual legacy through you by your faithful preaching of the Gospel to those around

you.

And for any spiritual legacy to be possible from generation to generation we need to return to our

diagram one last time…

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

The greatest blessing

Regardless of what your personal family’s spiritual heritage looks like, the greatest blessing of all is

offered to you!

One of Jacobs 12 other sons was Judah. And the one who came from Judah would one day bless all of

mankind.

• Jesus came from the line of Judah. Again God, working in ways not confined to human tradition

or expectation, did not come through the line of Joseph.

How is the blessing of the father passed on to you through Jesus?

• Well you have to be part of the family! You need to be adopted as sons and daughters of the

creator of the universe. God’s adoption of some as sons and daughters is not confined to

human tradition, will, or expectations. It is not necessarily guarantied by what family you grow

up in, what Youth Group you attend, what country you’re born in.

• As the blessings of their fathers were not automatically inherited but gifted, so salvation can

not be inherited; it is a gift of your Heavenly Father God.

It depends on God. Remember:

• Romans 9:16 “16So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”

And what’s your part?

• Repent, turn from your sins, love Jesus, follow him!

• Exercise that genuine faith that you might show evidence of salvation and know you’re saved.

Close in Prayer

Read from Galatians 4:4-7 “4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of

woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive

adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,

“Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Application Questions

• What is your spiritual heritage like in your family? Is your family like Joseph’s where there are

generations of believers that come before you? Or is your family like Abraham’s, being the first

in your family’s past to walk with God?

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 21st, 2009

• How have you spiritually grieved and or blessed your parents?

• What can you do as a teenager to continue or begin the legacy of faith in your family?

Hebrews 11 ~ Faith in the Face of Death Page 1 of 8

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

Hebrews 11 ~ Faith in the Face of Death

Intro

We often hear the phrase in this Church, “Don’t waste your life!” And this is a very important mindset

to have. As John Piper likes to say “Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will

last”. But tonight, I want to talk about “Don’t waste your death!”

However, for someone your age, how often are you confronted by death or even think about it?

Probably not often. Society tells you you’re young and you’ll live to at least 70. Even more rare than

being confronted by death at your age is to face your own.

This is a very tender topic for some, but a reality we will all one day face. So let’s pray!

Pray for study

Personal Study Time

And for us, this focus comes very naturally right out of Hebrews 11.

Read Hebrews 10:32-12:7

As you do, ask yourself, what perspective leads to enduring persecutions, trials, and hardships?

• What did you find?

• Did any questions come up as you read?

What fuels perseverance during persecution?

And haven’t we seen that concept in Hebrews 11?

• Hebrews 10:34-35 “34For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the

plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an

abiding one. 35Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”

• Hebrews 11:9-16 “9By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in

tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to

the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. … 16But as it is, they desire a

better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for

he has prepared for them a city.”

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

• Hebrews 11:26 “26[Moses] considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures

of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”

• Hebrews 11:35-40 “35Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured,

refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. … 40since God had

provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”

Did you see the common thread?

The focus here is on the:

• Better possession

• Great reward

• Looking forward

• A better country

• Greater wealth

• Better life

• Something better

All those in peril here in Hebrews 11, are focused on the future not the here and now. They are looking

for the comfort, luxury, peace, and rest – not mainly in this life… but in the life to come!

The context for Hebrews 11

Let us not forget the audience for whom this letter is written. They are first century Christians who will

soon be subjected to great persecution for the faith they profess. In many cases that persecution will go

all the way to death for them. I’m not going to take time for a full history lesson. But in short, following

the death of Christ, the Roman Government wanted nothing more than to crush this little uprising fad,

this little phenomenon called Christianity.

Utilizing brutal means of death, the Romans sought to intimidate and scare away the belief of professing

Christians. Under the reign of Emperor Nero, approx 60 AD for instance, he would gather Christians,

demand they recant (renounce their faith). For those who did not, they were often fed to lions during

gladiator matches or tied to timbers and burned alive at night simply to illuminate his garden parties.

Therefore it is no mistake that the writer of Hebrews places side by side four men who exercised great

faith in the face of death. So let us not forget that this is exceedingly relevant to those reading it.

To refresh our minds, we just looked at:

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

• Abraham – by faith was committed to use his own hand and put to death his only son Isaac.

• Isaac – by faith, when he was about to die, blessed Jacob and Esau

• Jacob – by faith, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph

• Joseph – by faith, at the end of his life, spoke of the exodus and gave directions concerning his

bones

Each of these men were about to die, and they exercised their faith in such a way that was the most

admirable and commendable over their entire life.

First it started back with:

• Abel – who because of his faith was killed by his older brother.

The concept of death & persecution is not new, and it should not be unexpected…

Jesus promised persecutions will come

For the believer, we should not be surprised when persecutions come like they came to Abel. Why?

Because Jesus promised they would come:

• John 15:20 “20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

• Did they persecute Jesus? Yes. Therefore… they will persecute believers as well.

For many of those who received this letter and for many around the world today (as we saw last week in

the Philippines), those persecutions resulted in their death.

• How does facing death impact their trust or faith in Jesus?

Many face death for reasons unrelated to persecution.

• How does facing death impact their trust or faith in Jesus?

Before I get into some illustrations of death’s affect on Faith, I’d like to stop for any questions you might

have…

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

Illustrations of death’s affect on faith

From those who faced their own death, and didn’t die

Isaac

As a refresher from 4 weeks ago, we saw that Isaac was willingly bound and placed upon the altar to be

sacrificed by his father. No struggle, no opposition. He trusted his father and submitted to Abraham’s

instructions from God. And then when Abraham was plunging the knife towards Isaac, God stopped Him

and provided a Ram to take Isaac’s place.

Can you imagine how Isaac’s life must have changed following facing his own death?

He would not have walked away unchanged. His love and commitment to God grew incredibly, because

God spared his life! And as Hebrews 11 records for us he finished his life full of faith.

But let’s talk about someone who faced death that you can better relate to…

My story

I faced my own death last year.

Got REALLY sick!

• 80 days (over 20% of the year) in the hospital, about a week of that being unconscious

• 10 surgeries

• Set the record at OHSU for the sickest person to survive

• Body swelled up to 240lbs!! And then dropped to 85 as I recovered.

• Show pictures

But that experience did AMAZING things!

• In me

o Renewed perspective for why I’m here

God saved my life. I should be dead. But He still wants me here and that says a

lot about how I should live out my remaining days, for what and for whom.

It produced a deeper sense of urgency to minister to this Youth Group.

o Renewed commitment to make each day count

o Renewed desire to be thankful

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

o Renewed love for the God who saved me

• In others

o Caused them to pray like they never have before

o United the body in service, support, and love

o Amazed them at the miracles God can perform

• Seeing how God used it didn’t take away my tears, but gave comfort and perspective to know

that it was not wasted!

• By grace though I had questions and had a hard time though it, God kept me close to him and

loving him all the way though it.

I wish that everyone could almost die, that they would experience the rich benefits of having done so.

• There is such a renewed perspective for the eternal

• I wish that you would have a “David experience” or an “Isaac experience” upon the altar

Don’t be left unchanged by such an event in your own life!

If you should ever have a serious encounter with death like that, don’t be like someone I know. He was

in a car accident where only a rock prevented his vehicle from plummeting into a ravine. Had the car

been just a few feet to either side, he would probably not be here today. And yet he lives just like he did

prior to that event.

From those who faced their own death, and died

Abel

I should quickly refresh us with the story of the first character in Hebrews 11 we studied 10 weeks ago.

You’ll remember he and his older brother Cain were making sacrifices to God, but Abel obeyed God’s

directions as to how that sacrifice was to be made. Cain was filled with rage that his younger brother

found acceptance with God and he did not. Cain’s solution, murder his younger brother. This was the

first believer to be killed for his faith in God, the first martyr.

What was the affect of Abel’s death? As Hebrews 11:4 tells us, “… And through his faith, though he

died, he still speaks.”

Though Abel was full of faith, he died, and that death was not in vain (without purpose) – for the world

still reads to this day about his commitment to carefully follow all of God’s instructions.

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

But let’s talk about someone who faced death that you can better relate to…

Rachel Scott’s story

Raise you hand if you’ve heard her name or story before.

Rachel Scott faced her death while still in High School.

• She was 17 years old.

• She was a follower of Jesus Christ who openly shared her faith with those at her school.

• Everyone around her knew she was a Christian.

• And then came April 20th, 2009…

I can’t tell the story like this video off YouTube can… so just watch this. And listen to the song as well.

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote it after hearing her story. I want you to feel the connection here. You’re

in a school just like hers. Where there are sinners who attend who could express their wickedness in

similar ways.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2uHaLkEOE0

God used her story in amazing ways!

• How God used Rachel Scott’s death

o Her story has been shared with over 5 million people

o Myself included. In college I was at a Winter Conference where her dad came and

shared Rachel’s story. Remembering that night was what caused me to think of sharing

her story with you.

Death is a sad event worthy of tears and mourning. But let us not forget that in many cases God can use

it to produce the greatest eternal, Christian, impact on others.

“Is it not a grand thing for a Christian to do his very best action last, being strongest in divine power

when his own weakness is supreme? We should desire to serve God in youth, in health, in strength,

with all the might we have. But it may happen to us that like Sampson (I’ll add or like Abel, or like

Rachel Scott), our last act may be the greatest. God makes his dying people to be like the sun, which

never seems so large as when it sets.” CH Spurgeon

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David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

Be encouraged

I want you to see that death is a powerful event that God uses in big ways!!

In death and in persecution, God effectively hands you a megaphone to communicate a message. What

will that message will be is entirely dependent on your perspective and focus in life. That was the case

for Rachel Scott, and the case for me – so many around the world have heard about each of our stories

and how God was Glorified through it.

• If you’re more consumed with this world and all it has to offer:

o You’ll leave this world kicking and screaming. Not wanting to depart and leave behind

your treasures in this life. You’d be inclined to view heaven as boring, or think that this

life is where all the real joys are. That your best life is now.

• If you’re most excited about and looking forward to Heaven and being with Jesus:

o You’ll view this life as a war zone. The reward and the rest comes later, but now is

fighting time. You long for the better time and place. Then you can say with Paul: “For

me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!”

• If you’re not a true follower of Jesus, your alleged faith will crumble and fail.

• If you are genuinely a Christian, he will give you both the words and strength to endure until

your very last breath.

Moving forward

Don’t get overwhelmed, but rather…

There is one more person’s faith in the face of death to consider…

• Hebrews 12:2 “2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that

was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of

the throne of God.”

o The power of death is gone. Thus Paul can write in 1 Corinthians 15 “Death is

swallowed up in victory.” 55“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your

sting?”

• Hebrews 12:3 ” 3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that

you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

If you hear nothing else tonight, hear this:

Hebrews 11 ~ Faith in the Face of Death Page 8 of 8

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 14th, 2009

• True believers have no reason to fear death! “It is not Death to Die” as a song puts it.

• But for those who don’t authentically follow Jesus and bear fruit to show genuine faith, there is

much to fear. It is not death to die for them, for they live after life on this earth as well. The

difference is where they will live.

o The believers are in Heaven for eternity full of Joy in the presence of their maker.

o The others, in Hell for eternity to pay the just penalty due for their sins against a Holy

God.

• And the greatest part of all tonight is that Jesus has overcome two things that we can not!

Death and sin!

o Death b/c Jesus rose from the grave three days later

o Sin b/c He lived the perfect life and then died the death that a sinner deserves. So that

all who ever turn and trust in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

So turn to Jesus, repent of your sin, trust in him alone for your salvation. And when you die one day,

God will use the life of his children to point a watching world to himself.

Application Questions

• How has human death touched your own life?

• What message do you feel your life is currently broadcasting? Should God take you through a

trial or persecution or even death, what message do you want to broadcast with your

megaphone?

• Where do you stand before God today? As you consider your coming death, are you confident

of forgiveness or fearful of judgment? Why?

Hebrews 11:22 ~ Joseph Page 1 of 6

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 7th, 2009

Hebrews 11:22 ~ Joseph

Read Hebrews 11:17-22

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the

promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall

your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead,

from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future

blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph,

bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made

mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

Individual study time (5 min):

• What do you know about Joseph

• Read Gen 50:15-26

• Move PPT to blank page

Quick review of Joseph’s life:

• The story of Joseph’s life spans Genesis 37-50… 14 chapters! This summary will be short as,

other than Jesus, his life is one of the longest narratives on a single person in the Bible!

• Recall, Joseph is the 11th son of Jacob, the first son of Rachel

• Joseph was also Jacob’s favorite son

o Special treatment/ Special love

o Dad made him a long sleeved robe of many colors – a 3 piece Italian suit

o He didn’t do this for his other sons – they all went around in jeans and a T-shirt

• Joseph has dreams of all his brothers serving and bowing down to him.

o Unusual because all the oldest brother is supposed to be the head of all the younger

o This only enrages his brothers more and more

o Other brothers despised Joseph for it, they could not speak peacefully to him (Gen 37:4)

• Dad sends the other 11 out to pasture the flock – out doing manual dirty work

o Everyone goes out to work, except Joseph

• He heads out to the fields to find his brothers as they were out at work

o They saw him from a distance – probably because of his robe

o They plotted to kill him – guess what, another dysfunctional family!

o First they throw him into a pit, then sell him into slavery

o They tell Dad (Jacob) a wild animal ate him, and lived as though he’s dead

• At this point Joseph is a mere 17 years old.

Hebrews 11:22 ~ Joseph Page 2 of 6

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 7th, 2009

• Jacob is taken to Egypt. There he spends the remaining 93 years of his life there

o He’s made overseer in the house of Potiphar (an officer of Pharaoh)

o He’s very successful, but Potiphar’s wife seeks to sleep with him.

o He continually refuses. So she effectively cries “Rape” and Joseph is thrown in prison

o So just when things were starting to improve… he’s wrongly imprisoned for what turns

out to be 13 years!

• Yet God prospers him while in Egypt:

o God gives him favor with those around him

o God gives him the ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and thus he’s released from

prison

Which leads to Pharaoh promoting him to be his right hand man, essentially the

vice president

• Due to a great famine in the land, Jacob’s family seeks provision from Egypt.

o As God’s plan would have it, Jacob’s sons travel to Egypt to seek provision from the one

they despised, insulted, and sold into slavery – Joseph

o Through various conversations and tests, Joseph gathers his brothers near to reveal to

them his real identity

Genesis 45:4-5 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And

they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into

Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you

sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Not only Pharaoh’s right hand man, but Joseph!

o Amazingly, Joseph in the end welcomes his brothers and family with loving open arms

o This eventually reunites Joseph to his family and brings them all into Egypt to live and be

taken care of

• Some time after that is when Jacob blesses each of Joseph’s sons (what we looked at last week)

• Jacob dies

• And now Joseph is at the end of his days, expecting and anticipating death

• When as Heb 11:22 records for us…

o Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the

Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

What exactly was said? Open your Bibles to Genesis 50 if you’re not already there.

Genesis 50:24-26 24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you

and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall

carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and

he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

I have three questions for us tonight:

Hebrews 11:22 ~ Joseph Page 3 of 6

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 7th, 2009

• Why does Joseph believe what he believes?

• What did Joseph’s faith look like?

• What does Joseph have in common with those before him?

Why Joseph believes what he believes

Well first to summarize. Essentially he believes that one day his brothers will leave Egypt and return to

the promised land. When you do he says, take by bones with you.

What is Joseph thinking??!!

• They are in the middle of a great famine! Food is scarce outside Egypt, how could they leave

and survive?

Where does Joseph gain the confidence this will happen?

• What is the one fact upon which Joseph’s direction for them rests?

• The one thing that will allow and enable them to honor his request?

• Have you noticed yet who it is that performs the action Joseph foretells?

Look at Joseph’s statement once again…

• V.24 That “God will visit you and bring you out of this land (Egypt) to the land that he swore to

Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob”

• V.25 God will surely visit you

This is what Hebrews 11:22 is pointing to – the Exodus of Jacob’s people, the Israelites.

Now, is this extreme presumption on Joseph’s part that God would do such a thing? To what could

Joseph look to as grounds from which to believe such a thing?

Two answers now to why Joseph believes what he believes:

God’s past behavior

What has God done in the past in his life that he could look to for confidence?

• Being rescued from the pit

• Finding favor will all in Egypt

• Being rescued from prison

• Being given the ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams

• Rising to be Pharaoh’s right hand man

Hebrews 11:22 ~ Joseph Page 4 of 6

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 7th, 2009

Now make no mistake here, Joseph saw God as orchestrating, planning, governing, and overseeing all of

the wicked, evil, wrong, hurtful things that happened in his life. The reason I had you begin your

personal study time at Gen 50:15 was so that you would read Gen 50: 20-21.

Genesis 50:20-21 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about

that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and

your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

So Joseph could look backward in his life and see a pattern of God’s faithfulness as evidence that God

will continue to be faithful in the future. This enabled him to believe that God would bring His people

out of Egypt.

And what happened in the past was that God made a promise, which bring me to the second answer.

God’s promises

To convince his brothers they would one day leave Egypt, Joseph used as evidence the fact that God

made a promise

• Genesis 50:24 24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and

bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”

Joseph knew it would happen because God said it would. He made a promise. He knows God is faithful

and will not break his commitment.

What did Joseph’s faith look like?

And this trust in God’s word illustrates again for us the pattern of faith we have seen over and over

again in Hebrews 11, doesn’t it?

• A faith governed by God’s word or based on his promises as we’ve just seen

• A faith that is focused on or looking towards future events

o Namely the Exodus from Egypt to the promised land

• A faith that is evidenced or authenticated by living in obedience to what God has said.

But how did Joseph obey what God had said? How did he live out what God’s instructions were?

• Certainly he gave direction concerning his bones… but is there anything more substantial?

Read Gen 50:25 carefully…

• Genesis 50:25 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you,

and you shall carry up my bones from here.”

Joseph’s trust and belief in God’s prior promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and now he and his sons

compelled him to make his brothers take an oath, to promise themselves, to swear.

Hebrews 11:22 ~ Joseph Page 5 of 6

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 7th, 2009

• And what an odd statement to have his brother pledge themselves to. “I swear that God will

visit me.”

• Effectively though affirming that they believe the God of the promise that He will visit us.

Joseph’s faith did not die with him. He took action and his faith directly impacted the life of those

around him.

• How does your faith intersect the lives of those around you? How do you use your trust in the

God of the Bible to impact the people you interact with at:

o School, in your family, on the bus, at Youth Group, at Church??

• When outsiders look at your life, do they see any evidence that your are in love with Jesus, and

not the world that everyone else runs after?

In the case of Joseph, his faith impacted the life of others in a big ways!

Remember not only this pledge, but also telling his brothers that all the evil they wrongfully committed

towards him was God’s purpose and plan to save their family.

What does Joseph have in common with those before him?

Return to the family tree PPT

Probably a lot, but Hebrews 11 shows us something in particular. Turn to Hebrews 11.

When did each of these have faith? What was occurring when the faith described was exercised?

• Joseph – at the end of life

• Jacob – when dying

• Isaac – when he was expecting his own death

• Abraham – expecting the death of his own son

The faith they exercised is all faith in the face of death, in most cases their own death!

This can be such a traumatic and powerful experience. And rightly a very tender subject for those who

have lived through an accident, or come close to dying. Not to mention the emotional impacts of losing

close friends or loved ones.

But because God uses such events in eternally enormous ways, I want to spend next week looking at this

issue more closely.

But to draw this evening to a close, I want to read from the VOM October magazine. The pastor I’m

going to read about is in one of those orange regions. He faces the possibility he could did because for

the Gospel any day. Listen to how that reality impacts his life and ministry:

• Read VOM article

Hebrews 11:22 ~ Joseph Page 6 of 6

David Brashler ~ Living Water Community Church

October 7th, 2009

So in summary, for Pastor Noel, and for Joseph, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham – facing death propelled

them further into God’s purpose and plan for their lives. Their perspective on life is forever different.

Conclusion

To conclude tonight, like every week, I want you to see the pointers to the Gospel through the life and

faith of Joseph.

I hope the faith Joseph has is appealing to you tonight. I hope you sit there and think:

• I want to live radically different for the Gospel

• I want to live directed by God’s promises

• I want my faith to intersect and impact the lives of those around me

Thankfully, if you’re not there, that faith – is not something self-generated. You don’t earn it, you don’t

find it. It is given to you…

• That faith is given to you by the one who, by your sin you have thrown in a pit & lived as though

he’s dead.

o And as Joseph was in the pit, being the only one who could one save his own from the

famine, so Jesus is the only one who on cross can save you from your sin.

• That faith is given to you by the one who, as Joseph did with his brothers, will one day gather his

own around him, reveal his fullness to us & welcome us into his house.

I pray you’re thankful and speechless when you realize like Joseph’s brothers did, that the one who

saved them – is the one they offended the most.

I pray you repent and turn and trust in Christ alone, because as God was the only one who could get

Joseph out of his prison, so God is the only one who can get you out the eternal prison that your sin has

confined you to.

Because the one through whom your faith and salvation comes is the only son of God who’s father did

not hold him back, but who rather came seeking sinners, and died for all who would ever turn and trust

in him.

Application Questions

• We looked at why Joseph believed what he believed about God. Why do you believe what you

believe about God?

• What makes it easier for your faith to impact others, and what stand in the way?

• What thoughts and emotions were stirring inside you as the topic of death came up tonight?