{"id":1157,"date":"2024-07-30T21:29:38","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T21:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=1157"},"modified":"2026-06-22T15:15:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T15:15:36","slug":"choosing-faith","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/choosing-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"CHOOSING FAITH"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Choosing Faith<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hebrews 11:23-29<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have your Bible, pull it out with me. We\u2019ll be reading in a moment from the New Testament book of Hebrews<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every single day, we make choices\u2014far more than we realize. Researcher Sheena Iyengar found that the average person makes about 70 conscious decisions daily. That adds up to over 25,000 choices in a year and nearly 1.8 million decisions in a lifetime. Some of these choices are small and seemingly insignificant, but others shape the course of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if I told you that faith is built in the very decisions we make every day? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith is not just an abstract idea or an occasional feeling that appears in certain moments\u2014it is something cultivated through intentional choices. It is a growing trust, an ever-deepening confidence in God that develops as we choose, again and again, to rely on Him rather than ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture tells us that God plants a seed of faith within us, but it is our responsibility to nurture and strengthen it. Faith is not passive; it is active. And the Bible gives us powerful examples of men and women who lived by faith, making decisions that shaped history. One of the most compelling examples is Moses\u2014a man who did not stumble into greatness, but who became a mighty servant of God through a series of faith-filled choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning, we will look at Hebrews 11, where we see the defining moments of Moses\u2019 life\u2014decisions that not only shaped his destiny but impacted an entire nation. If you have your Bible, I invite you to open with me to Hebrews 11, where we will see how faith is built, one choice at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe it is through these daily decisions that we find the development of our faith. And I share this because, faith is not just an etherial idea, or even a feeling that somehow \u201cappears\u201d in our lives every once in a while. Rather, faith is something that is cultivated and developed — even established in our lives through the on-going decisions we make throughout day in and day out of our lives. It is a growing sense of confidence or trust in something or someone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve found Hebrews chapter 11<\/strong>, just keep a hold there and flip back to the Old Testament book of Numbers. In Numbers 12:6 <\/strong>we read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 <\/em><\/strong> \u2026\u201cWhen there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. <\/em>7 <\/em><\/strong>But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.<\/em> 8 <\/em><\/strong>With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?\u201d<\/em> — Numbers 12:6 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a postscript to his life at the end of Deuteronomy,<\/strong> Moses<\/strong> was called the most humble man on earth<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses<\/strong> became a great servant of God because of a series of events and decisions in his life. We are going to look at some of those today in Hebrews 11:23-29<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Hebrews 11:23-39<\/strong> we are introduced to Moses, once described as \u2018the greatest man among mere men in the whole history of the world\u2019; and the particular emphasis made in these verses concerns the decision, or decisions, which Moses\u2019 faith led him to make. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several choices that are high-lighted within this text. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at it with me. Hebrews chapter 11 \u2013 beginning with verse 23<\/strong>. And we read,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23 <\/em><\/strong>By faith Moses\u2019 parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king\u2019s edict.<\/em> 24 <\/em><\/strong>By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh\u2019s daughter. <\/em> 25 <\/em><\/strong>He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. <\/em> 26 <\/em><\/strong>He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. <\/em> 27 <\/em><\/strong>By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king\u2019s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. <\/em> 28 <\/em><\/strong>By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. <\/em> 29 <\/em><\/strong>By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.<\/em> — Hebrews 11:23-29 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every child of God is called upon to make decisions.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first great decision is when we repent of our sins and turn to the Lord<\/strong> Jesus<\/strong> Christ<\/strong> and trust Him as our own Personal Savior (consider the words of Acts 20:21<\/strong>). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And after this, all through our Christian life, decisions have to be made which affect God\u2019s glory and our own lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several powerful principles for living in faith found within Hebrews 11 that I want to point out to you today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s the first principle:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Faith Chooses Obedience Over Compromise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look with me at verse 23<\/strong>. Here God tells us,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23 <\/em><\/strong>By faith Moses\u2019 parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king\u2019s edict.<\/em> — Hebrews 11:23 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you look back to the beginning of the book of Exodus, the second book in the Bible, you can read the story. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ended up in Egypt because of Joseph, Jacob\u2019s son. Over the course of the next many years the Hebrews (or the Jews, as we know them today) grew to be a significant part of the population in Egypt. So much so, Pharaoh was concerned they might take over the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To defend against this he made the Hebrews their slaves. When that didn\u2019t slow down the birth rate Pharaoh instructed all the midwives to kill any boy babies of the Hebrews (they wouldn\u2019t do it). Next he gave the order to throw all the male babies into the river to drown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was during this time that Moses was born. We are told his parents, \u201csaw God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the King\u2019s command.\u201d The phrase \u201cunusual child\u201d or \u201cno ordinary child\u201d (let\u2019s face it, who feels their child is ordinary?) also means gifted and unusually promising. The Jewish historian Josephus suggested that the parents of Moses received a revelation from God concerning their son\u2019s destiny, which is why they chose to break the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They hid their baby for three months (which could not have been an easy task). When they could hide him no longer they made a bold move. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses\u2019 mom put her child in a basket sealed from water and placed it in the Nile near the place where the daughter of Pharaoh bathed. (We don\u2019t know who came up with this plan).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pharaoh\u2019s daughter found Moses, fell in love with him, and hired Moses\u2019 mom to care for the child until he was of age and then he was taken as the son of Pharaoh\u2019s daughter. And that is how Moses ended up in Pharaoh\u2019s household and how the Lord arranged for him to receive the finest education (which he put to use, among other things, in writing the first five books of the Bible).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The parents of Moses (and the midwives) acted in faith. They did what was right even though it involved what we would call civil disobedience (or deliberately and knowingly refusing to obey a law or command as a form of protest of that law). An example of civil disobedience would be the civil rights movement in the 1950\u2019s and 60\u2019s. Civil disobedience is not the same as blatant criminal activity that shows disdain for the law. It is a respectful refusal to obey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who engage in civil disobedience know there may be consequences for their actions. (You may go to jail, be fired from your job, lose some friendship, or even be killed).They risk (or endure) the consequences in order to be faithful to their conscience or, in our case, to the Law of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me give you some examples of when we might engage civil disobedience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa Refusing to participate in an abortion procedure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa Refusing to obey a government rule that says the church cannot meet or has to engage in a practice it believes is wrong or immoral (for example that they have to perform same sex wedding or lose their tax-exempt status).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa Refusing to be part of a cover-up of criminal activity at the place you work<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa Refusing to be part of a policy which discriminates against the poor or needy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil disobedience is standing on principle. It is choosing to stand with the Lord when we must choose between what God or what the law says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss this. Moses would not even have been alive if it had not been for the faith of this couple to risk obeying God. It is a reminder that the choices parents make will directly impact the future of their children. If WE are willing to compromise God\u2019s commands our children will naturally follow suit. At the same time, if WE show ultimate respect for God\u2019s law and position, our children are more likely to do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kent Hughes<\/strong> writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael\u2019s deliverance began with an obscure couple believing God in the midst of darkness. Think what a faith like that could accomplish today!\u201d (Hebrews Vol. 2 p.118)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We might look at our decisions \u2013 and think\u2026this is just a \u201clittle insignificant decision.\u201d But faith is built upon little decision made daily!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith means choosing to do what is right \u2013 even when the law says to it\u2019s wrong. Here\u2019s another principle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Faith Stands with God Over Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh\u2019s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God\u2019s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.<\/em> — Hebrews 11:24-26 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems that, forty years have passed when we see Moses again. According to scripture, he at that point, he has become a part of the royalty of Egypt. He is in the line of power and by all appearances has the world at his fingertips. One day he was walking around and saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Moses could have turned away. He could have taken the safe route and argued, \u201cWhat do you expect me to do?\u201d But instead, he chose to step in and defend the slave. Moses chose to be identified with the people God even if it meant giving up the path of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The author of Hebrews points out that Moses chose to \u201csuffer for the sake of Christ . . . because he was looking ahead to his great reward.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses understood that serving the Lord was more important than any material advancement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People of faith still have to make this decision<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We choose to honor the Lord on Sunday rather than be pressed into the mold of secular disregard for the Lord\u2019s Day. And we risk getting fired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We choose to identify with hurting people even though it means we are less popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We chose to share our faith even though others may call us \u201cfreaks\u201d, \u201cridicule us\u201d or tell us we \u201ccan\u2019t\u201d share our faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa It means holding to the Word of God (as to business ethics, morality, or even related to sharing your faith) even if it means losing a job or a promotion in the academic or business setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa It means choosing to go (or stay) where God seems to be leading rather than jump at the opportunity to make more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa It means living more simply so we can give more rather than having the fancy stuff of the \u201cin crowd\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18<\/strong> Paul<\/strong> reminds us of the Christian attitude of faith:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won\u2019t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don\u2019t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.<\/em> — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18<\/strong> (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses had a long-term vision. He saw beyond the immediate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is more to life than just what you may be experiencing at this moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not easy to look past the culture because we all naturally want to fit in. It\u2019s easier to fit in than swim against the stream. However, if we are going to live the life of faith we must choose the way of God over the way of the culture around us and we must do it again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final principle I want to point out in this passage is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Faith Trusts God Over Fear <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe the next three examples all teach this same principle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king\u2019s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.<\/em> — Hebrews 11:27 (NIV)<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is some question as to what this verse is referring to. It might seem that it was referring to the time when Moses went to Midian after he killed the Egyptian as a way of escaping punishment. However, that does not seem much like an example of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is more likely that this refers to all the confrontations Moses had with Pharaoh that resulted in the ultimate Exodus. This was an example of faith. God called Moses (at the age of 80!) to go back to Egypt, confront Pharaoh (likely one of Moses\u2019 \u201cbrothers\u201d growing up) and demand that the Hebrews be set free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was not a popular request and Pharaoh did his best to discourage and intimidate Moses. Moses was able to remain bold because he kept His eyes on the Lord rather than the circumstances. He remembered the power of God rather than being intimidated by Pharaoh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, Moses stood toe to toe with Pharaoh through the series of ten plagues<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons. (v 28)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the final plague of the ten plagues brought on Egypt. The final plague, the one that broke the heart and will of Pharaoh was the plague of the death of the firstborn. On this night the firstborn son of everyone in Egypt was killed. The firstborn male of all the animals died as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses told the Israelites to butcher a lamb and put the blood of that lamb on the doorposts of their home as a sign of faith and obedience to the Lord. This act would cause the angel of death to \u201cpass over\u201d (thus the name Passover) their home and spare the firstborn son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One commentator points out that the phrase \u201cby faith he kept the Passover\u201d<\/em> actually means that he instituted the Passover (perfect tense). Moses established it as a \u201clasting ordinance\u201d to be done year after year. In other words, Moses never doubted in the least that the people would be released from Egypt! (Hughes p. 120)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moses was not intimidated by the overwhelming power of Egypt. Instead he kept his eyes on the superior power and majesty of the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third example is in verse 29<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.<\/em> — Hebrews 11:29 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sounds like the focus has moved to the faith of Israel. However, this is still an example of the faith of Moses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the firstborn sons died, Pharaoh, filled with grief, told the Hebrews to leave. He not only gave permission for them to leave; he ordered them to leave! I am sure that as the Hebrews were marching away from Egypt they celebrated the sterling leadership of Moses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a few days later Pharaoh\u2019s grief turned to anger and he wanted to destroy the Hebrews, who he believed, caused all Egypt\u2019s pain (and I suspect \u201cpublic enemy #1\u201d was Moses).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The people could see the Egyptians pursuing them (the dust of the chariots was a giveaway). They were backed into a corner. The Egyptians were behind them and the Red Sea was ahead of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would be nice if the Hebrews said, \u201cGod will provide\u201d<\/em> and moved forward in faith, but the book of Exodus tells us they panicked. Mo<\/strong>ses<\/strong> went from being the hero to being the focus of blame. The Hebrews bemoaned what they were sure was their doom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Exodus 14:13,14<\/strong> we read what Moses did,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13 But Moses told the people, \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.\u201d<\/em> — Exodus 14:13,14<\/strong> (NIV)<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when circumstances looked grim, Moses still kept his focus on the Lord. Like Abraham, he knew that \u201cthe impossible\u201d was possible for the Lord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing is too hard for God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This one man\u2019s faith inspired the entire nation. God told Moses to raise his staff and divide the Sea, and that is what he did. The sea parted and we are told that all of Israel crossed the sea on DRY GROUND. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s miracle was such that he not only made them a path through the water \u2014 but he also dried the ground below them. They didn\u2019t march through mud ground, they marched through on solid ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Egyptians tried to follow, Moses raised his staff again and the army was drowned! Faith triumphed once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raise your sights to look to the Lord. Don\u2019t give in to the temptation to look at your problems and difficulties. Choose to trust in God as your great provider and deliverer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what are we to make of all of this? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are we supposed to learn about faith?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, <\/em>as I said to start the message, we learn from Moses that faith is about the daily decisions we make<\/em>.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith grows every time we choose the Lord over the world around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We choose His values even over those things we desire because we trust His wisdom over our own. Faith is deciding to trust Him even when all we see is the water before us, and an army of conflict pursuing us. Faith is built one decision at a time. Are you facing one of those decisions today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, we learn that faith is about where we choose to focus our thinking<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between Moses and his parents in contrast with the Hebrews as a whole, is that the Hebrews focused on the barriers (the size and strength of Egypt\u2019s army; the Red Sea), while Moses kept his focus on the power and sufficiency of the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isn\u2019t that a problem we all have? We zero in on the anticipated problem instead of looking at the Lord. We focus on our weakness rather than His strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a little discipline that would be good for all of us. Every time you begin to feel anxious ask yourself this question: \u201cWhere am I focusing my attention?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most likely, you are zeroed in on the problem rather than resting in the Lord. Don\u2019t dwell on the problem; focus on the problem-solver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, genuine<\/em> faith is infectious<\/em>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The faith of one set of parents not only changed the life of their children but also saved the nation of Israel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The faith of this one man, Moses, inspired a nation to gain their freedom and to build a new relationship with the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dwight Moody <\/strong>was once inspired by a simple statement that he once heard \u2013 and it changed his life. Here\u2019s the statement that so captured his attention: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe world has yet to see what God can do through one man who is totally sold out to Him.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Moody wanted to be that man! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wonder what God<\/strong> could and would do if you or I chose to be that person. Faith takes bold steps of trust — daring to accomplish the mission of God. What if we served Him wholeheartedly (rather than half-heartedly when it was convenient). I wonder what God would do through us as a church if we were whole-hearted in our devotion to Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question is:<\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What stands between you and a whole-hearted devotion to the Lord today? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n