"AT THE FORKS IN THE ROAD"
Hebrews 11:24-26
Intro.
A. The title for this lesson is: "At the Forks in the Road."
1. Picture a person traveling down a road and he comes upon a
place where the road divides, a fork in the road. A choice
must be made.
2. One, fearing that he may go in the wrong direction, decides
to turn back.
3. Another, chooses one of the two and sets himself steadfastly
in traveling on.
a. This is a person of decision.
B. For the young, the fact of choice is very important. Regarding
whether or not we will serve the Lord, there are always
important choices to be made.
1. For the older, the subject of choice may not be as critical
since many choices have already been made, but this lesson
will serve as a reminder that the choices we have made are,
in fact, the right ones.
a. Also, it will encourage us to abide in the choices that
we have made.
C. As we study the Scriptures we see many people who made the
right choices, such as Joseph, Joshua, Elijah, Paul, etc.
1. As we consider these people, none stand out more than
Moses. Heb. 11:24-26
I. MOSES AT THE FORKS IN THE ROAD.
A. When Moses reached the fork in the road in his life's journey,
he made definite choices and revealed himself to be a man of
decision.
B. There comes such a point in every person's life decisions
must be made.
1. Decisions must be made between the Flesh and the Spirit,
God and Satan, God's people and Satan's people.
a. Shall we choose self, friends, family, the way of least
resistence, or God?
2. It matters not what successes one may enjoy or what
promises the world may hold, the choice of God must be
made.
a. Anyone who does not decide for God, is "against" God.
Matt. 12:30
II. LET US NOTE SOME THINGS THAT DETERMINE CHOICE - the No's and
Yes's, the do's and don't's.
A. There are always two elements in every decision the negative
and the positive; the refusal and the acceptance.
1. The negative element. Moses said "No" to something. He
said "No," and he meant it.
a. His refusal implies both strong temptation and keenness
of perception.
b. While considering his course, Moses could have
reasoned that God had determined that he was to remain
in the house of Pharaoh since God placed him there to
begin with.
2. The positive element. Moses did more than just say "No."
He said "Yes," and identified himself with the people of
God.
a. He refused to go one way, in order that he might go
another.
b. Right living does not consist solely of giving up evil
things.
(1) When we take something out of our lives that is not
pleasing to God, we must put something in its
place; otherwise, the devil will try to fill that
void. Luke 11:24-26
(2) We don't just merely stop serving sin, but we start
serving God. Rom. 6:11-13, 19
III. GREAT DECISIONS ARE ALWAYS COSTLY. The negative side of his
choice.
A. In the case of Moses, there was much to give up.
1. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
a. He gave up the highest social position in Egypt. He did
not want to be identified with the people of the world.
(1) Some parents have this in reverse. They want their
children to be identified with the world, accepted
into society.
(2) Often their children succeed in the things of the
world, but fail in spiritual things.
b. No doubt, Moses' decision brought disappointment to
those who had given him his training, position and
opportunities. Yet, he turned away from all those.
2. He did not choose the temporary pleasures of sin.
a. He could have had all of his fleshly desires well
satisfied by keeping his position.
b. All sinful pleasures are only temporary. They don't bring
lasting happiness. They all will be destroyed with the
world. 1 John 2:15-17
3. He did not choose the treasures of Egypt.
a. Egypt had vast wealth at that time, as is clearly
displayed by the excavations of the tombs of the
Pharaohs.
B. The cost of his choice is not to be measured only in what he
gave up, but he chose suffering with the people of God.
1. He expected a life of hardship as a result of his choice. 2
Tim. 3:12
2. The term "reproach of Christ" stands for any who unfairly or
unjustly suffers. 1 Pet. 2:19-21
IV. HOW DID MOSES COME TO MAKE THIS CHOICE? The positive side of his
choice.
A. His faith was the factor that motivated him. "By faith
Moses..."
1. His faith unlocked the treasures of God. He looked to the
heavenly treasures rather than the earthly ones.
a. The gospel is God's statement of what spiritual
blessings are our's when we make the choice of them. 1
Pet. 1:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:1-4
B. In considering Moses' case more carefully, we note that:
1. He had a clear eye for distinguishing right from wrong. Heb.
5:14
2. He was able to comprehend the things of real value. 2 Cor.
5:1
3. He knew that the pleasures and gains of this world are only
temporary. Luke 12:19-20
4. He set his heart on things above rather than things on this
earth. Col. 3:1-3; 1 Pet. 1:13
5. He anticipated the coming reward and accepted whatever
labor and hardship necessary to obtain it. 2 Cor. 4:17; Rom.
8:18
V. WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF HIS DECISION?
A. His decision developed him into one of the greatest Bible
characters ever known. Ex. 34:29-33
1. His face shone, not because he was viewing gold, silver and
the pleasures of this life, but because he had looked upon
God.
a. Look at Paul's point on this in 2 Cor. 3:12-18.
B. Moses' decision enabled him to render a great service to his
people and to the world.
1. From Heb. 11, the great men and women of faith contributed
much to all the faithful who would follow after them.
C. Moses's decision enabled him to reach heaven.
1. Standing by Moses in Egypt, his choice may seem to be
foolish and absurd, but standing by the glorified Christ on
the Mount of Transfiguration we know that it was the only
wise choice to make. Matt. 17:1-3
Concl.
A. Thus, what is your decision in life today? Which road will you
take?
B. Our choice is essentially the same one Moses had to make.
1. Will we identify ourselves with the people of the world or
the people of God?
2. Will we enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season or will we
enjoy the pleasures of righteousness?
3. Will we, by our actions, reap the eternal destruction of the
soul or will we be rewarded eternal life?
C. What will your decision be?
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