Hebrews 11:23 Parental Faith

                             The Faith of Moses Parents

 

Intro: The Faith of Moses Parents is a great example to all of us who are parents today & trying to raise our kids for the Lord in the Mist of a

VERY UNGODLY SOCIETY

A)So This morning we want to glean some insights from their lives that I think we help us in ministering to & training up our kids

 

B) Now maybe your kids are already grown/wondering how this applies   

  1) Well Chances are that you are a grandparents now – or you might be soon – Realize you can  have a big influence in that Role

 

C) Single: wondering : How this apply to me – OBVIOUS you might not always be single ( you might one day be a parent – take notes )

1)   But even now you might possibly have a niece or nephew that you can influence – for the Lord –

 

D) Something for us all to glean in this passage {  RD V.23 }

 

Set the scene : The Children of Israel had been living in Egypt for close to 400yrs / much of it as slaves ( grown – 70pp to 2-3 million)

A)Pharaoh observes this growth / HE sees that the Israelites Population  is getting larger than the Egyptians

 

B) Issues this degree – that any Male Babies born to the Israelites are to be taken from them & thrown into the Nile River & drown

1)   Thus It was a Horrible time for the nation of Israel – their situation hit an all time low – there was great Distress in the Land

 

C) In the Mist of the Distress two Parents stand out – exercising what the Bible calls – PRECIOUS FAITH  -

1)   their actions would eventually affect the Whole nation of Israel

 

D) Let’s consider what they did & allow the H.S. to use their example to minister to our hearts

1st They were People of Vision:

A)In the mist of this turbulent & distressing time they gave birth to a Son – but as they looked at this Boy – they saw something special

 

B)We are told in our text that they saw that He was Beautiful / for that reason they decided to go against Pharaoh & hide their son .

1)   I believe as they looked at that Child – God caused something to happen w/ in their hearts that – He was no ordinary Child – Special calling / use

 

C) Now it is True, this is one of the EXTRA-ordinary individuals of Scripture.

 1) But the truth of the matter is that each child given by the Lord is special.

 

     Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

     The fruit of the womb is a reward.

 

     James 1:17 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and  

     comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or   

     shadow of turning.

 

Quest. What Do You See when you look at your kids ?

Ephesians 2:10 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

    

A)Amram & Jochebed this understanding that their child was a POTENTIAL TOOL for God

  1)that they risked everything to PRESERVE him for the purposes of God.

 

B) Do YOU see that in your children? Potential purpose for God ?

Even in the ones that presently are causing you heartache

 

C) Kids can be so DIFFERENT One might be so manageable, so easy, while another one is rowdy and hard to control.

1) We often have thoughts like Surely the quiet one is the one the Lord will use.

NOTE: Have you ever thought that the one that is a terror right now has the potential to be a terror FOR the Lord?

A) Strong willed – Strong willed for Jesus – Not swayed by Peer Pressure

 

B) I think we need to Constantly pray that the Lord would give us Vision to see our Kids Potential to see what they might become for Jesus

1)   Pray that the Lord would give us insight on how to Foster that Potential

 

C) My mom – Vision or Dream she saw me Preaching at CCCM

1)    Even when I was called to full time ministry – thought that will never happen ( spoke there 3 times in the last 5 yrs – Chapels conferences )

 

 

Been said that the Eye of Faith sees what the Human eye cannot see / we need that Vision to look beyond the Natural

A)Note Our vision for our children is NOT to be based upon the

natural abilities that they may, or may not, possess.

 

B) But It is to be based upon WHO GOD IS & HOW GOD might use them.

 { It is an easy mistake to make in looking at the NATURAL}

  1) Later in the history of Israel, a man named Jesse would make the mistake of looking at his sons in the natural, & so would a prophet named Samuel

 

C) The Lord would say to Sam. Go to Beth. The house of Jesse I have chosen one of his sons to be King – Go Anoint Him

1)   Jesses gathers all of his sons but one – the Runt –David

 

D) Samuel sees the First Eliab – thinks this guy would make a great King

1)   Tall handsome – rugged – God spoke to Samuel he is not the one – don’t look on the outward – man looks outward – I look at the heart

 

After going thru all seven Sons – Samuel says – Have any more ? David the Youngest was Chosen

A)Moses and David are good examples that Children are never too young to have a call of God upon their Lives

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you;I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

 

Psalm 139:14;16  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well..... 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)

 

So Amram & Jochebed were Parents of Vision

And Vision Breeds Bravery/ Boldness

A)Because they were PARENTS OF VISION they were willing to take risks in regards to their son. They Hid him for 3 months

 

B)This couple RISKED life and limb to see Moses preserved for the purposes of God.

 

2nd thing I want to note that we learn from their example is that there is a time for sheltering our Kids

A)We live a Hostile world – where there is a Pharaoh a Ruler / who wants to Destroy our Children

 

B) The Bible says  that Satan is the god / the ruler of this world / RULER of the system & mindset of this world

1)   Jesus said that Satan is a thief & a Robber who wants to Kill to Rob & to Destroy

 

C) I don’t think it is a Coincidence that most of the kids who have been arrested for School shooting or Violence

1) were into hard Rock music & Violent Video games

 

D) The Devil Knows the influence that the media has on our culture & on our kids & he is using it to his advantage

Average T.V. viewer sees 9,230 sexual acts or implied sexual acts on

     TV. Each yr. 83% are out of marriage / 10yrs over 93,000 sex acts

 

One out of three sexually active 12- to 18-year- olds reports that the media influenced their decision to engage in sexual intercourse.  They said TV and movies make it seem normal.

 

B) Average TV viewer will also see by the time 18 / 250,000 acts of violence on TV. - & 33,000 murders

 

Quote: --Ronald Brownstein of Premiere magazine "As an industry, Hollywood is remarkably blind to parents' anxieties. With the rarest of exceptions . . . industry executives still view the turmoil over content and marketing as political posturing rather than as a legitimate response to parents' concerns."

 

"Studios and advertising people and networks and sponsors are willing to pay a lot of money for advertising because they know how much it influences people and children watching TV, and yet they’re not willing to admit that violence that comes into the home has an effect on children. You can’t have it both ways."  Actress Michelle Pfeiffer -Premiere,

 

C) The BBC reported this past week – 5 elementary age students who broke open an electric pencil sharpener – tried to slit their wrists

1)   They were copying a scene from a recent Emmy Video where a disturbed fan – slits his wrist & commits suicide

 

D) There have been several wrecks where teens have been killed in the last several weeks – Mimicking the car races in Fast & the Furious

 

Advertisers are after our Kids according to article last month in the Washington post

A)Teen age Pop.  spends an estimated 150 billion dollars a yr on clothes and entertainment & other teen related things

 

B) Since 75 percent of all High school students have a television in their bedrooms. The average high schooler has been subjected to 10 million ads by the time he or she reaches 18 /  1,500 a day .

You have cable in the home – Remember the recent Victory won concerning – moving adds for R rated movies on Prime time

A)Movie Studios are spending big bucks to put those adds on  MTV which is in 78 million U.S. homes, where the average viewer is below 20 yrs of age

 

Last year, movie studios spent a total of $59.5 million on MTV, with $26.6 million -- or nearly 45 percent -- going to pitch R-rated movies, according to Competitive Media Reporting.

 

MTV features several shows on it’s network that are labeled for mature audiences because they feature heavy sexual or vulgar content – those shows average 1.7 million viewers - 40 % of them between the ages of 2 and 17,

 

B) The Affects are disturbing –Stats  Family Support Foundation

By the time they graduate from high school, 7 out 10 girls and 8 out of 10 boys will have had sexual intercourse.

 

More than one million teenage girls in the United States become pregnant every year. 600,000 have abortions

{ 1out of every 6 abortions girls who profess to be Christians }

Over 2.5 million new adolescent cases of sexually transmitted diseases occur every year.

 

Rates of substance abuse among children and teens are skyrocketing.

38% of all eight graders have experimented with illicit drugs.

 

 Over 80% of today's graduating seniors will have used alcohol, 42% will have used marijuana, and 52% will have used illicit drugs.

Murder rate for teens – rose 165% in last 10yrs

 

10% of adolescent boys and 18% of girls have made some attempt to take their own life.

 

C) Folks the Devil is doing a good Job of destroying our Kids

  1) We could go on & on talking pro Homo – in schools / Humanism

Listen parents you have a responsibility & a Right to Monitor what your kids do / where they go / what the Watch

A)We have a Responsibility for monitoring them & seeking to Shelter them from the Evil influences of our Society

 

B)There isn’t a Nile River that Satan wants to throw our kids into – but there is a Culture – that breeds rebellion / Hopelessness

1) He wants to get as many of our kids floating down that river as he possibly can But we can fight against that by Sheltering our kids

 

C) Home school / Private School / But most importantly – by keeping up on what your kids are doing playing – pay attention

1)   Don’t assume that it is OK – because they tell you it is Ok

 

D) Did you ever tell your parents something was ok – when it wasn’t ?

 

You will run the risk of being called over protective / Fuddy duddies

A)Your kids getting frustrated at you – Denise & I have experienced all of the above – but your Child’s Well fare is worth it

 

B) Friends w/ other Christian couples – make a pack – set a standard that you will adhere to – keep each other accountable to

 

C) Form an atmosphere where Non Christian kids will be attracted to the stability they see in our homes & lives

1)   { instead of our kids being attracted to the instability of the World }

 

D) Now there are 2 Reasons I have found that parents have for not wanting to shelter their kids in this way – 1st FEAR OF REBELLION

1)   Kids want Boundaries

 

E) Other reason – is because of CARNALITY the parents are into some of these things themselves – they don’t want to give them up

1)   It is hard to tell my kids not to listen to Secular music / if I do !! Hard to tell my teen not to watch Questionable movies / if I am

F) Some Parents will sacrifice their own – Children / instead of Sacrificing their own pleasure – when it comes to Entertainment

 

So Amram & Jochebed spent 3 months Sheltering & Hiding Moses / during that time they were doing what they could to get him ready for that day when they would have to LET HIM GO

 

Exodus 2:3 3But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank

 

She made an Ark / an Instrument of Salvation for Moses

A)She took this little basket & covered it w/ Pitch / Where did she get this idea – From the Word –

 

B)This woman constructed the means of her son’s salvation on the basis of what she had been told of another man who was delivered from destruction   

1)    in an ARK that was covered in PITCH- Man’s name was Noah / Ark was covered w/ pitch

 

C) One reason why - We need to be Men & Women of the Word

1)   Perhaps when she heard the story of Noah she saw nothing applicable to her life in the construction of Noah’s Ark.

 

D) But when her own son was threatened, that story flashed through her mind and she had a fresh and life saving application for it.

  1) You NEVER know when some SEEMINGLY unimportant part of Scripture will become CRITICAL & LIFESAVING to you or your children.

 

NOTE: The Holy Spirit brings to remembrance that which we have planted

Application: As we get into the Word of God, the Word of God gets into us.

 

AS it gets into us, it has a chance to make a difference in our children’s lives.      

         

Question where do you get your Insight from ?

A)Oprah ? Pop Psychology ? Friends who are not saved – all of the above are examples of Ungodly Counsel

 

B) Listen the word is our textbook for training & reaching our Children

 

2 Tim 3:16,17

16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

C) It is profitable for DOCTRINE (what is right), for REPROOF

(what is not right), for CORRECTION (how to get right),

1)   and for INSTRUCTION in righteousness (how to stay right).

 

Prov.6:23 23   For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light;  Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet & a light unto my path

 

Psa.19:8    The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

     The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

 

So thru the influence of the word – they made an instrument of Salvation for their Son

A)Parents especially younger kids – now is our time for creating an Ark / an Instrument of Salvation for our kids – How

 

B) We do that first & foremost by living our Faith – Live what I believe

1)   Letting them see – you praying / seeing how you handle situations

 

C) Seeing the things that you make a priority in your lives

1)   Talking to them about the things that you are praying about – not quick decisions -

 

D) My parents – Example just a little thing – Never bought anything couldn’t pay for w/ cash – never on Credit –

1)   Although my Dad didn’t make a lot – never in debt – never tried to live above our means – Denise & I have followed that -Never in debt

 

2nd Way that we make an instrument of Salvation for our kids is by sharing the word w/ them : Duet. 6:4-7 

4“Hear, O Israel: £The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

 6“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

 

A)Family Devotions – how often ? All the time – all day in the car / at the beach –

 

B) Aaron & I walk together – talking / things concerning him – people he was concerned about – Lets pray – I love you – Dad

Formal Devotions – When home together – do it – but informal just as good

 

C) So we Create a Covering of Salvation by covering them w/ the Word

Psalm 119:9     How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

11  Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

 

 130 The entrance of Your words gives light;It gives understanding to the simple.

 

 

3rd Way Cover them is by bringing them to Church

A)Participating in their Knowledge of the Lord

 

B) Learn the tough questions – Challenges they will face in Public school / College –

 

4th Pray : Lamentations 2:19 “Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.

     Lift your hands toward Him For the life of your young children,

 

 

So They made an Ark – an instrument of Salvation for their Son to be placed in – to Shelter him from the Worlds influence

A)Next They placed their Child into the very place where the other Children were being Killed – They Put him into the Nile

 

B) Listen we cannot shelter our kids forever -  there comes a time where we have to let them go –

1)    there comes a time after we have wrapped them in that instrument of Salvation that we have to turn them lose

 

C) There comes a time when we have to place them in this hostile world & trust THE LORD

1)   That time is different for each Child based upon their Physical & spiritual Maturity

 

D) Sometimes our kids don’t give us that Choice - I have talked to several parents lately whose kids are currently in rebellion

 1) { they have walked away from the Lord – what do ?

 

I think you do what the Father in Lk 15 did – Prodigal son – He let him Go – Prayed & watched

A) We need to believe that God will see them through the “river” experience that they are facing.

 

Prov.22:6 6     Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

B) I think what this is saying is even if they depart – at some time – they will come back – the Chances are greater

   1) Amram & Jochebed trusted in the faithfulness of God – Ex.2;4

C)Amazing - Moses was given back to his mother – but in a different Capacity – ( Paid to care for him )

 

Sometimes that Child returns – He/she is given back to us but in a different Capacity

A)They are no longer our little babies – they have experienced things we hoped they never would have / scarred to a degree

 

B) But that which the Devil meant for evil can be turned for good

1)   The yrs that the Locust have eaten the Lord is able to restore

 

C) Amram & Jochebed – trusted God – and He came thru for them / Moses was preserved & they watched Moses Prosper before their eyes

1)   40 yrs he would grow into a great leader – Trained to be next Pharaoh / for 40yrs – parents wonder was this God’s Plan for their Son

 

D) Moses Parents never saw the great Deliverer that He became – they died before He came to that place

1)    But God’s plan was carried out for that Boy they – in Faith sheltered and then turned over to the Lord –

 

E) Some of you are watching your kids wondering – What is going on ?

1)   Trust the Lord & His Word –

 

CONCLUSION   Influence For Good Or For Bad?

A)As parents  all of us will have either a positive or a negative influence upon our children in the things of God

 

B)What WE ARE with God is the first book that our children will ever read about God. What have they learned about God from YOU?

  1) Certainly your children must ultimately stand before God on their own.

       They MUST come to PERSONAL faith in Christ.

 

C) BUT – WE will answer for the kind of DIFFERENCE WE made in their lives, good or bad.

 

APPLICATION Are YOU saved today?

A) If not, you can ONLY influence them AWAY from God.

 

B) You will have NO prayer life, NOTHING from the Word to give to them, NO example for them to follow.

 

C) Are YOU backslidden today?- Then you are sending a powerful message to impressionable lives.

 

D) You are telling them that you can fool around with your life and God’s plan for your life.

1)   You are telling them that they can do whatever they want to do with their lives.

 

PARENTS THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE

A) Amram & Jochebed were  PARENTS OF VISION, / PARENTS OF THE WORD, and a PARENTS OF FAITH.

 

B) That is why they made a difference, NOT only in the life of their son, but in the life of a nation.

1)     What about You? Are YOU PARENTS OF VISION, / PARENTS OF THE WORD, and a PARENTS OF FAITH.

 

C) Such are the things that will enable YOU to make a difference in the lives of your children, and potentially the world.