Progressive Faith - Part 1

Heb. 11:24-29  By faith Moses, when he was come to years (grew up), refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect for the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as if by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were drowned.

The life of Moses is the inspiring story of how the Progressive Faith of one man advanced an entire race of people.  These verses contain a 6 Step Progression of Faith that we all must take to advance in GOD, and along the way, inspiring others to do the same.

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1. By faith Moses, when he was come to years…

Entering the path of Progressive Faith begins with a decision to grow up.  There’s a time in life when you come to years.  Whether you grow up at 18, 28, or 58, coming to years isn't a numerical destination.  It's a moral destination.   Growing up begins with the decision to Change.

• The 1st thing Moses had to learn was that being desperate for change isn’t Faith. 
• Surrender to God is Faith! 
• Because Changing what’s wrong starts with Joining what’s Right.

James 4:7-8 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Rom. 8:13 For if you live by the dictates of your flesh, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

Coming to years and beginning to grow up starts by realizing that the world isn't going to change itself for you.   So Progressive Faith begins as a commitment to Change Yourself into a person who lives By Faith.

 

2. Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter

Your first Big Step on the path of Progressive Faith is a Negative Decision.  Moses’ Forward Progress began when he REFUSED to continue pursuing his familiar course in life.  This critical 1st step has to be complete.  If not, you won’t have Progressive Faith but Frustrated Faith, because it's constantly being undermined by double-mindedness, and the claims of your old life. 

Heb. 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Heb. 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Heb. 11:15 And truly, if they had been MINDFUL of that country from where they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

Heb. 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

 

Pilgrims of Faith REFUSE to settle where they are before they ever inherit where they’re going. 

Progressive Faith operates on The Promises of GOD (the Promise Land).  You must be willing to REFUSE to identify with where you are, solely on the Promise of where GOD is bringing you.

 

3. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season

The most important choices in life, especially when it comes to moving forward in Progressive Faith, are often unappealing & hard.  But we know they have to be made in order to move forward.  Wise people know how to CHOOSE against the current, rather than simply drifting toward what’s naturally appealing or EZ.   Jesus chose the cross. And so must we. If we don’t CHOOSE the cross, we miss the resurrection.  The greatest blessings come from CHOOSING what we need over what we want. 

 

4. Esteeming the reproach of Christ (to be) greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect for the recompense of the reward.

To move ahead in Progressive Faith you must learn GOD’s value system. That’s what Esteeming is.  You must calculate the value of following Jesus, and the things of GOD.  And then weigh it against the offers of the world.

Phil. 3:7-8 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,

Moses changed the Reward he sought because he made the ESTIMATION that the worth of God’s favor made the wealth & power of Egypt worthless! 

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches…   

The world will always downgrade you as a Follower of Jesus.  But YOU, as a person of Progressive Faith, must keep your Eyes on the Prize.  Jesus did…

Heb. 12:2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out before him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

That Joy set out before Him was having US with Him!  Someone who gave His life to share all the rewards of Heaven and Earth with you, is waiting up ahead for you. 

Keep your eyes focused on ESTEEMING The Reward!