Sermon

Courageous Faith

July 5, 2026 Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Then folks, if you turn with me to the book of Hebrews, the letter to the Hebrews and chapter 11, that great faith chapter 11, that great faith chapter 11, and verse 23.
This is God's word. 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.
By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
By faith, he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
By faith, he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith, the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
Amen. May the Lord bless that reading of his own holy and inspired word to us.
And before we turn back to that this evening, let's again just commit our time once more to the Lord in prayer.
Let's pray.
Amen.
Amen.
And so, Lord, we pray that now you might speak.
We thank you for the examples that are set before us in your word.
Great examples of faithfulness.
Great examples of those who are willing to place their trust in you, regardless of what perhaps the world around about them was doing or what it might have thought.
We thank you for their faithfulness.
We thank you that Abel brought a sacrifice that was pleasing to you and he was commended as righteous.
We thank you that Enoch walked with the Lord and did not taste death.
We thank you for Noah, who was willing to exercise obedience in a crooked generation.
We thank you for Abraham, who was willing to go, though he didn't know where, willingly with the Lord.
We thank you for the patriarchs, those who were willing to exercise a future faith, though they did not realize some of the promises in their lifetime.
And, Lord, we thank you for Moses.
We thank you for a courageous faith, a faith willing to stand apart, a faith willing to go the difficult route in the eyes of the world.
We thank you for his example.
And we thank you for what we can glean from that even yet this evening.
And so we pray that through the truth of your word you may speak and your spirit may come upon us in power, that you might move amongst us, that you may stir our hearts, that you may fan into flame that fervent and earnest prayerful desire,
that we may know you and grow in you and walk with you closer and learn more of you.
We thank you, Lord God, for the capacity that you give to us, the opportunity afforded to us to learn more of you, to understand more about you.
And we pray, Father, that the faith that we are blessed with and the understanding that we are given may translate into a practical application of that faith that may be evident to the world around about us,
that we may be delighted to learn more of you and to learn more about us, that we may be delighted in the things of God,
growing more like you as we walk the path of sanctification, as we look forward to the great promise of glorification.
For we recognize, Lord God, that the present sufferings that we encounter are not worth comparing with the crown of glory which awaits us.
And so we pray that we might live with that welcome of Christ etched into the forefront of our minds.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Lord, that we may be good and faithful, that we may pursue the things of eternal worth,
that we may shift our eyes from the temporal transient passing things of this world,
and that we may look to the one who has the greatest treasure of all,
that we might have the faith of Moses to look past the immediate treasure of Egypt and see the unsearchable riches of Christ.
And so, Lord, we pray that you might be at work in our hearts this evening,
still our hearts, lead us in the way everlasting,
give us your joy, we pray, in Jesus' name.
Amen.
We live in an information generation.
We have access nowadays to more information than anybody in human history.
Right at our fingertips, usually by means of a phone or device of some sort,
we can search for just about any answer to any question at all.
Information is no longer an issue for us.
We have access to it easily.
And every day we are faced with claims,
claims that require verification.
We might listen to news reports.
We may hear news bulletins.
We may read social media posts.
We might hear political promises.
We may read advertising slogans.
And all of these things invite us to ask the question,
is that true?
Information is not the issue,
but discernment to determine whether what we're looking at,
listening to, or reading,
whether or not that is verifiably true,
becomes the big challenge for us in the modern world.
You know, the writer to the Hebrews invites us to conduct a different kind of fact check this evening.
Not a fact check of God's promises.
Not a fact check of Scripture,
although they stand up to scrutiny, I can assure you.
But he asks us to check ourselves,
to examine our own hearts,
to verify our own faith,
and how does he do that?
He presents to us this myriad of people,
these 18 examples of faith that are contained within this chapter.
It's this gallery of believers
who show us what true biblical faith looks like.
And we see the fruit that comes from their faith
as they exercise that faith in their lives.
Throughout this chapter,
faith in God leads people
to pursue particular,
certain patterns of living.
By faith,
Abel was willing to offer
a more acceptable sacrifice to God
than his brother Cain.
And he was commended as righteous for it.
And indeed, it cost him
his life.
By faith,
Enoch walked with the Lord
and he was commended
for that.
By faith,
Noah constructed an ark,
much to the amusement
of the watching world,
who were saying,
flood,
what flood,
as they continued to live
in rebellious abandon.
Abraham,
he obeyed the Lord,
not knowing where he was going,
but willing to follow the call.
By faith,
Isaac and Joseph
and Jacob
exhibited a future faith.
But the point of this chapter
that is not merely intended
to inspire admiration,
though it does that.
What it's intended to do
is provoke examination.
So it's not just to
inspire admiration,
but it is to provoke
examination.
We are meant to ask
as we read these words
and as we consider these examples,
does my faith resemble that?
Do I trust God's promises
like they did?
Am I willing
to obey God
when it costs me personally
as these people did?
Does my life
demonstrate a confidence
in the things unseen?
Well, this evening
we come to Moses
and Moses receives
more attention
in Hebrews 11
than just about
anyone else.
Why?
Well, could we say
it's because
Moses demonstrated
a courageous faith?
A faith under pressure?
A faith when
powerful rulers
opposed God?
A faith when
worldly success
beckoned?
A faith when
worldly comfort
was offered?
A faith when
suffering
was to be embraced?
A faith
that was
steadfast
in the face
of the uncertain?
A faith that was
obedient
even when
it looked foolish
to the watching
world?
Many of these challenges
are still faced
by Christian believers
today.
They are
challenges
that we may
you may be facing
within your own lives
and within your own
experiences
right at this
very moment.
And so we're
left with a question
at the outset.
When we
examine
our faith
against the
faith of Moses
and those
contained within
this chapter
what do we
find?
What do
we find?
Do we find
a courageous
faith
like Moses
exhibited?
Or are there
areas
that require
a wee bit
of input?
A little bit
of
improvement?
You know
Moses
exhibited
a courageous
faith
because
he made
certain
choices
in
his life
and I want
to look
at five
of them
briefly
this evening
as we
consider
Moses'
life
and his
courageous
faith.
His faith
was a faith
that trusts
a faith
that chooses
a faith
that endures
a faith
that rests
and a faith
and a faith
that obeys.
Firstly then
a faith
that trusts.
Moses'
faith
trusted God's
purposes
despite
present
danger.
Verse 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.
even
before
Moses
has
a faith
his
parents
exhibit
a great
and a
fearless
faith.
A reminder
to us
especially
those of
us
who are
parents
that our
faith
matters
and our
example
matters
and what
we do
may have
future
impact
in
generations
to come.
But we
read in
Exodus

Exodus 1 chapter mention
chapter 1
that it
was a
dark
period
in
Israel's
history.
They
were as
a nation
enslaved
and Pharaoh
who had
them
enslaved
feared
their
growing
numbers.
And so
he orders
the
indiscriminate
slaughter
of Hebrew
baby
boys.
This is
state
sponsored
evil.
This is
government
authority
being used
to oppose
God's
purposes
and to
snuff
out
vulnerable
life.
We may
say well
what's the
difference
to 2026?
Because
that is
still
happening.
As we
see
abortion
on
the
increase
but that's
a different
matter
not for
this
evening.
But
Moses'
parents
refused
to
comply.
Exodus
tells us
that they
saw that
the child
was special
that he
was
beautiful
and that
by faith
they acted.
By faith
they believed
God's
covenant
promises
and they
acted
according
to them.
Pharaoh
looked
powerful
he looked
imposing
fearful
of him
I'm sure
they were
but they
recognized
that God's
promise
was greater
that God's
promises
were stronger
and so they
acted
according
to their
faith.
faith.
They
didn't
act
recklessly
they
did
not
act
carelessly
but they
did
act
courageously.
Throughout
history
throughout
church
history
believers
have often
faced
moments
when
obedience
to God
conflicts
with the
spirit
of the
age.
That is
the case
today
as it
was
in
Moses
parents
day.
If we
stand
firm
for the
Lord
it may
cost
us.
It may
cost
us
significantly.
In
many
workplaces
today
a Christian
believer
is
under
pressure
to
affirm
that
which
the
Bible
does
not
affirm.
Students
and
pupils
in
schools
are
forced
to
remain
silent
about
biblical
truths
as
propaganda
of
one
kind
or
another
is
peddled.
Business
owners
face
ethical
decisions
that
may
cost
them
dearly
financially
because
of
their
faith.
But
the
question
comes
in
all
of
these
circumstances
who
or
what
do
we
fear?
Will
we
fear
God
or will
we
fear
the
current
spirit
of the
age
the
people
around
about
us?
Moses
parents
feared
the
Lord
because
their
faith
saw
beyond
the
immediate
threat
of
Pharaoh.
their
faith
remembered
that
every
earthly
power
is
temporary
but
God's
kingdom
is
not.
It
is
eternal.
And
so
they
acted
according
to
their
faith
according
to
the
promises
that
they
knew
they
trusted
in
God
despite
present
danger.
the
question
for us
is
when
pressure
comes
and
if
you're
a
Christian
believer
and
you're
living
faithfully
and
unashamedly
for
the
gospel
that
pressure
will
come
that
opposition
will
come
and
so
the
question
is
do
we
compromise
do
we
compromise
quickly
do
we
remain
silent
when
we
should
have
spoken
do
we
trust
God's
sovereignty
and
his
power
even
when
the
circumstances
around
about
us
may
feel
imposing
and
threatening
you see
faith
does
not
eliminate
fear
but
faith
obeys
God
despite
that
fear
and
so
we
see
a
faith
that
trusts
God
despite
the
present
danger
secondly
in
verses
24
to
26
we
see
a
faith
that
chooses
!
a
faith
that
chooses
Christ
over
the
world's
treasures
by
faith
Moses
when he
was
grown
up
refused
to
be
called
the
son
of
Pharaoh's
daughter
choosing
rather
to be
mistreated
with
the
people
of
God
than
to
enjoy
the
fleeting
pleasures
of
sin
he
considered
the
reproach
of
Christ
greater
than
the
treasures
of
Egypt
for
he
was
looking
forward
to
his
reward
this
has
got
to
be
one
of
the
greatest
renunciations
in
scripture
Moses
you could
say
had landed
on his
feet
he had
it
all
he had
access
to
power
and
prestige
and
privilege
he had
access
to
education
and
status
and
comfort
and
influence
faith
and
he
left
at
the
center
of
the
greatest
empire
of
his
day
humanly
speaking
Moses
had
made
it
he
landed
on
his
feet
he
won
life's
lottery
and
yet
he
renounces
it
he
refuses
it
he
walks
away
from
it
why
because
faith
changes
how we
evaluate
life
faith
changes
how we
evaluate
life
notice
the three
deliberate
choices
that Moses
makes
here
number one
he refuses
he refuses
to be
known
as
Pharaoh's
daughter
a reminder
to us
that sometimes
faith says
no
that can
be one of
the most
difficult
words
for us
to learn
can't
it
in life
we think
we have
to be
open
to
everything
we think
we have
to say
yes
to
everything
but
sometimes
faith
leads
us
to say
no
there
are
identities
and
opportunities
that are
offered
by the
world
that
we
cannot
accept
because
we
will
capitulate
to their
way of
thinking
we will
assimilate
into
their
mindset
we will
compromise
our
faith
so
sometimes
we
have
to
refuse
Moses
would not
allow himself
to be
defined
by
Egyptian
privilege
as
alluring
and as
enticing
I'm sure
as that
may have
been
he'd
rather
identify
himself
with the
Lord's
covenant
people
so he
refuses
but he
also
chooses
he chose
rather
to be
mistreated
with
the
people
of
God
than
to
enjoy
the
fleeting
pleasures
of
sin
astonishing
Moses is
willing to
turn away
from
privilege
and
comfort
and
ease
and
prestige
and to
enter
into a
life of
suffering
not because
suffering in
itself is
good or
inviting
but because
faith values
the Lord
above
comfort
so he
refuses
he chooses
and he
considers
he
considered
the
reproach
of Christ
greater
wealth
than the
treasures
of Egypt
what does
considered
mean
it means
he calculated
!
it means
he evaluated!
it means
he considered
carefully
he did
the
maths
he looked
at
Egypt's
treasures
and they
would have
been vast
and amazing
and enticing
but then he
considered them
in light of
God's
promises
and they
paled into
insignificance
he concluded
that God's
promises
were worth
infinitely
more
than the
treasures
of Egypt
and he
regarded
disgrace
for the
sake
of
Christ
the
reproach
of
Christ
now if
you're
awake
after your
Sunday
lunch
at the
moment
you might
be thinking
to yourself
hang on
a minute
Moses
was born
way before
Jesus
was
how on
earth
can we
be talking
about the
reproach
of Christ
here because
salvation is
always through
Christ
the Old
Testament
saints
looked
forward
to the
Messiah
that was
to come
believing
that he
would come
trusting
that he
would come
just as we
look back
and as we
give thanks
for what
has been
accomplished
on our
behalf
and so
faith
asks the
question
what is
more
valuable
immediate
gain
or faithfulness
to the
Lord
was it not
Jesus himself
who said
for what
good is
it for
a man
to gain
the whole
world
yet forfeit
his soul
Moses
understood
that
and Moses
was willing
to turn
away from
the immediate
gain
the immediate
ease
the immediate
goodness of
Egypt and
all that it
had to offer
in order to
exercise a
faithfulness
to God
yeah
Egypt looked
impressive
and the
riches
looked
enticing
but he
recognized
they were
temporary
they were
temporary
what are
the treasures
of Egypt
in your
life
at the
moment
career
advancement
at any
cost
financial
security
is the
ultimate
goal
social
acceptance
personal
autonomy
comfort
and convenience
etc
etc
now none
of these
things in
and of
themselves
are evil
but they
become
dangerous
when they
take the
throne of
our lives
when they
compete
with Christ
so we
have to
check our
faith
fact
check our
faith
against
the likes
of Moses
what would
we
willingly
refuse
for
Christ
what would
you
willingly
sacrifice
in this
world
of
temporary
gain
for
Christ
what are
you
willing
to
lose
what are
you
unwilling
to
lose
your
answer
reveals
where your
true treasure
lies
Moses was
willing to
turn
from that
there was a
faith that
trusted
despite
present
danger
there was a
faith that
chooses
Christ
over and
above all
of the
riches
of this
world
verse 27
we see a
faith that
endures
a faith that
perseveres
because it
sees the
unseen
king
by faith
Moses left
Egypt
not being
afraid of
the anger
of the
king
for he
endured
as seeing
him
who is
invisible
Moses
persevered
in
hardship
he endured
the difficulty
because he
saw
with eyes
of faith
the
invisible
God
Pharaoh
was visible
strong
and imposing
powerful
God
was invisible
Pharaoh
seemed
powerful
God
could have
appeared
absent
and yet
Moses
he understood
reality
correctly
he understood
that the
invisible
God
was
infinitely
more
powerful
than
Pharaoh
if you go
home this
evening
and you
read
through
Pharaoh
through
Exodus
you'll read
a familiar
statement
from
Pharaoh
again and
again
who is
the Lord
he says
that's the
central question
in his
mind
because he
himself
believes
that he
is the
sovereign
that he
is the
one
in charge
that he
is the
one who
has all
power
how wrong
he was
the plagues
exposed that
truth
or that
claim
shall we
say
the Exodus
exposed that
claim
the Red Sea
reveals
the true
king
the one
alone who
has all
power
and all
dominion
and all
authority
you know
it's easy
for us
today as
Christian
believers
in modern
Scotland
to feel
increasingly
marginalized
maligned
and mocked
for our
faith
our convictions
can appear
to a
tolerant
and progressive
Scotland
weak
we can
fear
media
influence
or
academic
authority
or political
power
but appearances
can be
deceptive
Moses
reminds us
of that
because
we follow
the one
who is
above all
things
the one
who is
the king
of kings
the lord
of the lords
the one
in whom
all things
are possible
as we close
with this
morning
the one
who is
able to
do
immeasurably
more
than all
we could
ask
or even
imagine
and so
we can
stand
we can
endure
we can
persevere
even through
the hardest
of times
because we
look to
the one
who is
unchanging
and who
has promised
us
that there
is no
one
and nothing
that can
snatch
us
from his
hand
our faith
is rooted
in the one
who is
sovereign
not just
claims to
be
how do
we endure
difficult
seasons of
life
as Christian
believers
is it by
positive
thinking
no
is it by
self-confidence
absolutely
not
is it by
sheer
determination
no
we endure
by fixing
our eyes
on Jesus
the author
and the
sustainer
of
our
faith
and so
we have
another
question
what
dominates
our
thinking
what
dominates
your
thinking
is it
the visible
the temporary
or is it
the invisible
the eternal
Moses
was
resolute
in his
faith
and he
persevered
because he
looked
to the
Lord
and not
to the
immediate
fourthly
we see
a faith
that
rests
a faith
that
rests
in God's
provision
for salvation
verse 28
by faith
Moses kept
the Passover
and sprinkled
the blood
so that the
destroyer
of the
firstborn
might not
touch
them
the Passover
stands at the
heart of
Exodus
judgment
is coming
the firstborn
will die
Israel
well Israel
deserved judgment
just as much
as Egypt
did
the distinction
was not
that Israel
was righteous
and Egypt
was wicked
no the
distinction
was that
Israel
trusted
God's
provision
a lamb
dies
the blood
is spilt
the blood
is applied
to the
doorposts
and the
lintels
and the
judgment
of God
passes
over
the Passover
points us
to Christ
our Passover
lamb
here comes
the
sinless
spotless
lamb of
God
who takes
away
the sin
of the
world
salvation
comes
not by
effort
not through
morality
not through
religious
activity
salvation
comes
is applied
is received
in and through
Christ
and him
alone
for the
Lord's
people
if the
blood was
on the
door
they were
safe
a
frightened
Israelite
under
the blood
was safe
a confident
Israelite
under the
blood
was
safe
their
safety
rested
not on
the
strength
of their
faith
but on
the
object
of their
faith
who is
the
object
of your
faith
what
is the
object
of your
faith
if it's
anything
other than
Christ
himself
it will
fail you
your
church
attendance
your
religious
activity
your
moral
respectability
your
hard work
your
endurance
your
status
your
standing
irrelevant
how much
wealth
you amass
how much
you achieve
and accomplish
in your
career
irrelevant
the
answer of
Exodus
is a
reminder
to us
that only
the blood
saves
only those
who are
under the
blood
of the
lamb
are
saved
Moses
rested
in that
are you
resting
in that
his faith
was courageous
because it
trusted
it chose
it endured
it rested
in the
provision of
God
and fifthly
and finally
his faith
obeyed
even
when God's
commands
seemed
unusual
even
when God's
commands
seemed
unusual
by faith
the people
crossed the
Red Sea
as if
on
dry
land
after that
in the
next verse
the walls
of Jericho
fall down
again
because
of faith
stand at
the sea
and wait
the sea
on one
side
and an
Egyptian
army
approaching
on the
other
stand
wait
we could
have died
in Egypt
they say
Moses
says
wait
and see
what God
will do
march
around
the city
march
around
the city
seems
not like
the greatest
military
strategy
ever
and yet
as they
exercised
faith
the sea
is parted
and the
walls
fall
down
the point
being
that
God's
ways
are not
our
ways
and
sometimes
we just
have to
stand
and wait
to see
what God
will
do
many
aspects
of the
Christian
faith
would seem
foolish
to the
world
around
about
us
forgive
your
enemies
why
love
those
who
oppose
you
why
prioritize
gathering
together
as the
Lord's
people
why
give
generously
why
pray
consistently
why
how can
that
possibly
work
says
the
unbeliever
we say
because God
has spoken
and that
is
enough
if our
trust
is in
him
so as
we
conclude
then
let's
review
the
evidence
Moses
teaches
us
that
a
courageous
faith
is a
faith
that
trusts
God
despite
danger
it's a
faith
that
chooses
Christ
over
every
worldly
treasure
it's a
faith
that
endures
by
fixing
its
eye
on
the
invisible
God
it's
a
faith
that
rests
entirely
upon
God's
provision
for
salvation
and
is a
faith
that
obeys
God's
word
even
when
the
path
seems
unclear
and so
Hebrews
11
is not
merely
to
inspire
admiration
although
it does
that
but it
is
to
examine
ourselves
examine
where we
stand
and
who
we
are
when
the
world
pressures
us
what
do
we
do
when
comfort
competes
with
Christ
what
do
we
choose
when
trials
come
where
do
we
look
when
we
think
about
salvation
and
what
are
we
trusting
when
God
commands
do
we
obey
if
you're
like
me
and
you
answer
those
questions
what
you'll
say
is
well
I
fail
I
fail
to
measure
up
well
the
good
news
is
we're
not
alone
Moses
himself
failed
didn't
he
he
sinned
he
doubted
he
disobeyed
the
point
is
that
Hebrews
11
is
not
pointing
us
to
heroes
but
it's
pointing
us
to
the
hero
who
they
worshipped
chapter
12
reminds
us
of
that
therefore
as
a
result
of
all
of
these
people
all
of
these
examples
of
faith
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
looking
to
Jesus
the
founder
and
perfecter
the
author
the
pioneer
of
our
faith
that
is
is
to
whom
we
are
to
look
Jesus
Moses
left
Pharaoh's
palace
Jesus
left
heaven's
glory
Moses
identified
with
God's
people
Christ
became
one
of
us
Moses
delivered
Israel
from
slavery
Christ
delivers
us
from
sin
and
death
Moses
led
through
the
Red
Sea
Jesus
leads
us
through
judgment
and
into
eternal
life
Moses
trusted
God's
provision
Christ
became
God's
provision
I wonder
this evening
are you
looking
to Christ
because
every
example
in
Hebrews
11
directs
our
attention
to
him
may
God
grant
each
and
every
one
of
us
a
faith
that
trusts
chooses
endures
rests
and
obeys
until
the
day
that
we
see
by
sight
and
not
just
by
faith
let's
pray
God
our
father
we
thank
you
for
your
word
and
for
its
challenge
to
us
for
the
inspiration
contained
within
it
and
the
example
set
forth
for
us
we
pray
that
we
might
exhibit
that
same
courageous
faith
that
Moses
had
by
trusting
and
choosing
and
persevering
and resting
and obeying
until you
return
we ask
in Jesus
name
amen
folks
we're
going to
conclude
this
evening's
worship
singing
to
God's
praise
from
psalm
105
in the
Scottish
Psalter
psalm
105
in the
Scottish
Psalter
we're
going to
sing
the
verses
mark
1
to
5
to
God's
praise
to
the
tune
Petersham
give
thanks
to
God
call
on
his
name
to
men
his
deeds
make
known
sing
ye
to
him
sing
psalms
proclaim
his
wondrous
works
each
one
psalm
105
page
374
verses
1
to
5
and if
you're
able
please
stand
and
sing
together
psalm
to
him
sing
psalm
to
God
all
on
his
sing
to
men
this
peace
take
Lord
sing
ye
to
him
sing
sounds
proclaim
his
what
does
fight
each
one
sing
that
he
in
his
holy
name
to
glory
do
accord
and
let
the
heart
of
everyone
rejoice
and
seek
the
Lord
a
Lord
almighty
and
his
name
with
strength
fast
hearts
seek
he
his
blessed
and
his
gracious
grace
seek
he
continually
think
all
the
works
that
he
hath
done
which
admiration
be
his
wonders
and
the
judgments
all
which
wrongness
mouth
proceed
and now
to him
who is able
to keep
you from
stumbling
and to
present you
blameless
before the
presence of
his glory
with great
joy
to the
only God
our
saviour
through
Jesus
Christ
our
Lord
be
glory
majesty
dominion
and
authority
before
all
time
now
and
forever
and all
God's
people
say
Amen