Heb. 11:25 “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the...

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” Heb. 11:25Heb. 11:25

I. Moses ExampleI. Moses Example

Refused to be called son of Pharaoh’s Refused to be called son of Pharaoh’s daughterdaughter“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;” Heb. 11:24

40 years of age

Could have wealth and power

I. Moses ExampleI. Moses Example

Chose to suffer with the people of GodChose to suffer with the people of God“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” v. 25

Identified with a nation of slaves

Choice between temporary vanity and eternal glory

I. Moses ExampleI. Moses Example

Rather than enjoy pleasures of sinRather than enjoy pleasures of sin“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” v. 25

There is pleasure in sin

Moses turned away from them

That pleasure is short lived

I. Moses ExampleI. Moses Example

Reproach of ChristReproach of Christ“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:” v. 26

Reproach = ridicule, disgrace

A reproach like Christ’s

I. Moses ExampleI. Moses Example

Greater riches than the treasures in EgyptGreater riches than the treasures in Egypt“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:” v. 26

Reproach was of greater value

He would have received great riches if he had stayed in Egypt.

I. Moses ExampleI. Moses Example

Recompense of rewardRecompense of reward“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”v.26

Moses looked forward to the fulfillment of the promises

His reward was eternal

“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” Heb. 11:27Heb. 11:27

His reward was more than the earthly, it was everlasting life.

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

“O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.”

Jer. 15:15Jer. 15:15

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

Gen. 39:7-20Gen. 39:7-20

Potiphar’s wife lied about him

Put in prison

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

Daniel 3Daniel 3

Commanded to worship image or be cast into fiery furnace

Would rather suffer than sin

God spared them

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

Daniel 6Daniel 6

Told not to pray to God or he would be cast into a den of lions.

He was willing to suffer

God spared him

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job. 1:22Job. 1:22

Suffered affliction and heartacheWould rather suffer than sin.

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

Acts 16:22-24Acts 16:22-24

Cast evil spirit out of a manBeaten with whipsPrison – stocks on their feet.

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

Acts 6:9-7:60Acts 6:9-7:60He preached to the peopleThey gnashed on him with their teethMobbed him – stoned him to death

He died rather than sin.

II. Others who suffered rather II. Others who suffered rather than sinningthan sinning

Heb. 5:8-9Heb. 5:8-9 He was tempted

But he did not yieldHe was crucified rather than sin

III. Why we should choose toIII. Why we should choose toSuffer rather than sinSuffer rather than sin

1 Pet. 4:191 Pet. 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

1 Pet. 4:15-161 Pet. 4:15-16

14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1 Pet. 3:14-151 Pet. 3:14-15

16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 1 Pet. 3:16-171 Pet. 3:16-17

“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”

1 Pet. 2:201 Pet. 2:20

“...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Rev. 2:10 bRev. 2:10 b

23. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke 9:23-24Luke 9:23-24

IV. Times when we may have toIV. Times when we may have toSuffer rather than sinSuffer rather than sin1.Young people are tempted

Drinking Drugs Sexual ImpurityCursing Cheating

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” II Tim. 2:22II Tim. 2:22

IV. Times when we may have toIV. Times when we may have toSuffer rather than sinSuffer rather than sin2. Young Married Couples

Titus 2:4-8Titus 2:4-8

Older teach the younger

Marriage

Parenting

IV. Times when we may have toIV. Times when we may have toSuffer rather than sinSuffer rather than sin3. Older People

Titus 2:2-3Titus 2:2-3

Older people have temptations

Sometimes grow weary in well doing

Gal. 6:9Gal. 6:9

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33Matt. 6:33

Pleasures of sin are only for a season!

“That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” Job. 20:5Job. 20:5

It is better to suffer than to sin !

You will not loose when you…You will not loose when you…

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Morning Sept. 30, 2007