Preparing for the Lord's Day
Jesus is Better
She was called Moses. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland, around the year 1822. From a young age she experienced firsthand many of the harsh realities of this institution. Yet in the face of her deprivation Tubman developed a deep faith in God, seeking to follow His will. In 1849 Tubman escaped to freedom in Pennsylvania, a ninety-mile trek taken on foot. However, Tubman could not remain passive when so many of her own family and friends remained enslaved. Risking her own newfound freedom and personal safety, she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a network of hidden routes leading slaves to freedom. She reportedly led thirteen trips out of the South; leading as many as seventy slaves to freedom. During the Civil War, she served as a scout and a nurse for the Union army and following the abolition of slavery continued to fight for civil rights. While she became famous for her courage and exploits, she was never financially rewarded for her work. Rather she looked to God for her reward. Throughout her whole life Tubman acted by faith in Jesus Christ, choosing the hard path because it was his path. As we read last week, her final words testify to her faith when she quoted Jesus’ word to his disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you.”
This week we continue our study of Hebrews chapter eleven, focusing our attention on Moses in verses 23-26. In these verses we are confronted with how faith is to affect our choices. Choices about our obedience, our identity, and our eternity. And what we will see is that to walk in faith, we too must choose to follow Christ above all else, looking not to earthly rewards but to the heavenly reward. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and meditate upon Hebrews 11:23-26, Exodus 1:8-2:10, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 14:33, Acts 5:29, Philippians 3:7-8, and this article on Harriet Tubman.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” the Acclamation of Praise “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and the Hymn of Response “Jesus Shall Reign.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives so that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Sermon Information
Text: Hebrews 11:23-26
Title: Faith’s Choices
Outline:
- Faith Chooses Obedience to God's Promises (verse 23)
- Faith Chooses Alignment with God's People (verses 24-25)
- Faith Chooses Pursuit of God's Reward (verse 26)