Choices Begin at Home

A Life of Choices  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  47:57
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The choices Moses made had their foundation laid by the choices made in his home. Discover three steps to take to lay a foundatoin of godly choices in your own family.

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How did your week go this week as you made the choice to walk by faith in the God you couldn’t see?
I have heard stories of how God has used those truths, and I pray he will continue to do so.
He made choices throughout his life that allowed him to be used of God to do incredible things. He had a unique relationship with God that was unlike many in Scripture.
- He made choices throughout his life that allowed him to be used of God to do incredible things. He had a unique relationship with God that was unlike many in Scripture.
We are looking in these days at the life of an incredible man named Moses. He made choices throughout his life that allowed him to be used by God to do incredible things.
As we look at his life, we are looking then at what it looks like to live a life of choices that define us as people who take God seriously and seek to honor him.
He made choices throughout his life that allowed him to be used of God to do incredible things. He had a unique relationship with God that was unlike many in Scripture.
We are going to see some stories that are amazing, and we are going to see that Moses made some incredibly difficult choices along the way.
How did he become such an incredible man?
- How did he become such an incredible man?
- This morning, we’re going to find out.
Although we talked about it some last week, we want to take some more time this morning to look at the foundation that Moses had at home that helped him choose to honor God the way he did.
- One of the major contributing factors to what God did in and through Moses was the faith of his parents.
One of the major contributing factors to what God did in and through Moses was the faith of his parents.
I want you to see this morning that a life of choices begins at home.
- I want you to see this morning that a life of choices begins at home.
We’re going to be looking at this morning, where we see that Moses’ parents lived out a life of godliness in some major ways.
- We’re going to be looking at Exodus 2 this morning, where we see that Moses’ parents lived out before him a life of godliness.
- Moses’ successes in life were due in large part to the choices his parents made laid the foundation for him to make choices throughout his life to follow God in the hard times.
Moses’ successes in life were due in large part to the choices his parents made laid the foundation for him to make choices throughout his life to follow God in the hard times.
- Before we go any further, I don’t want you to check out on me. You may be sitting here saying, “I am not a parent,” or, “My kids are grown and gone.” Don’t let that stop you from being an example to someone younger. Maybe it’s your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, younger cousins, or neighbors’ kids.
Before we go any further, I don’t want you to check out on me. You may be sitting here saying, “I am not a parent,” or, “My kids are grown and gone.” Don’t let that stop you from being an example to someone younger. Maybe it’s your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, younger cousins, or neighbors’ kids.
Perhaps it’s these great kids that God has brought us at this church.
- Perhaps it’s these great kids that God has brought us at this church.
- However you may be connected to these who are younger than you, realize that you can help them see that a life of choices begins at home. You can model for them the same things Moses’ mom and dad modeled for him.
However you may be connected to these who are younger than you, realize that you can help them see that a life of choices begins at home. You can model for them the same things Moses’ mom and dad modeled for him.
- We don’t know a lot about the way his parents lived, but what we do know is impressive.
We don’t know a lot about the way his parents lived, but what we do know is impressive.
- Moses’ parents names were Amram and Jochebed (see Exodus 6:20). They had three kids. Moses had a brother named Aaron who was three years older than him and a sister named Miriam.
Moses’ parents names were Amram and Jochebed (see ). They had three kids. Moses had a brother named Aaron who was three years older than him and a sister named Miriam.
Look with me at chapter 2 of Exodus to see how the faith of his parents was displayed.
- Look with me at chapter 2 of Exodus to see how the faith of his parents was displayed.
Let’s read this and then talk through the story to make sense of it all.
- If you’re going to show your kids how to make godly choices, you have to pray that God will allow you to do what Moses’ mom and dad did.
If you’re going to show your kids how to make godly choices, you have to pray that God will allow you to do what Moses’ mom and dad did.
- What, exactly did they do? I’m glad you asked!
What, exactly did they do? I’m glad you asked!
- We’ll see three different actions that Moses’ mom and dad took that laid that crucial foundation for him.
We’ll see three different actions that Moses’ mom and dad took that laid that crucial foundation for him.
- The first thing we must do is…
The first thing we must do is…
I) Recognize God’s Plan for Your Family (v. 2 - “saw he was beautiful”)

1) Recognize God’s plan for your family.

- Both here and Hebrews 11 that we looked at last week mention that Moses was a beautiful baby.
Both here in verse 2 and that we looked at last week mention that Moses was a beautiful baby.
That seems like somewhat of a funny statement, doesn’t it?
- That seems like somewhat of a funny statement, doesn’t it?
Aren’t all babies beautiful?
- Aren’t all babies beautiful?
- Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say about babies and brides, “I have never seen an ugly baby, but I have seen a few that just did make it!”
Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say about babies and brides, “I have never seen an ugly baby, but I have seen a few that just did make it!”
- It doesn’t seem like this is what they are focused on here. The focus is that Moses’ parents knew there was something special about this baby.
It doesn’t seem like this is what they are focused on here. The focus is that Moses’ parents knew there was something special about this baby.
It’s hard to put your finger on it, but there is just something special about him.
- It’s hard to put your finger on it, but there is just something special about him.
I served as an intern at a large church in Memphis while I was in seminary. Since it was a big church, there were a lot of babies that were dedicated. It got to be somewhat routine until this one particular dedication. I have no idea who the child was or what parents were involved, but something was different. God’s presence was there in a unique way, and you knew that something special was in store for at least one of those kids.
I used to work with baby dedications when we were at Bellevue. Since it was a big church, there were a lot of babies that were dedicated. It got to be somewhat routine until this one particular dedication. I have no idea who the child was or what parents were involved, but something was different. God’s presence was there in a unique way, and you knew that something special was in store for at least one of those kids.
Perhaps that’s what Amram and Jochebed saw in Moses. Sure, they loved Aaron and Miriam…but they just knew God had something incredible in store for Moses.
- Perhaps that’s what Amram and Jochebed saw in Moses. Sure, they loved Aaron and Miriam…but they just knew God had something incredible in store for Moses.
Isn’t it incredible that God has a unique plan for each and every child that is conceived?
- Isn’t it incredible that God has a unique plan for each of our kids?
We teach and believe that every human being has worth, value, and dignity from the very moment of conception, because every human life is created by God and formed by him:

Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD,

offspring, a reward.

Psalm 139:13 CSB
For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
- I can’t help but think of Joshua 29:11, where God declares that He has a unique plan for each of us.
We are going to come back to this more in a minute, but Moses’ mom and dad knew that God was the one who put Moses together.
Do you think they wondered, “Why, God? Why wouldn’t you let him be born sometime before or after the king’s edict? Couldn’t we have had Moses and Aaron first and then Miriam so we wouldn’t have to face this?”
Listen to me: from the moment of conception, those two cells that have joined is a human life.
God knew when the world would need Moses, so God brought him into the world at just the right time.
As Randy Alcorn, an author and pro-life advocate has stated before, “Something doesn’t become a human by getting older and bigger.”
That is also why we are working to help the kids at Montgomery Central know they have worth and dignity as we collect supplies for them, because they too are created in the image of God just like anyone else.
That is why part of the money we give through the Cooperative Program goes to fund ministries to orphans and foster children, with the goal of getting them into homes where they can be loved and cared for as they should be.
That fits with the rest of what David goes on to say about God’s plan for each life in :
Psalm 139:15–16 CSB
My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.
- I also think of Psalm 139:
I also think of :
Moses’ mom and dad knew that this child they held in their arms was uniquely created by God for a distinct purpose, and therefore they didn’t care what the king or anyone else said, they were going to do whatever it took to preserve his life.
“My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.” (, NASB95)
“My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:15–16, NASB95)
You may not look at your kid and think they are the next Moses whom God will use to redirect the course of history, but they could be!
- You may not look at your kid and think they are the next Moses whom God will use to redirect the course of history, but they could be!
Or, they could be the man or the woman who serves faithfully in whatever place God has called them to serve, doing the job God has called them to do, faithfully following throughout the rest of their lives.
- Or, they could be the man or the woman who serves faithfully in whatever place God has called them to serve, doing the job God has called them to do, faithfully following throughout the rest of their lives.
However big or small, the kids around you have within them the potential to fulfill a unique place in God’s kingdom that only they can fill.
- However big or small, the kids around you have within them the potential to fulfill a unique place in God economy that only they can fill.
- Amram and Jochebed recognized that about Moses, and so they acted like it.
Amram and Jochebed recognized that about Moses, and so they acted like it.
- Do you recognize that God has a unique plan for your kids, no matter how old they are? For your grandkids, for the kids at church; helping them choose godliness starts at home, by recognizing that these kids will grow up to do great things for the kingdom of God.
Do you recognize that God has a unique plan for your kids, no matter how old they are? For your grandkids, for the kids at church; helping them choose godliness starts at home, by recognizing that these kids will grow up to do great things for the kingdom of God.
- Recognizing that is the first step in laying the foundation.
Recognizing that is the first step in laying the foundation.
The next step is quite a bit harder:
- The next step is quite a bit harder:

2) Stand for what is right.

II) Stand for What’s Right (v. 2 – “kept him alive;” Heb. 11:23 – “not afraid of the king’s edict.”)
Moses’ mom and dad were willing to act on what they knew to be true.
You see, it’s one thing to recognize that God can do great things in the life of the kids around you; it’s another matter entirely to create an environment around them where they can thrive.
- You see, it’s one thing to recognize that God can do great things in the life of the kids around you; it’s another matter entirely to create an environment around them where they can thrive.
They knew that God wanted to do extraordinary things through them.
Here’s a thought about that: you can’t see do extraordinary things for God if you always choose what is ordinary.
In other words, if you are going to choose to honor God, your life can’t look the same as everyone else around you.
You see, it’s one thing to recognize that God can do great things in the life of the kids around you; it’s another matter entirely to create an environment around them where they can thrive.
If you are going to do that, you must make the hard choice to stand for what is right.
- If you are going to do that, you must make the hard choice to stand for what is right.
- For Moses’ parents, those choices started at birth. They had to directly disobey the order of the king of one of the largest empires in the world to keep their son alive.
For Moses’ parents, those choices started at birth. They had to directly disobey the order of the king of one of the largest empires in the world to keep their son alive.
Can you imagine the turmoil here? This is an incredibly difficult decision! Do you kill your own child to save your life, or do you risk everything you have and everything you are to keep this child alive.
- Can you imagine the turmoil here? This is an incredibly difficult decision! Do you kill your own child to save your life, or do you risk everything you have and everything you are to keep this child alive.
- Throughout history, God has called people to make these tough choices.
Throughout history, God has called people to make these tough choices.
Let me take a moment and pull us out of the home for a minute and into the world around us.
For us, in our world today, we are faced with a dilemma of what to do when someone finds themselves facing an unexpected pregnancy.
We are told that you should be free to have sex without consequences, so if you get pregnant and don’t want the baby for whatever reason, we have either a series of pills to take or a quick procedure that can take care of that for you.
We have just said that we believe that every human life, from the moment of conception through the moment they enter eternity, has been created by God with dignity and worth as one made in his image.
Listen to me: from the moment of conception, those two cells that have joined is a human life.
As Randy Alcorn, an author and pro-life advocate has stated before, “Something doesn’t go from non-human to human by getting older and bigger.”
It is our job, as those who understand what God has said in his word, to do everything we can to protect life and to seek to alleviate human suffering whenever possible.
That is why we strongly support ministries such as the Pregnancy Resource Center who are working to preserve life that the world is telling us isn’t truly valuable.
Those who work at the PRC come seek to share this truth lovingly and help preserve both the life of the child and the dignity of the mother and father.
That is also why I would encourage you, as you pray about coming elections, to weigh heavily issues of life as you pray about those for whom you should vote.
As Randy Alcorn, an author and pro-life advocate has stated before, “Something doesn’t go from non-human to human by getting older and bigger.”
For us to care about life, though, we can’t stop at birth.
That is also why we are working to help the kids at Montgomery Central know they have worth and dignity as we collect supplies for them, because they too are created in the image of God with a purpose and plan ahead of them.
That is why, Lord-willing, in October, we will have several individuals who will go in weekly to that school and hang out with the students, helping surround them with even more adults who love them unconditionally with the love of Christ.
That is why part of the money we give through the Cooperative Program goes to fund ministries to orphans and foster children, with the goal of getting them into homes where they can be loved and cared for as they should be.
Looking at how a life of choices begins at home, though, you have to notice how Moses’ parents’ boldness equipped him to stand up for what is right later in life.
If you are going to lay the foundation for the kids around you to grow into men and women who make godly choices, you must display that through your actions. If you won’t stand up for what’s right, neither will they.
- If you are going to lay the foundation for the kids around you to grow into men and women who make godly choices, you must display that through your actions. If you won’t stand up for what’s right, neither will they.
The stands you make may be unpopular, and it will be hard, but God will reward you in the faithfulness you see in your children.
- The stands you make may be unpopular, and it will be hard, but God will reward you in the faithfulness you see in your children.
I am watching this unfold with some friends of mine in AR who are currently fighting the school system over showing their daughter an inappropriate film in school.
- I am watching this unfold with some friends of mine in AR who are currently fighting the school system over showing their daughter an inappropriate film in school.
- I even found myself tempted to say, “It’s not that big a deal.”
I even found myself tempted to say, “It’s not that big a deal.”
- For them, though, they knew the choice they had to make was to stand when no one else did.
For them, though, they knew the choice they had to make was to stand when no one else did.
They are laying down a foundation for their kids that shows that choosing God is not easy, and that it will cause them to have to stand.
- They are laying down a foundation for their kids that shows that choosing God is not easy, and that it will cause them to have to stand.
- A life of choices begins in the home, and it begins with making the tough choices.
A life of choices begins in the home, and it begins with making the tough choices.
That means your family may not watch the movies and shows that everyone else does. You may be the mean one with the strict curfew and expecting your child to get a job in high school. You may choose to opt out of that travel team or that extra opportunity that would conflict with your family being involved in church as God would have you.
These choices aren’t because we believe our salvation is up to us, but rather because we want to honor God by standing up for what is right, even when no one else does.
Ephesians 6:10–14 CSB
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm…” (, NASB95)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm…” (Ephesians 6:10–14, NASB95)
Ephesians 6:10–14 CSB
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,
- Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, are you willing to stand during the tough times?
Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, are you willing to stand during the tough times?
Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, are you willing to stand during the tough times?
- There is a harsh reality to being a parent, though. Although you will never stop being their parents, you need to make sure that you…
There is a harsh reality to being a parent, though. Although you will never stop being their parents, you need to make sure that you…

3) Train your children while you can.

III) Train Kids While You Can (v. 9-10)
- Moses stayed for three months before he was placed in a wicker basket and sent off.
Moses stayed for three months before he was placed in a wicker basket and sent off.
Shortly thereafter, he was returned to his mom, but not for long. It says that he stayed there until he was weaned.
- Shortly thereafter, he was returned to his mom, but not for long. It says that he stayed there until he was weaned.
- “If the word “weaned” is used here in its literal sense, she had her son for two or three years. If the word here is interpreted figuratively, Moses may have stayed with his parents until he was age twelve.”[1]
“If the word “weaned” is used here in its literal sense, she had her son for two or three years. If the word here is interpreted figuratively, Moses may have stayed with his parents until he was age twelve.”[1]
- At the very least, his mom had three years with him; at best, until he was twelve.
At the very least, his mom had three years with him; at best, until he was twelve.
- That’s not very long at all. Yet in those few short years, Amram and Jochebed laid such a strong foundation for Moses that all the schooling Egypt had to offer couldn’t shake him.
That’s not very long at all. Yet in those few short years, Amram and Jochebed laid such a strong foundation for Moses that all the schooling Egypt had to offer couldn’t shake him.
That’s why says,
- That’s why Hebrews 11:24-26 says,
Hebrews 11:24–26 CSB
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.” (, NASB95)
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24–26, NASB95)
Moses learned enough at his parents knee that he could never get away from it as he grew older.
- Moses learned enough at his parents knee that he could never get away from it as he grew older.
- That’s what God commands from us as parents:
That’s what God commands from us as parents:
Proverbs 22:6 CSB
Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even w
“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, NASB95)
- As they are growing, we are to be training them.
As they are growing, we are to be training them.
- By the way, this statement is a proverb, not a promise. There is a reality that some kids will grow up in great, godly homes and still walk away from him. However, the majority of kids raised in a godly way will remain true to that. In fact, the majority of children who leave their faith return to it in some degree within a matter of a few years.
By the way, this statement is a proverb, not a promise. There is a reality that some kids will grow up in great, godly homes and still walk away from him. However, the majority of kids raised in a godly way will remain true to that. In fact, the majority of children who leave their faith return to it in some degree within a matter of a few years.
- In Deuteronomy, God says this should be a characteristic of every part of our lives:
In Deuteronomy, God says this should be a characteristic of every part of our lives:
Deuteronomy 6:6–9 CSB
These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.
““These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (, NASB95)
““These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–9, NASB95)
Jesus and church can’t be a part of what you do, your relationship with Christ must be a part of all that you do.
- Jesus and church can’t be a part of what you do, your relationship with Christ must be a part of all that you do.
- If you want the children around you to follow Christ, work on training them while you have them.
If you want the children around you to follow Christ, work on training them while you have them.
If you are a parent, weave Christ into everything you do. Even your grown children still need this.
- If you are a parent, weave Christ into everything you do. Even your grown children still need this.
- If you are a grandparent or uncle or aunt, continually bring Christ into the picture whenever you have time with them.
If you are a grandparent or uncle or aunt, continually bring Christ into the picture whenever you have time with them.
A life of choices begins in the home…what are you doing with the time you have?
- A life of choices begins in the home…what are you doing with the time you have?
“Well, but Sean, religion is a personal choice. I don’t want to force it on my kids because I want them to choose it on their own.”
Let me just ask you: what else in life do you do this on? Why are they in school?
“Well, Sean, I don’t want to force math on them. I want them to choose it on their own, so I don’t make them go to math class or do their homework.”
Does that make sense? If it doesn’t make sense about math, then why does it make sense about Jesus?
You are right: you and I cannot force our children to follow Jesus.
However, we can so boldly live out Christ before them that they see Mom and Dad honoring their Lord and Savior in the choices they make, seeking forgiveness when they don’t, and moving forward with God.
We can talk about Scripture with them at every chance we get. We can share what God is doing in our lives, and we can let them see how God has called our family to be different so we can stand for what’s right.
Those lessons help cultivate fertile ground where the message of the gospel can take deep roots in your children’s hearts, just like the message of choosing obedience over comfort took root in Moses’ life.
Conclusion
· I know that the majority of you don’t have children at home.
I know that the majority of you don’t have children at home.
· If they are grown, pray for and counsel them as much as possible.
If they are grown, pray for and counsel them as much as possible.
Commit this morning to pray for the parents of the kids around you, whether that’s you, your friends, these kids who come on Sunday morning, or someone else, commit this morning to praying afresh and anew that God will allow them to model for their children just how great God is by standing for Him, weaving Him through every part of their lives and activities.
· Commit this morning to pray for the parents of the kids around you, whether that’s you, your friends, these kids who come on Sunday morning, or someone else, commit this morning to praying afresh and anew that God will allow them to model for their children just how great God is by standing for Him, weaving Him through every part of their lives and activities.
Commit, as well, to help them make these choices on an ongoing basis through the way you live around them. Tell them that you know God has a great plan for them, and that God wants to do something special through them. Make the tough stands around them, and do everything you can to help them to grow up into Christ.
· Commit, as well, to help them make these choices on an ongoing basis through the way you live around them. Tell them that you know God has a great plan for them, and that God wants to do something special through them. Make the tough stands around them, and do everything you can to help them to grow up into Christ.
A life of choices begins in the home. Choose as a parent, grandparent, friend, uncle, aunt, or Sunday School teacher, to display this to the kids around you.
· A life of choices begins in the home. Choose as a parent, grandparent, friend, uncle, aunt, or Sunday School teacher, to display this to the kids around you.
Endnotes
[1] James E. Smith, The Pentateuch, 2nd ed. (Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub. Co., 1993), .
[1] James E. Smith, The Pentateuch, 2nd ed. (Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub. Co., 1993), Ex 2:1–15.
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