Posted: 09 June 2026

From a sermon given on 07 June 2026:

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
(Hebrews 11:24)

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
(Hebrews 11:25)

A life without purpose drifts toward whatever feels good in the moment. Pleasure becomes a substitute for direction, and entertainment replaces destiny. Moses stands as a striking example - born into the luxury of Egypt yet refusing its temporary pleasures because he saw something greater. When a man does not know why he exists, he settles for distractions that dull the ache of an empty soul. But when purpose is clear, pleasure loses its power to control.

Purpose gives discipline, clarity, and conviction. Samson's downfall came when he exchanged his calling for comfort (Judges 16:17-21), while Esau despised his birthright for a single meal (Genesis 25:33-34). In contrast, Paul pressed toward the mark, refusing to be entangled by things that could derail his mission (Phil 3:13-14). Pleasure promises satisfaction but often leaves bondage in its wake. Purpose, however, anchors the heart in what is lasting, eternal, and fruitful.

Moses chose affliction because he saw reward beyond the moment. Purpose always calls us upward-to responsibility, holiness, and perseverance. A man anchored in God's calling does not live for the thrill of now but for the fulfillment of what God has spoken. When purpose burns within the soul, pleasures lose their shine, and the will of God becomes the highest pursuit.

Further Readings:

And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
(Genesis 25:29–34)

And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.
(Judges16:15-21)

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
(Philippians 3:12-16)