The Blessings Come With Battles

Introduction

We have explored the notion of God working through you!

We have spent time learning about that awesome God that works in us and through us

These are necessary for success in ministry and moving forward as a church.

We must know who we are and our purpose

We must know who God is

Today. . .

We want to explore something else.

When blessings come, battles sometimes follow

The church needs to be ready because when work faithfully for God, He blesses you. . . but then the battles follow.

Remember Job?. . .

Job was blessed beyond measure [7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 female donkeys 65M]

But then the devil brought

Financial battles

Family battles

Health battles

Marital battles

“The Blessings Sometimes come with Battles”

When this church starts growing, expanding, moving forward, developing: THERE WILL BE SOME BATTLES!

Ex 17:8-16 “Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner; Ex 17:16 “and he said, “The Lord has sworn; the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.””

Things we need in a Battle

Leaders that are ready to act

Ex 17:8-9 “Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.””

Leaders that will go with God and lift God up before the people

Leaders need to know what they can delegate and what they can’t

Acts 6:2 “So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.” Vs. 3 Therefore, brethren select. . .”

They didn’t meet to figure out stuff, they already knew what needed to be done

Are you ready to be a Hur? [only mentioned a few times, but look at the company he is in]

Ex 17:10 “Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.”

Are you ready to be only mentioned a few times [Moses 766x, Joshua 218x, Hur 15x specifically 12* ]

Know, appreciate and work in your role: Everyone can’t be everything

The solution required persitent effort

Ex 17:11 “So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.”

God was the one fighting the battle, but Moses needed to keep the hands up

Keep on keeping on - In the heat of the battle “keep on keeping on”

Joshua and the people kept on fighting

Moses kept on lifting

Aaron and Hur kept on supporting*

James 1:12 “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Gal 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

What happens when I put my hands down? I need to see the importance of the battle

Moses lifted the staff. The prophet lifted God up before the people.

What the prophet was to Israel, the preacher is to the church [God’s mouthpiece]

*If the preacher does not lift up God then we will lose the battle.

God’s leaders need support

Ex 17:12 “But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.”

Leaders are still just only human. [We: sin, have flaws, mess up, get tired, discouraged, have family/marital issues, have feelings too]

It’s good to have people that help keep us going. [pray, give you an encouraging word, pull you aside

Notice, neither Hur or Aaron tried to take the staff and hold it. They realized that was Moses’ job

We must remember who gave us the victory

Ex 17:13-16 “So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner; and he said, “The Lord has sworn; the Lord will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.””

The battles won’t always be fair Deut 25:17-18 ““Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God.”

For those not in Christ

This life has many battles, will you face it by yourself or with Jesus.