Hold 'Em Up

Introduction

Have you ever had a moment in your life when your arms are exhausted? About a year ago now, I went to the gym for 6 months straight, Monday-Friday. You know what I remember? PAIN, PAIN, and more PAIN. I would feel healthy until it came time to lift my arms and it felt like they were going to fall off. You know what doesn’t hurt my arms every weekend? Lifting a doughnut out of the box every Wednesday! We can all remember times when our arms get tired. Sometimes it can be from hard work or the most simplest thing. There was a time when my nephew was 4 or 5, he was trying to open some bottle and he couldn’t. So he turned to me, “Uncle Noah, can you open this for me, pleas? My little arms are tired.”

Today we read about one of the greatest leaders in history, and his arms get tired.

Exodus 17:8–16 “Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.

So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.

But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner,

saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

As they face this enemy, there is a three-way connection that affects the other. At some point in our life we can be at any of these three positions. Let’s study each one and see the example God has given us. 1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”

Those Going Out

I have a beginner question:

Who was Amalek/Amalekites? They are a people group from Esua, that had a feud with the Israelites for many years. You read every book from Genesis - Esther, you will find the Amalikites reappearance.

beginner lesson to teach:

The Old Testament is more than history. It is devotional literature.

The Jews are on their way to Canaan, which represents victory.

On the way they face the Amalekites, which represent the flesh - the nature that we inherited from our parents, who got it from Adam; also our biggest enemy.

At this moment, the Israelites are facing their greatest enemy. An enemy that returned repeatedly. In this story that is Amalek. The representation for us is the flesh. This is our GREATEST enemy. It’s not Satan. It’s not the world. It’s the flesh.

We are those going out to battle. We do on a daily basis around the hour, not missing a minute. This constant battle is against ourself. This seems kind of odd to say and think about.

Listen to Romans 7:15-20

Romans 7:15–20 (ESV)

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

For us going out, we are going to face the flesh. There will be times when the decision of the flesh, doesn’t seem that bad. The question for us is “Are you ready?”

Galatians 5:19–21 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

As Christians in the room, we must purposefully avoid feeding the flesh. We must practice new behaviors that spirit driven and Bible directed.

• "But flee from [sinful actions], you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11) • “Now flee from youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22) • "But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.“ (1 Corinthians 9:27) • "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) • "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24) • "Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin" (Romans 6:6) • "But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." (Ephesians 4:20-24)

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Those Standing Above

Often times we are the ones out in the midst of the battle, but there will be times when God uses us to be the one above. Who is the one above?

In this story, Moses is the one above. The leader of Israel, the one who intercedes for them. Look at verse 11 with me: Exodus 17:11 (ESV): Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Moses’ personal action spiritually interceded on behalf of the people.

There will be opportunities in your life where you can spiritually intercede for others! I think about the times before DNOWs and Revivals, when we spend deep time in prayer asking for the Spirit of God to move and that people will respond.

Just like the Moses holding staff portrayed God’s power in the battle of the flesh; our prayer can call for the power of God to move in others lives when they are battling the flesh.

Those Lifting Up

We see Aaron and Hur standing with Moses. As Moses grew weary, they got a rock for Moses to sit on. Then they stood by him to hold his arms up.

Moses became so tired that he could not keep it above his head long enough for the Israelites to succeed against the Amalekites, an intervention was necessary. The problem was not Moses’ age or physical condition. He died a strong man. The problem was the fact that human beings cannot keep their arms above their heads indefinitely.

We are weak. Weak spiritually and weak on personal discipline. That is why we need to lift and encourage others! God has put this group together to serve Him, Kings Jesus. God has put this group together pray for one another.

Our Life Lesson from Exodus today is to intentionally pray for one another and HOLD ‘EM UP. Tonight will be a little different.

We are the ones on the hill right now and we are going to pray.

Will you gather in groups of 3-5 with those in the room?

Each of you in the group pray aloud. Don’t feel pressure to go long or be fancy. Just have a real prayer time with God and your friend.

Might want to pray for the time you’re on the battlefield facing FLESH.

Pray for your friends that are also going into battle against flesh. Hold up the staff for them!

Pray for the leaders in your life! Hold em Up before God so that they lead and obey properly.

Life Groups Leaders

Ministry Leaders in the Room tonight

Your Pastors at NBC

Your parents

Hold ‘Em Up before God. Im going to allow some time now for you to pray in your group. Don’t be afraid, just follow in faith!