Sermon Title: Victory Through Prayer

Sermon Title: Victory Through Prayer

Passage: Exodus 17:8-16 (The Battle Against Amalek)

Recap:

Let’s begin by remembering where Israel has been. The Israelites had just come out of Egypt, experiencing miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea. But quickly, they began to face new challenges in the wilderness—and it didn’t take more than 72 hours for the complaining to start.

1. The Bitter Water (Exodus 15:23-25): God made the bitter water sweet. Afterward, He brought them to Elim, a place of abundance with 12 springs and 70 palm trees (v. 27).

2. No Food (Exodus 16:1-4): The people complained about hunger, and God provided manna from heaven for daily sustenance.

3. No Water Again (Exodus 17:1-7): They grumbled once more at Rephidim, and God instructed Moses to strike the rock, and water flowed out.

Each time the people complained, God provided exactly what they needed.

Up until this point in the Israelite’s journey to the Promised Land, all the struggles were from a place of internal conflict of complaint, and now Israel faces an external enemy for the first time—the Amalekites.

Introduction:

• Introduce the battle against the Amalekites. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother, who hated one another. This attack will be one of many that Isreal will have again until they are finally defeated in 1 Sam 15 when Saul and the army of Isreal defeats them.

• The Three Main Idea from the Passage:

The Battle Begins. (v.8-11) Corporate Prayer Leads to Victory. (v.12-13) The Banner of the Lord (v.14-16)

I. The Battle Begins (Exodus 17:8-11)

Verse 8: “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.”

Deut. 25:17-18 describes the way that they were attacked, stragglers; this is the same way that Satan attacks us 1 Peter 5.

• Spiritual Point: They would fight many battles. This is a foreshadow of what it would be like for the Church. Paul says that we are in a battle not of flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12).

Eph 6:12

They would fight many battles. This is a foreshadow of what it would be like for the Church. Paul says that we are in a battle not of flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12).

• Application: Recognize that we are in a spiritual battle, often attacked unexpectedly, and must remain spiritually alert.

Verse 9:

“Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.’”

Verse 10-11

In this verse, we see two things: the first, Moses is going to go up on the hillside to pray over the people, but it won't be prayer that brings victory.

This is true for us as well so often we either just pray about things and are never moved to action as we pray or we move into action before we ever pray.

Both have to be true PRAY and ACTION!!

II. Corporate Prayer Leads to Victory. (v.12-14)

Verse 12: “When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”

• Moses’ Weariness: Even Moses, the leader and intercessor, grew weary. His human limitations showed that no one can carry the burden of prayer alone.

• Aaron and Hur’s Support: They held up Moses’ hands, representing the need for community support in prayer.

• Illustration: Like Moses, we all need help. Aaron and Hur’s support illustrates the importance of prayer partners or groups when we are spiritually exhausted.

• Application: Encourage the church to build a culture of intercessory prayer. When we grow tired, we need others to lift us up in prayer.

Verse 13: “So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”

• Joshua’s Victory: While Moses prayed, Joshua led the battle, and together they secured the victory.

• Spiritual Truth: Victory in spiritual battles requires both corporate prayer and individual action. One person’s strength may falter, but community prayer sustains.

• Application: Encourage the congregation to work together in prayer and action. Build a culture where people don’t fight their battles alone but engage as a team in prayer.

III. God is Our Banner of Victory (Exodus 17:15-16)

Verse 15: “Moses built an altar and called it ‘The Lord is my Banner.’”

• God is the Source of Victory: After the victory, Moses built an altar, naming it “The Lord is My Banner” (Yahweh Nissi). This represented that God fought for them and gave them the victory.

• Application: In every battle, lift up God as your banner, acknowledging that all victories come from Him. Encourage the church to celebrate God’s faithfulness after each spiritual victory.

Verse 16: “He said, ‘Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.’”

• Promise of Continued Victory: God promises to continue fighting Israel’s battles against the Amalekites.

• Spiritual Truth: God’s faithfulness is not just for one battle—He promises to be with us in every struggle we face.

• Application: Trust in God’s future promises. As He brought victory to Israel, He will continue to be with us in every spiritual battle we face.

Application:

We need someone that never grows weary as they pray for us. This is what Christ does for us. God’s Word say that Jesus continues to intercede for us.

Romans 8:34

Hebrews 7:25

Matt 18:20

Yahweh-Nissi—the Lord is my Banner. A banner is a military standard, a piece of cloth bearing an army insignia and raised on a pole. Soldiers always look to their banner. It establishes their identity; it helps them know who they are. On the battlefield it also helps them keep their bearings and gives them courage and hope. As long as their banner is still flying, they know that the battle is not lost.