Welcome -

Announcements:

Thanksgiving Service 11/27;

This Wednesday, 11/19, the Youth will lead our midweek Service - with a theme of Thanksgiving.

Good News from the Church in Bolivia:

I bring tidings and gratitude of the brothers and sisters of NUBC Santa Cruz… (deliver the gifts…)

They remain steadfast on the path and in the vision Great Commission

Despite the difficulties and challenges… There are more than twenty Disciples collaborating with the Lord's work, many souls won for Jesus!

Leaders: (youth, deacon, worship, media, children, social…)

I return from Santa Cruz missing the brothers and sisters and with profound gratitude to God!

Introduction

Gratitude Is Good for You

The Bible talks a lot about being grateful…(Thanksgiving)

See the text...

Psalm 106:1 “Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Paul says…

Ephesians 1:16 “I do not stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

We also read in Psalm 136:

Psalm 136:1–3 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods; his love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords; his love endures forever.”

One thing I have learned is that God is for us…

3 John 2 ESV

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

God's desire is that EVERYTHING goes well with you…

Perhaps one reason why it is God's will that we be grateful is that it is good for our health.

In 2009, Professor Robert Emmons of the UC Davis, conducted a study and showed once again that being grateful can improve your life.

Professor Emmons said: “Those who offer gratitude are less envious and resentful. They sleep more, exercise more, and report a drop in blood pressure.”

Robert Emmons is the author of the book Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, and of a previous book that describes gratitude as a “new science.”

And,

A well known psychologist from New York, said. “You can’t be depressed and grateful at the same time,” - “being grateful makes a person physically, mentally, and in every way healthier.”

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Today I want you to leave here healthier than when I came in…

Gratitude Is Good for You

I don't want to be generic about gratitude.

I want to thank God for people who help us fulfill the Great Commission… who help us accomplish the mission … advance the Kingdom of God.

There is a story in the Bible, Ex.17:8 of a very important moment in the life of the nation of Israel.

It says that while traveling toward the Promised Land, “Amalek came and fought with Israel at Raphidim”

Amalek was a tribe of nomads, the Amalekites, conducted a fierce and unprovoked attack against the Israelites.

The Israelite when to war against the Amalekites.

But it says…vs.11

Exodus 17:11 ESV

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

In this scene from Israel’s journey, the three great leaders of the nation are mentioned:

Moses, Aaron, and Joshua.

Each of these men played a very important role in the beginning of the history of this great nation.

But there is another man mentioned in these passage, and he deserves our attention. His name is Hur.

Hur is a man who comes out of the background, does a great job, and then returns to the background from whence he came.

Hur was a servant who received very little attention.

We look a lot to Moses and Joshua as great leaders and examples, and rightly so, they were true heroes of faith.

However, in this story, I would suggest that the true heroes are Aaron and Hur.

Observe the context.

Exodus 17:11 NIV

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

Look at verse 12.

Exodus 17:12 NIV

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.

Exodus 17:13 NIV

So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

There came a time in the battle when Moses became very tired…

and Aaron and Hur stepped in and held up Moses' hands until the battle was over and until victory was won.

In my mind, Aaron and Hur are the true heroes of this battle.

Of these two, Hur stands out to me.

Here is a man about whom we know almost nothing, but he was instrumental in bringing victory to an entire nation.

So today, since we are just a few days away from Thanksgiving,

I would like to pay tribute to every Hur in this congregation.

I would like to honor all those who are willing to take second place; who are willing to be in the second line; who are often overlooked.

People like Hur are often overlooked, unappreciated, and underestimated.

People who play a vital role in the Body of Christ, but who rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

I would like to honor/thank God for the people who empower the infantry, those who make up the front-line platoon of the battle, who do what the Lord has called us to do.

Thank God for People like Ur

I want to show you the special characteristics of people like Hur.

I. V. 12 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE INVALUABLE

skip… Exodus 17:12 “When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until sunset.”

Start here. vs.12 says

A. Moses no longer had the strength to keep his hands raised.

If he lowered, the Amalekites would win the battle.

Aaron and Hur stepped forward and held Moses' hands until the battle was won.

B. The task Hur helped accomplish that day doesn't seem like much to us.

He was not in the “battle field”… fighting…

But, if it weren't for Hur, and the work he did, Moses wouldn't have had the strength to do his job, and Joshua would never have been able to lead Israel to victory in battle.

As I said, to me, Aaron and Hur are the heroes of that battle.

If they hadn't been there that day, Israel would have suffered defeat at the hands of their enemies.

The work they accomplished was absolutely invaluable!

C. We still have/need people like Moses, Aaron, and Joshua in the church today.

These are the people who are on the front lines; who are visible; who do the headline work of ministry.

Pastors, Missionaries, Leaders of ministries…

However, behind each of these people, we must have an army of Hur.

We must have a great number of people who are praying, fasting, giving, and carrying the burden so that the people on the front lines can do their work.

(Ill. From time to time, I preach a message that helps someone. After the service, people come and tell me they enjoyed it, that it helped them, and that they were blessed.

(Ill. I receive messages from people who heard the message online and were helped.)

People give credit to the preacher. Amen! But I know that anything good that comes out of my mouth and mind comes from the Lord.

I also know that every time I go up to preach, I do it because some “Hur” have spent time before the Lord praying for me.

I want you to know today that I thank God for you.

I ask you to never give up praying for me and for those who are on the front lines of this ministry!

The world may never know your name, but if the battle is won, it will be won because the “Hur” who are here holding the hands of God's servants firm until sunset.

(Ill. This church would be nothing if it weren't for those people who spent their time lifting us up in prayer.

This pastor, along with all the leaders of this house, would be nobody if it weren't for the Hurs among us.

God bless all who stand in the gap for God's servants!

People like Hur are invaluable to the church!

II. V. 10, 12 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE INVOLVED

A. Hur was not a "Warrior" on the front lines of battle.

He was not a leader like Moses.

He was not a great general like Joshua.

He was not a great High Priest like Aaron.

He was just Hur.

In fact, the Bible shows us that Hur was a man of influence among the people, Ex. 24:14.

In the absence of Moses and Joshua, Hur was the person responsible for matters among the people.

There are even rumors that he was Miriam's husband.

However, on the day of the battle, even though he wasn't a leader like Moses, a general like Joshua, or a high priest like Aaron, there was one thing Hur could do, and he did it!

He could lift Moses' hands, and he willingly did!

Hur got involved, he simply did what he could, not what he couldn't.

B. What a lesson for the church today!

Not everyone can preach sermons,

sing on the band or play an instrument.

Not everyone can be effective as a youth leader, children's leader, deacon, or evangelist.

Not everyone can do the visible work.

We need to remember that the Lord placed us in His body in the place that pleased Him, 1 Cor. 12:4–27.

Therefore, whether you are a highly visible part of the body, or an obscure and unnoticed part, we are all essential to the proper functioning of the body of Christ!

(Ill. The whole idea here is that, although we cannot do everything, we can do what we can do!

Remember Jesus' words to Mary in Mark 14:8, “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare it for burial.”)

It's not important if you can do what others can do, it's important that you do what you can do.

Be what the Lord saved you to be and He will bless your life!)

The main thing to remember before we continue with this message is that:

C. There is room for everyone who wants to be involved in the Lord's work.

There is still much work to be done, many battles to fight and win…There is room for everyone who wants to be involved in the Lord's work!

(Ill. I thank the Lord for those who are willing to stay out of the spotlight while serving the Lord.

No task is unimportant;

no task is small, especially if it is being done for the glory of the Lord!)

(Ill. Do You Know the Theology of the Basin?—Your life is like a basin. You can use it to serve others, or you can wash your hands of your responsibility. Pilate washed his hands of his duty, Matt. 27:24; Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, John 13:5.)

D. Thanks be to God for those people who know they cannot do everything, but are determined to do something!

Thanks be to God for those who know that God saved them to be more than just showpieces.

There is always a place in the Lord's work for people who want to get involved (1 Cor. 15:58; Eph. 2:10; James 2:18—We are saved to serve!).

III. V. 12 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE INVISIBLE

A. Hur is not mentioned before this incident and there are only a few verses afterward.

He was a man who lived in the shadows while others around him received the glory.

He was invisible to a crowd that could only see Moses, Aaron, and Joshua.

(Ill. Imagine the scene in the Israelite camp after the battle.

Here comes General Joshua, returning victorious to the camp.

I'm sure there were congratulations everywhere, pats on the back and applause! Shouts: "Good job, Joshua!"

I can see the people welcoming Moses back to the camp: Applause and expressions of gratitude.

I can imagine Aaron as he led the congregation in a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for giving them the victory.

I can also imagine the scene of a fellow named Hur returning from the battle, tired, towards his tent to rest.

No one pats him on the back; no one tells him he did a good job.

In fact, only a few people know what he did that day.

To the people, he is invisible,

but in his heart, he is very happy! because he knows that man does not see what God sees!

While no one in the camp is telling Hur what he did great job that day, God in Heaven observes Hur's sacrifice and whispers: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” - “Write this down in my book.” (The Holy Spirit saw, and in the end, that's all that matters!)

B. There are many in our churches today who are like Hur.

They are invisible to the crowds.

The preachers, the teachers, and the singers receive pats on the back and hear people say, “Well done!”

People like Hur remain invisible.

Being like Hur carries with it some clear disadvantages:

1. People like Hur work and work, but few say, “Thank you!”

It can be difficult to keep working when it seems like nobody appreciates what you're doing.

Of course, it's moments like these that reveal our true motives.

If we stop serving God because nobody talks about us, then we were only in it for recognition.

Jesus tells us something about this kind of attitude, Matt. 6:2, 5, 16. If we do things to receive applause from men, then we have already “received our full reward.”

2. People like Hur work and others receive the recognition.

The sermon may be great and the preacher may have done a good job delivering it, but behind him were many who sacrificed their time to pray for the message.

The preacher gets the credit, and the true workers go unnoticed.

Again, this may be difficult for some to deal with, but I can remind you that although men may not see everything you are doing here for God's glory, the Lord in Heaven is keeping a perfect record and He will reward you accordingly. Your work.

Note this: Matt. 10:41–42; Matt. 25:31–45. (The old man who ate at a restaurant left $500,000 for a teenage girl who worked there because she cared for him and helped him with his meals.)

(Ill. Contrast those who do things to be seen and those who do them for the glory of the Lord, Matt. 6:4, 6, 18. God sees and says, “That is my son! That is my daughter!”)

C. People like Hur will receive the greatest acclaim in Heaven.

I believe that those who live like Hur while they are here on earth will receive the greatest acclaim in Heaven.

I also believe that those who sought to be in the spotlight during their time of service here on earth will be judged more rigorously, James 3:1.

If the Lord has called you to perform a discreet and godly ministry, rejoice in the calling He has extended to you and let He use your life as He sees fit!

After all, the kingdom and the power belong to Him, and He knows where we are needed far better than we ever could!

(Ill. I praise the Lord for all of you who are faithful behind the scenes!

Often, it is the work of those in the second line that keeps the front line of battle going!

In my own life, my wife has always kept a low profile, but she has been a great encouragement to me.

You see, I can talk to her about almost anything, and I can share my burdens, my discouragements, and my sorrows with her.

She listens and always encourages me to look to the Lord and not to the circumstances.

She stays in the second line, but keeps me in the front for Jesus!)

Finally…

IV. Ex. 31:2 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE INVESTORS

A. People Watch the Hurs

While Hur lived his life and carried out his God-given ministry, others were watching.

Some time later, God needed someone to build the Tabernacle and provide a place where the Lord could meet with His people. When the Lord looked upon those millions of Israelites, His eyes fell upon one man. It was a man named Bezalel.

This man was Hur's grandson. My guess is that Bezalel was watching as his grandfather served the Lord.

He watched Hur from the back while others received all the credit.

He probably remembered one night when Hur returned from the top of a hill, tired and exhausted from holding Moses' arms.

While the rest of the camp was excited about the great victory that Joshua and Moses had achieved,

Bezalel likely took note of the fact that it was his grandfather, a man who was willing to serve God in a quiet way, who helped bring about that great victory.

What I'm trying to tell you today is this:

B. You may not have a high-profile position.

You might think that cleaning the church, praying for the services, picking up a piece of paper, straightening chairs, cleaning up papers left in the worship area, staying afterward to help clean the dining hall, or teaching your small class is an unimportant task.

May I remind you that others are watching?

There are unsaved people who are observing how you serve the Lord in your position.

There are little ones who will see if their mother or father is faithful in small things.

There are no unimportant duties in the church.

A disciple of Jesus knows that his life spent for Jesus is not a waste, it is an investment.

As we do the little things God gives us, we are telling everyone around us that our work for the Lord is not in vain!

God's work is important in every detail.

(Ill. That's why I believe we should be on time and ready for the Lord's work on Sunday and Wednesday.

That's why I think sermon preparation is so vital.

That's why I believe this building should be kept clean, modern, and inviting inside and out.

People are watching!

Let's show them that God's business is the most important business in the world!)

C. When we serve the Lord as we should, we are making an investment in the lives of others.

We are making a great statement about the greatness of our God.

However, there is another investment that is taking place.

You see, people may not see what you do, and you may never be thanked for it here, but God sees and will take care of you in Heaven. Every action is an investment in eternity—Matt. 6:19–21.

Conclusion:

I'm almost certain there are some here today who can relate to Hur.

You are dedicated to the Lord, but you are never recognized for your contributions.

Let me tell you today, you are recognized and appreciated.

This preacher thinks you are precious!

I thank God for all who are involved in the Lord's work in any capacity.

By the way, God often uses the unknown servant to accomplish His greatest work. For example:

• A slave girl helped Naaman, the Syrian general with leprosy, to come to God. What was her name?

• A little boy gave his lunch and Jesus used it to feed 5,000. What was his name?

• A widow fed Elijah during a period of severe drought. What was her name?

• A widow gave 2 coins as an offering and was honored by the Lord Jesus. What was her name?

• Some disciples rescued Paul from Damascus, helping him down the wall in a basket. What were their names?

• Some disciples were sent to find a donkey so that Jesus could ride it to Jerusalem. What were their names?

• Do you understand the point? You don't need to be well-known to be used by the Lord to make an impact on the world!

Perhaps some here today have thought about giving up.

Please let me say: “No!”

You are very important to what is being done in this place.

You are vital to the Lord's work.

If the devil has been trying to convince you that you are not important, let me tell you that you are very important!

I would like to see you come before the Lord today and renew your commitment to serve Him....in whatever way He sees fit to use you.

Perhaps you haven't been as faithful to the Lord as you should be and wonder if the Lord could use you.

The answer is "Yes!"

God will use anyone who makes themselves available.

Do you want to?

Perhaps you aren't even saved yet. I know this wasn't an evangelistic message, but please know that Jesus loves you and that He died to save you, and if you want to have your sins forgiven and your name written in the book of life, then I invite you to come to Jesus Christ today and let me show you how you can be saved.

Romans 10:9-10 "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Romans 10:13 "For, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"