TOPIC: HOW TO OVERCOME OUR SPIRITUAL BATTLE?
TEXT: Exodus 17:8 – 16
INTRODUCTION:
Christian life is like a battle that sometimes we do not prepare without knowing the enemy is already under attacked. He attacked our relationship, family and even our finances. Maybe now you are under attacked of the enemy, your family, ect.
Here are the things that we need to consider as Christians;
I. WE MUST BE READY FOR THE ATTACKED BY THE ENEMY ANYTIME
A. Eph 6:10-12 “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places
II. WE MUST BE ORGANIZED IN OUR LEADERSHIP TO FACE THE BATTLE.
A. Chose some men and go out fight the Amalekites. Ex. 17: 9
B. Follow carefully for the instructions of your leader.
C. Be obedience all the time. Joshua and the Israelites fought the enemy.
D. Create unity in the Spirit. Ex 17:11 – “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning”
Ex 17:8-16 – “How Moses was tired (v. 12): His hands were heavy. The strongest arm will fail with being long extended; it is God only whose hand is stretched out still. We do not find that Joshua's hands were heavy in fighting, but Moses's hands were heavy in praying. The more spiritual any service is the more apt we are to fail and flag in it. Praying work, if done with due intenseness of mind and vigour of affection, will be found hard work, and, though the spirit be willing, the flesh will be weak. Our great Intercessor in heaven faints not, nor is he weary, though he attends continually to this very thing.
II. WE MUST NEED AARON UR & JOSHUA
A. Joshua – A victorious commander of Moses against Amalekites.
- On Mount Sinai. When Moses ascended Sinai to receive the two tables for the first time (Ex 24:13), Joshua, who is called his servant, accompanied him part of the way and was the first to meet him on his return (32:17).
- In Charge of Tabernacle. After the defection of Israel and their worship of the golden calf, Moses moved the Tabernacle outside the camp and, returning to the congregation, left it in charge of Joshua (33:11).
- A Spy. Soon after, Joshua was appointed as one of the twelve chiefs sent to explore the land of Canaan (Josh 13:8,16-17). He and Caleb (which see) were the only ones to give an encouraging report of their journey, and they exhorted the people to go up and possess the land (14:6-9).
- Appointed Ruler. When the forty years of wandering had almost passed, Joshua, because of his faithfulness, was one of the few survivors (Num 26:65). Moses, by direction of God (27:18-23), invested him solemnly and publicly with authority, in connection with Eleazar, over the people (Deut 3:28).
B. AARON & UR -AARON
Moses' Assistant. In the battle with Amalekites, Aaron and Hur supported Moses' arms, which held the official rod, the uplifting of which brought victory to Israel.
CONCLUSION:
Exodus 17:15-16 NIV
“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. 16 He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."
Ex 17:8-16Moses took care that God should have the glory of it (v. 15); instead of setting up a triumphal arch, to the honour of Joshua (though it had been a laudable policy to put marks of honour upon him), he builds an altar to the honour of God, and we may suppose it was not an altar without sacrifice; but that which is most carefully recorded is the inscription upon the altar, Jehovah-nissi-The Lord is my banner, which probably refers to the lifting up of the rod of God as a banner in this action. The presence and power of Jehovah were the banner under which they enlisted, by which they were animated and kept together, and therefore which they erected in the day of their triumph. In the name of our God we must always lift up our banners, Ps 20:5. It is fit that he who does all the work should have all the praise.
Ex 17:8-16 The defeat of Amalek. Victory had hovered awhile between the camps; sometimes Israel prevailed and sometimes Amalek, but Israel carried the day, v. 13. Though Joshua fought with great disadvantages-his soldiers undisciplined, ill-armed, long inured to servitude, and apt to murmur; yet by them God wrought a great salvation, and made Amalek pay dearly for his insolence. Note, Weapons formed against God's Israel cannot prosper long, and shall be broken at last. The cause of God and his Israel will be victorious. Though God gave the victory, yet it is said, Joshua discomfited Amalek, because Joshua was a type of Christ, and of the same name, and in him it is that we are more than conquerors. It was his arm alone that spoiled principalities and powers, and routed all their force.
