Title: The Power of Pastoral Intercession - Pastor Appreciation for David and Karen Flanders
Theme: To show the importance of Pastoral prayer for the church.
Text: Exodus 17:8-16
Exodus 17:8-16 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. (9) And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." (10) So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (11) And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses' hands became heavy; so 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 the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (13) So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. (14) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." (15) And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; (16) for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."
Introduction
Thank you for allowing me to be here to celebrate with you this Sunday. What a honor it is to be here as you recognize Pastor David and Karen Flanders. They have been your pastor for almost 4 years. Every time I have talked with them, they have nothing but good and exciting things to say. My wife and I are thankful for their ministry.
Both David and Karen were active in the church I pastor, Langley COG at one time. I have heard the name Jimmie & Pat Murrell as hard workers around our church. Plus, I David’s mother and my grandmother went to church together. So, we have history.
You Fountain of Life have a precious couple who care for you and love you. This is a great day to honor them and the work they have put in.
If you would I want, you to turn to Exodus 17:8-16. When I was praying about the message for this day the Lord directed me to this passage.
Exodus 17:8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
The Amalekites were a wicked and sinful nation. Although they were cousins to Israel through Esau, they did not follow the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here in a bit of jealously, after seeing God work many miracles they attacked Israel. Where? In Rephidim (ref-ee-deem') Rephidim means rest.
How did they attack? According to Deuteronomy 25:18 tells us how they attacked. They would pick off the weak ones.
They were cowards. They would attack from the back and from behind. When they least expected it.
The devil is a coward. Roaming about like a roaring lion.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Seeking whom he may devour. His roar is worse than his bite.
We have to remember 1 John 4:4 “Greater his he that is in you than he that is in the world”
You stay in the word and pray he will not attack you head on. You are full of faith. When you are weak from not being in God’s presence, he will attack you.
(9) And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."
Moses tells Joshua to put together an army. And he (Joshua) does. Joshua does not argue but he trusts Moses. Why? He knew Moses, he had seen Moses walk with God. He had seen the miracles that God wrought at Moses hand.
(10) So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek.
What did Moses do? This is the first question to ask. What is our pastor doing while we are fighting the enemy? While we are fighting the tribulation and trials of life.
And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (11) And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
This is an interesting way to win a battle
Note a couple of things.
First, Moses would hold his hands up. This was intercession before the Lord. Moses was praying for Joshua and Israel as they fought the battle. This is the symbol of intercession.
This reminds me of the prayers of your pastor, interceding for you. Holding his hands up and praying for God to move in your situation.
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
You do not know the many times that your pastor has called your name out before the Lord. You do not know the many times that your pastor has called your family out before the Lord.
Second, notice what he was holding. The rod. We learn from Moses life that the rod represented who Moses was. It was his life’s journey. Shepherds would carve their journey on the rod. You could take this rod and see where they have been.
The rod was an instrument in Moses journey as he stood before Pharaoh to declare the Great I Am has sent me. The rod had summoned the plagues upon Egypt. The rod had been stretched forth to split the red sea.
Note: A man of God will lead and preach out of his own experiences as he walks with God.
We must be very careful in comparing the pastor to other pastors and leaders. God has uniquely called him to this place to pastor. God has put his experiences together to lead this congregation.
What did Joshua do? He fought. (Earlier God intervened, and they never had to fight. But Israel needed to learn to fight) He did not complain. Notice that when Moses hands were up they were winning but when they would droop they would lose. Could you imagine having to hold your hands up all day? I mean with a rod in your hand.
(12) But Moses' hands became heavy; so 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 the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Moses got weary and tired.
1) Gave him a rock to sit on. Jesus is our chief cornerstone and the foundation of our life.
2) Held his hands up. Stood beside him.
Held hands up” – represent prayer and praise
Prayer for this church. Prayer for you and your family
Praise for the vision that God has given them
How does that fit today? That is what your pastor is encouraging you to do. He can fight with you, but he cannot fight for you.
Illustration: I made a big mistake a few years ago. After listening to a friend complain and fuss about his wife. I tried to intervene with advice and counseling. Finally, she called me and we got into an argument. I was honest and plain and informed her that she was treating him wrong. We she did not like the honesty. This calmed down but our relationship was hurt. The Lord spoke to me and said, “you cannot fight for someone who won’t fight for themselves”.
Notice what they did not do. They did not hold the rod up. They held his arms up. They didn’t take the rod from him. No, this was Moses plight. Nobody is asking you to take the pastoral role but to come along side your pastor.
(13) So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. (14) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." Amalek from generation to generation."
Conclusion
(15) And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; (16) for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with
Jehovah Nissi-the Lord is my banner. Banner=sign
Moses built and altar. Why? So that when everyone passed by they can say, “Look what the Lord did” Pastors get accused of building places that “stroke their ego” but maybe they are letting the world see what God can do.
Challenge:
1) Pastor needs you to hold his arms up while he prays. Don’t get distracted by what he is not doing or what you define as what he should do. Hold his arms up.
2) You have to be the ones who will do ministry. God has called him to equip you Ephesians 4:12
3) Let him pray. I know there are other things to be done but let him pray. Let it not be that he has to fight for time to pray because there are other things to be done.
