Power in Partnership
Exodus 17:8-13
February 8, 2004
Introduction
World’s Fair Partnership
During the summer of 1904 an unlikely partnership was formed at the World’s Fair St. Louis. The summer was unusually hot and people were searching the fair for something to help cool them off and Arnold Fornachou had just what they were looking for, ice cream. People lined up for what seemed like miles to get some of his cool and satisfying ice cream but there was one problem. Arnold was not prepared for the demand and ran out of paper bowls and was forced to wash a few porcelain bowls over and over again. The result was too few bowls and people were getting tired of waiting.
Next to Arnold’s ice cream booth was the booth of a pastry chef named, Ernest Hamwi and he was making a Persian wafer desert called zalabia. Ernest also had a problem, his pastry was not selling. He noticed the problem Arnold was having and took some warm zalabia and rolled it into a cone shape. He then went over and show Arnold how the zalabia could hold a scoop of the ice cream. On that hot day during the World’s Fair, the ice cream cone was born because a partnership was formed.
What is partnership?
Partnership is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organized objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results… Simply put, it is less “me” and more “we”. Anonymous
This morning I want to take a biblical look at partnerships and how they can benefit the work and people of God. Open your bibles to Exodus 17:8-13.
I. Joshua partnered with Moses
Joshua was given the task of leading the counter attack against the Amalekites. It was crucial for Joshua to attack the threat with great physical effort.
Moses took the task of a different nature. Moses went to the top of the hill with the staff of God. It was crucial for Moses to attack the threat with spiritual effort.
Why was the staff so important?
It was a piece of ordinary wood, there was really nothing special about it. The staff Moses carried was just a simple tool used by shepherds to help guide sheep and defend the flock. That ordinary piece of wood was used to do some extraordinary things and it was that staff that God used to prove His power to the entire world.
When Moses stood before God at the burning bush that staff become a snake to prove to Moses God’s power and ability. When Moses went to Egypt he took the staff because God told him that miraculous signs would be done through it. God used that ordinary staff to change the course of nations. Every time that Moses carried that staff he also took this lesson with him, God can use the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary.
Is it any wonder that Moses planned to carry that staff up the hill with him?
The staff became the symbol for Moses and all of Israel that not only was God powerful but He could use that power to help His people. The staff was a symbol of God’s care and concern for His people. It was the symbol that God was faithful and that His divine Word was true. It was a symbol of how great and awesome God truly is.
That staff had no magical powers or had any real strength of its own but it was the symbol of God’s power. The staff never left Moses’ side and when he took it up the hill with him, it was to show everyone that no matter what they faced, God was with them.
Both avenues were needed to confront the threat they were facing. Could Joshua have done both the physical and spiritual effort at the same time? No. Could Moses have done both the physical and spiritual effort at the same time? No.
They needed to partner together in order to accomplish the work God had for them. The same is true of this church; we need to partner together to accomplish God’s work.
The simple truth is this partners, accomplish more together than they ever could separately. What this church needs is some unity created through a spiritual partnership.
Partners don’t fuss over who does what. Partners don’t fight over getting their own way. Partners don’t give up when things don’t go right. Partners don’t focus on personal gain.
II. The soldiers partnered with Joshua
Not much is mentioned about this but you need to remember that Israel did not have any kind of an army at all. Up to this point there had been no need for one and this would have been the first major threat that they had since they left Egypt (God took care of the Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea). Israel was forced into this fight and Joshua went to the men of the twelve tribes to raise an army.
In order, for Joshua to raise an army, he had to gain their partnership in the fight. The men had to agree to go out and fight or there would have been no army to lead.
Could Joshua have fought the battle alone? Of course not! He needed other people to help him get the job done. He needed other people to come alongside and give their strength and support to his efforts.
The same is true of the church. No single person can do everything that needs to be done. If we are honest, there is a great need in this church for people to work together. No person in this church is any more important than anyone else.
I am no more important to this church than any one of you. The board members are no more important than anyone else. The Sunday School teachers are no more important than anyone else.
Too many people have a Lone Ranger attitude and think that they have to do everything themselves. Others have the “my way or the highway” attitude and think that everything has to be just the way they want it. Neither of these ways work. What would happen if everyone did that? There would be no church.
III. Aaron and Hur partnered with Moses
Moses goes to the top of the hill but he doesn’t go alone. Just as Joshua gathered others to fight, Moses gathers others to help in the spiritual struggle.
What exactly does Moses do on the top of the hill?
Moses raised his hands, big deal. It was a big deal because as long as his hands were raised the Israelites were winning the battle. Many people say that Moses went to the top of the hill to pray and he probably was praying but it never says that he prayed. So what was he doing?
I believe that there was something else going on here.
22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall all over Egypt--on men and animals and on everything growing in the fields of Egypt." 23 When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt; Exodus 9:22-23
12 And the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over Egypt so that locusts will swarm over the land and devour everything growing in the fields, everything left by the hail." 13 So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the LORD made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts; Exodus 10:12-13
21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt--darkness that can be felt." 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. Exodus 10:21-22
16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. Exodus 14:16, 21-22
Moses raised his hands with the staff of God. It was the model for the work of God in the past and when Israel needed a miracle, Moses stretched out his hands. The staff had become the symbol of God’s power and assistance. The current situation they were facing was no different because Israel was in need of God’s intervention and His direct assistance.
Aaron and Hur helped Moses as he grew tired, they gave him the support and the strength that he needed to accomplish the task. The stone provided support for Moses and the lifting of his hands gave Moses the strength he needed.
The reality is that we need each other to accomplish the work of God in this church and in this community. This is not a one person or one group effort; it must become the mission and effort of the entire church. Our focus must be squarely on Christ’s work and will for the church.
Partners work for a common goal. Partners add their abilities and strengths together to benefit everyone. Partners give their all to support others and partners work to strengthen everyone else.
Partnership won’t work with just…
A jawbone – people who merely want to talk about getting it done.
A wishbone – people who merely wish someone would do it
A funnybone – people who never get serious about getting it done.
Partnerships must have a backbone – people who work together to get the job done.
If God is your partner make your plans big – D.L. Moody
How do we become partners with God? For that matter how can we partner more effectively with one another in the church?
Six ways you can become help raise the staff
Worship Attendance: Minimum of two times per week
The church offers four services each week and it is not too much to ask that you attend two each week.
Ministry Involvement: Minimum of one other area of service
There are too many areas of the church going without staff because no one will volunteer.
Prayer Partnership: Involvement in one of the prayer ministries
It is impossible for a person to be able to be effective if they are not willing to first humble themselves in prayer.
Tithe: Minimum of a basic tithe
Tithe involves your time, your talent and your treasures.
Tithing is a requirement for those who believe in Christ. There are two types of tithers: Old Testament legalistic tithers and New Testament liberated tithers. Old testament tithers give 10% and New Testament tithers give over and above 10%.
Weekly Invitations: Minimum of 2 invites per week
One of the most effective ways to grow the church is by simply inviting people to attend worship. You can invite the same person twice a week or invite two different people.
Membership
If you are not already, a member of the church I would like you to make the commitment to join. Membership is nothing more than formalizing your commitment to Christ and the church.
These are some simple ways that you can help raise the staff in our church. Take just a moment to consider these areas where you can make a difference in the life of this church. Consider these commitments for just a moment. If God is tugging at your heart to commit don’t wait just do it.
Conclusion
A few weeks ago I stood among you as I was installed as your pastor because I am one of you. This morning I stand at the altar pledging to partner with Christ and you in the ministry of this church.
Today, I am raising the staff and pledging that I will partner with you by doing those six simple things. This morning I am asking one simple question: who will help me keep the staff raised?
