The Lord is My Banner - November 14, 2021

By Pastor Chuck Ryan

The Lord Is My Banner
Text: Exodus 17:8-16 & Ephesians 6:19
Thesis: God works through his leadership to bring victory to His People
1. “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites (Vs. 8).”
A. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau (See Genesis 36:12 & 16).
B. The Amalekites disregarded God and His people and brought God’s
judgement on themselves.
*“Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he
sows (Galatians 6:7).”
*“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:2).”
*“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes
judgment (Hebrews 9:27).”
2. The helper of Moses was Joshua (Vs. 9-10).
A. Joshua was mentioned here for the first time. He was mentioned in
Numbers 13:16 as “Hoshea but Moses named him Joshua” which means “Jehovah is our
Savior.”
B. In this account Moses called on Joshua to form an army.
1. The weapons used by Joshua were probably taken from the Egyptians after their defeat by God in
the Red Sea.
C. Moses, Aaron and Hur observed the battle from the top of the hill.
3. “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he
lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning (Vs. 11).”
A. God chose to use Moses, the leader of Israel, as the conduit for his power to flow through to
bring victory to the entire Nation of Israel.
1. God chose Moses at the “Burning Bush” to deliver and lead the nation of Israel.
* “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led
the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the
angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though
the bush was on fire t did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange
sight - why the bush does not burn up.” When The Lord saw that he had gone over to look,
God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” (Exodus 3:1-4)
2. God continues to raise up leaders today to serve in the building of the “Kingdom of God”.
* “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the
pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up... (Ephesians 4:11-12)”
B. So long as Moses held up his arms and hands up Joshua and the army were victorious.
C. When Moses’ arms grew tired and was no longer able to hold them in the air, Joshua and the
army began to lose the battle.
D. Aaron and Hur propped up Moses’ arm up to the Lord and Joshua and the army of God were
victorious in battle. (Read Exodus 17:15-16)
Two Principles:
1. Always lift high the name of Jesus.
*“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself (John 12:32).”
2. Always lift your leadership in prayer.
*“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as
happened among you… (2 Thessalonians 3:1, ESV)”
*“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make
known the mystery of the gospel… (Ephesians 6:9)”