I believe that the "top of the hill" is always a testing time, that God is constantly calling us to, and the devil constantly trying to keep us from.
Exodus 17:8-12 (NLT)
"While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim,
the warriors of Amalek attacked them. [9] Moses commanded Joshua, "Choose
some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand
at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand." [10]
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek.
Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill.
[11] As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the
advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the
advantage. [12] Moses' arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them
up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each
side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until
sunset."
Joshua and the chosen men went to battle.
Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill...
Our battle is physical (Joshua, Jesus) and spiritual, (prayerful Moses, God.)
1.Why go to the top of the hill?
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."
1.Amalek came and fought with Israel.
This was an unprovoked attack by Amalek against Israel.
1.The method of attack used by Amalek
was despicable.
Deuteronomy 25:17-18 (NLT) "Never forget what the
Amalekites did to you as you came from Egypt. [18] They attacked you when you
were exhausted and weary, and they struck down those who were straggling
behind. They had no fear of God."
1.The devil attacks you from behind
never wanting to face you knowing that if you were to see him coming you would
turn to God but since he sneaks up on us many times we aren't ready.
2.He'll attack you when your tired,
weary, frustrated, or sinful.
1.There is a vision for your life at
the top of the hill.
1.There is a passion for your future at
the top of the hill.
2.There is direction at the top of the
hill.
3.There is inspiration at the top of
the hill.
4.Ever been so discouraged but came
into a conference, a church service, a worship service, or had a personal
encounter with God that altered you forever?
2.There is life at the top of the hill.
2.How do I get to
the top of the hill?
1.7 core values that will
always take you up.
2.I have found these 7
things to always take me to the next level in God.
1.Purity-Before God and Men
2.Passion-Worship/Service
3.Perseverance-Living
Christianity Out
4.Prayer-Demonstration
5.Presence-Discipleship
6.Pursuit-God’s Word/Fasting/Giving
7.People-Evangelism/Opportunity
3.Moses
supported the battle behind the scenes, busy in prayer.
1.The
fate of Israel in battle depended on Moses' intercession because when he prayed
Israel prevailed and when he stopped praying Amalek prevailed.
1.Held
up his hand:describes the Israelite posture of prayer. Action.
1.Though
this was Moses' work to do, it was more than he could do by himself.
2.He
needed others to come by his side and strengthen him in prayer.
2.This amazing passage shows us that
life or death for Israel depended on prayer.
1.Moses prayed as we should pray, with
passion, believing that life and death, perhaps eternity, depends on prayer.
1.This amazing passage shows us the
great importance of prayer.
2.Life and death-the course of history
itself-depended upon prayer.
3.We can conclude that many times the
people of God are defeated today because they will not pray, or their work is
not supported by prayer.
2.We are to pray for our family, our
friends, our neighbors, and even our enemies.
1.The Devil will throw up your past to
make you ashamed of what you've done or what has been done to you.
Colossians 4:2 (NLT) "Devote yourselves to prayer with
an alert mind and a thankful heart."
1.Because Joshua followed God's plan
the bible said he overwhelmed the enemy in battle.
Exodus 17:13-16 (NLT)
"As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in
battle. [14] After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, "Write this
down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will
erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven." [15] Moses built an altar
there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means "the Lord is my
banner"). [16] He said, "They have raised their fist against the
Lord's throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after
generation."
1.Joshua served God and
Moses faithfully.
1.We are to serve God and
the global church faithfully.
2.We are to serve God and
our leaders faithfully.
3.We are to serve God and
each other faithfully.
2.God brings victory to
Israel over the Amalekites.
1.God will bring you
victory over your enemies, all of them.
2.What enemy do you face?
Etc.
1.Whatever it is, God
wants you to conquer.
2.He has done his part
now we must do ours.
3.He then tells them to
memorialize their victory.
1.Read it aloud.
2.Talk about the victory.
3.Declare the victory.
4.Be excited about
winning over the enemy.
5.He has given us power
over all...of...our...enemies.
3.It is
imperative, vital, and crucial that we travel to the top of the hill.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) "You are the light of the
world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. [15] No one lights a lamp
and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it
gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your good deeds
shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly
Father."
1.People will see what you are doing on the top of the
hill.
1.You will be a witness on top of the
hill.
2.A city that is set on an hill.
3.Anciently cities, for the sake of
defense, were placed on hills.
4.Such cities are seen from afar.
5.So must the church give forth its
light.
2.The business of the church is not
only to save, but to enlighten.
3.Christ is light, and his disciples
must be light.
4.Salt operates internally, changing
everything it comes in contact with, sunlight operates externally, illuminating
all.
1.We have to stop hiding in the
shadows.
2.We have to stop backing down from the
battle.
3.We have to step up for our God, our
families, our world.
Isaiah 54:17 (NLT) "But in that coming day no weapon
turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to
accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their
vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!"
1.Joshua did all that God called of
him.
2.Held nothing back.
Joshua 11:15 (NLT) "As the Lord had commanded his
servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. And Joshua did as he was told,
carefully obeying all the commands that the Lord had given to Moses."
1.When Moses died Aaron and Hur got to
handle disputes, Joshua became Israel's leader.
2.Joshua when he died was buried on this
side of the border of all
that he had conquered for God.
Judges 2:8-9 (NLT) "Joshua son of Nun, the servant of
the Lord, died at the age of 110. [9] They buried him in the land he had been
allocated, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount
Gaash."
1.I beg you tonight to climb with me.
2.I encourage you tonight, climb for
Him.
3.Climb to the top of the hill.
4.Climb for yourself, climb...for your
unsaved mother, father, sister, brother, friend,...enemy.
5.Let's rise above the circumstances,
rise above our enemy, above the past, the present, and move into the future.
1.Next Level.
Psalm 62:6-7 (NLT)
"He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress
where I will not be shaken. [7] My victory and honor come from God alone. He is
my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me."
Website:www.youthrock.us
Twitter:@koellingmichael
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