October 12, 2025 The battle rages on many fronts ... and you have more than one role Exodus 17:8-16

Today, we gathered as a family to intercede for those among us who are suffering, to remember the power of prayer, and to reflect on our calling as followers of Jesus. We began by lifting up Lisa, Jack, and others in our community who are facing physical and relational battles, asking for God’s healing, peace, and restoration. This led us to consider the deeper reality that Jesus not only redeems us eternally but desires to bring restoration and hope into our present circumstances. We acknowledged that the struggles we face—whether visible or hidden—are not just personal, but part of a larger spiritual battle that God invites us to engage in through prayer and action.

Drawing from Psalm 2 and Exodus 17, we explored the promise that God gives the nations as an inheritance to His Son, and by extension, to us as His people. The story of Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Hur at Rephidim became a living illustration of how God’s victory is accomplished through a partnership of roles: those who fight in the valley (the sword), those who intercede on the hill (the staff), and those who support and encourage (the stone). Each role is essential, and none is insignificant. The authority given to us by Christ is not for our own benefit, but for the advancement of His kingdom and the blessing of the nations.

We were challenged to consider who or what represents “Amalek” in our generation—the forces, spiritual or otherwise, that oppose God’s purposes. The battle is ongoing, and God calls each of us to discern our role. Sometimes we are called to direct engagement, sometimes to intercession, and sometimes to the quiet but vital work of support. The story reminds us that victory is not achieved by one person alone, but by the unity and faithfulness of the whole body.

As we prepare to send a team to Central Asia, we recognize the need for all these roles: those who go, those who pray, and those who support. We were invited to respond—whether by committing to intercede, to engage directly, or to encourage and uphold others. We also took time to pray for women in Central Asia who have suffered deeply, believing that God’s compassion and healing can reach even the most broken places. Ultimately, we are called to be ready for the harvest God desires, to count the cost, and to say “yes” to whatever role He assigns, knowing that every part is essential in the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Power and Necessity of Intercession True spiritual victory is often won not in the visible arena, but in the hidden place of intercession. Like Moses on the hill, those who pray wield the authority of God, shaping outcomes in the valley below. If we neglect prayer, we may find ourselves striving in our own strength, but when we intercede—or are upheld by the prayers of others—God’s power is released in ways we cannot manufacture. [45:36]
• 2. Every Role in God’s Kingdom is Essential The story of Moses, Aaron, Hur, and Joshua reveals that God’s purposes are accomplished through a diversity of roles. Whether you are swinging the sword in direct ministry, interceding with the staff, or quietly supporting and encouraging others, your contribution is vital. Even the seemingly unnoticed roles, like Hur’s, are indispensable in the eyes of God and in the outcome of the battle. [53:11]
• 3. Spiritual Opposition is Persistent and Multiform The “Amalekites” of every generation take many forms—spiritual, ideological, or systemic. Scripture shows that opposition to God’s purposes is a recurring reality, not a surprise. Our task is not to fixate on identifying every opponent, but to discern how God is calling us to respond, trusting that ultimate victory belongs to Him, even as the battle continues from generation to generation. [40:03]
• 4. Authority is Given for God’s Agenda, Not Our Own Jesus has entrusted His followers with real spiritual authority, but it is always for the advancement of His kingdom and the blessing of others. We are not called to wield authority for personal gain or to pursue our own agendas, but to align ourselves with God’s purposes—whether that means going, praying, or supporting. This authority is exercised in humility, dependence, and obedience. [44:53]
• 5. Readiness for God’s Harvest Requires Sacrifice and Unity God’s desire to bring a great harvest is not limited by His willingness, but by the readiness of His people. Jesus calls us to count the cost, to be “all in,” and to be prepared to disciple and care for those He brings into His kingdom. The harvest will require the whole body—those who go, those who pray, and those who support—working together in sacrificial unity. [61:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [19:05] - Praying for the Sick and Hurting
• [22:56] - Introduction to Psalm 2 and God’s Promise
• [24:13] - Praying for the Nations: A Personal Story
• [31:09] - Adoption, Central Asia, and a 33-Year Prayer
• [34:00] - Exodus 17: The Battle at Rephidim
• [35:33] - Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Hur: Three Roles
• [37:00] - The Meaning of “Hands Lifted Up”
• [38:36] - Who Are the Amalekites Today?
• [43:36] - The Staff: Authority and Intercession
• [46:35] - The Sword: Engaging in the Valley
• [47:33] - The Stone: The Ministry of Support
• [49:34] - The Boiler Room: Power of Prayer
• [53:11] - Every Role is Essential
• [56:12] - Ask of Me: God’s Heart for the Nations
• [58:06] - Counting the Cost: Readiness for the Harvest
• [63:07] - Responding to God’s Call: Staff, Sword, Stone
• [66:30] - Praying for Women in Central Asia
• [74:51] - Final Prayers and Blessing
• [88:15] - Dismissal

Bible Reading

Psalm 2:7-8 (NIV) — > I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
> He said to me, “You are my son;
> today I have become your father.
> Ask me,
> and I will make the nations your inheritance,
> the ends of the earth your possession.”

Exodus 17:8-13 (NIV) — > The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Luke 14:25-33 (NIV) — > Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ... In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

Observation Questions

1. In the story from Exodus 17, what three roles do Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Hur represent, and how do they work together to bring victory? ([35:33])
2. According to Psalm 2, what does God promise to His Son, and how does this connect to our calling as followers of Jesus? ([23:29])
3. In Luke 14, what does Jesus say about the cost of following Him, and how does He illustrate this with the story of building a tower or going to war? ([59:01])
4. The sermon mentioned that spiritual opposition is persistent and takes many forms. What examples were given of “Amalekites” in different generations? ([39:22])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to accomplish victory at Rephidim through a partnership of different roles, rather than through one person alone? What does this say about how God works through His people? ([53:11])
2. The sermon described the staff as a symbol of spiritual authority and intercession. How does the act of Moses holding up the staff relate to the unseen power of prayer in our lives and church? ([45:36])
3. The “Amalekites” are described as those who oppose God’s purposes in every generation. How can we discern what or who represents “Amalek” in our own context, and why is it important not to focus only on identifying the enemy? ([40:03])
4. Jesus calls His followers to count the cost and be “all in.” According to the sermon, what might it look like for a church or individual to be “ready for the harvest” God desires? ([01:01:20])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to consider which role God is calling us to right now: interceding (staff), engaging directly (sword), or supporting others (stone). Which role do you most identify with in this season, and why? ([48:10])
2. Think of someone in your life or church who is “swinging the sword” in ministry or mission. What is one practical way you could support or “hold up their arms” this week? ([51:45])
3. The power of intercession was emphasized as essential for spiritual victory. How can you make prayer a more central part of your daily routine, especially for those facing battles in your community? ([49:34])
4. The sermon mentioned that sometimes the most important roles are the least visible, like Hur’s. Have you ever felt your contribution was insignificant? How does this story challenge that feeling? ([53:11])
5. The “Amalekites” today might be spiritual, ideological, or systemic forces that oppose God’s purposes. What is one area in your life, family, or community where you sense opposition to God’s will? How might God be calling you to respond? ([40:03])
6. As the church prepares to send a team to Central Asia, what is one way you can participate—by going, praying, or supporting? What step will you take this week to say “yes” to your role? ([54:07])
7. Jesus said that following Him requires sacrifice and counting the cost. Is there something you need to let go of or a step of faith you need to take to be “all in” for God’s purposes? ([59:01])