Gratitude for the Gang | From The Ground Up | November 9th, 2025

Nov 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Battles Are Won With Surrender, Not Strategy

True victory in life’s battles comes not from our own cleverness or strength, but from a posture of total dependence on God. When Moses stood on the hill with his hands raised, it was not a magic gesture but a sign of surrender and reliance on the Lord’s power. In the same way, whatever you are facing today—whether it’s a personal struggle, a family issue, or a challenge at work—remember that the real battle is spiritual, and it is won by seeking God, not by perfecting your own plans. Let your first response be to turn to Him, trusting that He is able to do what you cannot. [12:12]

Exodus 17:8-13 (ESV)
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been relying on your own strategies instead of surrendering to God? How can you intentionally practice dependence on Him today?

Day 2: Everyone Gets Weary and Needs Help

No one is immune to spiritual weariness—not even the strongest leaders or the most faithful believers. God designed us to need Him and to need each other. When Moses grew tired, Aaron and Hur came alongside to hold up his hands, ensuring victory for all. In your own journey, don’t let pride or fear keep you from asking for help. Reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ, and be willing to let others support you when you are weary. Likewise, look for opportunities to hold up someone else who may be struggling. [14:08]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Reflection: Who is someone you can ask for prayer or support this week—and who is someone you can encourage or help carry their burden?

Day 3: Unnamed People Are the Real Heroes

Much of God’s work is accomplished by people whose names are never known or celebrated. The victory over Amalek was won not just by Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Hur, but by countless unnamed warriors who fought faithfully. In the same way, the church is built on the quiet, unseen service of many who are not seeking recognition. God sees every act of faithfulness, and He promises to reward what is done in secret. Serve with humility, knowing that your labor in the Lord is never in vain, even if no one else notices. [08:26]

Matthew 6:3-4 (ESV)
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Reflection: What is one “unseen” way you can serve someone this week, expecting nothing in return but God’s pleasure?

Day 4: God’s Faithfulness Is for Every Generation

God’s work is not about one person or one moment—it is about His faithfulness from generation to generation. Each generation is called to rise up, carry the message, and trust God’s promises. As Joshua was charged to be strong and courageous, meditating on and obeying God’s Word, so are we. The victories and blessings we experience are built on the prayers, sacrifices, and faithfulness of those who came before us, and we are called to do the same for those who come after. [23:03]

Joshua 1:7-9 (ESV)
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: What story of God’s faithfulness in your life can you share with someone younger in the faith this week?

Day 5: The Greatest Miracle Is New Life in Christ

While God does many amazing things—healing, providing, restoring—the greatest miracle is the new life He gives when someone is born again. Salvation is the work of God that changes everything, giving us hope, purpose, and eternal life. No matter your past or your struggles, Jesus offers you a new beginning. Each day, remember that your testimony is a living miracle, and let it remind you to walk in gratitude and boldness, showing others the transforming power of Christ. [34:24]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: When you look in the mirror, do you see yourself as God’s miracle? How can you let your testimony of new life encourage someone else today?

Sermon Summary

As we gather in this unique season for our church, we’re reminded that what God is doing among us is not just about buildings or projects, but about people—about the body of Christ working together, generation after generation. We are standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, who have prayed, sacrificed, and served in unseen ways so that we might experience the blessings we now enjoy. This is a time to recognize that none of us walks alone; spiritual battles are not won by individual effort or clever strategy, but by total dependence on God and the support of others.

Looking at Exodus 17, we see Moses, Joshua, and the unnamed men who fought the battle. The victory didn’t come because of one person’s strength or leadership, but because of a community—some visible, some hidden—each playing their part. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands when he grew weary. In the same way, we all need people to hold us up when we are tired, discouraged, or facing spiritual battles. Weariness is not a sign of failure; it’s a reminder that God never intended for us to do life alone. He designed us to need Him and to need each other.

As we prepare for a new chapter—moving into a new building, taking on new challenges—we are called to remember and rehearse the faithfulness of God. We must not forget the miracles He has done, the prayers He has answered, and the lives He has changed. Our gratitude should overflow, not just for what God has done for us, but for the “unnamed heroes” who have quietly served, prayed, and given so that others might know Christ.

This is also a call to rise up and serve in our own generation. Every believer has a role, a gift, a place in the body of Christ. The greatest miracle is not a physical healing or a new building, but a life transformed by Jesus—a life that moves from death to life, from brokenness to hope. As we look ahead, let’s commit ourselves to be available, to serve, to pray, and to trust that what is truly of God cannot be stopped. May we be a people who hold each other up, who remember God’s faithfulness, and who boldly carry the gospel forward.

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual battles require dependence, not strategy True victory comes not from our cleverness or strength, but from surrender and reliance on God. When Moses lifted his hands, it was a sign of dependence, not a secret formula. Our greatest battles are spiritual, and we win them by leaning into God’s power, not our own plans. [12:12]
2. Everyone gets weary and needs support Even the strongest leaders, like Moses, grow tired. Weariness is not a weakness but a gift that reminds us of our need for God and for others. Asking for help is an act of humility and faith, and it opens the door for the body of Christ to function as God intended. [14:08]
3. Unnamed heroes are essential to God’s work Much of what God accomplishes happens through people whose names are never known. Their prayers, service, and sacrifices lay the foundation for visible victories. True greatness in the kingdom is found in quiet faithfulness, not public recognition. [07:46]
4. Remember and rehearse God’s faithfulness We are called to write down, recite, and celebrate the stories of God’s work in our lives. Gratitude keeps us from forgetting His goodness and guards us against complaining or losing sight of our mission. Sharing testimonies strengthens faith for the next challenge. [17:58]
5. Every generation must rise up and serve God’s purposes move forward as each generation takes up the call to carry the gospel. The body of Christ is not complete without every member using their gifts. Commitment to serve, even in small ways, is how we honor those who have gone before and prepare the way for those who come after. [23:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Series Overview & Upcoming Events
[01:40] - Firstfruits Offering and Building Update
[02:52] - 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
[04:08] - Gratitude for the Gang
[05:19] - The Blessing of Those Who Went Before
[06:32] - Moses, Joshua, and the Unnamed Heroes
[07:46] - The Power of Unseen Servants
[10:22] - Spiritual Battles and Dependence on God
[12:12] - Weariness and the Need for Help
[14:08] - Asking for Support in Community
[17:58] - Remembering and Rehearsing God’s Faithfulness
[19:16] - Generational Faithfulness and Leadership
[21:06] - Pastor Wooden’s Testimony and Charge
[23:03] - Courage, Commitment, and Serving in Your Generation
[29:26] - The Body of Christ and Spiritual Gifts
[33:43] - The Greatest Miracle: Salvation
[38:21] - Living as a Testimony and Invitation to Respond
[40:09] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

Exodus 17:8-16 (ESV)
> 8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

Joshua 1:7-9 (ESV)
> 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Observation Questions

In Exodus 17, what roles did Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Hur, and the unnamed men play in the battle against Amalek? How did their actions depend on each other? ([06:32])
What happened when Moses’ hands grew tired during the battle, and how did Aaron and Hur respond? ([11:34])
According to Joshua 1:7-9, what instructions does God give to Joshua as he prepares to lead? What is the connection between courage, obedience, and God’s presence?
The sermon mentioned “unnamed heroes” in the story. Who are these people, and why are they important? ([07:46])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God designed the victory over Amalek to require the participation of so many different people, rather than just Moses or Joshua alone? ([06:32])
The sermon says that weariness is not a sign of failure but a reminder of our need for God and others. How does this perspective challenge the way people usually view tiredness or weakness? ([13:29])
What does it mean to “remember and rehearse God’s faithfulness,” and why is this important for a church or individual believer? ([17:58])
The passage in Joshua 1:7-9 repeats the command to be strong and courageous. How does this relate to serving in your own generation and carrying the gospel forward? ([23:03])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about “spiritual battles” being won by dependence on God, not just strategy. Is there a current challenge in your life where you’ve been relying more on your own plans than on God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week? ([12:12])
Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands when he was weary. Who are the people in your life who “hold you up” when you’re tired or discouraged? How can you intentionally ask for help or support when you need it? ([14:08])
Are there ways you can be an “unnamed hero” in your church or community—serving, praying, or giving without recognition? What is one specific, unseen way you could serve someone this month? ([07:46])
The sermon encouraged us to “remember and rehearse” God’s faithfulness. Can you share a story of God’s answered prayer or miracle in your life? How might sharing this story encourage someone else in the group? ([17:58])
As your church moves into a new season or building, what are some practical ways you can show gratitude for those who have gone before you—those who prayed, served, or sacrificed so you could be here? ([05:19])
Every generation is called to rise up and serve. What is one area in the church or in your life where you sense God is calling you to step up and use your gifts? What’s holding you back, and how can you take a step forward this week? ([23:03])
The sermon said the greatest miracle is a life transformed by Jesus. How has Jesus changed your life, and how can you share that transformation with someone who doesn’t know Him yet? ([35:02])

Sermon Clips

“When we read these texts, it is important for you to know I am not comparing myself to Moses. I'm not comparing myself to Joshua. And I'm not comparing Pastor Wooden to Moses, even though he could be pretty close. All right. So what I'm what I am doing is taking some leadership principles from these passages that we would say hey how can we follow the Lord in a similar way.”

“Unnamed people are the real heroes in any battle, right? I mean, we would remember, we're going to read about Joshua. We're going to read about Moses. We're going to read about Aaron. We're going to read about But the people who actually fight the battle, you don't get their names. And I've been saying this since day one that 539 has been built on unnamed heroes who don't get any glory. They're not fighting for it.”

“So this thing that we are doing is built on people who aren't trying to be superstars. We just want to be servants. Hey, it says this in Luke 17. Here's the one. When they asked Jesus asked them, hey, why are you doing this? They replied, we are unworthy servants and we have only done our duty. Meaning, hey, when someone goes to battle, when someone fights for you, when someone prays for you, it's not because they need the credit.”

“In Matthew 6, he says, "Hey, guess what? When you do something in secret, I will what? Reward you." So, hey, unnamed people, there are hundreds, if not thousands of unnamed people who have helped the success of whatever this is at 539 church, and we won't know who they are until we get to heaven. Amen.”

“Spiritual battles are won with surrender, not strategy. It is total dependence on God. So it's a sign and a signal. Whatever you are fighting today, whatever you're walking through, it's not that you need to finally get the right strategy to win the battle. It's not once you finally find the right YouTube thing and trend and eat the right stuff and do the right things and eliminate all the see the right doctor and the right n, you know, all Hey, guess what? It is a spiritual battle whatever you're facing right and it is dependency on God.”

“Everyone gets weary and needs some help at times. I got any brothers and sisters at the 8:30. Hey, and guess what? Getting weary, I think, is a gift. I think it's a gift. How many of you just get stinking tired sometimes? I'm not even talking about like physically tired. You worked a 70 hour work week. You're blue. I I get that's a diff that's a different kind of tired.”

“There's a spiritual weariness. There's a spiritual tiredness. And I think it's a gift from God that Moses is tired because even Moses, everybody in this room, whether you're Bible person or not, you know stories about Moses. He's a big dog. Everyone knows about him. Guess what? Even he gets tired. It is the the Lord will not give you a life where he and others are not necessary.”

“He won't. Let me say that one more time. He's not going to give you a life where he is not necessary and you don't need other people. Because if God is leading you to a life and you're going to follow him, I think I believe the scripture is that you going to get tired. You going to need some help. And guess what? Hey, everybody gets weary spiritually. And when you're fighting spiritual battles, guess what? You get tired. A spiritual tired is way different than a physical tiredness, isn't it?”

“You can't win whatever's in front of you by yourself. If you win it by yourself, I don't think that's from God. You need the Lord and you need other people. Some of you are scared out of your living mind. That's how ser to walk up to somebody and say, "Hey, I'm pretty tired. Would you pray for me at small group? Are you what' you do? I I just I don't know. I'm tired.”

“Here's people aren't going to be shocked. Hey, would you pray for me? I need some brothers and sisters that would hold me up because guess what? Everyone gets weary and needs some help. It's not a I think the pride is, "Hey, I I don't need no help. I got it." Moses doesn't look at Aaron and say, "Hey, don't touch me. Hey, don't touch me. Right? He says, "Hey, they come alongside. They hold him up." And whatever you're walking through right now, you sometimes you need people to hold you up.”

“You need people who are going to hold you up and say, "Hey, I don't think I've done anything crazy sinful. I think I'm just tired. I need some help." And some of you are in your spiritual journey. You're weary, but you won't ask for help. You won't ask. Afraid someone's going to be shocked. Afraid people are going to get mad at you. Think they're going to think you're the only sinner at 539. What are we going to do here? Right?”

“So, hey, write it down in the book. And what? Recite it. So over and over and over again, you would tell the story. You and I should not be tired of telling the story of the spiritual battles we have won, right? The testimonies we said last week in Psalm 40 or 6-10, it was, "Hey, I won't be quiet about it. I will talk about it. I will declare it. I won't conceal my lips. Talk of his faithfulness, his love. You can't shut me up about God."”

“It's not about a person. It's not about our thing. It is about God showing himself faithful from generation to generation. Right? And I I'll say it this way. The best leaders long to see fruit grow on someone else's tree. Have you ever known somebody who just hogs all the credit? Um, you ever know somebody that just needs their name dropped, their thing brought up, their thing this?”

“Do not turn from from the right hand or to the left that you might be prospered wherever you go. This book of the law should not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night that you might be observed to do all according to that all is written in this in it. For then you will be made your way prosperous and you will have good success.”

“But see, God told Moses to write the story down what happened during that battle. Put it in the book so we could remember it. But then he said this word. He said, "Recite it." But I like the King James. It says, "Rehearse it." You have to rehearse the word of God every day in your life. When you go through spiritual battles, you got to rehearse what God says. You got to rehearse it. You're victorious. You're overcomer. your your whatever you are whatever you need you have to do that”

“Without God, you cannot. And without us, he will not. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father and through the power of the Holy Spirit, he does the work in the body of Christ. He's the one that calls you to be servant. He's the one that called you to be a pastor. He's the one that puts gifts in your life. If you don't know what your spiritual gifts, see where's where's Gavin at. Gavin's got a test for you. Amen. Find out what your gift is and know God wants to use you.”

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