Living Under Christ's Banner: Identity and Allegiance
Summary
Each of us lives under banners—identities, allegiances, and affiliations that shape who we are and how we see the world. Some are lighthearted, like being a Wisconsin Badger fan, while others are deeply meaningful, such as family, work, or church. Yet, the most important question is: which banner do we truly live under, and which one are we willing to go to battle for? In a world eager to sort us into tribes and camps, it’s easy to let secondary banners take precedence over the one that matters most—Christ.
Looking at the story of Moses in Exodus 17, we see the Israelites facing battle against the Amalekites. Moses, with the help of Aaron and Hur, keeps his hands raised to God, and as long as his hands are lifted, Israel prevails. After the victory, Moses builds an altar and names it “The Lord is my Banner” (Jehovah Nisi), recognizing that God alone is the source of victory. This story teaches us several vital lessons: we must be sure we’re on God’s side, not just asking Him to bless our own agendas; we should only enter the battles God calls us to; and we must remember that victory belongs to God, not to our own strength or effort.
Perseverance is essential, and we’re not meant to fight alone. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to support him, just as we need community to hold us up when we grow weary. Even Jesus sought the companionship of his closest friends in Gethsemane. We’re also called to be that support for others, carrying one another when the burden is too great.
Remembering God’s faithfulness is crucial. The Israelites quickly forgot the miracles they had witnessed, so God instructed them to build physical reminders. We, too, need to recall and share stories of God’s provision, both for our own encouragement and to strengthen the faith of others, especially the next generation.
Ultimately, the banner we live under must be Christ. Many banners compete for our loyalty—family, politics, even church—but if any of these take precedence over Jesus, they become idols. We must continually examine our hearts, seek God’s Word, and invite others into our struggles, so that Christ remains our primary allegiance. The world will always try to draw us under other banners, but only under Christ’s banner do we find true identity, purpose, and victory.
Key Takeaways
- Examine Your Banners and Allegiances
It’s easy to let secondary identities—family, work, politics, or even church—become the banners that define us. But we must regularly ask ourselves which banner truly guides our decisions and affections. If anything takes precedence over Christ, it becomes an idol, and we need to realign our hearts so that Jesus is our primary allegiance. [06:16]
- Be Sure You’re on God’s Side, Not Just Asking God to Bless Yours
Like Abraham Lincoln wisely noted, the real question is not whether God is on our side, but whether we are on His. Before entering any battle—whether relational, cultural, or spiritual—we must seek God’s direction and discern if this is truly a battle He’s called us to fight. Our role is to align ourselves with God’s purposes, not to enlist Him in our own. [11:15]
- Victory Belongs to God, Not to Our Own Strength
The story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur shows that even when we are fighting with all our might, the outcome depends on God’s intervention. We must guard against pride and the temptation to take credit for victories that are ultimately God’s doing. Remembering to give God the glory keeps our hearts humble and our faith anchored in His power. [16:03]
- Perseverance Requires Community and Mutual Support
Battles are often long and exhausting, and we are not meant to endure them alone. Like Moses, we need others to hold up our arms when we grow weary, and we must be willing to do the same for those around us. True Christian community is marked by mutual encouragement, vulnerability, and the willingness to carry one another through seasons of struggle. [19:14]
- Remember and Share God’s Faithfulness
Forgetting God’s past provision leads to fear and doubt in present challenges. We need tangible reminders—journals, stories, conversations—to recall how God has come through for us. Sharing these testimonies with others, especially the next generation, strengthens faith and helps us all trust God for the battles yet to come. [23:23]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - What Banners Define Us?
[03:34] - Personal Banners and Identity
[05:02] - Which Banner Guides Your Choices?
[06:16] - Is Christ Your Primary Banner?
[07:23] - Jehovah Nisi in Exodus 17
[08:27] - God’s Provision and Our Distrust
[09:45] - The Lord is My Banner: Lessons from the Battle
[11:15] - Being on God’s Side
[12:18] - Only Fight the Battles God Sends
[13:30] - God is Responsible for the Victory
[16:03] - The Temptation to Take Credit
[17:03] - Persevering with the Help of Others
[19:14] - Carrying Each Other’s Burdens
[21:51] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
[23:23] - Sharing Testimonies Across Generations
[25:42] - Reflective Questions for Spiritual Battles
[27:14] - The Armor of God and Spiritual Warfare
[29:39] - Our True Armor and Weapons
[31:26] - Christ as Our Ultimate Banner
[32:51] - The Danger of Idolatry
[34:26] - Inviting Others into Our Struggles
[36:00] - The Importance of God’s Word
[36:55] - Who Will You Serve?
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Under the Right Banner"
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### 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.”
Ephesians 6:10–18 (ESV)
> 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
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### Observation Questions
1. In the story from Exodus 17, what was the connection between Moses’ raised hands and the outcome of the battle? ([08:27])
2. Who helped Moses when he grew tired, and what did they do for him? ([12:18])
3. According to Ephesians 6, what are some of the pieces of the “armor of God” that believers are told to put on?
4. After the victory over the Amalekites, what did Moses do to help the Israelites remember what God had done? ([09:45])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to make the Israelites’ victory depend on Moses’ raised hands, rather than just giving them victory outright? What might this teach us about dependence on God? ([13:30])
2. The sermon mentioned that not every battle is ours to fight. How can someone discern whether a particular struggle or conflict is a battle God is calling them into? ([12:18])
3. The passage in Ephesians says our struggle is not against flesh and blood. What does this mean for how we view people we disagree with or find difficult? ([28:29])
4. The sermon talked about building reminders of God’s faithfulness. Why is it so easy to forget what God has done for us in the past? ([21:51])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to examine the “banners” or identities we live under. What are some banners (identities, allegiances, or affiliations) that compete for your primary loyalty besides Christ? How do you see these influencing your decisions or attitudes? ([06:16])
2. Think about a current “battle” or challenge in your life. Are you confident this is a battle God is calling you to fight, or could it be a distraction from what He wants for you? How can you seek God’s direction in this? ([12:18])
3. When have you been tempted to take credit for a victory or success that really belonged to God? How can you practice giving God the glory in both big and small wins? ([16:03])
4. Who are the “Aaron and Hur” in your life—people who help hold you up when you’re weary? Are you letting others support you, or do you tend to try to handle things alone? ([19:14])
5. Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to “hold up their arms” or support them in a difficult season? What is one practical way you can encourage or help them this week? ([19:14])
6. What are some ways you can create reminders of God’s faithfulness in your life? (For example: journaling, sharing stories, physical objects, etc.) How might you share these stories with the next generation or with others in your community? ([23:23])
7. The sermon warned about letting good things—like family, work, or even church—become idols if they take priority over Christ. Is there an area where you sense your priorities might be out of order? What step could you take this week to realign your heart so that Jesus is your primary banner? ([32:51])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see clearly which banners you are living under, to give you courage to realign your heart with Christ, and to help you support others and remember His faithfulness.
Devotional
Day 1: The Lord is My Banner—Choosing Christ Above All
Every person lives under banners that shape their identity—family, culture, career, or even favorite sports teams. Yet, the most important banner is the one we choose to go to battle for. The call is to examine whether Jesus is truly the primary banner over your life, not just one among many. In a world that constantly tries to define us by lesser allegiances, we are invited to declare, like Moses, “The Lord is my banner,” and to let our lives be marked first and foremost by our allegiance to Christ. [09:45]
Exodus 17:8-15 (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. 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.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner.
Reflection: What is one “banner” in your life—whether family, career, or something else—that sometimes competes with your allegiance to Christ? What would it look like to place Jesus above that banner today?
Day 2: Only Fight the Battles God Sends You
Not every battle is yours to fight. Sometimes, we are drawn into conflicts or causes that are not God’s assignment for us, and we risk exhaustion or distraction from our true calling. The wisdom is in seeking God’s direction before entering any battle, asking, “Lord, is this the battle you have sent me to?” When we discern and obey, we find ourselves on God’s side, fighting with His strength and purpose, rather than striving in our own. [12:18]
2 Chronicles 20:15 (ESV)
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’”
Reflection: Is there a conflict or challenge you are currently facing that you need to ask God, “Is this my battle to fight?” How can you seek His guidance before taking your next step?
Day 3: God Is Responsible for the Victory
It is easy to take credit for victories in life, forgetting that it is God who brings the breakthrough. Whether in moments of answered prayer or hard-fought success, we must remember to give God the glory, recognizing that our strength and perseverance are not enough without His intervention. True humility and gratitude flow from acknowledging that every victory is ultimately His. [16:03]
Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Reflection: Think of a recent “win” or answered prayer in your life. Have you paused to give God the glory for it? How can you intentionally thank Him and share His faithfulness with someone else today?
Day 4: Persevere with the Support of Others
Battles can be long and exhausting, and God never intended for us to fight alone. Like Moses, who needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms, we need the support, encouragement, and prayers of others to persevere. Likewise, we are called to be that support for those around us, carrying one another through seasons of struggle and reminding each other not to give up. [19:14]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Reflection: Who in your life is facing a battle right now and needs your support? How can you practically “hold up their arms” this week—through prayer, encouragement, or a simple act of kindness?
Day 5: Remember and Share God’s Faithfulness
God’s people are called to remember His faithfulness and to share those stories with others. Building “altars” of remembrance—whether through journaling, sharing testimonies, or teaching the next generation—strengthens our trust in God for future battles. When we recall and recount what God has done, we not only encourage ourselves but also build up the faith of those around us. [23:23]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV)
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Reflection: What is one specific way you can remember and share a story of God’s faithfulness in your life this week—with your family, friends, or church community?
Quotes
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