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September 7, 2022 · 25 min · Pray Radio
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Dr. Tony Evans is the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative and author of over 100 books, booklets and Bible studies.
665K followers
0:00 If you forget what he's given you for what you're going through, you'll be a complainer and not a survivor.0:06 Jonathan Evans talks about how easily we can fall victim to spiritual amnesia when times get tough.0:12 See, the enemy is good at letting us focus so hard at our problem that we don't remember how great and big God has been in our past.0:20 This is The Alternative with Doctor. Tony Evans, author, speaker, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, and president of The Urban Alternative.0:32 Today, we begin a brand new series of special messages from Jonathan Evans called Survivor. Let's join him as he helps us discover why winning the battles ahead of us may depend on remembering the victories0:44 behind us.0:45 You know, there's many people in the audience that are going through a battle. So I found myself at Exodus 17. Because at Exodus 17, there's a battle and it gave me some encouragement last night0:57 as I was just reading it. And so I wanna give you some encouragement through the battle that you're facing. Exodus 17 verse 8.1:09 Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, choose men for us and go out. Fight against Amalek. Tomorrow, I1:21 will station myself on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand. Joshua did as Moses told him and fought against Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and1:33 Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up that Israel prevailed. And when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.1:45 But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, 1 on 1 side and 1 on the other,1:56 thus his hands were steady until sunset. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, write this in a book as2:08 a memorial and recite it to Joshua that I may utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under the earth. Moses built an altar and named it, the Lord is2:20 my banner. Today, this encouraged me because he's teaching me here, this is how we fight battles that that you're gonna have times where you have all of these things going2:32 on in your life, but if you go up to me while taking care of your responsibilities down there, I will show up. Many of you are dealing with health issues, you're dealing with financial issues, you're dealing with2:44 relational issues, you're dealing with career issues, you're dealing with addiction issues, you're dealing with children issues. The list can go on and on. If you could just stand up on this stage and have a moment to2:53 tell your story. But it's a spiritual battle. There are things going on in heavenly places to try to take you out. And the worst thing that we can do is tuck tail and run when it's our3:05 opportunity to pull down the power of heaven to overcome what's going on on earth. The people of Israel were on their way to the promised land. They were going in the direction that God had called them3:16 to go and they came to a place called Rephidim in order to camp. Camp means that we wanna be revitalized. We wanna sit down and get our mojo back because we got a long journey, so we're trying to get3:28 rejuiced, if you will. They had their Vitamixes out and they had their, you know, juicers out and they were trying to get things organized so that they can get their blood flowing in the right direction so that they can3:37 keep going in the direction that God had called them to. That's what camped is. I wanna get ready for the next phase. The expectation is that if we're camping, we're getting revitalized for where God is3:49 taking us next. The problem is is that the place where they camped was also the place where they didn't have any water. Now if you can imagine going from Africa through the Middle East on foot and you ain't got no4:01 water, that's not like a small problem. We're talking about life and death. We're talking about a major problem, and not only is it a major problem, but it messes up your expectations.4:12 We stopped here in order to be revitalized, and the place where we stopped to be revitalized is the place that's hurting us the most. There are people in this room right now that you look to something to be revitalized.4:24 You thought that if you just got settled now and slowed down in your marriage, you'd be revitalized and that thing just sped up. You thought that if you can get that new job or that career that you would be revitalized,4:35 but your experience, what wasn't it wasn't what was on paper. You thought that you would be revitalized with this new opportunity, these new things. You thought this would be a place where I have an opportunity to4:47 camp and get ready for where God is taking me only to find out that that's the place where you have to fight your biggest battles. And what messes you up is the expectation.4:58 It's the expectation that I thought that we're going in the direction that God has called us to go. If you look in verse 1, verse 2, and verse 3 of chapter 17, it was God who told5:10 them to camp. And then there ain't gonna be no water? We're following Jesus who calls himself the living water in John chapter 4, and why am I thirsty then?5:23 We got people who are thirsty in their finances, thirsty in their marriage, the list goes on and on. You are dehydrated while following the living come on, Jesus.5:35 That's just what we're going through, that's what you're going through. And sometimes you have that misunderstanding, that doubt, that conflict when you're saying, but I'm just doing what you said.5:48 They were thirsty. The people begin to grumble and complain. Now I'm not saying I condone complaining, but when I read the story, I'm like, well, I kinda understand. I mean, you told them to camp and they6:00 ain't got no water. You told them that this would be a place that they could have an expectation to be revitalized. And then things went downhill and then they started to look at the leader.6:13 They said they they got so annoyed at the circumstance that they were in that they start picking up rocks.6:27 Hey, Moe. We're gonna have to do something about this. Because when you feel like something's going awry up there, you start looking out here,6:39 picking up stones, trying to figure out whose fault it is that you're going through what you're going through. But God had them there. He said, you gotta learn in season6:50 and out of season how to trust me. But these were people who chapter 14, we're7:02 caught between a rock and a hard place. We got the Red Sea in front of us. We got pharaoh behind us. Chapter 15, we didn't have any water. Chapter 16, we needed some manna. Chapter 17, we still don't have any come on,7:13 Jesus. It's 1 thing after another. And the reason why I went to this passage is because in our personal life, I'm thinking, man, come on, man. It's 1 thing7:25 after aren't we just doing what you asked us to do? That's that's confusing to me sometimes. So I'm not saying that I condone the complaining of the people of Israel. I used to read the people of7:36 Israel and judge them like, y'all didn't you see what he did for you yesterday? Y'all complaining. You ain't you you don't remember? It was like a chapter ago. You know, we don't7:48 get a real time lapse. It was like last chapter. You just you But then when you go through it, you're like, oh.8:03 Now I understand. And I have to caution myself because that come on Jesus starts to become a complaint like he just owes me something. I start8:15 becoming titled in my speech because of what we're doing. And God is like, man, this ain't no business transaction. I'm working to take you somewhere.8:29 And so I'm I'm feeling them. People of Israel, I'm like, yeah, I'm with you because he told you to go there and you dehydrate it and he's the living water.8:41 So he says, it's how it feels. And then Moses saw them tossing them rocks And he said, come on, Jesus. He did. He said,8:53 God, we're not we're not trying to die today. Can you do something about this? The people are thirsty. You told us to camp here. Don't make me look bad. We're on our way to the promised land that you9:05 promised. And God said, okay. People were at their breaking point. They started asking the question, is the Lord with us or not? I don't know if you'd be real. Don't9:17 know if you've ever asked that question as I mean, I know he's real, but is he with me or not? They asked that question, and Moses got a word from the lord that said, mozzie9:29 on up to Mount Horeb. And you go up there and make sure you take the staff of god with you. You know what that represents. Right? Represents the spiritual realm, the power drawing down heaven to your experience on earth.9:41 I need you to do that, and I need you to go strike that rock. And when you do, water will come out of it so that the nations will no longer thirst. I got you. Have you ever9:53 experienced God coming through right at the breaking point? He likes doing that, doesn't he? I like him to come a little bit before that. I mean,10:05 he likes doing it because he wants you to know that right when you're about to give up, he hadn't given up on you. He throws you a bone so that you can continue the10:16 journey. But he's readying you for what where he's taking you. Without faith, it's impossible to please the Lord. He needs you to trust him. And some of you are in10:28 that phase where it's just, I'm thirsty. And it doesn't seem like there's any provision coming from anywhere. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, not10:40 those who don't. So you gotta wait. And there's gonna be times where you say to yourself, come on, Jesus. I'm just doing what you told me to do. You brought me out here.10:52 And then they said, wouldn't it be better for us just to go back to Egypt? Some of us in here say, man, it might be better for me just to go back to my old life. It might be better11:04 for me just to go back to my old way of thinking, old way of operating because I'm not getting no provision over here. But don't forget, in 14, you were between a rock and a hard place,11:16 but the sea opened. In 15, you needed water. It was provided. In 16, you were hungry. Manna fell from heaven. A little11:28 bit too much quail, but at least the manna was in good portion. So in 17, what are you complaining about? See, the enemy11:40 is good at letting us focus so hard at our problem that we don't remember how great and big God has been in our past. So11:49 how do we develop a better spiritual memory? We'll find out when we continue in just a moment. First, though, I wanted to let you know that the message you're listening to today is the start of a new teaching series from12:01 Jonathan Evans, who serves in both the local church and the national ministry with his pastor, friend, and father, doctor Tony Evans. Doctor Evans will be returning to the broadcast at the conclusion of12:13 this 2 week series from Jonathan entitled Survivor. It's a collection of lessons that complement the central teaching of Jonathan's brand new book, Fighting Your Battles. In it, he shows you how you can12:24 face hardship with strength and hope, confident that God will use your trials for his glory. If you're facing struggles in life that seem unbeatable, this book will help you see those struggles from12:36 God's point of view, empowering you to overcome and endure as you grow in your faith and draw closer to the Lord. Because this is such an important teaching, we want to give you both the book and all12:48 10 messages from the audio series as our gift when you make a financial contribution to keep the ministry of the alternative coming your way. To do that, just visit tony evans dot org, make a12:59 donation, and request your copy of Fighting Your Battles and the Survivor audio collection available on CD or digital download. And if you want to dig even deeper into this topic, consider13:11 adding the companion Fighting Your Battles DVD and study guide. Get all the details at tonyevans dot org or give us a call at 1 8 0 0 8 0 0 3 2 2 2.13:24 Members of our resource team are there 20 fourseven to help you in person. That's 1 8 0 0 8 0 0 3 2 2 2. I'll have that contact information for you once again after part 2 of13:36 today's message and this. You're a dedicated kingdom minded pastor, but are you ready to take your teaching to the next level?13:43 So let me explain something. If you don't wanna hear about Jesus, don't invite me. On October fourth through the seventh, join in the Kingdom Agenda Pastors Summit and discover your full13:55 potential.13:56 How do I manage? How do I balance? How do I cope with this blessing and brokenness at the same time?14:05 With over 40 workshops to choose from, engage with the word in the way that's best for you.14:10 And there's even sessions dedicated for pastors' wives. Although we believe that we're in 1 body, we're functioning like stepchildren. The path to real discipleship is right in front of you. Are you ready to14:22 begin? Register today for the kingdom leaders summit at cap 20 22 dot com. That's k a p 20 22 dot com. Find out14:31 why God has called you.14:35 Sponsored by the Urban Alternative.14:37 Water was coming down after Moses struck the rock. Yeah. The people looked up right when they were about to give up. Yeah. And you saw God water. Yeah. You know, that's better than the water we get.14:49 That God water that came from that rock, that had to be the best stuff. I can see the people of Israel now. They went to the, you know, the desert Walmart and got the party cups right as the provision came.15:01 Then Amalek came to fight against Israel at Rephidim. Come on, Jesus. We can't catch a break. Many of you are feeling the people of Israel. You're like, man, it's15:13 1 thing after another. And not only is it 1 thing after another, it's 1 thing after another in Rephidim. Yeah. It means the location, it's the same location. It's that same job and that same coworker.15:25 Yeah. Same family strife. Have you ever thought to yourself, if I can just get rid of this 1 thing? But again, I don't want us and myself15:38 to forget God's grace. Where is God's grace in this story? God provided the water before Amalek showed up. See, he knows15:49 what's coming, and he'll make those provisions so that you're ready to handle it. If you forget what he's given you for what you're going through,16:01 you'll be a complainer and not a survivor. But remember how great God is because he's preparing you for a great promise, and that16:13 promise sometimes can get dark. But if you don't stop walking, you can keep experiencing where he's taking you. He's saying there's a battle that has to be fought. You gotta go be responsible. You16:25 can't complain about it. You gotta go fight against it. And Moses tells us, he said, Joshua in verse 9, you go down and I will go up. He says, you go down and take care of that16:37 responsibility because we can't ignore the battle. But I'm not gonna let you go down there without me going up to handle the spiritual war. Because like my mom said, this battle is up there, and up there16:48 determines what happens down here. Some of us are so earthly bound that we're no heavenly good. And some of us just flying in the sky, just talking all the spiritual language, walking around, looking all17:00 churchy, but you can't be used on earth. He's saying you gotta go up and grab the spiritual perspective while taking care of your responsibilities down here.17:12 Camden was 2 years old. He was standing up at the top of the stairs in our house. And I said, Camden, give me your hand, man. I got you gotta hold my hand because you don't need to be trying to go down these stairs. Your17:22 legs are too short. You're get caught off guard, and you're look like a bowling ball just rolling down the stairs. And so when I grabbed his hand, he said, I don't know what he said, but it was rude. He just17:34 I went down. I went down. And then we got to the last step, and then I let him go. Because I didn't want him to fall too far. So I said, okay, Camden.17:47 Here's your shot. He took the step. First foot didn't touch the ground before his back foot came off. Boom. Hit his17:58 chest, knocked the wind. It began. It was a worship service.18:11 Hands lifted, Crying coming back to the father. Because he recognized that it's just not18:23 smart to try to take this journey down here without having a hold of my father up there. That thing just don't work out that well. I've tried it. Let me let you know. That thing don't work out too18:34 well. When you try to take advantage of what's going on in your life without having a hold of the father, Moses knew, Joshua, I'm a send you down, but I'm not gonna let you go. I'm a go up. Because18:46 we have to have a stronghold. Even 2 years later, my son Camden at 4 years old, I said, okay, you're 4 now. Go ahead and go on down the stairs. He said, daddy.18:59 Hold my hand, daddy. That's what he said to him. I said, you 4, man. You can go down the stairs. He he knew better now. We ought to know better now. Moses is letting you know better now.19:10 He's saying, you go down and take care of that responsibility, but you have to have a firm grasp because I have confidence in my father even though I know I still have to take the walk.19:22 And I wanna tell somebody out there, go be responsible and go fight hard. Go fight hard. But don't you let go of your father's hand. Because he19:34 determines the end result. In the middle of this battle, Moses arms start hurting. They got heavy. And then the bible says, verse 12,19:46 says that Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him and had him sit on it. You always know when you have the right people around because they're gonna give you a rock to sit19:58 on. People ask me, how are you doing? I said, I'm doing okay. And I really I really am. I'm doing pretty good. Why? My faith is in 120:10 thing. And it's a rock. And I believe in it. I have an expectation because it's a rock. Even when I fall apart, it20:21 doesn't. It's immutable. It's not gonna change. It don't matter what you feel. It's a rock. And you have to have people around you that can give20:33 you the rock. I know you're gonna get tired of, oh, don't quote them scriptures. Don't I don't wanna hear that. Yes, you do. You need that. Because it's true. His20:46 hands got heavy and his boys gave him a stone to sit on. They held up his hands, 1 on 1 side and 1 on the other. And because of them, not just20:57 Moses, his hands were steady until sunset. Thus, we know what happened. Joshua overwhelmed Amalek with the edge of his21:09 sword. What is the sword? Ephesians 6. Word God. He took the spiritual perspective from up there and slayed his enemy down here.21:24 Why is the word word important? Well, it's pretty much the only offensive weapon you get. And many of us are just living defense.21:35 But his word says, if you ask according to my will, I hear you. And you better know that I hear you and your petitions will be grabbed by heaven. That's what21:47 it says in first John 5 14. His word says in John 15, that if you abide in me and my word abides in you, you can ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. That's what your word says. His word says in Mark21:59 11, that if you pray believing, you will be receiving. That's what his word says. His word says, don't be anxious for anything, but through prayer and supplication, make your request known. So since he says it,22:11 we're do it. And we're gonna have an expectation that Jehovah Nissi will give us victory in our family, in your life, in your family's life. We're looking22:23 for victory. Why? Because we have a rock. And we can have an expectation that even though we have battles, God is only preparing us for a great promise. We're ready for the22:35 battle. Is there anybody who's ready for the battle? There's no more time to tuck tail and run. There's no more time to only play defense. It's time22:47 to play offense. Because he said it, so we're gonna do it. They may give you a bad diagnosis. You can say, mm-mm, mm-mm. Hold my hand, daddy.22:58 Because what he says goes no matter what you're going through.23:07 Do you feel close enough to God to see him as a daddy who loves you unconditionally? That's the kind of connection he wants to have with you, and he's made it possible through Jesus' death on the cross.23:19 Find out how it can happen for you today. Visit tony evans dot org and click on the link that says Jesus. You'll find some helpful videos and free follow-up resources to answer your questions and23:31 get you started. Again, that's tony evans dot org. While you're there, don't forget about that special double offer I mentioned earlier. The brand new book from Jonathan Evans called Fighting Your Battles23:43 Every Christian's Playbook for Victory. Plus, the 10 lesson survivor sermon series on CD or instant digital download. They're both yours with our thanks for your donation to23:54 help make this listener supported program possible. Make the arrangements today at 1 808 hundred 32 22 before time runs out. That's 1 808 hundred 324:06 2 2 2, or visit Tony Evans dot org. Have you ever struggled with a situation that seems so overwhelming you just wanted to throw in the towel and say, God, I24:18 give up. If so, you're not alone. Even those with a rock solid faith have faced those times of hopelessness. Tomorrow, Jonathan Evans will teach us what to do when our feelings24:30 don't measure up to our faith. Be sure to join us. The Alternative with Doctor. Tony Evans is brought to you by The Urban Alternative and is made possible by the generous contributions24:42 of listeners like you.
