Don’t Forget Who You Are

I am here to complete one primary assignment:  I am here to encourage you!

Hebrews 3:13 (AMP) But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].

Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 18:10

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 46:1-3 …God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.   Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Psalm 118:14-16 The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.  The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.

We know we should not be discouraged, but we don’t know how.

We get discouraged, when we forget!

Don’t forget who you are.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

 

1.  Don’t  forget what kind of people you are (v.9).

2.  Don’t forget what your purpose is: to show His praises (v.9).

3.  Don’t forget what has happened to you (v.10).

A chosen generation …  The Greek words actually mean a chosen or elect race. Peter takes the term from the Old Testament where God stated the same thing about Israel.

“My people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself” (Isaiah 43:20-21).

The idea is that of a new race of people, a new species that differs entirely from the other races upon earth. God is actually creating a new race of people upon earth.

God is implanting His divine nature within believers. We are born again.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23).

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (1 John 5:1).

We receive a renewed mind.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [mind] the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).

God Renew our mind, lest we forget!

A Man Like Hur

Exodus 17:8-13

This Text tells of a critical moment in the history of Israel.

The Lord promises the total destruction of the Amalekites.

In this story we find the great leader Moses, along with Aaron, as well as the first mention of Joshua.

However, there is another man mentioned in these verses that deserves our attention: his name is Hur.

Here is a man about whom we know next to nothing, yet he enabled an entire nation to see a great victory.

I would like to honor all those who are willing to take the second seat. Those who are willing to make up the second line.

People who are often unnoticed, un-thanked, un-paid and underappreciated, people just like Hur.

People who perform a function in the Body of Christ that is so vital, but who never get the recognition they deserve.

Allow me to share with you four characteristics of guys like Hur that make them very special to the Kingdom work of God.

I. V. 12 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS

To me, Aaron and Hur are the heroes of this conflict. Had they not been there, the battle would have been lost and Israel would have been defeated!

The job they performed was absolutely invaluable!

In the church, there are still found the Moses’, the Aaron’s and the Joshua’s.

There are still those people who get the credit, those who get seen, those who do the headline grabbing work of the ministry, but behind everyone of those people, there is an army of Hur’s.

People Like Hur Are Absolutely Invaluable

II. V. 10, 12 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED

Hur wasn’t a great leader like Moses. He wasn’t a great General like Joshua. He wasn’t a great High Priest like Aaron. He wasn’t a warrior like those in the army. He was just Hur.

The Bible does tell us later that Hur was a man of influence among the people, Ex. 24:14. Rumor even has it that he was Miriam’s husband.

However, on this day, there was one thing Hur could do and he did it willingly, actively and faithfully. He could hold up hands and he did the best job he could!

There is always a place in the Lord’s work for people who want to be involved.

I. People Like Hur Are Absolutely Invaluable

II. People Like Hur Are Always Involved

III. V. 12 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE OFTEN INVISIBLE

After the battle, can you imagine Joshua as he led the victorious Israelite army back into camp?

I am sure there were congratulations all around, slaps on the back and shouts of “Way to go!”; “Good work, Joshua!” I can see the people as they received Moses back into the camp with shouts and expressions of gratitude. I can hear Aaron as he led the congregation in a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for giving them the victory.

Then I can see a fellow named Hur as he walks wearily towards his tent to rest. No one pats him on the back, no one tells him that he did a good job. In fact, only a couple of people know what he did that day. To the people, he is invisible, but in his heart, he is overjoyed because he knows that what man does not, God does!

1. It is often a thankless task

Matthew 6:2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

2. People like Hur work and others get the recognition

The Lord is keeping a perfect record and He will one day reward you for your labor.

A pastor, writing in Decision magazine, told of an experience he had in Jamaica. He was there with others from the states to help erect a small cement-block church building.

One day a sudden storm interrupted the work, and he and a Jamaican man named Daniel sought shelter together. As they watched the rain, Eastman asked, “Are you an officer in the church?” “No,” Daniel replied. “I’m the man behind the church.”

I am convinced that those who lived like Hur while here below will receive the greatest acclaim in Heaven.

Therefore, if the Lord has called you to perform a quiet, godly ministry, rejoice in the call He has extended and let Him use your life as He sees fit!

After all, it is His Kingdom and He knows where we are needed far better than we ever could!

I praise the Lord for everyone who is faithful behind the scenes! Often, it is the thought of the second line that keeps the first line crowd going!

When William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, felt the call of the Lord to go into the streets of London and begin ministering to street people, he stood in a Methodist Conference meeting and requested permission from the presiding bishop to be released from his church to go into the streets and preach. The bishop heard the request and denied it telling Booth that they would not waste a man of his education and talent on the people of the streets.

Upon hearing this, Booth sat down, resigned to defeat. His wife was seated in the balcony, because women were not allowed on the first floor.

She stood up and leaned over the rail. She called to her husband and told him to listen to God and not to man. She vowed to stand with her husband against every foe. She came down from the balcony, Booth took her by the arm and they left the building to go into the streets to win people to Jesus.

He was ready to quit, but his wife, a lady who usually stayed in the background, stepped out of the shadow of her husband to hold up his arms at a critical time in his life!

IV. Ex. 31:2 PEOPLE LIKE HUR ARE ALWAYS INVESTORS

As Hur lived his life and performed his God-given ministry, others were watching. Some time later, God needed someone to build the Tabernacle and provide a place where the Lord could meet with His people. When the Lord looked down at those millions of Israelites, His eyes settled on one man. It was a fellow by the name of Bezaleel. This man just happened to be the grandson of a man named Hur.

My guess is that Bezaleel was watching as his grandfather served the Lord.

He watched as he took the backseat while others got all the credit. He watched as the Lord used Hur time and again for his glory. He probably remembered an evening when Hur returned from a hilltop, tired and drained from holding up the arms of Moses. While the rest of the camp was excited about the great victory that Joshua and Moses had worked, Bezaleel probably took note of the fact the it was his grandfather, a man who was willing to serve God in a quiet fashion that helped bring the great victory to pass.

You may not have a high profile position. You may think that cleaning the church, praying for the services, or teaching your little class is an unimportant function. May I remind you that others are watching? There are people who are not saved who are watching how you serve the Lord in your position. There are little ones who will see whether mom or dad is faithful in the little things. There are no unimportant duties in the church. The wise follower knows that his life is an investment. As we do the little things God gives us, we are telling all those around us that God’s work is important in every detail.

However, there is another investment that is taking place.

You see, people may not see what you do and you may never get thanked for it here, but God sees and He will take care of you in Heaven.

Every deed is an investment in eternity.

I am almost sure that there are some here today who can relate to Hur. You are dedicated to the Lord, but you are never recognized for your contributions. Let me tell you this morning, you are appreciated.

This preacher thinks you are the best! I love you and thank God for everyone who is involved in the Lord’s work in whatever capacity.

Maybe some here this morning have thought about quitting.

Please “Don’t!”

You are too important to what is being done in this place. You are too vital to the Lord’s work.

If the devil has been trying to convince you that you are unimportant, let me tell you that you are very important!

I would like to see you come before the Lord this morning and renew your commitment to serve Him is anyway that He may see fit to use you.

Maybe you haven’t been as faithful to the Lord as you should have been and you wonder if the Lord could use you. The answer is “Yes!” God will use anyone who will make themselves available.

Won’t you come to Him and tell Him that you are ready to do whatever He asks you to do?

Awakening

Awakening – an act or moment of becoming suddenly aware of something

A True Spiritual Awakening will involve:

THE WORD

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is-quick (lit. alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Psalm 107:20 He sent his word, and-healed them, and delivered them from-their destructions.

PRAYER

2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my-face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their-land.

2 Tim 1:6 I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands

FIRE

1 Thes 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Try it!  Prove it! Share it!

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Share what God has done for you.
Share what God can do for them.

James 4:8 -10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.