Shared Ministry
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Once upon a time a brand new hotel employee was asked to clean the elevators and report back to his supervisor once the task had been completed.
The end of the day came and the employee never reported back. The supervisor simply assumed that like the rest of those he had hired that the employee had quit.
However, after three days the supervisor bumped into the new employee. He was inside one of the elevators cleaning it. The supervisor, in an accusatory voice asked, “You surely haven’t been cleaning these elevators for three days, have you?”
“Yes sir, I have,” said the employee. “This is a huge job, and I’m not done yet. Do you realize there are over forty-five of them, two on each floor, and sometimes they are not even there..”
Think about that for a minute… 🙂
Good leadership requires proper delegation and training.
This morning we are going to continue with our series Living in Community and we are going to jump into this narrative that Joey introduced us to last week.
The setting is in the area of Rephidim near to the Mount Horeb, or Mountain of God. It was in this area that Moses encountered God in the Burning Bush back in Ex 3. And today Moses has returned to this area as God had promised. Exodus 3:12. The man is tired. So much has happened and he is still pressing on.
I don’t know about you, but if I was separated from Heather for a long time, I would much rather spend time with her than my FIL. If they came for a visit I would turn the grandkids over and leave to spend time with my wife. But nope, Moses just gets down to business the very next day.
The recent events and their meaning;
Red Sea - Salvation
13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again.
Marah - Place of testing
25 He cried out to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he put them to the test.
Elim - place of rest Ex 15:27
Wilderness - place of provision Ex 16 Manna and Quail
Rephidim - place of battle Ex 17:8-16 The defeat of the Amalekites
Ft of Mt. Horeb - We will see today this as the place of help.
13 The next day Moses sat as judge for the people, while the people stood around him from morning until evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?” 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.”
1. Good can wear you out. (vs. 13-16)
1. Good can wear you out. (vs. 13-16)
The characters - Moses, Jethro - Moses’ father in law (12x in ch 18)
The day before
Moses is sitting as the judge (Israel’s only judicial leader) and the people are standing around him from morning until evening bringing their disputes.
Perspective (2-3 million people 1/2 the population of Missouri)
What were they disputing? broken wheels, misplaced tent pegs, personal space infringement, stealing food?
We are not meant to do ministry alone. God wants us to be balanced not over burdened but thriving.
What is wearing us out? Are we doing good at the expense of a vibrant relationship with the Lord Jesus? Are we taking matters in our own hands rather than waiting on God? Those standing around Moses were frustrated and surely some did not wait and began to take matters in their own hands.
Moses was given a position of Mediatorial authority by God. A position of power and influence. If someone had a problem with Moses, in essence they had a problem with God.
Pastor Cody is the man God has placed in the position as shepherd of this flock. How are we as sheep behaving? Are we fence runners pushing and wanting our way, out agenda? Perhaps this morning God is asking us to consider trusting Him to work through Cody and to be a learner, teachable, humble servants. Cody is not perfect. God is, and we can trust that God knows what He is doing through Cody.
We can ask questions, we can challenge Cody but let us do it with humility and respect because God has put him here at this time to lead us.
1 The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.
26 Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is a sabbath, there will be none.”
Before the Exodus there was no Israel in the political sense. (Swiss Theologian) Von Orelli - speaks of the Exodus as “the birth of Israel as a nation,” a crisis in which Moses appeared as the “prophetical mediator through whom the wonderful deed of God is accomplished.” The grand climax of this historic birth was reached at Sinai where the tribes were “inwardly united into one nation”; and the outcome was “that Moses as the recognized organ of God was not only the authority who was to decide in all disputes concerning right, but also the one from whom a new and complete order of legal enactments proceeded.”
Jethro asks questions- (relational equity) Moses’ first 40 years in the desert of Midian taking care of sheep for his FIL. This was his apprenticeship so to speak. Here he learned how to lead smelly not very bright sheep. His FIL showed him how to use a staff to lead, and a rod to correct. That training and investment is now paying dividends as his FIL is coaching him now to tweak some things to be a better leader.
Moses’ response - not defensive, respectful, others focussed,
Leadership qualities of Jethro/ Moses
Jethro was skilled in reading the situation- he did not condemn or take over, he simply observed, and he asked questions that caused Moses to consider a different perspective.
My FIL - We have this relationship. Dad Boyer has invested in our ministry over the past 27 years and has been a great coach and friend. We trust each other and we both have the freedom to ask questions. I don’t feel threatened but receive his advice gladly.
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God; 20 teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. 21 You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 18
commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds The judiciary system is arranged in a hierarchical form. The units parallel the later organization and leadership of the Israelite army (e.g., Num 31:14; 1 Sam 22:7–8; 2 Sam 18:1; 2 Chr 1:2). The Hebrew term used for the leaders, sar, is frequently employed in military contexts (e.g., Deut 20:9; 1 Sam 14:50; 2 Kgs 1:9).
2. Wisdom of Many Workers (v.17-22)
2. Wisdom of Many Workers (v.17-22)
What you are doing is crazy. (21st century vernacular)
You will wear yourself out and those you serve.
Task is too great, you cannot do it alone.
Potentially destructive thought processes:
it takes too long to train someone
it is quicker if I do it myself
there is a need and no one is stepping up so I will do it.
a. You are not Indispensable -
examples of; Elijah after defeating the prophets of Baal in a spectacular way in I Kings 18 he runs for his life from Jezebel who threatened to kill him. In Ch 19 we find him at MT Horeb in a cave.
11 He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Nehemiah 2: 5-8 Rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah a cupbearer rose to the challenge and went the king and requested permission to go rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He knew he could not do it alone. It required many people and skills to accomplish the overall task.
These two characters pose a contrast. Elijah just called down fire on a saturated altar and God magnificently destroyed the prophets of Baal. Shortly thereafter he was exhausted and allowed a rumor to paralyze him with fear and he ran for his life.
Nehemiah a cupbearer to King Artexerxes boldly approached the King with humility to go repair the walls. He had a thought out plan that was prayed over and ready to be implemented. The king granted his request and the wall construction commenced.
What is the difference between these two situations? I believe it was their view of God. Elijah lapsed in his understanding of God’s supreme authority. Nehemiah was grieved to hear about the destruction of Jerusalem and purposed to do something about it realizing that he could not do it by himself.
“Awe of God will make you feel small, and that is good because that is what you and I are. Awe of God will make you feel unworthy for the task. It will confront you with a healthy inability. Not only does that sense produce a trust in God’s wisdom, power, and grace, it also makes you humble, approachable, patient, kind, passionate, and willing. When you are blown away by the glory of the Saviour and His cross, you will be driven to that cross for the character and strength you need to represent the Savior well in the lives of those around you.” -Paul David Tripp, AWE
13 Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable to be your leaders.”
Jethro in his assessment, identified 3 resources that his son in law had at his disposal to do things better;
Moses’ heart to serve God, God’s favor, and the People
Moses was realizing that he could not do this work alone and his FIL coached him to see a different perspective and consider appropriating resources that were readily available.
Leadership principle of Replication
Highlight the testimonies of workers the last couple of weeks.
Good leaders look for other Good leaders.
men of ability - can they do the job?
men of godliness - can they be trusted?
men of the word - do they have a relationship with God?
men of honor - how do they relate to others? Is their character solid?
Calvin says, “Among a free people, judges should not be chosen for their wealth or rank, but for their superiority in virtue.” When we are looking for people in a realm where we expect them to assist us, serve us, or lead us, are they able to do the task? Do they fear God? Are they trustworthy? Do they hate a bribe? It is much easier to learn new skills than to develop a new self, so make virtue your chief
23 If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their home in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times; hard cases they brought to Moses, but any minor case they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went off to his own country.
You can imagine the conversation, “son if you would seek God’s counsel, and teach the people God’s laws then they will be empowered to share the burden.”
What about us here at FBC? We know our purpose, we have various teams, leadership structure, but we lack volunteers. Why is that?
I suggest that it is not so much a lack of people as it is an AWE problem. Out view of God is skewed. We look at the task and conclude that is not for me or I do not have the time, or whatever. What if we approached ministry opportunities with this attitude instead- Lord I want to serve you, help me in my unbelief to trust you for the strength to do what you ask me to do.
What if we instead of being asked, we proactively look for those Moses situations where leaders are overloaded? What if we came to them like Jethro and encouraged them to share the burden. Maybe ask similar questions out of concern for them and the church and not to promote your ideas as being better. Coming as a learner and humble servant willing to help.
A right view of God changes things.
IBL - testimony Home from the UK/ Burnout focus on them shifted to focus on me and my wrong view of God.
The task became an idol and consequently my view of God became unbiblical.
Tozer - Knowledge of the Holy
3. The Promise of Co-Laborers (vs. 23-27)
3. The Promise of Co-Laborers (vs. 23-27)
Outcome of following wise counsel
-endurance You will thrive in service.
13 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
-peaceful living The burden is shared, the workload is balanced.
19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
3 Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace— in peace because they trust in you.
From shepherd apprentice to leader of God’s chosen people
Relational equity was invested long before this day. Moses respected Jethro because of this investment years before and as result was not threatened by his advice.
Moses was teachable and listened.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What is the take away from this text today?
Ministry is not a spectator sport. It requires hearts that are yielded to Christ and His purposes not ours.
Jethro was a catalyst used by God to change Moses’ perspective. Is God prompting you to be that catalyst to someone who is over burdened?
What is God laying on your heart this morning? Is your focus on serving Christ out of obedience and motivated by your love for Him?
We are not looking for positions to be filled, we are looking for Christ Followers who want to impact eternity with their lives and are willing to serve Him relentlessly.
(All kinds of opportunities in our church and community)
In two weeks we will vote for our next president. There is a lot on the line. Morality, the Sanctity of Human life, and so much more. Let us not be paralyzed with fear of the what if, but rather proactively looking for opportunities to serve Christ and by doing so, we will reflect the image of the Risen Lord Jesus ever so brightly. God will still be on His throne on November 4th. We can trust Him.
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.