The Right Path for Ministry

MIS: “Choosing the Right Path for Ministry is more about following a Person than following a Plan.

Introduction

In 1979, a passenger jet left New Zealand airport to go on a sightseeing trip around the Antartica.

Everything appear to go well with the minor detail that the flight coordinates was off just 2º degrees.

This minor change set the aircraft 28 miles off their course, straight into the Mount Erebus. Once the pilots realized the problem, it was too late and the aircraft crash against the Mountain, killing everyone on board.

Why was that? A small deviation in their trajectory early on in their journey, rendered arriving to a different destination, altogether.

The same can be said of ministry.

Most of us are getting ready to set our course in ministry.

But is it imperative that we set ourselves in the right path.

The smallest deviation now, could mean tragedy to the people we will minister.

How can we be sure we are set on the right path for ministry? Our text for today will help us answer this question.

Turn with me to Exodus 13.17-22

Exodus 13:17–22 ESV

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Historical Context

We arrive at the aftermath at one of the most famous accounts in Biblical Narrative.

God, in keeping with his covenant, rose up a leader, Moses, to deliver his people from the bondage of Egypt.

At first, Pharaoh refused to set the people of Israel free. Consequently, God sent ten (10) plagues to humble Pharaoh’s pride and to showcase his power to all the inhabitants of Egypt.

Eventually, Pharaoh accepted to set free the people of Israel. For the people of God, this prompted a celebration and the institution of the Passover.

It is a this moment, about to take on a journey that would change the course of their lives forever, that we find our narrative.

“In a sense, this was the first day of the rest of their lives.”

But, what does that have to do with us?

“Today we will learn three (3) lessons which will help us ensure we are stay on the right path for ministry.”

Trust in God’s Providence (vv17-18)

Right from the beginning we are told that God “did not lead them” through the most convenient route (v17).

The shortest route to the Promise Land would be east, along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

Instead, God directed them south, towards the Gulf of Suez.

Think of it this way: If you wanted to go to Savanah, GA, but instead of going straight south, you go west towards Chattanooga, TN, and then circle around towards Savanah.

We are not talking of any simple detour, but of a different route altogether.

Nevertheless, God had a purpose for this very odd itinerary.

Indeed, God was not clueless about the direction they’d go, but acting providentially on their behalf.

“Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” (v17b)

In the words of Adrian Rogers:

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (I. The Discipline of Detours)

We say that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points […] but it’s not always the best distance.

...And God knew best!

Had Israel taken the most convenient road, they would have encounter an enemy they were not yet ready to face.

God wanted to Protect them.

Israel was not yet ready to face the Philistines. God knew that facing them would be a trial they could not overcome.

We are not told the reasons why.

Perhaps because they lacked military experience.

Perhaps because this route was heavily guarded by Egyptians fortresses.

Perhaps because once they faced the Philistines, they would team up with the Egyptians in desperation.

But God knew best.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

“God WAS NOT going to put his people in a place where they had no other option, but to fall into temptation.”

“Neither was He going to spare them from any trials, for look where he was leading them to: the Red Sea.”

God wanted to Grow them.

English Standard Version Chapter 13

But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.

We all know what took place at the shores of the Red Sea.

The Pharaoh’s armies caught up with the Israelites.

The people of Israel feared and cried out to God once more.

But God delivered them from the Egyptians once and for all.

God was not only protecting them from the Philistines, but he would manifest his glory and power once more before Israel!

“Israel needed to be at the Red Sea, and witness the salvation of the Lord.”

Moreover, God needed to work in the hearts of his people.

After the Red Sea God would expose Israel to:

Hunger.

Thirst.

War.

Even Moses needed to be stretched as a Leader during this journey in the wilderness.

“God was not so much preparing them to enter the Promise Land, but to be His People in the Promise Land.”

Application: Who’s Agenda are we to Follow?

Perhaps there is a lesson for us to learn here:

“The right way in ministry, is not always the most convenient way.”

There is a way how we envision our ministries.

We come up with a 5-10 years vision.

We elaborate plans to achieve our vision.

We have parameters by which we measure if we are on right track.

I am not saying we do away with our all strategic planning. But we need to recognize that God is not bound to our 5-10 years plan!

How many agendas and plans have been frustrated by Covid?

I’ll tell who’s didn't: God’s!

“God is not submitting to our agenda, but rather submitting us to his agenda.”

He will guard you from temptations you are not ready to face.

Ex. A successful ministry.

He will take you to trials that you need to face.

Ex. A contentious church.

…But know this:

“God already has a path for our ministry, trust that, in his providence, he’ll take us there.”

Illustration: Paul Going to Rome.

Follow after God’s Presence (vv20-22)

We pick up our text in verses 20-22 now.

For the first time in the Exodus account, we are introduce to the pillar of cloud and fire.

During the day, this pillar would take the form of smoke and go before Israel.

During the night, it would take the form of fire.

What is more important, is that this pillar represented the presence of the Lord - “And the Lord went before them...”

Theologians would call this a theophany.

Both smoke and fire are elements closely associated with God in the Old Testament.

Some people would like to argue that this pillar was no more than a volcanic explosion in the region.

But this explanation does not fit the narrative, for in a few verses down, the pillar would move behind the people of Israel to protect them from the armies of Egypt (Ex 13.22).

Also, the pillar would stand in the midst of the people, inside the tabernacle, when the people were not moving (Ex 40.34).

The presence of God in this pillar was so powerful to Moses and the people, that Moses says they were seeing God “face to face.”

Numbers 14:14 (ESV)

14 They have heard that you, O Lord, are in the midst of this people. For you, O Lord, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.

God was leading them

“Indeed, God would lead them down the unconventional path, nevertheless, God would lead them.”

Israel knew not where to go after they left Egypt.

For more than 200 years they been slaves in Egypt.

“Is not like some of them went to the Promise Land during the Holidays.”

Moreover, they were wandering in a dessert!

They didn’t know where to find water and food.

They didn’t know where they could find hostile people.

Certainly, there was no TripAdvisor.

All they ever knew was bondage in Egypt.

“But one thing was certain, God knew the way.”

Application: The Challenges of Leadership

Perhaps most of us can relate to the circumstances Moses was facing.

“About to lead a people he has never lead, to a place he has never been.”

Moses was oblivious of the challenges he was about to face.

And yet, he was expected to do the right job. His people were counting on it.

Does that sound like someone you know?

As leaders, our people expect us to have the right answer.

We have internal affairs we need to attent.

Marriage counseling.

Creating a Discipleship culture in the church.

Mobilizing our people into missions.

Overseen the budget of the church.

If this is not enough, we have outside pressure.

Helping our people navigate thru our cultural context.

How to engage the LGBTQ community without compromising the Gospel.

How to be sensitive to our culture, without conforming to the culture?

“There are so many places we need to go, that we haven’t been to. There are so many fronts we need to cover, that we are simply not capable of. There are so many questions for which we don’t have an answer.”

So what do we do? We turn to the one who know the way: Jesus.

Illustration:

Back home I had the privilege to host and lead American groups who would go down to the Dominican Republic on short-term mission trips.

There are many thing worth contemplating in life. Watching Americans travel to a third-world country for the first time, is one of them!

But while these Americans where under my care, I was responsible for them.

- They didn’t know the culture. But I did.

- They didn’t know the language. But I did.

- They didn’t know the dangers. But I did.

So I required one thing from them: “Follow me, and I will guide you.”

“Friends, we don’t need to have all the answers, but we need to know who to turn to for answers.”

You may not know the people.

You may not know the way.

You may not know the challenges you will face.

“But God does, and as long as you stay close to him, he will see that you get there.”

Seek his face daily.

Make every effort to be close to him.

Don’t ever lose your sight from him.

“And even though you go around in circles, as longs as Christ is going before you, you are not lost.”

“If He called you, He will lead you. If He leads you, You will never wander.”

Illustration: John MacArthur’s 50 years of ministry.

He just preached Scriptures faithfully.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Rest in God’s Promises (v19)

We now turn our attention to our third and final lesson.

We learn this lesson, not from Moses, but from Joseph.

Moses’ comment about Joseph’s bone may come across as a trivial , but in reality, it plays an important role in our narrative.

God had blessed Israel through Egypt abundance, but Joseph knew God had to honor his covenant.

Thus, before Joseph died, he reminded his brothers that God would “visit them” and take them to the Promise Land. He instructed them to take his bones up with them.

Genesis 50:24–25 ESV

24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”

Moreover, the author of Hebrews points out that Joseph acted by faith, when he instructed this (Heb 11..22).

Joseph did not know when God would visit them.

Joseph did not know how God would take them to the Land he promised to his forefathers.

But he knew God would keep his covenant!

A Living Legacy

Years after Joseph passed away, his remains still reminded his people of God’s covenant.

The fact that Moses and his people remembered Joseph’s words bear witness of that.

Moreover, what a encouragement would have been for Moses and Israel to carry Joseph’s bone and be reminded that God was honoring his promise.

Joseph gives us a snapchat of what we hope our ministry legacy should be:

“Unwavering confident in God’s promises”

Here are the bones of a man, who lived and died as if every word of “this book” is truth!

His faith in God, did not wavered towards his end, but only grew stronger.

Application: Our Bedrock Promise

What are the promises of God you can hold on to during your ministry?

Even better, what are some of God’s promises that can serve as an oasis in the middle of our wilderness we often call “ministry”?

May I suggest you one?

Matthew 16:18 ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Without going into much detail, allow me to present you two (2) great promises which will give rest to your soul.

Christ will build his Church.

Not you.

Soon or later, Christ will build his Church. With you, or without you.

Even now, Christ is building his Church!

Christ’s Church does not rest on your shoulder.

The enemy shall not prevail against it.

There is nothing under the sun, that can overcome God’s church.

Not even you.

Your worst sins will not frustrate God’s plan.

He will build his Church, in spite of you and I.

Because Christ’s Church is build upon Christ! Not you.

“So, rest assured. Sooner or later, God will build his Church.”

“It may not look like it right now, but like Joseph, you can rest assured, God will see it happen.”

Conclusion

Trust in God’s Providence

Follow after God’s Presence

Rest in God’s Promises

Early on my introduction, I may have given you the impression that we are the pilots of this aircraft called ministry.

The reality of it all is, I don’t think that is entirely accurate.

If I had to assign myself a role in this aircraft, I would be one of the flight attendants.

Our job is to serve the passenger God has entrusted us. But we are no pilot. Christ is the pilot. And I have total confident that He will take us home.