FATHER KNOWS BEST- a message

This message was preached at Grace Baptist Church in Westlake, OH on Father's Day, June 21, 2009. Most of the time, I do not preach a message just based on a holiday; and since I was in a series on Exodus, I noticed that it worked out quite nicely. The passage that fell on Father's Day had to do with Moses' Father-in-law giving him wise cousel on leadership. My dad has always been a source of wisdom for me as well; even as it relates to his example of life and leadership. I am thankful for a dad that loves God with all of his heart, and who can be trusted to give wise, biblical counsel. Thanks Dad! Now for the message:

FATHER KNOWS BEST
Exodus 18

Please open your Bible to Exodus 18. It is the 2nd book of the Bible, and if you are using the Bible in front of you, it is page 59.

In their book: Simple Church, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger tell a fictional, but true to life story of Pastor Rush: Pastor Rush is on his way home from a conference on church ministry. He loved the time away, the challenging messages, and the extended times of prayer and worship. But he hates how he feels right now. The conference notebook sits on his lap filled with all that he learned and all that he wants to do. He wants to open it, but he can’t. He wants to think about the future, but his mind is filled with the details surrounding the rest of this week.

As the plane takes off, he only feels the weight of the responsibilities that await him. Somewhere between ten thousand and thirty thousand feet, he puts the notebook (and his dreams) in his bag. It is Wednesday afternoon. He feels a little guilty not being at the weekly visitation program last night. He feels more guilt for enjoying the night off. The Tuesday night visitation program was his baby, his paramount program, when he came to the church several years ago. It soon became the passion of many people in the church. He is grateful those people caught his passion and feels like a traitor for resenting the additional night away from home.

Tonight, he has to (wishes he wanted to) lead the prayer meeting at church. He tells himself he will share something God taught him in a personal devotion. By doing so, he will have time to return some phone calls before the prayer meeting. Experience tells him the messages on his desk and the e-mails on his computer will be many. He knows they are already there. The financial team is meeting after the prayer meeting, so he will not be home until after 9:00. He does not lead the meeting, but he needs to be there. Hopefully his kids will still be awake when he gets home.

Tomorrow morning he is having breakfast with one of the men on the church board. He does not know what it is about, but he thinks it will only add more to his mounting list of responsibilities. Then there is a staff meeting and maybe some hospital visits. Tomorrow night he and his wife are in a small group. He has recently encouraged everyone in the church to be in a small group, and he wants to lead by example. He genuinely loves the group when he gets there, and he wishes it did not feel burdensome. He asked each staff person to be in a small group and prays they don’t feel the same way he does right now.

He has little work done on his message for the upcoming Sunday morning worship services. He is in the middle of a series on relationships. He taught on relating to your spouse last week, and he longs to live out some of the practical principles he shared: date nights, picnics, and so forth. He wants to make that happen in some way this week. Friday night could work. He commits to pass on the invitation to attend one of the local high school sporting events. He knows that will disappoint one of the board members who has encouraged him to be more visible in the community.

Saturday afternoon, after his son’s ball game, he will spend much of the day on his message. It looks like another “Saturday night special” is in store for the Sunday morning crowd. This weekend he is going to speak on relating to lost neighbors. He wishes he had some personal stories to share, but life has just been so busy lately. He thinks of all the times he has pulled in the garage after late nights at church or church-related activities. He hasn’t met the new couple two doors down. He tells himself they just moved in a few weeks ago but then remembers it was six months ago, at least.

He knows that if he is not relating to his neighbors and inviting them to Christ and to church, he cannot ask his congregation to do so. He wrestles with changing his message, but he has already announced what he is going to preach. He shakes his head and slumps a little lower in the seat. He is tempted to witness to the person sitting next to him on the plane just to get a personal story for his message – nothing like a good airplane story to get a crowd going. He rebukes himself for the improper motivation. The passenger is asleep anyway. Must be nice.

Pastor Rush reaches back into his bag. He pushes the conference notebook aside and grabs a legal pad. He has the weekly staff meeting after his breakfast appointment. This will be the only time he has to prepare for it. He decides to keep it brief, jotting down only a few items to discuss. He knows there are some staff issues that need to be dealt with, but he does not have the time or emotional energy to raise them.

He begins to think about his message for Sunday night (which is different from Sunday morning). He has taken some criticism lately for the quality of his Sunday night messages. He understands why. They have been underdeveloped. He is trying to work on them earlier in the week, taking some of the time away from the Sunday morning message preparation.
This Sunday night there is a neighborhood block party. His wife will go while he is at church. He thinks, At least one of us knows our neighbors. Of course, people will wonder why she was not a church. The tension is mounting. He slumps deeper into the seat. He knows there has to be a better way. He knows it and continually admits it to himself and the Lord. But there is no time to discover it (whatever it may be), much less time to put it into action. Like other conferences, Pastor Rush was impressed but is coming home almost depressed.

During these times, Pastor Rush has disciplined himself to remember his calling into ministry. When he was in his early twenties, he committed his life to vocational ministry. He mentally goes back to those days when he wrestles with his career path. God had given him an unquenchable passion for the church, for the Word, and for people. He knew God had set him apart to serve the church. He still does. He still has a deep burden. The nagging in his heart to make disciples through the ministry of the local church is still there. That conviction has not wavered, only grown. But he knows so many things have been placed beside it, even on top of it.
Yet, he is in this for people. At thirty thousand feet, Pastor Rush is thinking of people in his church. He is praying and thinking. Some tough questions are emerging. Are the people in his church being transformed? Is his church making real disciples, the kind of disciple Jesus made? Or is everyone just busy?

I have included the information about this book on the back of your outline in case you are interested in it. We have gained many ideas for our discipleship plan from the principles in this book. The story that I just read probably makes the most sense to those of you in vocational ministry; but perhaps you know what it is like, in your own areas of life, to be very busy, but not sure that you are accomplishing the most important things in those areas and relationships.
In our passage from Exodus this morning, I want to be careful to follow the Word of God’s direction, as it relates to these stories in Exodus:

Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

So, with that understood, I am not just going to focus on pastors this morning, although it certainly applies to us. I want to talk about leadership, and the example of leadership wisdom that Exodus 18 affords us. Whether you are a leader of a business, a team, a group, a church or a family…whether you are in a position to give counsel and wisdom to someone who leads…or whether you are in a position to be a great servant, a worker, a helper, a support to leaders, this is for all of us. Your challenge this morning is to find out, with God’s help, how He wants you to apply what you are about to hear. Let’s jump into our text this morning:

Exodus 18:1-4 - “Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her home, 3along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, ‘I have been a sojourner in a foreign land’), 4and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, ‘The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh’).”

Somehow, Moses’ father-in-law received a report of all the great things God had been doing for Moses and God’s people, as they were delivered from Egypt. Moses’ wife and children had been sent to be with Jethro for a time. And here, we are given their names and reasons for their names: Gershom, to be a reminder that Moses had been led by God to Egypt; and then Eliezer, to be a constant reminder that God had helped Moses and delivered Him from Pharaoh. We should not just ignore that fact that God wanted us to consider these names and their significance. This leads us into a recounting of what God had just previously done for Moses and His people. In your notes:

Dad’s visit reunited the family and God’s glory was recounted

Exodus 18:5-7 – “Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 6And when he sent word to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her," 7Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent.”

So, the time was right to reunite the family and Jethro brought with him Moses’ wife and children. They were reunited at this place that would be prominent now and in the future: recognized as the mountain of God. Jethro sent word that he was coming, and once he arrived, there was respect paid, an embrace and they began to re-acquaint themselves.

Exodus 18:8,9 – “Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. 9And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.”

Perhaps you know what it is like when family is re-united, especially after some incredible events had taken place in life. Think of the things that Moses and the people of Israel had just been through. Moses was able to recount the glory of God, through the stories we have been reading.

Moses told Jethro, in detail about:
· Each of the 10 plagues, and how God’s glory was revealed, even by having control over Egypt’s leader, Pharaoh. He told him about:
· How they walked right out of Egypt, with the Egyptians telling them to go, with favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and with the Egyptians livestock and valuables. It was incredible. Not only that:
· After they left Egypt, God led them to the Red Sea, and allowed the Egyptian army to pursue them. He told him how the people grumbled, complained, and thought they were going to die. But, once again, God performed miracles and divided the Red Sea – allowing His people to walk across on dry ground, and then bringing the sea back on top of the pursuing Egyptian army, killing them all. This led to a praise song, on behalf of Moses and all of Israel. He explained how God had been leading them:

· In a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. I’m sure he told his father-in-law:
· How soon after that, they went into the wilderness and had no water; and how tough it was for Moses, as the people grumbled and complained against him. But, God showed him a log, he tossed it in, and they had drinking water again! Then:
· They got hungry, and once again complained against Moses, which means they were really complaining against God. But, God in His mercy provided quail at night and this very strange “bread from Heaven”, Manna, each morning. He told Jethro about how God provided it and how the LORD set up the 7th day, as the Sabbath, a day of rest. And I’m sure he brought his father-in-law up to date, by telling him about:

· How recently, they were without water, once again, the people complained, once again, and God provided a miracle, once again. He brought water from a rock this time! And no doubt, Moses recounted how God’s glory was revealed:
· By defeating the army of Amalek, and using Moses’ raised arms, assisted by Aaron and Hur, to defeat them. What a story that must have been!
So, after Moses told his father-in-law about all that God had done:
Dad responded to God’s glory by leading in worship

Exodus 18:10-12 – “Jethro said, "Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people." 12And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.”

What we have here, is a priest from Midian, who has seen and heard of what God has done; and that causes him to worship the one and only true God. Many years later, God would use his prophet Nehemiah, to restore proper worship of Him. Listen to Nehemiah’s prayer, as he recounts these very stories that Moses told Jethro about; and how it led to worship of God:

Nehemiah 9:9-15 – “And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters. By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go. You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statues and commandments, and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statues and a law by Moses your servant. You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them.”

· He gave praise to God for delivering Israel from Egypt. This priest from Midian gave praise to the LORD, because He was the One who had delivered Israel from Egypt and its King, Pharaoh
· He came to see that Jehovah God (LORD) was greater than all other gods, as the LORD overcame the arrogance of Egypt and the harshness in which they treated His people
· He offered a burnt offering to show respect for the LORD
· He shared a fellowship offering with the leaders of Israel, in worship of the true God

There are many examples in Scripture, of men who were leadership positions, originally opposed to God, but then after experiencing God and His works, they began to worship him. It was true of Jethro, this priest of Midian; and later, it would be true of the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzzar himself. As an incredible example of how God’s work can change a heart, listen to:

Daniel 4:37- “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
It was in this context of hearing all that God had done, and then worshipping the one and only true God, that God now uses Jethro to strengthen Moses’ leadership and pave the way for a more effective ministry in the future. In your notes:

Dad gave wise counsel in order to glorify God
This is where we are going to spend the rest of our time, looking at the different parts of this counsel, and considering what it has to do with us.

Exodus 18:13,14 – “The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14When 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, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” First:

· He recognized a problem
Wisdom allows you to see things that others might not be able to see. That is the first step, really. It is being able to recognize that something seems off, not quite right. Now, I should tell you, to be fair, that this wisdom is not just a personality style or comes naturally. Wisdom is given by God and comes with the right response to Him. Listen to what He says about it:
Proverbs 1:7 – “How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the LORD.”

Jethro had come to trust in the LORD; and it was the LORD who gave him this wisdom. And through his father-in-law, the LORD was going to pass this wisdom onto Moses. But, after recognizing there was some sort of problem, he asked Moses this question about why he was doing what he was doing. In other words, he did the next important step, rather than just talking and condemning.
· He gathered the information
Exodus 18:15,16 – “And 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 them know the statutes of God and his laws.”

Jethro asked, and Moses explained that this is how it happens. There wasn’t any real why explanation here; except to say that this is what they always did. In Deuteronomy 34:10, Moses was called a prophet. The people saw Moses as a special representative of God, who could solve their disputes and tell them what God has to say.
Even before the law of God was given, there were regulations God had given, that laid out how they were to live in community and how to honor Him. Even way back with Abraham, there were such statues and laws:

Genesis 26:5 – “Because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
So, in the context of the difficulties and disputes that the people of Israel faced, Moses taught them what God had to say. This was certainly a good thing. But, as Jethro recognized, this was a problem. From morning until night, the people were just standing around, waiting for their time with Moses, and Moses could do nothing else, but settle disputes all day.

Charles Schulz, the cartoonist of the Peanuts, in his book “I Take My Religion Seriously” drew a strip of a boy wearing a long coat that has pins and brooches cluttering the right side of the coat. He explained his awards to an admirer who was staring in disbelief at his pins: "These are perfect attendance pins - Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Youth leader training, men’s brotherhood, youth work night, men’s work night, youth missions, youth recreation, vacation Bible school, Bible camp, youth Bible camp, city youth camp, country youth camp, state youth camp, international youth camp, and choir practice.” And he added, “I haven’t been home in three months!"

The temptation is to listen to someone recount how they are burning themselves out through working on good things, and honor them. Moses was certainly doing what he thought was best. But, instead of honoring him or telling him to continue on that path, his wife father-in-law pointed out the problem and then gave some solutions.

Exodus 18:17,18 – “Moses’ father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good. 18You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.”

He spelled out problems (dangers):
· You are headed for burnout
· You will tire out the people [who must wait for your availability]
· You cannot do this alone
Jethro knew that it was important that Moses, Israel’s human leader, remain refreshed and able to lead. If he got worn out or was wasting his energy on things that could be done by others, he would not only hurt himself but the entire nation. He probably also had a personal concern, that if Moses burned out, it might cause extra heartache for his daughter Zipporah and his two grandsons.

Even once the new system was set up, life and leadership was very difficult for Moses. There were many things he faced, with the people of Israel, and eventually, their complaining got to him. Look to what Moses eventually said to God, in order to get an idea as to what extent the pressures built up in Moses:

Numbers 11:14,15 – “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will…kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.”
Jethro knew what could happen; and so he called on Moses to give him his attention and to follow his instructions. This is a biblical principle: to listen to our parents, or those whom God has given responsibility to guide us, in order to gain wisdom. Granted, Moses was old enough to go his own way if he chose; but if he wanted God’s wisdom, he would listen to what Jethro had to say.

By the way, for all of you who are children out there, and what God’s wisdom. Here is what God’s Word says:

Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and mother…”
Proverbs 1:8 – “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”

Proverbs 1:7 – “…fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Do you want wisdom from God? Then, listen to the wisdom God has given your parents, even if you are not so sure about it. Here is what Jethro told Moses:

Exodus 18:19,20 – “Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.”

He gave some solutions:
· Keep serving by bringing cases to God and reminding the people of God’s ways

This was not to change. He should go to God with the difficult decisions he has to make; and he should keep teaching the people what God has to say. The judicial process was necessary.

Warren Wiersbe writes: “Judicial codes are necessary for order and security in society, but they always have to be interpreted, even if they come from the Lord. Later, the priests would assist in this task; but the priesthood hadn’t yet been established. From the time of Ezra, the scribes become the students and interpreters of the law.”

This is what Moses did, and he honored God by teaching the people what was right. As they were getting ready, 40 years later, to enter the promised land, Moses was able to say this:

Deuteronomy 4:5 – “See, I have taught you statues and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”

Moses was the people’s representative before God. He would constantly be bringing issues to God that concerned the people of Israel. At the same time, he was to be continually teaching the people God’s ways and how to follow and honor Him. That was to remain constant. But, this would be new:

Exodus 18:21,22 – “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.”

Making decisions is something that was a heavy burden on Moses; but it is something we all have to deal with, in our own areas of responsibility. Today is Father’s Day, and certainly fathers, husbands, have to make many key decisions. I read about how a husband and his wife decided how decisions would be made in the household; and the husband took the leadership.
He said: “My wife and I have an agreement that works. She is responsible for the small decisions, I’m responsible for the big ones. This means that she decides things like what we eat, where we live, how we decorate, where to take our next vacation, the make and model of our next car, and the construction budget for adding on the new family room. I decide whether or not the President should extend most favored nation trading status to China, how high the Federal Reserve should raise short term interest rates, and the timetable for eliminating CFC’s from automobile air conditioners.

It is interesting how different families, businesses and churches come to make decisions. In ministries like the one Moses had, he had the incredible burden of listening, day and night, to all the people’s problems and making decisions. Jethro, in his wisdom, had a better way. He said:

· Appoint men, full of integrity, to judge for the people
These couldn’t just be volunteers. These had to be men that Moses could trust. They were not to get involved in the politics of matters and misuse any power. They were to justly judge and relieve some of the burden off of their leader, Moses. There is military language, of that day, used here, in talking about having officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They would hear civil type cases for groups of people.

In later years, once Israel was divided as a nation, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah brought the people back to the LORD; and talked about how he used this wisdom from Jethro:

II Chronicles 19:5-7 – “He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

Those were the kind of judges that Jethro told Moses he needed: those who would listen to God; and not make decisions selfishly. In verse 22, Jethro said that this would make it easier on Moses.The word translated easier means “to take cargo from a ship.” In other words, it lightens the load.

The system Jethro was suggesting was this: For every ten people, there would be a judge to handle their civil issues. If that judge could not solve it, there was also the judge over 50, the judge over 100 or the judge over 1,000. And if none of them could handle a particular issue, then, and only then, it was brought to Moses for a final decision.
The problem that Jethro recognized is a problem that has continued for Centuries, and effects many leaders today.

This story was found in U.S. News and World Report in December of 1994 and in Newsweek in March of 1995. The fatigue that Neil Rudenstine suffered when he was 59 and the president of Harvard University in the mid-90s was a firm reminder of man’s limitations and frailties. For three years, since he became the school’s president, he methodically raised $1 million a day for a school that was already flushed with a $4 billion endowment, the largest of any private university in America.

Rudenstine was passionate about big and small things. Besides spending twelve hours a day on a demanding job, he fretted banquet menus, argued about his $10-15 medical co-payment, and wrote notes to the football coach, the school newpaper’s editors, staff and dorm house masters. One morning in November, he overslept, couldn’t go to work, and was diagnosed with “severe fatigue and exhaustion.” The directors insisted he took an indefinite leave of absence to recover from severe weariness from exertion. The university president did not return not only the next seven days or the next seven weeks, but the next seven months, until June the next year. He revealed that he recuperated by listening to music, reading books and sunning in the Caribbean.

D.L. Moody said: “I would rather put 10 men to work than do the work of 10 men.”

One great biblical example of this from the New Testament is found in Acts 6. The Apostles, who were the pastors and spiritual leaders at the beginning of the church, were responsible to teach and preach God’s Word and spend time in prayer. But, there were so many other needs in the church, especially as it concerned the needy and the widow. So, God directed them, the spiritual leaders, to continue doing what was most important for the people’s spiritual growth; but to have the church find men of integrity, who could help care for the widows and other needs that might arise. Many believe that this is how the servant position of deacon became established in the church. But, the principle of spreading the care of people among those who are seeking God’s wisdom, is something that every ministry should put into action. And Jethro continues with the benefits for following His suggestions:
Exodus 18:23 – “If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace."
· Follow through for God’s direction, endurance and peace
Exodus 18:24-27 – “So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.”
Moses and Israel followed Jethro’s advice. And I believe, that is one major reason we read later, that Moses was able to continue in strength and energy, in serving God, all the way until his death:

Deuteronomy 34:7 – “Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.”
You may need some time this week to really think this through, but let me go ahead and give you some suggestions for how to apply this to your life and our ministry into the coming days:

SO WHAT?
[In the midst of a busy life],
1. Take time to worship God for who He is and what He has done
Just like with Moses, we are certainly very busy. But, Jethro gave us a great example to follow, that might be how God wants you to apply this passage to life. He heard and saw what God did, and even though he had been trained to believe in and worship dead gods, this led Him to praising the one and only true God. Perhaps you have been overlooking all the great things God has done in your life; and you need to focus your praise and thanks to Him.
2. Seek out wisdom in the authorities God has placed in your life

3. Do your part to relieve ministry burdens off of others

When you get involved in ministry and offer to give or your time, energy and experience or talents, you are honoring God by serving others, including your leaders.

4. Train others and spread the burden of ministry to other servants

This is why we have deacons, Life Group leaders, Ministry Team leaders and Adult Bible Fellowship Leaders, as well as many others who serve in ministry. The idea, that comes from the Bible, is that the pastors are not to do all the work of the ministry, but to focus on the key elements God has called them to do. Instead, they are to equip others to do the work that they can do, to serve God. We have many here at Grace, that serve faithfully in these roles. It is a great blessing to Steve and I as pastors, and it allows us to care for and serve those who attend this church and others in our community.

If you serve in a ministry, find someone to come alongside of you, that you can train to serve in or lead that ministry in the future. Be a part of multiplying leaders and servants for God. That is the way of wisdom. So, consider these 4 suggestions for application; or come up with your own. But, let me ask you, in just a moment, to take some time to pray and consider applying one thing to your life, from God’s Word today. ..even if it is just taking a small step in that direction. What is God asking you to do?

During World War II, a church building in Strasbourg was destroyed. After the bombing, the members surveyed the area to see what damage was done. They were pleased that a statue of Christ with outstretched hands was still standing… because it had been sculpted centuries before by a great artist.Taking a closer look however, the people discovered both hands of Christ had been sheared off by a falling beam. It seemed like a great tragedy at the time.Some time later, a sculptor in the town offered to replace the broken hands as a gift to the church; but the church leaders refused. They had had long enough seeing the statue that way that they realized the damage done to Christ actually symbolized a powerful teaching from Scripture. They were called to serve God with all their hearts; but if they didn’t do their part, Christ had no hands. They said that the statue had taught them that the work of Christ had been given to them.
We are going to close by singing a song of prayer to God, asking Him to lead us. But, first, let’s take a moment of silent prayer, so that you can tell God what your response is to His Word this morning. Let’s pray.