The Ministry of Moses
INTRODUCTION
When someone decides to be a leader, they cross an important line; a major transition: change! They no longer are judged only by what they can do themselves. Their value now depends mainly on what they can get done through others and with others; exhortation with emulation.
If the body of Christ is likened unto an army, I must learn to move people from being “for us” to “with us.”
This passage serves as a reminder that God’s Word must be declared; but also implemented.
♦ Practically must be worked out in our lives (Ex 18:20)
♦ “You teach what you know, you reproduce who you are.”
♦ This passage magnifies what’s best for you and those you
lead
♦ Listen to others (Jethro), God will be with you
Romans 12:16, “Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Prov 3:7, “Do not be wise in your own eyes.”
♦ This passage tells us how to move from expenditure to investment.
♦ Scariest word in the passage, “Alone.” (14)
Subjects in this text:
♦ Excitement in Ministry
♦ Exhaustion in Ministry
♦ Examination in Ministry
♦ Exhortation in Ministry
You can also find a story of balancing both quality and quantity in ministry
You can learn the principle, “Enjoyment increases capacity,” and increase of capacity is increase of desire.
It’s in this passage we see the principle of Prov 11:14 “fleshed out.”
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
NOTE: Exodus 18:19 Counsel is advise.
This passage will move you from “church work” to the
“work of the church.”
This TIME OF TRANSITION deals with:
1. Time of Reflection. 1-8
(My last 25 years) – Testing time
2. Time of Rejoicing. 9-12
3. Time of Realization. 13-18
4. Time of Readjusting. 19-27
The “winds of time” are changing in Moses’ ministry.
Question: Will he be teachable in order that his sails be adjusted to catch the wind of change? This passage magnifies mentoring, which is both instructing and encouraging. As Jethro and Moses recall God’s grace and rejoice over God’s goodness, they recognize it as all for God’s glory (10-12).
I. JETHRO’S OBSERVATION. 14-16
“saw” .14
MOSES’ MINISTRY. 14
1. The What of his ministry.
2. The Why of his ministry.
Lev 24:10-14, We’ve always done it that way
MOSES’ METHOD. 14
Working alone (no delegating/ equipping) Jethro is about to teach Moses that you must believe in people and that there is “gold in‘them-there’ pews.”
MOSES’ MOTIVE. 15-16
It is what they expect (difficult matter)
- Moses is seen managing the people’s needs
- Time for change. A leader will lead the people to manage the needs with him
II. JETHRO’S DECLARATION. 17-18
Proverbs 19:20, “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.”
A. THE MINISTRY: “NOT GOOD” .17
“But, I have two million members.”
B. THE MINISTER: “Surely wear yourselves out” .18
Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
CONTRAST:
Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:6, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”
Galatians 6:10. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
C. THE MAGNITUDE. “Too much for you” .18
THE MANAGEMENT. “Not able by yourself” .18
1. Ministry.
Every ministry that hopes to continue on the “cutting edge” must come back to an evaluation of where it is going and what it hopes to accomplish. Is the load being sufficiently shifted? If not, let’s keep shifting it or we will lose our best people, lay and clergy alike.
2. Ministers.
“wear out” – conveys the idea of becoming old and exhausted. As work increases, the load must be shifted. Efficiency sometimes reveals itself, not by what one accomplishes, but by what one relinquishes.
3. Magnitude.
“too much” – too heavy
(Decrease the weight or increase the man power)
4. Management.
“not able…by yourself”
Before you and I will change our way of working, we will have to change our way of thinking.
III. JETHRO’S CONSULTATION. 19-22
ADVICE - He speaks into his life
A. INTERCESSION. 19
“God will be with you” – obedience brings God’s promises.
“Stand before God for the people” – we are to provoke God’s presence in our people’s lives.
B. EDUCATION. 20
1. Teach Them by Exhortation. 20
“statues and the laws” – teach them the Bible
2. Teach Them by Example.
Note: Titus 2:6 “show them the way”
a. In Your Walk
Demeanor
b. In Your Work
Diligence
What is important to you will become important to your people. VISION CASTING EXAMPLE – Teach, Reach, Care (Evangelism, Giving, Worship, Missions)
C. SELECTION. 21
Delegation by choosing: calls for decision-making
1. Ability.
“able men” – sufficiency/capacity
2. Spirituality/Morality.
“fear God”
3. Integrity/Honesty.
“men of truth”
4. Generosity.
“hating covetousness” – more to want
Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
D. REGULATION. 21
Levels of Leadership: discern influencers and spiritual gifts; leaders know leaders.
E. SUPERVISION. 22
“let them judge” – turn the ministry over to the laity.
1. Principle of Supervision. 22
a. Difficult Matters
b. Daily Matters
2. Promise of Supervision. 22
“it will be easier for you”
“they will bear the burden with you”
If you decide to do it alone, they will let you.
IV. JETHRO’S ASSIMILATION. 23
God has given our church sufficient gifts to sustain this size ministry. Maximum involvement leads to healthy growth.
TWO-FOLD PROMISE:
1. Health – “easier for you”
2. Harmony – “people will also go to their place in peace.”
A. GOD PROMISES STRENGTH FOR MOSES.
B. GOD PROMISES SERENITY FOR THE
PEOPLE.
V. MOSES’ APPROPRIATION. 24-27
Here-in lies the real change!
“So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.”