A GROWING CHURCH
Sunday October 3, 2021
Notes
THE WHOLE BODY
Exodus 18:13–20 NKJV
And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give
you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you
may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.
Jethro stated three main responsibilities for Moses to focus on.
1. PRAYER
Exodus 18:19 NKJV
Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.
You are bringing the needs of the people to God.
Spending time in the presence of God is the first and most vital element in the pastor’s job description.
“I’ve just learned that the moment I let the daily demands of the people or the ministry begin eroding my time with God, I have begun to surrender the Source of greatest positive impact on both.”
– Robert Morris
2. TEACH THE WORD
Exodus 18:20 NKJV
And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.
John 21:17 NKJV
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
- The way they must walk (character)
- The work they must do (ministry)
“We must equip every member for ministry. They have to know what their gifts are and how they can be used, and then be deployed—not only within the church but out there in the lost and spiritually hungry world.
3. RAISE UP LEADERS
Exodus 18:21
Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
If only we saw a New Testament incident that parallels this event in Moses’s life to a certain extent? Oh wait, we do!
Acts 6:1–7 NKJV
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude…
Verse 7
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
This caused growth in the body and growth In the members.
Only in becoming outwardly focused on ministering to the needs of others can our members experience real satisfaction and sense of purpose. There is nothing that promotes spiritual growth and health like involvement in God’s work. Moving outside one’s comfort zone to do the Lord’s work encourages prayer, faith, and diligence.
There is a mountain of statistical data that substantiates the fact that in a church, growth and contentment are directly related to how well the pastor involves the members.