We choose YOU!
I remember being on both sides of the coin when it came to selecting teams at recess! Oh' to be chosen early!!!! .... ....oh' to feel under valued as the last choice.... ..... ....
Let's go Acts 6 and watch a team being selected!
“the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:2-7 NASB
OBSERVATION
Let’s rewind a bit and pick things up in verse 1. ”1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them...”
Why were the seven men selected? Hmmm... there are a few reasons: 1) So that the ministry of the word of God would not be neglected. 2) So that the Hebraic Jews widows would not be overlooked in the food distribution. 3) So that others were empowered as leaders, released into ministry and so that no one would burn out.
Let’s go Exodus 18:14-19 and look at this historical venture of selecting the right individuals in order to form an outstanding team. Exodus 18:14 “When Jethro (Moses father-in-law) saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.”
I love how Jethro throws down and shoots straight with Moses! “What is this you are doing.... Why do you alone sit as judge.... What you are doing is not good.” It’s not good for Moses.... It’s not good for the people who come to him... It’s not good all around... Why? You’ll only wear yourselves out. (vs17). So why didn’t Moses see this? Why don’t leaders today see this? Who does a leader select? What qualifications should an individual have? What character traits should they have? .... ..... Let’s look at Jethro advice and go Exodus 18:19-23. ”You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
APPLICATION
-Individuals are designed to fulfill certain roles.
Example#1: Moses’ design/purpose-prayer and ministry of the word.
Example#2: Jethro’s design/purpose-an understanding of leadership, passing on knowledge, and application of duplication (aka: raising up leaders / making disciples). Jethro saw the importance of delegation and team structure for short and long term health (personally & corporately).
Example#3: Stephen’s design/purpose-service and care for
Step#1: Discover how God has designed me.
Step#2: Discover how to operate within/out of God’s created designed.
Step#3: Help others discover how God has wired them, and how to live life out of their unique design.
God what are you saying to me today?
-Be the people’s representative before God.
-Teach individuals His decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave according to His word; so that, they will experience the life He design them for to the fullest possible degree.
-Look for individuals that are full of genuine faith and of the Holy Spirit (fruit of being filled with God’s spirit - “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23.
-Rise up/select capable men who fear God, trustworthy individuals who hate dishonest gain - appointing them as officials over certain amounts of people.
-Share the load so that NO ONE burns out.
What if I can’t find anyone?
-Create an environment were I can.
How?
-Small groups, community groups, devotional groups, activity/interest group, bible studies - aka: doing life with others, etc...
PRAYER
God, YOU continue to throw down and speak to me straight! I love it! Help me daily stop and learn from YOU! Thank you for selecting me to be on YOUR team! Now help me do for others what YOU have done for me! Awaken my heart and those around me - to the reality that YOU really do meet us where we are at. Open my mind and heart to YOUR salvation alongside others. Please increase my passion for YOU and YOUR desires.... transform my heart.... add to my character.... transform my mind..... add depth to who I am through YOU. Help me UNLEARN the things that hold me back and move forward with the courage, passion, and heart in which those that walked alongside YOU held fast to via knowing YOU. I LOVE YOU GOD!!! Thank YOU for being soooooo FAITHFUL!!!! Help me be different today from all that I’ve learned from being with YOU. Please help me have YOUR eyes to see those that are full of faith and of YOUR Spirit - selecting those YOU have chosen to be officials for YOU, YOUR kingdom, and YOUR purposes. In YOUR hands and at YOUR feet - Trevor
Your thoughts?
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