WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:08.720 Amen. Let's pray together. God, indeed, to you, our triune God, we raise our songs of praise. 00:00:08.779 --> 00:00:15.099 As we come before you in your word this morning, we ask that you would soften our hearts, open our ears, 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:20.000 to receive what you are saying to us through your spirit. Amen. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:28.140 Well, it's been said that you can go for up to three to four weeks without food. 00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:33.859 And maybe you can go three to four days without water. 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:39.899 But how long can you go without help from other people? 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:44.260 When is the last time you thought you really needed help? 00:00:46.540 --> 00:00:50.519 I think we don't like to think that we really need help. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:53.359 Needing help is a sign of weakness, we think. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:57.859 Or on the other hand, we think that being independent is a sign of maturity. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:00.179 But is that really the case? 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:10.819 We've been studying Exodus 16 and 17 these past two weeks, and we've seen that the God who saves is the God who sustains. 00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:15.960 At this point in Exodus, Israel has crossed the Red Sea. 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:18.519 God's leading them to Sinai through the wilderness. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:21.140 And so far, he's sustained them with bread for their hunger. 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:24.799 We looked at that two weeks ago, and he's sustained them with water for their thirst. 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:26.819 As Pastor Matt preached about that last week. 00:01:27.480 --> 00:01:29.640 But God has one more thing to teach his people. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:32.579 He is the God who sustains. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:34.879 But how will he sustain us? 00:01:36.140 --> 00:01:40.239 And most often we learn that it's through the help of other people. 00:01:40.239 --> 00:01:50.119 So here in Exodus 17 and 18, we see two episodes that show us our need for help and how God provides it. 00:01:50.179 --> 00:01:51.819 So would you turn with me to Exodus 17? 00:01:52.299 --> 00:01:53.679 And we're going to pick up in verse 8. 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:55.399 That's page 59 in the Pew Bible. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:59.239 If you want to turn there, it'll be helpful to have it open in front of you. 00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:04.479 Exodus chapter 17, verse 8, page 59 in the Pew Bible. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:16.900 And diving right in, what we see here first is that we need help because in the Christian life, 00:02:16.980 --> 00:02:20.460 the external threats are real and the battles are long. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:25.140 Let's pick up the story in Exodus 17, verses 8 through 16. 00:02:25.580 --> 00:02:28.540 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:33.099 So Moses said to Joshua, choose for us men and go out and fight with Amalek. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:37.280 Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with a staff of God in my hand. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:44.979 So Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.599 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.819 And whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 00:02:52.799 --> 00:02:54.439 But Moses' hands grew weary. 00:02:55.099 --> 00:02:57.419 So they took a stone and put it under him. 00:02:57.419 --> 00:03:03.479 And he sat on it while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and the other on the other side. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:07.000 So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 00:03:07.859 --> 00:03:11.119 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:18.679 Then the Lord said to Moses, write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:21.939 that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:27.859 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, the Lord is my banner, saying, 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:29.819 a hand upon the throne of the Lord. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:33.840 The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. 00:03:34.919 --> 00:03:35.900 Let's stop there. 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:47.939 Well, one theme that the Bible stresses over and over again is that we are in a very real spiritual battle. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:54.379 In verse 8, Israel comes under attack from Amalek, 00:03:54.699 --> 00:03:57.680 which is one of the tribes that inhabited the Sinai Peninsula. 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:01.219 Now, we're not told why the Amalekites attacked Israel, 00:04:01.359 --> 00:04:04.039 but later in the Pentateuch in Deuteronomy chapter 25, 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:06.419 we're told a little more of how they did it. 00:04:06.579 --> 00:04:09.280 This is what we read there in Deuteronomy 25, 17 through 18. 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:12.780 Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, 00:04:13.139 --> 00:04:15.879 how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:19.459 and cut off your tail those who were lagging behind you, 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:21.159 and they did not fear God. 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:26.959 So the Amalekites here raided the weakest and most vulnerable parts of the camp 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.219 as Israel was on the way, weary through the wilderness. 00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:40.600 Now, like Israel, the church has, as it were, come through the waters of the Red Sea. 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:45.300 We too have been liberated, but now from sin and death through our Lord Jesus. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:48.779 And we've been promised eternal life in God's new creation. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:51.079 But as we journey on the way, 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:56.540 what we find is that God doesn't take all the dangers and threats away. 00:04:57.399 --> 00:05:00.800 Yes, the ultimate victory has been won in Christ's death and resurrection, 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:04.060 but we are still in a battle. 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:10.959 But our battle today is not against flesh and blood. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:14.259 It's a spiritual battle, the New Testament tells us. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:19.339 Alexander Solzhenitsyn famously wrote, he said, 00:05:19.859 --> 00:05:25.680 gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:30.079 nor between classes, nor between political parties either, 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:35.699 but right through every human heart and through all human hearts. 00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:42.159 In other words, we can't necessarily point to this or that political party, 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:45.139 or this or that nation state, or this or that cultural movement, 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:48.219 and pronounce definitively that it is the enemy. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:48.759 No. 00:05:49.599 --> 00:05:53.719 The real enemy that we're up against runs so much deeper than that. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:58.000 We have a spiritual adversary, the Apostle Peter says, 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:02.159 who roams about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:06.660 And this spiritual attack comes in the everyday moments, 00:06:06.880 --> 00:06:10.680 as much as in the big events of our lives or in the big events of history. 00:06:12.320 --> 00:06:18.920 For instance, when in fear, we're tempted to seek worldly power or status for our protection, 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:23.860 rather than trust the way of the risen Jesus in service and sacrifice. 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:29.480 When we're tempted to hide our failures from one another in an effort to look good. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:34.439 When in pride, we think that we can handle this on our own, whatever this might be, 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:37.680 rather than to be transparent and ask for help. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:42.720 Even in moments like these, there is a spiritual battle that's going on, 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:45.420 a very real spiritual battle. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:52.300 Now, in verses 9 and 10, we learn of Moses' plan for the counterattack. 00:06:53.140 --> 00:06:56.060 Joshua, you go choose some men, go down and fight. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:58.759 Right, I'm going to go up on the hill with Aaron and Hur. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:02.339 I wonder how Joshua felt about that plan when he first heard it. 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:05.939 You get to go up on the hill. 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:08.519 But what was Moses going to do up there? 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:12.860 Moses will raise up the staff of God on top of the nearby hill. 00:07:12.980 --> 00:07:16.379 Now, this staff, remember, was a symbol, 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:20.720 has been a symbol throughout Exodus of God's redemptive power. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:25.460 Throughout the ten plagues in Egypt, at the parting of the Red Sea, 00:07:25.880 --> 00:07:28.600 God told Moses to raise up the staff in his hand. 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:32.580 And that would serve as a sign telling the people 00:07:32.580 --> 00:07:36.760 that it was the Lord's power at work to judge and to save. 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:40.140 Not Moses' power, not the people's power, but it was the Lord. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:44.659 So here again, in the wilderness, under attack, 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:49.379 Moses would raise up this symbol of God's power 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:54.479 and appeal to God to rescue and defend his people 00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:57.459 and get glory for his name. 00:07:59.219 --> 00:08:01.699 Now, how do we make that appeal today? 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:07.779 In Ephesians 6, when Paul is describing our spiritual battle there in some detail, 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:12.500 he uses the metaphor of armor to talk about how we should be strong in the Lord 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.979 and in the strength of his might. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:18.339 He talks about a belt of truth and a breastplate of righteousness and so on. 00:08:18.419 --> 00:08:23.699 But the culminating thing he mentions in that section is prayer. 00:08:25.059 --> 00:08:28.579 Praying at all times in the Spirit, in all prayer and supplication. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:32.159 To that end, Paul says, keep alert with all perseverance. 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:34.279 Prayer. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:34.360 Prayer. 00:08:36.839 --> 00:08:42.639 And in a sense, isn't that what Moses is doing on top of the hill 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:47.259 with the staff of God in his hand, appealing to God's power, 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:49.360 not their own, to win the battle? 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:53.339 Is that not what we do in prayer? 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:59.179 In prayer, we're expressing our utter dependence on God, 00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:04.759 our need for him, our inability to do what really needs to be done. 00:09:04.839 --> 00:09:07.519 We're expressing our dependence on him and our confidence in him, 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:11.439 our confidence that he does hear and that he does answer our prayer 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:13.859 according to his good purposes for us. 00:09:15.079 --> 00:09:21.459 Prayer, in other words, exalts God as the real champion in the battle. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:26.620 And notice how the story is told here in Exodus 17. 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:29.920 Where does the narrator focus so much of his attention? 00:09:30.040 --> 00:09:32.840 It focuses not on the field with Joshua and his men. 00:09:32.900 --> 00:09:34.940 We don't know how many people Joshua takes out in the battle. 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:38.000 We don't know, you know, much of the details of what happens. 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:42.080 Rather, the narrator's focus is on the hill. 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:48.639 As if to say that the hill is where the battle is truly won in prayer. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:56.580 But the battle here goes long and Moses' arms grow weary. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:02.659 And whenever his arms go down, Amalek prevails. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.659 Now, we're not told why that's the case. 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:08.759 It's a bit of a strange detail, isn't it? 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.620 Moses' arms are up, Joshua wins, but when his arms sink, 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:13.000 Amalek begins to prevail. 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:14.019 We're not told why that's the case. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:17.240 You know, why should the directionality of Moses' arms 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.539 have any bearing on whether or not God protects his people, right? 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:21.639 It seems a bit strange. 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:24.080 And the text doesn't really say. 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:26.779 So we need to be careful how we speculate. 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:31.360 But I think the point of the passage seems to be what happens in response in verse 12. 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:33.720 There are Aaron and Hur watching Moses. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.480 His arms are up. 00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:34.919 They're winning. 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:35.600 His arms are down. 00:10:35.680 --> 00:10:36.139 They're not winning. 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:38.860 Aaron looks at her and says, we got to do something about this. 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:40.120 So they grab Moses. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.200 They sit him on a rock. 00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:42.960 They flank him on the other side. 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.419 One person takes one hand. 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.299 One person takes the other. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:46.159 They lift them up. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:47.399 They hold the arms up. 00:10:47.459 --> 00:10:50.259 And together, they persevere. 00:10:54.019 --> 00:11:00.139 I wonder, could that be the reason why God allowed the battle to be swayed 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:02.539 by the strength of Moses' arms? 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:06.740 So that we would see our need for help. 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:12.939 To teach us that we aren't strong enough to last the whole battle alone. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:17.940 And that forces a question upon us, doesn't it? 00:11:18.760 --> 00:11:23.380 Since we are in a spiritual battle, who is holding up your arms? 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:26.600 Who's your Aaron? 00:11:27.180 --> 00:11:28.140 Who's your Hur? 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:34.000 Because if Moses couldn't do it alone, then you and I can't either. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:43.379 I wonder right now, can you think of the names of two or three people that you could text or call, 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:46.200 and it wouldn't be weird to ask them to pray for you? 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:53.700 And are those people people that you could meet with face-to-face this week if you needed to, to pray together? 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:59.780 Of course, there's nothing wrong with having long-distance friends or family who you can call for help and for prayer. 00:12:00.160 --> 00:12:01.360 Those relationships are a gift. 00:12:01.420 --> 00:12:02.180 We can be thankful for those. 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:06.120 But do you also have someone local who can be that for you as well, 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:09.320 and that you can be that for in return? 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:15.420 I wonder if you think of church membership this way. 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:22.020 You know, church membership isn't just some kind of nice affiliation to have, 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:25.200 like having a Panera card or something. 00:12:25.400 --> 00:12:26.879 You know, you kind of swipe it at the checkout, 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:31.200 and every once in a while you get an email with some free goodies or something like that. 00:12:31.780 --> 00:12:34.180 I mean, those are nice, but you know, there's not a lot at stake there. 00:12:34.260 --> 00:12:35.280 There's not a lot of commitment. 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:44.779 No, church membership is being known by name in a body of Christ, 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:51.639 being publicly committed to each other so that together we can hold up one another's arms 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:53.159 in the midst of the fight. 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:58.299 It's admitting that we can't survive by ourselves, and we need each other. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:04.559 I wonder, have you thought about becoming a member of a church for that purpose? 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:09.559 This is also why we have small groups throughout the week. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:13.559 If you don't think you need a small group, I'd encourage you to ask this question of yourself. 00:13:14.339 --> 00:13:18.860 Who are the two, three, four people that I meet with consistently face-to-face 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:22.039 on a weekly or every other week basis to really pray? 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:25.299 Do you have that in your life? 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:31.959 If not, friends, then you need to be in a small group or something like it 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:36.980 because trust me, our arms aren't strong enough. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.660 We're not going to make it alone. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:46.420 And what's more is that you need to be holding someone else's arms up too. 00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:52.139 It's not just about what you get out of it, but what you have to give as well. 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:57.539 And, you know, this strikes to the very heart of what it means to be the church, 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:00.939 which is a lot of what this episode and the next episode are all about. 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:08.379 Being a part of the body of Christ isn't just about what you get out of it. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:14.100 We often can think of the church as sort of an event that we attend 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:17.019 or maybe an organization that we're a part of. 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:22.279 But, you know, for those of us who are in Christ, the church is something that we are. 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:30.179 It's a calling that shapes our entire life where we give as much as we receive. 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:39.960 So this week, try asking a Christian friend, whether from small group or some other context, 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:42.939 this incredibly profound question. 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:49.240 How can I pray for you this week? 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:53.800 How can I pray for you this week? 00:14:55.420 --> 00:15:00.500 And then the next time you get together, ask about that thing and how it turned out. 00:15:02.880 --> 00:15:06.000 Now, here's where I'm going to give you a secret of ministry. 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.340 This is a deep secret. 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:10.540 Only the initiates can really understand this. 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:12.980 We're going to run a seminar this summer and make lots of money off of it. 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.919 Here's the secret to healthy church ministry. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:21.439 Pray for that person and then follow up with them and ask them how it went. 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:27.099 And then pray for them and then follow up and ask how it went. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:28.399 And then, here's the big thing. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:32.339 Pray for them and follow up and see how it went. 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.199 Now, I see. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.779 This is simple, right? 00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:36.399 It's simple. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:39.360 And yet, this is so profound. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:47.059 Because those rhythms and those practices are like a little seed. 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:54.860 And that simple rhythm can grow and grow into something powerful and strong and life-giving 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:57.360 in the midst of our spiritual battles. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:16:04.419 When we ask and we show up and we pray and we continue to ask and show up and pray. 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:08.579 And that's when we start to hold up one another's arms. 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:13.839 Because the battle, friends, is truly one on the hill. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:22.399 Well, the passage ends with the Lord telling Moses to make a memorial in writing. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:28.000 And, you know, when we think about the substance of what is this memorial really all about, 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:31.659 I think it basically says that the battle won't last forever. 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:36.059 Now, first, we think this seems like a stark response. 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:38.639 The Lord will blot out the memory of the Amalekites. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.139 At first, that seems a bit extreme, maybe. 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:49.259 But keep in mind, friends, that the Lord is a loving and holy defender of his people. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:56.000 He offers repentance to all, but those who continue to oppose him will face judgment like a wave 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.480 crashing on the immovable rocks of the shore. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:05.279 But consider these verses in light of the spiritual battle to which they point. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:12.059 God wants Moses to put down in writing that though the battle is long, it won't be forever. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:16.880 The Lord is our banner. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:23.960 He is the mighty, unfurled standard under which we march. 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:27.539 And his victory is secure. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:33.600 Moses here, after the victory over the Amalekites, built a stone altar as a memorial. 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:40.940 But, friends, don't we have an even greater memorial in the cross and in the empty tomb? 00:17:42.360 --> 00:17:47.420 We don't need to build any more stone altars because we have carved into the middle of history 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:53.220 the great monument to God's victory, the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in the empty tomb. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:59.840 And we too have it in writing, in the words of Scripture, 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:04.320 that sin and death and hell and the enemy will not have the last word. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:09.500 God will uphold his redemptive promises for generations to come 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:13.600 until eternity dawns and death is truly no more. 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:19.939 But until that day, we need help. 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:24.579 Because the external threats are real and the battles are long. 00:18:25.719 --> 00:18:28.399 That's the first point we see here at the end of chapter 17. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.959 Second, chapter 18. 00:18:31.459 --> 00:18:35.079 We see that we need help now, not just because the external threats are real, 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:38.119 but because the internal needs are great. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.639 The internal needs are great. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:43.660 Now, this chapter, chapter 18, falls into two halves. 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:48.480 In the first half, verses 1 through 12, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:53.320 arrives from Midian bringing with him Moses' wife and two sons. 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:59.480 Apparently, Moses had sent his family away to Midian at some point while they were down in Egypt. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.480 The text doesn't really say when that happened or why. 00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:03.480 We can speculate. 00:19:03.580 --> 00:19:05.020 It might have been for their protection. 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:09.339 While Moses was sort of having his confrontation with Pharaoh to protect his family, 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:11.519 to send them away to his father-in-law. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:15.879 Now, Jethro, you see here, isn't an Israelite. 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:19.819 But in these verses, if you scan down through verses 1 through 12, 00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:24.059 what you find is that he has heard all about what God has done for them. 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:28.220 And in these verses, he becomes a worshiper of the Lord. 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.099 Look at verse 11. 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:37.619 Now I know, Jethro says, that the Lord is greater than all gods. 00:19:39.679 --> 00:19:42.740 In other words, Jethro converts from worshiping the gods of Midian 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:45.480 to worshiping the one true God of Israel, the Lord. 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:50.879 It's a pretty striking contrast between Jethro and the Israelites 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:52.579 that we've seen over the last two chapters, isn't it? 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:56.059 You know, the Israelites, they sort of see God's mighty deeds with their own eyes, 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:57.719 and yet they grumble and complain. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:20:01.640 And Jethro, on the other hand, he didn't see any of that with his own eyes, 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:03.900 and yet he heard and he believed. 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:09.299 Faith comes by hearing, the Apostle Paul says in Romans 10. 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.220 And that's true for us today. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:13.960 You know, we haven't seen the events that God has done. 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:17.120 But like Jethro, we've heard and we've believed. 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.880 And God has made us his own. 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:24.539 But the second half of the chapter is where we'll focus the rest of our time. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.460 And this connects to our theme of help. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.640 Let's pick up in verse 13. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.579 Let me read this for us. 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:31.100 The next day, Moses sat to judge the people, 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:33.799 and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:36.680 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.059 he said, 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.840 What is this that you're doing for the people? 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:42.160 Why do you sit alone and all the people stand around you from morning till evening? 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.980 And Moses said to his father-in-law, 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:46.519 Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.360 When they have a dispute, they come to me, 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:50.019 and I decide between one person and another, 00:20:50.100 --> 00:20:52.759 and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws. 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:54.859 Moses' father-in-law said to him, 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:57.079 What you're doing is not good. 00:20:57.920 --> 00:21:00.940 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:02.819 for the thing is too heavy for you. 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:05.000 You are not able to do it alone. 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:07.200 Now, obey my voice. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.279 I will give you advice, and God will be with you. 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:12.940 You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:15.480 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:18.259 and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:22.619 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:26.140 men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:32.079 and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands of hundreds of fifties and of tens, 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:34.779 and let them judge the people at all times. 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:36.960 Every great matter they shall bring to you, 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:39.400 but any small matter they shall decide themselves, 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:41.379 so it will be easier for you, 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.779 and they will bear the burden with you. 00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:46.680 If you do this, God will direct you. 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:48.600 You will be able to endure, 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:52.100 and all this people will go to their place in peace. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:55.640 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:57.160 and did all that he had said. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:59.600 Moses chose able men out of all Israel 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.840 and made them heads over the people, 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:03.640 chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:05.480 and they judged the people at all times. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:07.480 Any hard case they brought to Moses, 00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:09.799 but any small matter they decided themselves. 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:12.180 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:14.160 and he went away to his own country. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:17.920 So let's look at this section in three points. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.220 First, what's the need? 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.180 What's the problem here? 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:22.960 Well, Moses is judging the people morning till evening. 00:22:23.040 --> 00:22:26.880 That is, he's the only one who's kind of arbitrating their issues 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.820 and teaching them God's laws and statutes. 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:31.540 But as Jethro points out in verses 17 through 18, 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:34.320 that burden is too heavy for one person. 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:37.200 And that word heavy there in verse 18 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:39.340 is the same word as weary. 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:41.759 Back in chapter 17, verse 12, 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:43.980 when Moses is up on the mountain getting weary. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:47.439 That's one of the details that draws these two stories together, 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:50.179 telling us that the external and the internal needs 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:52.699 are too great, too heavy to handle alone. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.059 What's more, in verse 18, 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:58.699 it's not just Moses who's going to get worn out, 00:22:58.919 --> 00:23:02.039 but it's the people who will wear themselves out as well. 00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:05.480 In other words, if Moses doesn't get the help he needs, 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:08.199 the people won't get the help they need either. 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:10.759 They'll be standing around all day waiting for Moses, 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.580 growing ever tired, ever impatient, 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:14.200 with their problems ever unresolved. 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:17.880 Both Moses and the people will just wear out. 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:22.620 Now, it's easy to see how this relates to church life, isn't it? 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:25.200 Friends, a single pastor, 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:28.200 one lone pastor, 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:31.200 can't possibly care for the needs of a whole congregation. 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:34.539 A single ministry leader 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:37.660 can't possibly care for the needs of a whole ministry. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:42.140 You know, while burnout rates among pastors 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:44.080 can sometimes be overly exaggerated, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.360 it's easy to see, isn't it, 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:47.420 how a single pastor, 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:49.620 one lone pastor caring for a church 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:51.519 of a few hundred people would be overwhelmed. 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:55.700 It's not sustainable for the pastor 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.180 or for the people. 00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.980 So that's the problem. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.059 Second, 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:03.039 what's Jethro's advice? 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.339 In verses 19 through 22, 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.920 he tells Moses to look for able, 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.059 God-fearing men, 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.559 and to appoint them as officers over the people. 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:09.899 Notice, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.659 Moses isn't to abdicate his responsibility. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.700 He needs to stick with it. 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:14.159 But he needs to start empowering 00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:16.059 and delegating some of that authority 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:17.460 to people who can help. 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.720 They will help bear the burden 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.799 of caring for the people 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.899 and of leading and of shepherding the flock. 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.460 And what we see in the Bible 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:26.680 is that that principle carries right through 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.659 into the New Testament. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:31.220 As the gospel spreads from city to city 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.800 in the book of Acts, for example, 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:34.779 we see Paul and the other apostles 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:36.660 appointing elders or overseers 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:39.300 in every church that springs up from the gospel. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.820 And not just one, 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:42.980 but multiple elders in each congregation 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.019 who will be responsible 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.920 to oversee the faithful teaching of the word 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.960 and the faithful shepherding of the people. 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:51.200 And most of those elders 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:54.840 were not what we would call full-time pastors. 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:58.299 Now, there were men like Timothy 00:24:58.299 --> 00:25:00.299 who did give their labor full-time 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.539 to word ministry, 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:04.459 but the majority of elders were godly men 00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:06.699 who worked full-time in the marketplace. 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:12.240 But notice the emphasis here in Exodus 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:14.139 about these men. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:17.559 It's primarily on their character, isn't it? 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:20.799 They need to be able men, yes. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.679 They need to be skilled, 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:24.900 but above all, they need to fear God 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:28.580 and be trustworthy and hate a bribe, it says. 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:32.259 And again, we see that same emphasis 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:35.039 when Paul describes elders or overseers 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.160 in his first letter to Timothy. 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:38.160 Yes, elders need to be able to teach, 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:41.640 but the emphasis is on Christ-like character. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:46.380 Are they an example of genuine godliness? 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:51.180 Can people imitate them as they imitate Christ? 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:55.920 If so, then we ask, 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:57.880 are they faithful in teaching God's word to others, 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.840 whether one-on-one or in small groups 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:00.840 or in large groups? 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.040 And if so, those are the sort of men 00:26:04.040 --> 00:26:06.440 that you want to be elders or shepherds of the church. 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:12.960 So third, what's going to be the result of all this 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.920 according to Jethro? 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:19.120 Well, in verse 23, Jethro says that the fruit of doing this, 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:22.000 of receiving this help, of establishing this help, 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:26.340 will be endurance for Moses and peace for the people. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.880 Endurance. 00:26:30.060 --> 00:26:31.539 You know, one of the primary ways 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:35.680 pastors and ministries will last for the long haul 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:40.300 is if there is a healthy culture of eldership in a church. 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:46.059 If a church prays for God to raise up godly elders, 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:49.059 if men aspire to grow in Christ-like character 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:51.700 and teach others God's word, 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:55.859 if church members receive the care and direction 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:57.619 and instruction of lay elders, 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.799 that is elders who are not full-time pastors, 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:01.960 with joy and don't view them 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:04.480 as sort of the second string to the real pastors, 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.359 do you know what I mean? 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:10.299 Oh, I only got a call from James today. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:13.559 I wish I would have got a call from Pastor Matt. 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.619 That would have been so much better. 00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:15.579 No, right? 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:18.759 We're thankful and we're grateful for all of our elders, 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.859 all of our shepherds. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:22.659 We see them all as a gift that God gives 00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:25.099 to lead us and instruct us and to help us. 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:30.259 Then, a ministry will endure. 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:35.699 Second, there will be peace for the people. 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:38.339 Now, in the immediate context of Exodus 18, 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:40.379 this means practically that more of their disputes 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.079 are going to be settled, 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:44.619 so there will literally be less conflict and more peace. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:47.579 But, you know, peace is a holistic term in the Bible. 00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:50.679 It's not just an image of an absence of conflict, 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:52.599 but of wholeness and flourishing. 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:56.939 So, the result here isn't just there will be more conflict resolution, 00:27:57.119 --> 00:28:03.319 but the overall spiritual well-being and joy of the people will increase. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:08.939 You know, one of the things I'm so thankful for here at Trinity 00:28:08.939 --> 00:28:13.179 is that we have embraced this biblical picture of leadership. 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:18.220 And we have seen how God brings endurance and peace through it. 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:21.039 You know, if you've been around Trinity for a long time, 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:23.779 you know that there have been seasons in our life as a church 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:25.720 where we've gone through big transitions 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:27.599 or we've gone through hardships. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:33.980 And I will tell you that one of the things that God has used to sustain us 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:36.259 through those transitions, through those hardships, 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:40.179 has been the prayers of the people 00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:42.859 for the plurality of elders in the church 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:45.879 to lead humbly and with the word of God. 00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:50.740 Now, we can never sort of read God's providence in backwards, 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.519 but friends, 00:28:51.939 --> 00:28:55.119 God knows what he's doing when he sets up the church, 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:58.119 and we have seen the fruit of it in our congregation. 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:02.839 So keep on praying for the leaders and for the elders. 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:05.639 Pray for Jeff and for James and for Jonathan 00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:07.159 and for Matt and for Greg and myself. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:10.779 Keep praying that God will raise up more qualified elders in our midst. 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:17.000 But of course, this principle doesn't just apply to eldership, right? 00:29:17.479 --> 00:29:20.139 It applies across the board in church life 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:23.859 because God equips all of us for ministry. 00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:26.799 The passage that we read earlier from Ephesians 4 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:30.679 presents a picture of every member ministry 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:34.000 where we are all building each other up in love. 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:37.759 And in that passage, the pastors, the elders, the teachers, 00:29:37.959 --> 00:29:40.259 they aren't the ones who are doing the work of ministry. 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.599 If you look and read it again, 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:43.879 you'll see that they're the ones who are equipping the saints 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.839 for the work of ministry. 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.819 It's the whole church. 00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:48.079 You know, so if you ask, 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.819 well, who are the ministers around here? 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:53.819 Friends, look to your left and look to your right. 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:57.339 You are the ministers of the church. 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:03.379 In other words, you have an important, a vital, a critical role to play. 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:06.639 Men and women, young and old, single and married. 00:30:06.939 --> 00:30:11.339 The ascended Christ has poured his gifts on his redeemed people 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:15.779 and he wants us to use them so that we as a church can grow up 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:18.559 into maturity and into the fullness of Christ, 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:21.519 the fullness that Christ has for us. 00:30:23.199 --> 00:30:27.319 You know, where do we find the fullness of Christ 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:29.079 according to the New Testament? 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:37.839 You know, we don't find it in doing a three-week retreat 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.839 in the middle of nowhere 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:40.740 where none of these pesky people are around 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.980 who keep bothering me, right? 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:46.359 Now, sometimes we do need to take a retreat and take a Sabbath. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.159 That's a good practice. 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.299 You should all be doing it, right? 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:52.339 But where is the fullness of Christ to be found? 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:57.399 It's as we engage and serve one another 00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:59.519 in the body of the church. 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:05.159 In other words, the clearest picture of the face of Jesus Christ 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:08.079 that we will see is in the face of one another 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:10.240 in the family of the church. 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:13.799 This is the fullness of Christ here. 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:19.899 And friends, if we're not serving, 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:23.420 if you're not serving, 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:26.680 then we are not growing as we could be or should be. 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:30.400 If you're not sure what you're good at, 00:31:31.080 --> 00:31:32.400 we'll help you figure that out. 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:37.540 You know, don't just be along for the ride, in other words. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:39.759 Find your place here 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:42.820 because the church needs your help 00:31:42.820 --> 00:31:45.019 just as you need their help 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:48.200 so that we can grow up in love 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:51.340 and experience the maturity 00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:53.400 and the fullness of Christ that he has for us. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:56.460 So yes, the internal needs are great, 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:58.140 but if we all contribute, 00:31:58.400 --> 00:32:00.460 if we all take our place in the body, 00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:02.960 then the result will be peace, 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.779 wholeness, and flourishing. 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:11.380 So these passages are telling us that we need help. 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.539 Leaders can't do it on their own. 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:15.600 None of us can do it on our own. 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:18.539 But you know, here's perhaps 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:20.379 the really surprising thing about all this, 00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.619 especially in chapter 18. 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:24.379 Perhaps the really surprising thing 00:32:24.379 --> 00:32:28.059 is that Moses receives Jethro's advice 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.379 just like that. 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:32.240 You know, he doesn't question it. 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.980 He doesn't get offended. 00:32:34.719 --> 00:32:35.500 He doesn't say, 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.399 how dare you, Jethro? 00:32:36.439 --> 00:32:37.199 You just showed up. 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.599 Now you're going to tell me how to do my job? 00:32:39.939 --> 00:32:41.919 He doesn't justify his actions 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:44.000 or pridefully say that no one else 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:45.080 can do what he does, 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.019 which, you know, 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:48.320 after the experience of the bread 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:49.140 and the water in the wilderness, 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.580 he might have had a pretty good case to make 00:32:50.580 --> 00:32:51.500 about how none of the Israelites 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.920 were really ready to step into leadership. 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.300 And yet, 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.960 he doesn't do that. 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.440 And he doesn't rehearse all the times 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.480 that he's been disappointed 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.500 by people in the past. 00:32:59.580 --> 00:32:59.820 No. 00:33:00.820 --> 00:33:02.100 He doesn't respond in the ways 00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:03.480 that we so often respond, right? 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:07.660 He immediately implements the advice. 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:13.980 Now, what makes Moses so ready 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:15.900 to receive Jethro's help? 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:21.000 Well, I think the reason 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:24.860 is because Moses has already known 00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:27.900 and received an even greater help. 00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:32.400 You see, Moses knew what it was like 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:35.620 to try to do it on his own and fail. 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:39.920 That's what caused him to flee to Egypt 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.820 in chapter 2. 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.660 Do you remember that? 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:44.560 He tries to enact some rescue 00:33:44.560 --> 00:33:45.920 of his people in his own strength 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.820 and it goes all wrong 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:47.580 and he has to flee. 00:33:48.300 --> 00:33:49.640 And that's what landed him in Midian 00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:51.120 where he met Jethro in the first place. 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:54.160 Moses knew that he needed 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.860 God's help above all. 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:58.279 And he also knew 00:33:58.279 --> 00:34:00.840 that he had received God's help. 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:03.259 God had rescued him from Pharaoh. 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:05.380 God had brought him out 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:08.000 of his listless existence 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.780 in the wilderness. 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:12.380 How do we know 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:13.680 that that theme 00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:14.820 was so deep 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:16.220 in Moses' heart and mind? 00:34:18.140 --> 00:34:19.559 Well, look at verse 4 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.740 of chapter 18. 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:24.220 What we find there 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:24.820 is that Moses 00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:26.360 has named 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:27.920 one of his sons 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.760 in verse 4 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:30.220 Eliezer 00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:32.879 which literally means 00:34:32.879 --> 00:34:34.339 God is my help. 00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:36.019 And friends, 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:37.980 you don't name your kid something 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:40.099 unless it has a really deep meaning 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.599 for you. 00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:44.199 Moses was a man 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:44.819 who knew 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:46.439 he needed help 00:34:46.439 --> 00:34:47.539 and had received it 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.439 from the Lord. 00:34:50.379 --> 00:34:51.579 And isn't this something 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.279 that's true 00:34:52.279 --> 00:34:53.480 of us too? 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:55.939 Because the gospel 00:34:55.939 --> 00:34:56.759 tells us 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:58.920 that we are sinners 00:34:58.920 --> 00:35:01.040 and we need a savior. 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:03.780 And that means 00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:04.720 that if we really 00:35:04.720 --> 00:35:06.020 get the gospel 00:35:06.020 --> 00:35:06.520 of grace 00:35:06.520 --> 00:35:07.420 in our bones 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:09.180 then we know 00:35:09.180 --> 00:35:10.700 and we can admit 00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:11.940 at the most profound 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.800 level 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:14.420 that we need help 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:16.240 and we need rescue. 00:35:17.240 --> 00:35:18.820 But we also know 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:20.380 that we've been sent 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:21.680 the ultimate help 00:35:21.680 --> 00:35:23.260 in Jesus Christ. 00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:25.800 He did 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:27.280 what we could not do 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:28.240 for ourselves. 00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:29.600 He died 00:35:29.600 --> 00:35:30.720 in our place 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:31.240 on the cross 00:35:31.240 --> 00:35:31.880 for our sins 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.880 so we could be forgiven. 00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:34.320 He rose again 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:34.940 in triumph 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.560 over death 00:35:35.560 --> 00:35:36.160 so that we might 00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:37.440 never fear 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:38.020 the future. 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:40.840 Christ 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:42.040 went up on the hill 00:35:42.040 --> 00:35:43.580 and his hands 00:35:43.580 --> 00:35:44.320 were pinned 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:45.400 for us 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:48.300 so that we 00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:49.360 could be redeemed. 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:53.440 and when our hearts 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:54.860 receive that help 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:56.200 that Christ offers 00:35:56.200 --> 00:35:57.240 through repentance 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.940 and faith 00:35:57.940 --> 00:36:00.519 then that opens 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.640 up to us 00:36:01.640 --> 00:36:03.539 all the means 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.539 whereby God 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:05.720 continues to help us. 00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:06.400 You see 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.000 when we know 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:07.880 that we need help 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:09.120 from the very start 00:36:09.120 --> 00:36:09.660 in the gospel 00:36:09.660 --> 00:36:10.980 then we become 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.120 susceptible for help 00:36:12.120 --> 00:36:13.079 wherever it comes 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:14.059 and we're ready 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.940 to receive it. 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:16.079 And as we see 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:17.099 in this passage 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.220 in Exodus 17 and 18 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:19.280 that most help 00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:20.220 often comes 00:36:20.220 --> 00:36:20.760 in the form 00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:21.380 of other people. 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:21.880 After all 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.740 God could have 00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:23.680 directly revealed 00:36:23.680 --> 00:36:24.200 to Moses 00:36:24.200 --> 00:36:24.960 the need 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.600 for able men 00:36:25.600 --> 00:36:26.300 to divide the labor. 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:26.620 Right? 00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:27.080 Zap! 00:36:27.160 --> 00:36:27.420 He could have 00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:28.180 just uploaded it 00:36:28.180 --> 00:36:28.940 right into his brain 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.920 like Neo in the Matrix. 00:36:30.100 --> 00:36:30.380 Bam! 00:36:30.620 --> 00:36:31.480 We need more elders. 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.519 God doesn't do it that way. 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:35.940 Instead 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.880 he reveals it 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.400 through Jethro. 00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.040 God could have 00:36:39.040 --> 00:36:40.120 supernaturally 00:36:40.120 --> 00:36:40.620 hoisted 00:36:40.620 --> 00:36:41.360 Moses' arms 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:41.820 in the air 00:36:41.820 --> 00:36:43.640 but he doesn't. 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:44.280 Instead 00:36:44.280 --> 00:36:45.000 he sends Aaron 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:45.420 and Hur 00:36:45.420 --> 00:36:46.880 to hold up his arms. 00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:47.540 And friends 00:36:47.540 --> 00:36:47.920 it's going to be 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.539 the same 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.519 for us. 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:50.740 So often 00:36:50.740 --> 00:36:51.800 the spiritual help 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:52.559 that we need 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.360 will come 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:55.240 from other people. 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:57.440 And when our hearts 00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:58.360 are resting 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:59.740 in the help 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.559 of Christ 00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.920 when we see 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.400 ourselves 00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:03.320 as fundamentally 00:37:03.320 --> 00:37:04.039 needy 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:05.079 and fundamentally 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:05.900 graced 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:06.740 and accepted 00:37:06.740 --> 00:37:07.480 in Christ 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.340 we'll be ready 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.079 to receive 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.820 his help 00:37:09.820 --> 00:37:11.139 even in the form 00:37:11.139 --> 00:37:11.980 of another person. 00:37:11.980 --> 00:37:14.880 and you know 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:15.139 it works 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.659 the other way 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:15.960 too. 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:18.119 Getting a hold 00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:18.559 of Christ 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.240 not only opens 00:37:19.240 --> 00:37:19.460 us up 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.179 to receive help 00:37:20.179 --> 00:37:21.699 it also 00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:22.119 opens us 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:24.280 up to give 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:24.699 help 00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:25.800 as well. 00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:27.880 After all 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.900 if Christ 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:29.280 has done 00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:29.980 all that 00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:31.139 to help 00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:31.579 me 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:32.940 surely 00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:33.639 then I can 00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.079 turn 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:35.179 and help 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:35.559 others. 00:37:35.900 --> 00:37:36.519 If the king 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.139 of glory 00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:37.820 would humble 00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:38.380 himself 00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:39.519 and stoop 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.500 to be my 00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:41.519 helper 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:44.860 how could I 00:37:44.860 --> 00:37:45.780 not freely 00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:47.119 and gladly 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:47.699 offer 00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:48.820 whatever help 00:37:48.820 --> 00:37:49.780 I have 00:37:49.780 --> 00:37:50.500 to serve 00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:51.000 others? 00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:53.380 You see 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:54.559 united to Christ 00:37:54.559 --> 00:37:55.280 our hearts 00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:56.480 start to change 00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:58.059 from self-reliance 00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:59.460 and self-absorption 00:37:59.460 --> 00:38:00.579 to humble 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.280 joyful 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.360 service. 00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:06.820 Friends 00:38:06.820 --> 00:38:07.259 in conclusion 00:38:07.259 --> 00:38:07.880 imagine what 00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:08.579 it would be like 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:10.500 if that 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:11.420 was the 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:11.900 dynamic 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.960 of our 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:13.500 body life 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:13.900 together. 00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:15.739 What if 00:38:15.739 --> 00:38:16.279 Trinity were 00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:16.799 a place 00:38:16.799 --> 00:38:17.079 where there 00:38:17.079 --> 00:38:18.039 was real 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.619 help 00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:19.639 where you 00:38:19.639 --> 00:38:20.279 were seen 00:38:20.279 --> 00:38:20.960 and you 00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:21.619 were known 00:38:21.619 --> 00:38:23.539 and where 00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.179 people showed 00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:25.079 up and where 00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:25.719 people prayed 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:26.000 and where 00:38:26.000 --> 00:38:26.699 people helped 00:38:26.699 --> 00:38:27.579 and where 00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:27.960 people were 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.440 willing to 00:38:28.440 --> 00:38:29.119 step out 00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:29.460 and do 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:29.880 costly 00:38:29.880 --> 00:38:30.340 service 00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:30.699 for one 00:38:30.699 --> 00:38:31.019 another 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:32.980 and take 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:33.759 on responsibility 00:38:33.759 --> 00:38:34.599 for the sake 00:38:34.599 --> 00:38:35.000 of the life 00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:35.559 of the body. 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:37.759 Friends 00:38:37.759 --> 00:38:38.019 would that 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.739 not unleash 00:38:38.739 --> 00:38:39.179 a kind of 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:40.019 spiritual energy 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:40.659 in our midst 00:38:40.659 --> 00:38:41.079 that would be 00:38:41.079 --> 00:38:41.579 contagious 00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:43.320 not just in our 00:38:43.320 --> 00:38:43.840 body but in our 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.139 city? 00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:48.519 What would that 00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.019 be like? 00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:51.739 As we go to the 00:38:51.739 --> 00:38:52.579 table this morning 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:55.420 Christ reminds us 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.279 here of the 00:38:56.279 --> 00:38:57.539 ultimate help 00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.259 that he has 00:38:58.259 --> 00:38:58.860 given us 00:38:58.860 --> 00:39:01.099 and let's 00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:01.980 pray that God 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:02.480 would make us 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.180 willing as we 00:39:03.180 --> 00:39:04.000 receive the bread 00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:04.599 and the cup 00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:06.280 to both give 00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:06.900 and receive 00:39:06.900 --> 00:39:07.620 the help we 00:39:07.620 --> 00:39:08.800 need as we 00:39:08.800 --> 00:39:09.320 journey in 00:39:09.320 --> 00:39:10.079 Christ together. 00:39:11.240 --> 00:39:11.940 Let's pray. 00:39:16.539 --> 00:39:17.220 Our Father 00:39:17.220 --> 00:39:17.800 we confess 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:18.280 that we 00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:19.260 need help 00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:20.380 and we give 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:20.760 you great 00:39:20.760 --> 00:39:21.420 thanks that 00:39:21.420 --> 00:39:21.840 in Jesus 00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:22.480 you have 00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:22.980 given us 00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:23.300 that 00:39:23.300 --> 00:39:24.660 and here 00:39:24.660 --> 00:39:25.160 in the family 00:39:25.160 --> 00:39:25.840 of the church 00:39:25.840 --> 00:39:26.500 you've given 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.460 us the possibility 00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:28.760 and by your 00:39:28.760 --> 00:39:29.720 spirit the reality 00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:31.539 of really doing 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.300 spiritual good 00:39:32.300 --> 00:39:32.920 to one another 00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.480 in the name of 00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:33.860 Christ. 00:39:34.940 --> 00:39:35.639 Lord help us 00:39:35.639 --> 00:39:36.380 to see our need 00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:37.880 and help us 00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.800 to extend the 00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:40.059 help and use 00:39:40.059 --> 00:39:40.579 the gifts that 00:39:40.579 --> 00:39:41.119 you've given us 00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:41.480 so that we 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.240 might be built 00:39:42.240 --> 00:39:43.940 up in love. 00:39:45.079 --> 00:39:45.940 We pray this 00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:46.780 Father in Jesus 00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:47.159 name. 00:39:47.860 --> 00:39:48.119 Amen.