Peter Barnes | Exodus 18:1-27
SERMON NOTES
NO ONE-MAN BANDS!
Exodus 18:1-27; Acts 6:1-7
– Jethro has come to faith or assurance in 18:8-11.
– elders already existed in Ex.3:16
1. It is not right to concentrate everything in one person.
– 18:13-18; see Num.11:10-17
– second reason perhaps in 1 Cor.12:14
– elders were not priests who sacrificed, but men who administered justice, counselled, and taught (e.g. Deut.19:11-12; 27:1; 31:9-13)
2. Responsibilities should be shared out.
– 18:19-23; this does not mean the elders cannot be ungodly (see Judges 21:16; 1 Sam.8:4-7)
– labour is divided in Acts 6:4; see Prov.11:14; Acts 14:23
3. Our focus is to be on the Word of God, not the leader.
– 18:19-20, 23-26; what matters is the decision made and how it is made, not the man who makes it.
– the eldership is judicial (administering God’s Word), not legislative (making up laws)