WEAPONS

Have you ever heard somebody say, “They fight dirty”? Or perhaps “They don’t fight fair.” Arguments are often thought of as fights and we want to win those arguments, so we will resort to whatever it takes to win bringing up the past, using their own weaknesses against them to hurt them!

Paul says that’s not the way to go about things. If you want to “win” then you must use God’s ways…

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NLT)

So what are these weapons of God?

The answer to that question may be found in Ephesians chapter six where Paul explains that we are not just fighting against people…

¹⁰A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹²For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10 - 12 (NLT)

He then goes on to outline those “weapons” that are from God in verses 14-18 (emphasis added)…

The belt of truth

The armor of God’s righteousness

Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

The shield of faith

the helmet of salvation

The sword of the Spirit, which is

The word of God

Prayer

So the next time you get in that “fighting mood”, whether it be a disagreement on scripture, theology, opinions or policy, make sure you get out the right weapons!

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ORDER

Do you recall hearing the phrase, “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians”? I understand that in today’s society somebody would no doubt become upset over the political incorrectness of the statement, but you understand the meaning quite well. Everybody wants to be in charge and nobody wants to do the work! Everybody wants to “appear” to be the boss, but nobody wants to take the responsibility of being in charge.

God has set up a structure within the Body of Christ. He is a God of order and has established hierarchies within the Church and within society.

HEAD

But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)

AUTHORITY

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ²So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ³For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. Romans 13:1 - 3 (NLT)

ORDER

The word order and it’s variations are listed 265 times in the New American Standard Bible.

He speaks of orderly worship in 1 Corinthians 14

There is an order to the Ten Commandments that begins with the importance of the exclusivity of God being the ONLY God.

LEADERS

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4:11 - 12 (NASB)

Notice it does not say that everyone in the church is an apostle or a prophet or an evangelist, pastor or teacher. Those positions equip the saints (that’s the rest of the people in the church) for service.

Let us rest in the fact that God knows best and be content with the gifts He has chosen to give us, acknowledging the leadership He has placed over us and, in harmony, win the world for Christ.

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GIVING

We are the richest people on earth. Some folks don’t have enough to buy a set of new clothes and yet we own several pairs of shoes, several shirts, pants, hats, and other various articles of clothing. That’s why James says,

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 (NLT)

He goes on in chapter 2 to explain that if we say we believe in God, and what He stands for, we will show it by the things that we do.

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, ¹⁶and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? ¹⁷Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:14 - 17 (NASB)

The disciples practiced this as a way of life…

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Acts 2:44 - 45 (NASB)

God Himself led by example in this area. We needed a Savior and He gave…

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)

Paul points out to the church at Corinth that they had been blessed and faithful in so many areas…there was just this one area left…giving to help others.

But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NKJV)

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TRUTH

Pilate, the Roman governor asked, “What is truth?” when Jesus, who was on trial in his court, told him, “I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18:38).

“Compared to two years ago, just half as many Americans believe that absolute moral truth exists, dropping from 38% in January 2000 to only 22% in November 2001." George Barna of Barna Research.

“Only a minority of born-again adults (44%) and a tiny proportion of born-again teenagers (9%) are certain that absolute moral truth exists." William Lobdell, LA times.

It seems that even Christians now feel they can lay aside truth and create their own version. The attitude is that if I “feel that way” it must be true. It reminds me of a book title that James Dobson wrote several years ago, “Emotions, Can You Trust Them?” Of course, the answer is “No.” They are merely feelings, not facts. Just because I feel a certain way, doesn’t make it true.

What does God’s Word have to say?

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25 (NASB) (Old Testament reference: Zechariah 8:16)

Notice he didn’t say, “speak some of the truth” or “speak your version of the truth.”

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth in John 16:13. The Gospel of John says that speaking truth honors God.

Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. John 7:18 (NLT)

Even the courts in the United States of America include it in the swearing in of witnesses.

…the whole truth and nothing but the truth…so help me God.

Of course, maybe we could justify half-truths by saying “That’s worldly.” After all they make you swear to that in the secular court room!

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FAN

With summer quickly approaching the temperatures are rising. When that happens, it’s time to turn on a fan to get the air moving so we can be comfortable. We tend to function better when the air isn’t stagnant.

Paul tells Timothy to “turn on the fan” in his second letter to him:

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. ⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6 - 7 (NLT)

Fan into flames, in other words, there is a glow, a spark so to speak, but you need to kick it in to high gear so that you are more effective for God. Most fans have different speeds; the higher the speed the more rapidly the air is moved. In reference to the flame, the more air we introduce to a spark, the bigger the flame will become.

God gives each one of us a spiritual gift.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 (NASB)

As you can see from Peter’s words, God intends us to use that gift to serve other brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, how do we turn up the fan? Notice in the passage in first Timothy, in verse seven: “God has not given us a spirit of fear.” The Greek word for spirit here is pneuma, which literally means a current of air. God’s “air” is not stagnant. It is not based on fear, which will keep us from utilizing God’s gift. But, it is based on power (God’s kind of miraculous, life-changing power), and love (God’s love, agape, self-less, others-centered love, and self-discipline or a sound mind.

Notice in Galatians 5:22-23,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control.”

The only way we can operate with God’s power and God’s kind of love with self-control is to be in tune with His Holy Spirit. Do you want to fan your spark into a flame? Then talk to Him, read His Word, listen for His voice and put Him first in your life. After all, He not only created you, but He redeemed your life, He purchased your soul with the very life of Jesus…

For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NASB)

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HOPE

Psalms 36:1 - 4 (NLT)

¹ Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.

They have no fear of God at all.

² In their blind conceit,

they cannot see how wicked they really are.

³ Everything they say is crooked and deceitful.

They refuse to act wisely or do good.

⁴ They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots.

Their actions are never good.

They make no attempt to turn from evil.

… you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. John 10:26 (NLT)

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NLT)

⁹If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9 - 10 (NLT)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (NLT)

Psalms 36:5 - 7 (NLT)

⁵ Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

⁶ Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

your justice like the ocean depths.

You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.

⁷ How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 (NLT)

Jesus said,

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ²⁹for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. ³⁰The Father and I are one.” John 10:28 - 30 (NLT)

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CHRISTIAN
How will a person who does not know Christ, understand what a Christian is, or is supposed to be? Speaking to His disciples Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). So, when the unbelievers look at you and me, will they recognize Christ?

Philippians 2:5 - 8 (NKJV) 5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:5 - 8 (NLT)

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
(…if you call yourself a Christian.)

6 Though he was God,
(We were made in His image.)

he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
(Often, we want to be the “boss” and do it our way instead of being subservient to our Creator)

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
(I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV))

he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
(For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV))

When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
(Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:8 - 11 (NKJV))

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HIS

There was a song in the late 60s called, “My Way” that was recorded by Frank Sinatra. The gist of the song may be summed up in this line, “I did it my way.”

The 60s brought about changes that were aimed at throwing God out of society. The two major blows were the legalization of abortion and taking prayer out of the schools. There was an increased interest in Eastern mystical religions and respect for authority reached an all-time low. And through it all, each person could say “I did it my way.”

Those of us who claim Christ as Savior are not to partake in the things of this world.

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15 - 17 (NASB)

Our thoughts concerning “self” and doing it “our own way” are to be like the words of Paul in Galatians 2:20 (NASB),

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

So, the next time you feel like “stomping your foot” and saying, “I want it my way,” think about Christ, who did it the Father’s way.

He is the same one who said “Follow Me!” to His disciples…and they did (Matthew 4:19, 9:9).

He is the author of the Word which says to “think of others as better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3) and to respect those who “have authority over us” (Romans 13).

May our song be, “I did it His Way” for we were “bought with a price,” (1 Corinthians 7:23) the life of Christ.

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REDEMPTION

Everybody is different. We are all unique. There are certain traits that we do share with others. I want to revisit Mary and Martha, but this time in the Gospel of John just after Lazarus had died.

Jesus had delayed going to see his sick friend Lazarus. When he and his disciples arrived, Lazarus had already been dead for a few days.

I want you to notice the different reactions from Lazarus’ sister, Mary and Martha. I also want you to notice the compassion Jesus had for Martha, the second chance, if you will, that was given to her. Remember on Jesus’ earlier visit (Luke 10:38 – 42), Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to his every word, while Martha was in the kitchen making preparations to feed her visitors.

Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:32 (NKJV)

Even in her grief over her dead brother, Mary’s belief in Christ’s power did not falter.

Now look at Martha’s reaction. She was actually the first one to run out to see Jesus, rather than being busy cleaning house for the guests…

Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. ²¹Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” ²³Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” ²⁴Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:20 - 27 (NKJV)

It’s almost as if Martha is saying,

Jesus, I know I wasn’t paying attention the first time you came and I’m sorry for that. But, I really do believe you are the Messiah and have the power to save my brother.

Isn’t it nice that Jesus loves us so much, that when we blow it the first time, He gives us another chance….

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RETURN

Have you ever heard anybody say, “Things were better in the good old days”? Well, we might argue with them on some points. I mean, after all we have computers, cell phones, satellite communication, and flat screen TVs! We have air conditioning, shampoos and conditioners, antibacterial soap, modern medicine and specialized doctors.

Quite frankly to return to a day when my grandparents lived in Phoenix and had to hang wet strips of cloth in the window to stay cool (don’t think so!) doesn’t sound terribly appealing.

On the other hand, if we were to go back, back, back, to a place and far away and long ago…we could see

The way things used to be…

In the Old Testament book of Nehemiah (you really should read it!), after Nehemiah and the people finished building the wall, they read the Word of God and rediscovered what it was that God desired of them (ch. 8).

They devoted ¼ of their day to reading the Word and ¼ to praying (that’s 12 hours each day!)(ch. 9).

They made a covenant to return to God’s ways and follow Him completely (ch. 10).

They made sure that God’s house was taken care of (ch. 11).

They celebrated the completion of the wall and the Covenant with God with songs of thanksgiving, choirs, instruments, sacrifices and tithing (ch. 12).

They:

• Cleansed the house of God of all unholy things and activities
• Separated themselves from those that were not His people
• Started paying (taking care of) the priests again
• Returned to the practice of making the Sabbath holy (no work, etc.)
• Returned to the practice of not marrying outside of God’s people

(ch. 13)

Look at all of those things mentioned above. Where do we that call ourselves “God’s children” stand in each of those areas? Could it be that we, like the people of Nehemiah’s day, need to return to following God completely in some or all of these areas?

Rather than simply leave you with the questions, I want to point out one thing that I read in Christianity Today (or was it Leadership?) regarding the treatment of God’s Word today. In Nehemiah’s day, they returned to reading the Holy Scriptures to the people, in essence, preaching from the Word of God. The article I read was pointing out that in today’s church plagiarism has become rampant. Preachers are going to the internet, downloading sermons and reading them to their congregations. It is this humble writer’s opinion that the reason Calvary Chapels are so successful is that they preach God’s Word, verse by verse, book by book to the people.

And just so we don’t blame everything on preachers (that seems to be a trend) George Barna, the Christian pollster, has reported “Overall, only 30% of twentysomethings have read the Bible in the past week, compared to 37% of those in their 30s; 44% of fortysomethings; 47% of adults in their 50s; and 55% of those age 60 and above.” (Sept. 24, 2003)

Notice that Israel repented and returned corporately, not just individuals, they did it together. We in the church can take a lesson, repent and return.

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REBUILD

Sometimes structures wear out, walls wobble, ceilings sag and floors fail. If the foundation is good, it is worth rebuilding! It may have been built several years ago; the original builders of the structure may have even passed away. However, as long as that foundation is stable, those that come along afterwards may begin the process of rebuilding.

The institution of the church is a lot like that…the foundation is EXTREMEMLY STABLE because it is JESUS CHRIST. Is it worth rebuilding? Absolutely!

Read this passage from the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem. Nehemiah is speaking…

¹⁷Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” ¹⁸I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. Nehemiah 2:17 - 18 (NASB)

Some of those engaged in the work had seen the wall in its glory days. Others no doubt were younger and had not but they were willing to pitch in and help. The wall didn’t look exactly as it did before…

⁶So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6 (NASB)

Their enemies attacked them during the time of rebuilding…but God triumphed. In all things they gave glory to God and worked together to rebuild the wall.

All of us in the “church”, no matter what denomination, need to rebuild it to its “former glory.” Jesus Christ must be preeminent in all that we do. God must receive all the glory.

When Christians humble themselves and work together, God will bless. Some in the rebuilding will have seen the church in its former glory. Others are younger, but willing to work together.

• Music changes as we sing a “new song” unto the Lord…but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
• The order of service may change as we remember and “rebuild it” around the foundation that it is ALL ABOUT JESUS and not about us.
• Our “power” will diminish as we recognize the ONLY POWER that we have is THE HOLY SPIRIT operating in, around and through us.

Together we can rebuild the church to its former glory.

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SORROW

Have you ever caused someone pain? I don’t mean physical pain, but heart-felt emotional pain. I know I have done it unintentionally and it doesn’t feel so good when you realize what has happened.

Sometimes, simply telling people the truth results in their feeling pain. If we tell them for the right reasons, like not wanting them to go down an even worse path than the one they are on, and we use God’s TRUTH found in His Word, they may feel pain, but if that pain causes them to turn their lives around…HOORAY.

No I’m not a sadist; I don’t enjoy seeing people in pain! Read this passage that Paul wrote from 2 Corinthians 7:8 - 10 (NLT) and I think you’ll see what I’m talking about…

I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. ⁹Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. ¹⁰For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

Oh, that I were able to lead more away from sin by sharing God’s Word in a manner that they would understand. It’s important to remember though, that Paul was dealing here with the church at Corinth; people that had already accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Until a person accepts that Christ is Lord, they will not accept His Word as applying to their lives. We must keep that in mind when dealing with our non-Christians friends and acquaintances. We must be gentle and lead them to understand WHO Jesus is and what He has done for us, before we can expect them to follow His teachings.

Even Jesus said in John 10:27 (NASB)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

Let us…encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 (NASB)

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PARTNERSHIP

“I’ve fallen head-over-heels for him (her),” “It was love at first sight,” “I just can’t help being in love with her (him).”

Do any of those sound familiar to you? More often than not, something like this is said when a believer in Christ starts dating, or even marries a non-believer.

Does the scripture have anything to say on this subject? Read this passage in

2 Corinthians 6:14 - 18 (NASB)

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? ¹⁵Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

“I will dwell in them and walk among them;

And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

¹⁷ “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean;

And I will welcome you.

¹⁸ “And I will be a father to you,

And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”

Says the Lord Almighty.

It is easy enough to blame “love’s irresistible charms,” but the truth of the matter is, we DO have a choice. The principle is the same in 1 John 2:15 - 17 (NASB) where we read

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Merely claiming to be part of God’s family obligates us to follow this principle by the very name “church.” Not the local church, but the church referred to by the Greek word ekklesia, which means “called out;” called out of the world, away from the things that displease God, to Christ our Savior.

If you are married to a non-believer, the scriptures say stay that way (1 Corinthians 7:12-13), but if you are only dating or considering a serious relationship with one that does not believe in Christ as their Savior, meditate upon God’s Word on the subject.

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OFFEND

Some people seem to take offense at every word we say. They get upset because we think something different than they do, or they perceive we don’t really care about them as a person, or, the list could go on forever.

I must admit that there have been times that I would say, “That’s their problem” and move on. As I’ve grown older, and read the scripture below, I realize that by giving them occasion to take offense at something I’ve said, it could be an obstacle to them, as I claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

See what you think about Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:3. I have listed three different translations of the same verse for you to read:

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. (NKJV)

We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. (NLT)

We don’t want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. (CEV)

New King James says no offense in anything. Now that is all-inclusive, though I’m sure what is meant is we try to give no offense in anything.

The New Living Translation emphasizes that the way we live, whether good or bad, can cause an adverse reaction in others.

Lastly, the Contemporary English Version emphasizes the desire for no one to find fault and trying hard to see that they don’t.

We should try hard to give no offense to anyone in anything, whether through the way we live, the words we speak, or even the way we look at someone. Why? So that our ministry, our witness for our Lord Jesus Christ, is not compromised to the saved or to the unsaved. We won’t always be successful, but the Lord looks at the intentions of the heart.

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TEAMWORK

Teams are common in sports, businesses and sometimes, churches. After all, aren’t we supposed to work together in the church? Teamwork implies a leader, possibly sub-leaders and other people, that combine their efforts to accomplish a task.

What is the task that we in the church have before us? It is to first, be Christ-like (hence the name Christian) and second of all to tell other people about Jesus Christ (If we don’t get the first one right we lose our credibility).

Listen to this passage of scripture from Exodus 18:19 - 22 (NASB). Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, is speaking:

“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, ²⁰then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. ²¹“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. ²²“Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.

The pattern of teaching others the truths of God and placing some of them as leaders over others to teach them is also found in the New Testament:

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4:11 - 12 (NASB)

One leads, teaches others who then become leaders that teach others, who then become leaders that teach others, who then become…. You get the picture. That’s what it’s all about…teamwork, and each one of us is responsible for our part.

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