INTRODUCTION:

A. Moses, now 80 years old, was overwhelmed with all his responsibilities.  His father-in-law recommended  to Moses that he  select men from the people to assist him in judging in matters the people were bringing  to him.
B. Jethro even gave the qualifications for the men to be selected.  The able men would be those who--
 1. Fear God.
 2. Are men of truth.
 3. Hate covetousness.
C. This is a great example for church leaders today--the need for delegation.
D. Let us study the traits of those to serve.

DISCUSSION:

I. ABLE MEN WERE TO BE SELECTED.

 A. Literally--"men of might."  
  1. NIV--capable.
  2. Men of the capacity or ability to judge.
 B. These were to--
  1. Fear God.
   a. Ecclesiastes 12:13; Acts 10:2.
   b. Not as Samuel's sons (I Samuel 8:3).
  2. Be men of truth.
   a. Ezekiel 18:8.
   b. Proverbs 23:23.
   c. John 14:6.
   d. Ephesians 6:14.
  3. Those who hate covetousness.
   a. NIV--"who hate dishonest gain."
   b. RSV--"who hate a bribe."
   c. They certainly did not need corrupt judges.
 
 
 

II. ABLE MEN ARE STILL NEEDED TO SERVE.

 A. God, in His wisdom, gave us qualifications for those men who are to serve as elders and 
  deacons in the church.
  1. I Timothy 3:1-13.
  2. Titus 1:5-16.
  3. I Peter 5:1-4.
 B. An overview points us to similar needs of those in Moses' day.
  1. The church needs God-fearing leaders.  We need to look deeper than just the physical    qualifications (husband of  one wife, children).
  2. The church needs leaders with high marks in honesty.
  3. Leaders in the church must recognize they are serving in a body with Christ as the 
   head.  So fairness and unselfishness are virtues that must be exalted.
  4. The "able" men God wants are not self-seekers, but those with a servant attitude.
CONCLUSION:

A. Jesus' example of washing the disciples' feet needs to be given greater thought (John 13:1-17).
B. Let's strive to be the "able" men God wants us to be.

        Jimmy Miller
        1152 Secret Trail
        Sugar Hill, GA 3051