INTRODUCTION
• The hardest thing about ministry is relationships.
• The best thing about ministry is relationships, building deep and close ones that change your life.
• Relating to those above us, beside us and below us is crucial for ministry success.
• These verses encompass all the key relationships in Moses’ life here is Moses/Jethro, Moses/Zipporah, Moses/Aaron, Moses and elders.
• Moses did well with those above him and beside him.
• But as we saw he was a woeful failure with those in his trust, leadership.
Exodus 4:27-30, “Now the Lord said to Aaron, ‘Go to meet Moses in the wilderness.’ So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which he had sent him, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. 29Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel; 30and Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses.”
I. A PROPHETIC PARTNERSHIP
• Moses and Aaron are one of several dynamic duos in the word…Jonathan and David, Paul and Barnabus, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Silas.
• Not to mention other brothers…Peter/Andrew, James and John.
• Partnership is part of ministry, Jesus linked his guys together in groups.
Matthew 18:19, 9“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20“For where two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst.”
Matthew 21:1, “When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.”
Luke 9:28, 28”Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”
Mark 6:7, Sent out his guys by two’s. 7”And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff.”
• Vs.14-16 - Speaks what took place. God told Moses Aaron would be glad to see him.
• That they would be a team, a partnership for Him.
• What was going on here? Well there had been 40 years.
• What terms had they parted on? Was there jealousy?
• Moses in the courts of Pharaoh and Aaron in the slave pit?
• Was it when Moses killed the Egyptian he embarrassed his family?
• How often do we suppose wrong things about meeting with someone after a long absence?
• Moses didn’t bring up his brother, God did.
• And he told Moses Aaron would be glad. Remember it is a big desert and a long time.
• God had to have done this.
• Expect Aaron will be glad to see you. Why are we so afraid of someone receiving us?
II. PARTNERSHIPS BRING GREATER POSSIBILITY
• That is why we have small groups.
• When people tell me, “It’s the Lord and me.” I think, no it’s not.
• There are no lone rangers in the kingdom. Everyone needs a tonto.
• It is God linking people together to grow them.
Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.”
• Relationship gives rise to ministry possibility.
• Verse 27-31
• Notice the Lord spoke to Aaron, just as he spoke to Moses. Go to your brother. No small thing. Midian was 300 miles across the desert.
• And Aaron is the older brother here by three years. Very important in this culture.
• And Aaron knew the people Moses didn’t.
• Yet he willingly partnered with Moses.
• He greets him with a hug and a kiss. This is Biblical. Moses tells Aaron all that went down.
• All that he never spoke to Jethro.
• Now Aaron could have told Moses. ”God spoke to me about you Moses, now listen to me.”
• But Aaron realized early on his little brother would be the leader.
• Listen you may end up not being the front person, its ok.
• Ministry doesn’t happen without the team.
• Moses the deliverer. Aaron was the one who went into the presence of God.
• As the high priest. Friends, the willingness to not have to be the leader…
• It is so important!
III. A TEAM THAT CHANGED DESTINY
• No, not Moses and Aaron though they did.
• Another team that teaches us so much…
• Saul and Barney
• Paul and Barney story
• Acts 9:27-29 - Barney risks his reputation for Saul.
• Acts 11:22-26 - Barney seeks out Saul/Paul.
• Acts 13:1-3 - The two are sent out by Spirit, “Barnabus and Paul”
• Acts 15:36-41 - Roles have switched Paul loses patience.
• Which means their numbers switched!
• Healing happens. Colossians 4;10, “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ Cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him).”
• And 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”
CLOSE – They shared ministry.
There is a grace in both of these men.
There is a willingness to trust yourself to another and not have to crow about what God has done in you.
Aaron got on his number and God got His way.
