How to Schedule Margin in Your Life

I had the great opportunity to preach last Sunday at Ridgeview Church. This was the last week of a sermon series on Margin. Pastor Tommy helped lead worship and I filled the pulpit for him. It was a lot of fun, and I think it was a very meaningful time for everyone that above all, glorified God.

Scheduling Margin 3.21.10 from ridgeview church on Vimeo.

Margin Part 3: Scheduling Margin
Exodus 18

Margin: The amount available beyond what is necessary.

Moses lost his margin.
1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her. Exodus 18:1-2 (NIV)

What you are doing is not good!
13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?" 15 Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws." 17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good." Exodus 18:13-17 (NIV)

HOW DO WE SCHEDULE WISELEY?
Say “no” to many good things to say “yes” to the best things.
22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied. Exodus 18:13-17 (NIV)

WHAT MATTERS THAT IS MISSING?
Intimate time with God.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Intentional times of rest.
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)


Moses got his margin back.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel." (Intimate time with God) Exodus 19:3 (NIV)

27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country. (Intentional times of rest) Exodus 18: 27 (NIV)