Sermon Central
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The God Squad
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 26, 2009 (message contributor)
THE GOD SQUAD
This week, we finished remodeling our old house and started moving into our new house. But last Monday I threw my back out while working on the house. I was frustrated and hurting. But the pain was not as bad as the feeling of not being able to finish my tasks which what I wanted to finish on the house. I was also frustrated, because I had to move this week and my back was shouting to me – along with my wife – "You can’t lift anything!"
For those who know me I like to do things myself--I was taught by my dad to rely on no one and to get the job done yourself. So occasionally I battle my ego of "Self-reliance." So I must admit I am stubborn so I kept trying to work and all I did was just kept hurting my back worse – and worse.
On Saturday I had to finish this sermon in the morning due to some unexpected things which happened last week. So I came in Saturday morning early, by a certain time I knew that people were already moving my house--it bothered me, no it was more like a little macho man hitting me over the head in my office with a hammer shouting at me, "You wimp – forget the sermon go move your house - be the man – show those people you can do anything- even in pain."
In the midst of the battle with the little macho man ego, I heard a calm, gentle voice in my heart say, "Mike what is your sermon about this week?" By the way, I have come to recognize that voice as the Lord’s. I re-read my title and my thesis: Teamwork! The still small voice of wisdom and reason said, "You at this point in your life cannot physically move yourself--your back is injured--but I have sent you a God Squad, a team to help you move." I sat back in my chair and the light bulb clicked on!
That small inner voice then reminded me that, as the Sr. Pastor of this church, I too would be unable to complete the divine task God has for this church alone. I am only one person – one part of piece of the puzzle, and the Lord was reminding me that He did call me to the task of leading this church into becoming a church that facilitates healing. But in my own abilities, I was and am limited. In other words, I would come to points of ministry here at Christian Hills where I would be unable to accomplish the divine task on my own. The reason being limitations--these would be troubling moments for me. Why? Because I like to do everything myself. So once again, the Lord gently reminded me that He has sent me a team to support me, to help me, and to do the things I cannot do to bring this church into alignment with His plan and His will.
The task given to us by the Lord for this church is a huge task. Remember it's to become a spiritual healing hospital for the broken and the lost of South West Chicago. To complete this divine call requires a church that is working as a unified team. It will require us helping one another out. It will require stepping in to assist another in lifting a heavy spiritual couch over a wall and down the steps. It will require of us the willingness to help use my gifts to accomplish my part of the assignment from God.
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