God’s Eternal Team

God’s Eternal Team

Introduction

How many of you truly desire for the Kingdom of God to grow in a powerful way?

How many of you would like to see this church grow in the Lordship of Christ, grow in strength, grow in unity, grow in ministry, and grow in the Word?

How many of you would like to see your families and workplaces united so that you can accomplish God’s purpose?

Well, you could see all this and more if you will listen closely today. God has shown us that His work is never a “one-man show.” God is the eternal team. He calls us into teamwork with Him and with one another.

1. God Works As A Team

Our God is not isolated. He is Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26)

From the very beginning, God shows teamwork. Each person of the Godhead works in unity, with distinct roles, yet one purpose.

If God Himself works as a team, who are we to think we can “go it alone”?

2. Jesus Worked As A Team

Jesus could have done all the work alone, but He chose disciples.

He gathered fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and even those who would fail Him. He empowered men, women, children, the rich, the poor.

“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” (Mark 3:14)

Why? Because the Kingdom of God is advanced through teamwork.

3. Paul Worked As A Team

Paul did not travel alone. He had Timothy, Silas, Barnabas, Luke, Titus, Priscilla and Aquila, and nearly 40 co-workers in ministry.

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord…” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)

Notice Paul said “we,” not “I.” Ministry is never meant to be solo.

4. The Power of Teamwork

When individuals unite, something greater happens.

Illustration: At a county fair, one horse pulled 2000 kg, another pulled 1800 kg. Together, they pulled 5450 kg—much more than their individual strength combined.

That’s what God’s team looks like!

5. Nehemiah’s Teamwork

The perfect biblical picture of teamwork is Nehemiah.

Israel had returned from captivity, the temple was rebuilt, but the walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins. God raised up Nehemiah, a cupbearer in a foreign palace, to lead the rebuilding.

Nehemiah didn’t do it alone. He rallied the people.

“Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate… Next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.” (Nehemiah 3:1-2)

Over and over in Nehemiah 3 you read, “next to him… after him.” That’s teamwork!

6. Expect Opposition

The moment they began building, the enemy rose.

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us…” (Nehemiah 2:19)

Church, when you rise up to build, the devil will rise up to break. If Satan can’t stop you alone, he’ll form his own “team of opposition.”

But remember: if God is for us, no team of hell can stand against us.

7. Some Won’t Work

Not everyone in Nehemiah’s day joined the mission.

“Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.” (Nehemiah 3:5)

In every church, there are participators and there are spectators. There are encouragers and there are discouragers.

Which are you? A wall builder or a wall breaker?

8. Every Member Has a Place

The wall was rebuilt in 52 days because everyone did their part.

Some were priests, some goldsmiths, some perfumers, some rulers, even women and children. Everyone worked “next to” someone else.

That’s how the Church works today.

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

No one can say, “I don’t matter.” And no one can say, “I don’t need you.”

9. The Church is Called to Unity

The Bible gives us multiple pictures of the Church:

• Family (Galatians 6:10)

• Kingdom (Ephesians 2:19-20)

• Building (Ephesians 2:20)

• Army (Ephesians 6:10-13)

• Body (Ephesians 4:16)

• Branches in the Vine (John 15:5)

Every picture emphasizes unity. We are different, but we are one.

10. Lessons from Nature

• Bees rotate their tasks to keep the hive alive.

• Geese fly in formation, taking turns leading, honking encouragement, and never leaving the weak behind.