1. Show Ben Franklin’s "Join, or Die" Political Cartoon (Originally for French and Indian War then for the War for Independence)
We have recently celebrated our Independence Day, a lesson from history applies to the Body of Christ. Prior to July 4, 1776, there were only thirteen British colonies that existed as separate outposts of the British Empire. But when representatives of those thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, it was the first step toward becoming one nation instead of thirteen colonies. The founders recognized that there is strength in unity.
This strength is called synergy: the strength of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Paul recognized the synergy of the human body—individual organs and parts of the body working together to accomplish things that no individual part could accomplish alone. He applied that lesson to the Church, the Body of Christ.
2. One of the things that I am learning is the value of community in the bible.
a. Jesus spoke of community – Matthew 16:18
b. The early church (ekklesia, community of believers) practiced it – Acts 2:42
3. As Americans we struggle with community because we have been brought up on rugged individualism.
a. Results – less community and more isolation; less strength and more
b. Compare a bag of marbles to a cluster of grapes – grapes produce the juice/wine when crushed together. Marbles just clink.
c. Teamwork in sports produces champions (or excellence) – Coach Vince Lombardi:
Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
4. Let’s consider being like Jesus in Teamwork/Community (BTW, this can’t be done by guilt or coercion, only out of sincerity)
a. He was Inclusive, not Exclusive
b. He came as Savior, not Judge (John 3:17)
I. God’s Choices Regarding Teamwork/Community
A. God Chose to Create a Heavenly Team/Community
1. Angels – Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
2. Angels as Servants – Psalm 103:20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
3. A Divine Council – 1 Kings 22:13-23
[Do you wonder if they offered suggestions in the creation of earth? Duckbilled Platypus
B. God Chose to Create an Earthly Team/Community
1. Creation of Man – Genesis 1:26
2. As part of His Team/Community in Eden (a piece of Heaven on Earth)
II. Jesus’ Choices Regarding Teamwork/Community
A. To Be the Image of God for Us – Colossians 1:15-16 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
[Something Seen and Also a Function – something done
B. To Carry Out God’s Mission of Redemption Because God Wants Team/Community
1. God knew our need from the beginning – 1 Peter 1:18-21
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
C. To Invite People into His Mission to Build that Team/Community
1. The 12; the 120; the 3000 et al
2. Jesus was inclusive of many types within his Team/Community – Tax Collectors and Zealots; Fishermen; Betrayer and Denier; Pharisees (Nicodemus and Joseph; Gamliel?); Priests Acts 6:7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
3. He invites US to partner with Him in the gospel – 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers.
III. Our Choices Regarding Teamwork/Community
A. To Embrace Our Leader or Walk Away – John 6:68
B. To Embrace Our Leader’s Mission or Our Own
1. Humility or Arrogance (of self-centeredness)?
2. Be under Jesus’ Control or self-control?
C. To Embrace Our Leader’s Heart for People or Not
1. See People as God Sees People
a. In Need of a Savior AND LORD Mark 2:17b “. . . I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
b. Compassion – Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
c. Potential Partners in the Gospel – Philippians 1:3-5 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
2. Show People Jesus and the Image of God – “You are the only Jesus some will see.” Best shown through the team/in community
1. The 1972 Miami Dolphins embarked on an unforgettable and unparalleled season. 14-0 regular season, then a 3-0 run through the playoffs culminating with a Super Bowl victory.
The opposing coach going into the ’72 Super Bowl was asked to comment on stellar Miami defense. "I can't recall any of their names," he said, "but they are a matter of great concern to us." The nickname of the ’72 Dolphins was the "No-Name Defense."
What made that team special was not the handful of superstars – it was the dedication of every team member.
2. The Father created Community with heavenly beings and earthly ones; sent Jesus and invites us in.
