“Effective Leadership Requires Teamwork”
Acts 20:17-36
When the water begins to get rough and a change of direction is required, you quickly come to the realization of the importance of teamwork. A collection of individuals, each of whom is looking out for number one, will not be able to survive in the hostile waves of the world. That is exactly why thriving organizations are committed to moving everyone in the same direction regardless of the cost or consequences. There will always be those who disagree with the process or the plan, many of those individuals just are not yet able to see the vision. However, there comes a time when everyone must buy in. Team work comes to the forefront when you burn your bridges and everyone is committed to the overall cause despite their different opinions. Teamwork is the key to success in the local church. Under Christ, capable leaders with varying talents combine their efforts to carrying out the God given mission of the church. The ministry staff, leaders and the people sitting on the pews must work together in harmony for the local church to be successful in carrying out its mission. We live in an era of transition. In the midst of the rapid changes of direction taking place in our society, the church needs to realize that teamwork is as important as ever. Today I want us to take a very serious look at what is necessary to have an atmosphere of teamwork and the benefits of teamwork for the cause of Christ. Paul’s relationship and ministry with the church at Ephesus gives us some deep insight into this subject.
I. Paul and the leadership at Ephesus had a deep love for one another.
A. When individuals share in work, weariness, or worry they come to understand each other better and to love each other more.
1. Many commentators believe that Paul did his greatest work at Ephesus for two main reasons.
a. Paul spent more time in Ephesus than at any other church.
b. Paul and the Ephesians shared a deep love for each other.
2. The Ephesians had heard and tested Paul’s teaching. They watched him and he watched them.
3. Paul knew their weaknesses as well as their strengths and vice versa.
4. Paul was not one to work into his ministry gradually like a diplomat feeling his way. “From the first day” he gave himself unsparingly to the work of the Lord in Ephesus, for Paul was an ambassador and not a diplomat.
B. The love and devotion that the Ephesians and Paul shared for each other and the Lord provided a harmonious spirit for their work.
1. Paul served with great humility and tears to show his deep devotion to the Ephesians and the Lord.
2. God loves the church and will never bless a church where dissention exists.
3. In Proverbs 6:16-19 there is a list of seven things the Lord hates with a passion. Verse 19 addresses this subject with number seven on the list, “a troublemaker in the family.”
4. It is a dangerous thing to wound or divide the body of Christ, but where a spirit of harmony exists, the Holy Spirit flows and God blesses the church.
5. Paul loved the Ephesian church and its leaders and the loved him enough to walk thirty miles to see him one last time.
6. When the church fights ministry comes to a halt, the baptistery will not be used very much.
7. In order for the Church to grow there must exist a harmony and deep devotion between the ministry staff, leadership and the congregation.
II. Paul and the leadership at Ephesus shared a deep commitment to the truth and sharing it passionately with all they came in contact with.
A. Paul declared, "I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you."
1. The message of his ministry was also widely known, because he announced it and taught it publicly as well as in the various house churches of the fellowship.
2. Paul’s message to the Ephesians had been simple and single-minded—he had one message for Jews and Gentiles alike—the need for faith in Christ that follows a turning from sin and turning to God.
3. Paul was passionate about the message and shared it with all he came in contact with. He stressed you have eternal decisions to make, and you are responsible for what you do with the information.
4. The truth is that man has a sin problem which can only be taken care of by Jesus Christ.
5. Paul worked to help people see the truth and actively apply it to their daily lives.
B. Paul brought his farewell message to a close by warning the leaders of the dangers they had to recognize and deal with if they were to protect and lead the church.
1. Never underestimate the great importance of the church. The church is important to God the Father because His name is on it.
2. It is important to the Son because He shed His blood for it; and it is important to the Holy Spirit because He is calling and equipping people to minister to the church.
3. It is a serious thing to be a spiritual leader in the church of the living God.
4. Leaders need to be people who strive to be in God’s Word and in prayer on a daily basis.
C. Paul in love points out several pitfalls that leaders and Christians need to avoid.
1. The first is carelessness, failing to stay alert and forgetting the price that others have paid so that we might have God’s truth.
2. The second is shallowness (Acts 20:32). We cannot build the church unless God is building our lives daily.
3. Paul warned about selfishness (Acts 20:35). True ministry means giving, not getting; it means following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
III. Paul and the leadership at Ephesus shared a common vision and commitment to making a positive impact for the future.
A. Even in Paul’s day it was easy to criticize. It was so easy to be a part of that dangerous exercise of jumping to conclusions.
1. As at Thessalonica, evidently Paul’s Ephesian opponents had been prejudicing his converts against him in his absence.
2. The opposition at Ephesus, like that at Thessalonica, seems to have been chiefly Jewish and to have insisted that full acceptance with God could come only through a fully developed Judaism.
3. Some people can come up with a conclusion without ever investigating the truth. People’s minds are often like concrete all mixed up and permanently set.
4. When a person comes to you with a rumor or piece of gossip about a minister or leader do not be quick to accept it.
5. Accusations will destroy the effectiveness of the church in the community because the church will never become any greater than its leaders.
B. Paul defended his actions and ministry as well presenting a clear vision for change that would lead to a bright future.
1. Vision is a leader’s most effective tool for change. (Proverbs 29:18—NIV)
2. A definition of vision is probably in order right now: “Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion.”
3. Vision is the fuel leaders should run on and the energy that creates action.
4. When God brings the clarity of vision to leader’s life everything will begin to change.
5. A good point Paul modeled was, that a vision is not any good unless it is communicated in a way that others can see it.
C. Paul’s vision was communicated to the leaders at Ephesus and a clear focus was provided for them.
1. Vision is essential; the only thing more exciting than casting a God honoring vision is achieving it.
2. Effective leaders clearly cast the vision and then work to make it happen.
3. Paul’s vision led the Ephesians to a clear destination like wise our visions need to do the same for our people.
4. The church is the hope of the world. It’s the God ordained agency of redemption on which they whole destiny of the world hangs.
5. Each person is called to be an important part of the team.
6. We need to realize that we must decide to make a difference with our one and only life. Lay it down for Christ and His church.
The story is told of a man who pulled up at a large public campsite. His station wagon was piled high. It looked like the’ Beverly Hillbillies on tour. There was stuff tied on everywhere. When the car stopped at its designated parking space, a bunch of kids jumped out of the car. They immediately began scurrying around untying the camping equipment and other things off the car’s top. They busied themselves setting up the tents, gathering wood and throwing it in the fire ring, lighting the fire and spreading everything out. In less than 45 minutes the entire campsite was set up and ready to go. They looked to their father and said, "Is that okay, Dad?" The dad looked around at everything, noting that indeed everything was in place. He said, "Sure, it’s fine." The kids ran as fast as they could and disappeared from sight, obviously in a hurry to get where they were going.
