The Art Of Teamwork

The art of teamwork

Selected Scriptures

Prayer-

Introduction-

This morning, we celebrate with all our team jerseys and team colors. It is our way of showing support for the teams that we like. We wear hats, team jerseys, we buy their memorabilia, and occasionally, we can afford to go to a game.

Some of you ladies like the teams because of their colors, sometimes more than the team.

We also remember today 9-11 and as a Nation, we stand in unity against those that would want to come against us and cause us harm.

Everyone needs to belong to something. Boys join gangs because they want to belong and they want to feel accepted. We just have to make sure that our loyalty is for the right things and the right team.

Here is a fact that I know.

No matter what team jersey you are wearing this morning, you probably don’t belong to that team.

You do not get a paycheck from them.

They do not ask your advice when decisions need to be made.

If you stop supporting them, they probably would not even notice that you were gone.

But as a believer and part of the body of Christ that is a totally different story.

We catch ourselves saying things like we…when we talk about our teams. They make reference of the fans being the 12th man on the field of a football game. Truth is, we are fans, not players. Truth is, they play and we are at best cheer leaders. They need us to support their pastime that they get paid a lot of money with our money. We don’t get a check but we give checks to keep that team going.

But in the kingdom of God it is different. God set up a winning team with a star player, and His name is Jesus and no matter how poorly we play, we still can be winners and be on the winning side.

His plan was flawless and His play was perfect. It is the only team that you will ever be on and know the outcome of the game before it is over.

He offers each one of us the opportunity to be part of the team. Not the 12th man, watching from the sidelines and cheering from the cheap seats, but as an active participate.

Each one of us here this morning wants purpose.

We want to know why we are here and accomplish what we are supposed to. We want to be part of something that is bigger than we are.

That is where it gets sticky and complicated.

We want purpose but often fall short of finding it because we are looking for purpose in the wrong places. We look to sports, we look to a person,we look to our jobs, even our youth as a tool to find the ever evading fulfillment of purpose.

We will only find true purpose in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and when we actively become a part of the body of Christ.

Teamwork is all around us in life.

We see it in marriages

Businesses

Neighborhoods, Churches, etc.

God loves to see Christians working together submitting to His will.

Think of Christianity as your local large department store. There is one store, but there are many different departments within that store. One department can do things another cannot, but they still have the same goal.

In Christianity there is one body, but there are many different functions.

Each church is the body of Christ, yet there is one body.

Each person belongs to the body of Christ where they worship, but also belong to the body of Christ universal.

Each one of us has talents and we use them to further the body of Christ where God has placed us.

Text- Romans Chapter 12:3-8

Humble service in the body of Christ where Christ has placed us yet universally a part of something that is much bigger than all of us or the one church that we attend.

God has blessed us all differently.

Some people are preachers, givers, singers, advice givers, prayer warriors, etc.

Some people are bolder, wiser, more confident, and have stronger faith than others.

We all have different abilities, but our main goal is God and the advancement of His Kingdom.

Love drives unity.

Quotes

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

That is an amazing quote. But when you realize that these quotes were made by a blind women, they carry more weight.

What does the Bible say about Teamwork? Unity ? Working together? Getting along?

What responsibility do we have to each other? Is it all on the backs of pastors? Leaders ? Paid staff?