As many of you know, in sports a team has to work together to succeed in the game. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary teamwork is “work done by a group acting together so that each member does a part that contributes to the efficiency of the whole.”
Turn with me to Psalms 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For Brethren to dwell together in unity.” Just as team members are unified in the goal of winning, we as Christians should be unified in our efferts to please God and win a home in Heaven.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” this verse demonstrates the positive effect we can have on one another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reads, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” We should be uplifting to each other, and working together we can accomplish more.
A month ago I had the opportunity to play with the JV soccer team against Monroe County, In that game our team had many assists for our goals. These assists were very important in the game because without them there wouldn’t be a goal.
Romans 12:4-8 teaches, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Just like our team, not every one has the same job- one has to score the goal, someone provides the assist, others provide defense, while the goalie protects the goal. Not every one has the same position, every one plays a different role.
Just as a team practices for a winning game. God has provided us with the necessary things to win.
In Ephisions 6:13-18, Paul says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
Just as teams strive to win a championship, we too can win a reward living for God.
Colossians 3: 23-24 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
God wants you on His team!
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