"Team Work for Christ"

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  And He said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.  Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.  Immediately they left the boat and their father, 

and followed Him.” 

Matthew 4:18-22

This is a very familiar text of Jesus calling His disciples.  We know that He went on from calling these four mentioned here to calling another eight for a total of twelve disciples.  And we know from scripture that though He called twelve for His “inner circle,” there were other followers that traveled with them from place to place during His ministry.

I could go many different directions with this text today, but want to focus on one concept that I believe very few think about when it comes to the paradigm Jesus set up in His ministry.  I was reminded of that on Saturday night.

This past Saturday night Emma Grace, my daughter, had basketball practice with her SCCS Middle School team.  They had their first game on Monday in Fayetteville.  As I watched the coach lead practice and as I listened to her teach these 12 to 14 year old young ladies, she kept emphasizing working together and playing as a team.

We have all heard the statement, “There is No ‘I” in Team!”  And yes that is true!  But often it appears many think that there is.  You have players on teams that certainly have more talent, are more capable of playing at a higher level than others on the team.  But it is still a team.  You don’t put your basketball team on the court with one player and leave the rest of the team on the bench.  The player could be Michael Jordan, but he would still lose.  No matter how great a player he is, playing against five on another team, he would lose!  We hear it all the time.  Team Work is a must!!!!

While we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in our salvation, that does not mean that we walk alone.  Jesus called individuals to Himself.  Jesus saves us individually, but over and over again we see Him, after gathering them as individuals, bringing them together as a team.  He teaches them as a team.  He sends them out as a team (Luke 10).  You fast forward to the church that formed, as accounted for in the early chapters of Acts, and we again see them meeting together for meals, worship, and prayer.  The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelist for the gospel of Jesus Christ to ever live, took other men with him on his missionary journeys.

Yes, you need private time to study, pray, and mediate on God’s word and will for your life.  Jesus did the same.  But you cannot go it alone.  The paradigm Jesus put in place works perfectly.  We are to gather together with other BELIEVERS and worship, grow, and serve together for the cause of the Kingdom.  Sitting at home on Sunday mornings, staying away from Bible Studies, thinking, “I can do this myself,” is not the best plan.  Will that mindset take away your salvation?  Certainly not!  If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ and have surrendered your life to Him, your salvation is secure.  But, you will not grow as you should in Christ and serve His will for your life by only going it alone.  His plan is plurality!  Multiples! A Gathering of Believers!  And His plan works!!!

By the way, Emma Grace played their game this past Monday night and they won the very first ever basketball game for SCCS.  Their star player was a star, but she could not have done it without the other players like Emma supporting her on the team.  Team Work for Christ!!!  Let’s Go For It!

Blessings this Advent Season,

Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow, & Serve