Embracing Community: God's Design for Teamwork

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the profound truth that God has designed us for community, not isolation. From the very beginning, God’s own nature—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—demonstrates the beauty and necessity of teamwork. We are created in His image, which means we are made for relationship, for collaboration, and for mutual support. Whether it’s our relationship with God, our families, our church, or our workplaces, we are called to be the best teammates possible, blessing those around us and reflecting God’s glory through our unity.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking life is about our own achievements, our own “crowns,” and our own recognition. But Scripture reminds us that we are one body with many parts, each belonging to the others. Our strengths and weaknesses are meant to complement one another, not to compete. The enemy’s strategy from the beginning has been to turn our relationships into competitions, to make us see others as rivals rather than as gifts from God who complete what we lack.

Selfishness is the root of this division. When we look in the mirror and marvel at ourselves, we miss the opportunity to marvel at God and the people He’s placed in our lives. True spiritual maturity is marked by a shift from “me” to “we”—from self-centeredness to selflessness. This means championing God’s design for teamwork, confronting the sin of selfishness, and cultivating a heart that seeks to serve and honor others above ourselves.

Practical steps include shifting our focus from ourselves to others, choosing sacrifice over the spotlight, and speaking words that build up rather than tear down. Imagine the transformation in our marriages, families, churches, and workplaces if we consistently made much of God and others, rather than ourselves. This is not just good advice for better relationships; it is the very heart of God for His people. We are truly better together, and when we live this out, we bring great glory to God and experience the fullness of life He intends for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s design for humanity is rooted in teamwork and community, reflecting His own triune nature. We are not meant to live in isolation but to thrive in relationships where our strengths and weaknesses complement one another. Embracing this design means recognizing that we are always better together than alone. [18:09]
• 2. Sin distorts God’s design by turning our relationships into competitions rather than collaborations. When we begin to see others as rivals instead of partners, we undermine the unity and blessing God intends for us. The enemy’s oldest trick is to make us believe that we are in competition with God and with each other, robbing us of true fellowship. [25:03]
• 3. Selfishness is the primary barrier to healthy teamwork and community. When we focus on ourselves—our achievements, our needs, our recognition—we inevitably create distance and division. The call is to move from a mirror-focused life to a window-focused life, where we marvel at God’s grace and the gifts of others rather than our own accomplishments. [34:16]
• 4. Cultivating selflessness requires intentional shifts in our daily lives: putting others first, choosing sacrifice over personal glory, and using our words to build up those around us. Jesus modeled this perfectly, coming not to be served but to serve, and calls us to do the same in every relationship and team we are part of. [39:39]
• 5. Every relationship—whether with God, family, church, or colleagues—is an opportunity to reflect God’s heart by being a great teammate. When we make much of others and less of ourselves, we not only bless those around us but also experience the joy and unity that God desires for His people. This is the path to a fuller, richer life that honors God and draws others to Him. [43:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
• [03:56] - Emotions and Mission
• [07:28] - The Call to Be Great Teammates
• [11:43] - The Problem of Selfishness
• [13:04] - We Mentality vs. Me Mentality
• [15:00] - God’s Design for Teamwork
• [18:09] - Created for Community
• [20:07] - The One Another Commands
• [22:01] - Sin’s Disruption of Teamwork
• [25:03] - Competition vs. Complement
• [29:24] - The Mirror of Selfishness
• [34:16] - Shifting Our Wows
• [35:51] - Nothing Out of Selfish Ambition
• [39:39] - Cultivating Selflessness
• [41:35] - Sacrifice Over Spotlight
• [42:54] - Words That Build
• [43:41] - Living as Great Teammates

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV) — > For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Genesis 1:26 (ESV) — > Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) — > Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12:4-5, what does Paul say about the way Christians are connected to one another? How does he describe the church?
2. In Genesis 1:26, what does God’s use of “let us make man in our image” reveal about God’s nature and the way He created us?
3. What does Philippians 2:3-4 command us to do regarding our attitude toward others?
4. In the sermon, what are some of the “teams” the pastor mentions that we are a part of in everyday life? ([07:28])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God designed us to be in community and not in isolation? How does this reflect His own nature? ([18:09])
2. The sermon says that sin turns our relationships into competitions instead of collaborations. Why is it so easy to see others as rivals instead of teammates? ([25:03])
3. What does it look like in real life to “move from a mirror-focused life to a window-focused life,” as the pastor described? ([34:16])
4. How does selfishness show up in our relationships, and why is it such a barrier to healthy teamwork? ([29:24])

Application Questions

1. Think about the different “teams” you are on (family, work, church, friendships). Where do you find it hardest to be a good teammate, and why? ([07:28])
2. The sermon challenges us to shift our focus from ourselves to others. What is one practical way you can do this in a relationship that is currently difficult for you? ([39:39])
3. The pastor talked about “saving our wows for others, not ourselves.” Who in your life needs to hear encouragement or appreciation from you this week? How will you do it? ([34:16])
4. Selfishness is described as the root of division. Can you identify a recent situation where selfishness (yours or someone else’s) created distance or conflict? What could have been done differently? ([29:24])
5. Jesus modeled selflessness by coming to serve, not to be served. What is one area where you can choose sacrifice over the spotlight this week? ([40:38])
6. The sermon suggests using words that build up rather than tear down. Is there a specific relationship where your words have not been building? What will you change about how you speak to that person? ([42:54])
7. The pastor asked, “What area of your life is selfishness ruling the day?” Take a moment to reflect and share with the group one area where you want to grow in selflessness. What is a first step you can take? ([37:51])