Embracing Selfless Teamwork: Reflecting Christ in Community

Devotional

Day 1: God Models and Commands Purposeful Teamwork

From the very beginning, God has demonstrated the beauty and necessity of teamwork, both within Himself as the Trinity and in His design for human relationships. The act of creation was a collaborative work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and God’s blessing on Adam and Eve in marriage further reveals His intention for people to work together in unity. Not only does God model and bless teamwork, but He also commands it among His people, calling us to encourage and spur one another on toward love and good deeds. When we participate in purposeful teamwork, we reflect the very image of God and fulfill His design for our lives. [08:37]

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.”

Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

Reflection: Where in your life—at home, work, or church—can you intentionally encourage and support someone else as part of God’s design for teamwork today?

Day 2: Selfishness Derails God’s Design for Teamwork

Sin and selfishness entered the world and disrupted the harmony God intended for His people, making teamwork difficult and relationships strained. When we allow self-centeredness to take root, it drives us away from God and from one another, undermining the unity and effectiveness of every team we are part of. Recognizing the ways selfishness shows up in our relationships, finances, and service is the first step toward restoring God-honoring teamwork. By God’s grace, we can confront and confess our selfish tendencies, seeking His help to put others before ourselves and to rebuild the trust and unity that sin has broken. [11:07]

Genesis 3:6-7 (ESV)
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you notice selfishness creeping in and disrupting your relationships or teamwork, and how can you ask God to help you address it today?

Day 3: Selflessness Is the Key to Christlike Teamwork

To truly reflect God’s standard for teamwork, we must put aside selfish ambition and choose humility, valuing others above ourselves. The Apostle Paul urges us to look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others, reminding us that every person we encounter has dreams, needs, and hopes just as we do. This selfless posture transforms our relationships, our teams, and our church, making us more like Jesus and creating a community where everyone is uplifted and cared for. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can die to our selfish desires and embrace the joy of serving others. [15:58]

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.

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally serve or encourage today by putting their needs or interests ahead of your own?

Day 4: Jesus Models Ultimate Humility and Teamwork

Jesus is the perfect example of humility and selfless teamwork, willingly setting aside His rights and privileges to serve others and obey the Father’s will—even to the point of death on a cross. His life and sacrifice show us what it means to put others first, and His exaltation by the Father demonstrates that God honors those who walk in humility. When we imitate the mindset of Christ, we not only build stronger teams and relationships, but we also bring glory to God, just as Jesus did. [25:41]

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can imitate Jesus’ humility and sacrificial love in your interactions with others this week?

Day 5: Practical Steps for God-Honoring Teamwork

God calls us to glorify Him through the way we work together, and this happens when we communicate well, actively encourage one another, collaborate, and take initiative. Good communication builds trust and clarity, encouragement uplifts and motivates, collaboration multiplies our strengths, and initiative moves the mission forward. Each of these practices helps us become a church filled with teams that put others first and reflect the character of Christ. As we serve selflessly, we not only accomplish more together, but we also show the world what Jesus is like. [29:13]

Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Reflection: Which of these four practices—communication, encouragement, collaboration, or initiative—do you most need to grow in, and what is one step you can take today to strengthen your teamwork for God’s glory?

Sermon Summary

God’s heart for teamwork is woven throughout all of Scripture and creation. From the very beginning, God models teamwork within the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together in perfect unity. This divine collaboration is not just a theological concept but the very foundation of our existence and relationships. God blesses and commands purposeful teamwork, whether in marriage, family, church, or any group we find ourselves in. He calls us to stir one another up to love and good works, to encourage and build each other up, and to participate in His mission together.

Yet, sin and selfishness have derailed God’s design for teamwork. The story of Adam and Eve shows how self-centeredness fractures relationships and undermines unity. The only way to restore God-honoring teamwork is to confront and put to death our selfishness. Philippians 2 calls us to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility to count others more significant than ourselves. This means not only looking to our own interests but also to the interests of others. True Christian teamwork is marked by a willingness to set aside personal preferences and serve selflessly, reflecting the very character of Jesus.

Jesus Himself is the ultimate model of selfless teamwork. Though He is God, He humbled Himself, took on human flesh, and obeyed the Father’s will—even to the point of death on a cross. His humility and obedience brought glory to God and made a way for our salvation. When we imitate Christ’s mindset and actions, we too bring glory to God. Every team we are part of—whether in church, family, or work—becomes an opportunity to reflect Jesus by putting others first.

Practically, this means communicating well, actively encouraging others, working together, and taking initiative. Healthy teams are built on clear communication, mutual encouragement, collaborative effort, and a willingness to step up and serve. The mission is more important than getting credit. As we serve one another selflessly, we become a church that looks like Jesus and brings glory to God in all we do.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s design for teamwork is rooted in His own nature. The Trinity models perfect collaboration, and God blesses and commands teamwork in our relationships. Recognizing that we are invited into this divine pattern should humble us and inspire us to pursue unity and purpose in every team we join. [05:11]
2. Selfishness is the great enemy of true teamwork. Sin turns our focus inward, making everything about ourselves and destroying the possibility of real community. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we put to death our self-centeredness and begin to serve others as Christ served us. [11:07]
3. Humility is the posture that unlocks God-honoring teamwork. Counting others as more significant than ourselves is not natural, but it is the way of Jesus. Every interaction—whether in relationships, finances, or church life—becomes an opportunity to practice selfless love and to elevate the interests of others. [15:58]
4. Jesus’ obedience and humility are the ultimate example for us. He set aside His rights and privileges, endured suffering, and put the Father’s will and our salvation above His own comfort. When we imitate Christ’s mindset, we bring glory to God and participate in the redemptive work He is doing in the world. [25:41]
5. Practical teamwork in the church requires intentional habits: communicating well, actively encouraging others, working together, and taking initiative. These practices foster trust, unity, and effectiveness, allowing us to accomplish more together than we ever could alone. The mission of God is advanced when we serve selflessly, not seeking credit but seeking God’s glory. [29:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Family Movie Night and Teamwork Observations
[03:35] - The Big Idea: Selfless Teams Look Like Jesus
[05:11] - God Models, Blesses, and Commands Teamwork
[08:37] - Stirring Up One Another to Love and Good Works
[09:57] - The Problem: Sin Derails Teamwork
[11:07] - Stopping Selfishness to Mirror God’s Standard
[12:25] - Humility and Considering Others
[15:58] - Looking to the Interests of Others
[17:27] - Practical Examples of Selfishness
[19:02] - Selfishness in Finances and Church Life
[20:21] - The Power of the Holy Spirit in Selflessness
[22:16] - Glorifying God by Putting Others First
[25:41] - Jesus’ Humility and Obedience
[27:30] - The Trinity’s Mutual Glory
[29:13] - Four Practices for God-Honoring Teamwork
[30:51] - Working Together and Taking Initiative
[33:20] - The Mission Over Credit
[34:28] - Becoming a Church That Looks Like Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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 2:3-8 (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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Hebrews 10:24 (ESV) — And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 1:26, what does God mean when He says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”? How does this show teamwork within the Trinity? [05:11]
According to Philippians 2:3-4, what are the two things Paul says we should avoid and what should we do instead? [12:25]
In Hebrews 10:24, what are believers encouraged to do for one another? [08:37]
The sermon gave examples of how selfishness can show up in relationships, finances, and church life. What are some of those examples? [17:27]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to model teamwork within the Trinity, and what does that say about how we are supposed to relate to each other? [05:11]
How does selfishness disrupt teamwork, both in the Bible’s stories (like Adam and Eve) and in our own lives? [11:07]
Why is humility so important for teamwork, and why is it so hard to count others as more significant than ourselves? [15:58]
What does it mean that Jesus is the ultimate example of selfless teamwork, and how does His obedience and humility bring glory to God? [25:41]

Application Questions

Think about a team you are part of (family, work, church, etc.). In what ways have you seen teamwork reflect God’s design, and in what ways has selfishness gotten in the way? [09:57]
The sermon talked about putting others’ interests before our own. Can you think of a recent situation where you struggled to do this? What would it look like to respond differently next time? [15:58]
The pastor mentioned practical ways selfishness shows up, like monopolizing conversations or not being emotionally available. Which of these do you relate to most, and what is one step you can take to change? [17:27]
Jesus humbled Himself and obeyed the Father, even when it was hard. Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to humble yourself or obey, even if it’s uncomfortable? What’s holding you back? [25:41]
The sermon listed four habits for healthy teamwork: communicating well, actively encouraging others, working together, and taking initiative. Which of these do you find most challenging, and how can you grow in that area this week? [29:13]
The mission is more important than getting credit. Are there times when you have wanted recognition for your service? How can you shift your focus to God’s glory instead of your own? [33:20]
The pastor encouraged us to look for ways to serve, not just wait to be asked. What is one specific way you can take initiative to serve someone or a team this month? [30:51]

Sermon Clips

Today I want to share with you the big idea for this morning. That big idea for us is that when a team serves selflessly, it looks like Jesus. When a team sets their own preferences aside and serves selflessly to other people, that team starts to look like Jesus. [00:03:35] (21 seconds) #SelflessServiceReflectsJesus

The second foundational fact about Christian teamwork is that for teamwork to mirror God's standard, selfishness must be stopped. In order for the teamwork that we engage in, in order for it to be looking the way God calls it to, selfishness has got to stop. [00:11:23] (24 seconds) #StopSelfishnessForTeamwork

The definition of community includes the fact that we are selfless, caring for one another in our moments of need for each other. So may we stop the selfishness by God's power and mirror God's pattern of teamwork. Because when a team serves selflessly they look like Jesus. [00:21:22] (25 seconds) #CommunityIsSelflessCare

``So let's be selfless. Let's put one another first. Let's be a church who is filled with teams of people who put others first. And why is it that we do that? Why is it that we would focus on being teamwork -oriented followers of Jesus? It's because as we serve one another selflessly, we look like Jesus. And we give glory to God as a result. Amen? [00:34:26] (31 seconds) #ActiveContributionWins

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