Unity in Christ: The Power of Teamwork

Devotional

Day 1: Every Part Matters

The body of Christ is a diverse and interconnected community where every member plays a crucial role. Just as the human body relies on each part to function properly, the church depends on the unique contributions of each individual. Whether you are serving in a visible role or behind the scenes, your efforts are invaluable to the collective mission. This principle is beautifully illustrated in 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul explains that no part of the body can say to another, "I don't need you." Each member is essential, and when everyone does their part, the whole body thrives. [40:55]

1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (ESV): "But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."

Reflection: Think about your role in your church or community. How can you embrace and celebrate your unique contribution, knowing that it is vital to the overall mission?

Day 2: It's Not About Who Does What

In God's kingdom, the focus should not be on who gets the credit but on ensuring that the job gets done. This principle is exemplified through the story of Balto, where the emphasis was on delivering the medicine, not on who was the fastest dog. Similarly, in the body of Christ, what matters is that we fulfill our roles faithfully and work together towards a common goal. The true measure of success is not in individual accolades but in the collective achievement of the mission. [58:03]

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."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent team effort you were part of. How can you shift your focus from individual recognition to the success of the collective mission?

Day 3: Grow Where You Are Planted

Spiritual growth is a process that requires time and nurturing. Just as trees take years to mature and develop strong roots, we too must invest in our spiritual growth through Bible reading, prayer, and serving. Deep roots in Christ make us resilient and strong, enabling us to withstand life's challenges. By growing where we are planted, we can become fruitful and contribute to the health and vitality of the body of Christ. [01:06:01]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: Consider your current spiritual practices. What steps can you take to deepen your roots in Christ and grow stronger in your faith?

Day 4: The Power of Sacrifice

The story of the switchman who sacrificed his son to save many lives is a powerful analogy of God's sacrifice of His Son for our salvation. This poignant reminder of the immense love and sacrifice that God made for us urges us to live lives worthy of that sacrifice. Understanding the depth of God's love compels us to respond with gratitude and a commitment to live out our faith in meaningful ways. [01:16:37]

1 John 4:9-11 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

Reflection: Reflect on the sacrifice God made for you. How can you live a life that honors that sacrifice and demonstrates God's love to others?

Day 5: Community and Connection

Being part of a team means being connected and supported. Small groups and serving opportunities at church provide avenues for deeper connection and growth. We are not meant to do life alone; community is essential for spiritual health and growth. By engaging in community, we can encourage one another, share burdens, and celebrate victories together. This interconnectedness strengthens the body of Christ and helps us grow in our faith. [01:12:16]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think about your involvement in your church community. How can you deepen your connections and support others in their spiritual journey?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the importance of teamwork within the body of Christ, emphasizing that every member has a vital role to play. We began by celebrating the spirit of servanthood, highlighting individuals like Sergio and our production team, who exemplify dedication and selflessness. The central theme, "Getting It Done," was underscored by the scripture from Colossians 3:23, which reminds us to work willingly as if working for the Lord. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, we explored how each person's contribution, no matter how small, is crucial to the collective mission of the church.

We discussed the analogy of the human body from 1 Corinthians 12, illustrating how every part, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is essential for the body to function properly. This was further demonstrated through a fun and interactive exercise involving the congregation, emphasizing that when everyone does their part, the whole body thrives. We also touched on the importance of growing where we are planted, using the example of trees and their deep roots to illustrate spiritual growth and resilience.

The sermon concluded with a powerful story about a switchman who had to make a heart-wrenching decision to save many lives at the cost of his son's life. This story served as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice God made by giving His only Son for our salvation. We were encouraged to reflect on our roles within God's team and were given an opportunity to commit or recommit our lives to Christ.

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Key Takeaways

1. Every Part Matters: Just as the human body has many parts that work together, so does the body of Christ. Each member has a unique role that is vital to the overall mission. Whether you serve in the kids' ministry, greet team, or production, your contribution is invaluable. Remember, "Do your part. Every part matters." [40:55]
2. It's Not About Who Does What: The focus should not be on who gets the credit but on ensuring that the job gets done. This principle was illustrated through the story of Balto, where the emphasis was on delivering the medicine, not on who was the fastest dog. In the same way, in God's kingdom, what matters is that we fulfill our roles faithfully. [58:03]
3. Grow Where You Are Planted: Spiritual growth is a process that requires time and nurturing. Just as trees take years to mature and develop strong roots, we too must invest in our spiritual growth through Bible reading, prayer, and serving. Deep roots in Christ make us resilient and strong. [66:01]
4. The Power of Sacrifice: The story of the switchman who sacrificed his son to save many lives is a powerful analogy of God's sacrifice of His Son for our salvation. This reminds us of the immense love and sacrifice that God made for us, urging us to live lives worthy of that sacrifice. [76:37]
5. Community and Connection: Being part of a team means being connected and supported. Small groups and serving opportunities at Harvest Fellowship provide avenues for deeper connection and growth. We are not meant to do life alone; community is essential for spiritual health and growth. [01:12:16]
### [72:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:55] - Introduction and Teamwork
[42:24] - Oreo and Coca-Cola Collaboration
[43:49] - Colossians 3:23 and Personal Story
[45:14] - Honoring Sergio and the Production Team
[46:44] - Take Home Principle: Do Your Part
[48:13] - Teamwork Demonstration
[50:24] - Olympic Relay Race Analogy
[51:42] - Importance of Every Role
[53:14] - 1 Corinthians 12: The Body of Christ
[55:57] - Interactive Congregation Exercise
[58:03] - Balto Story and Teamwork
[61:18] - Demonstration with Daughters
[64:34] - Growing as a Team
[66:01] - Grow Where You Are Planted
[72:16] - Community and Small Groups
[76:37] - The Switchman Story
[79:11] - Invitation to Join God's Team
[82:40] - Worship and Prayer
[87:54] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 3:23, how should we approach our work and why? [43:49]
In 1 Corinthians 12, what analogy does Paul use to describe the body of Christ, and what does this analogy teach us about our roles in the church? [53:14]
How does the story of the switchman illustrate the concept of sacrifice mentioned in the sermon? [01:16:37]
What examples were given in the sermon to show that every part of the church body is important, no matter how small? [46:44]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that we work "as though we were working for the Lord" according to Colossians 3:23? How does this perspective change our daily tasks? [43:49]
How does the analogy of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 help us understand the importance of each member's contribution to the church? [53:14]
Reflecting on the story of the switchman, what does this teach us about the nature of God's sacrifice for us? How should this impact our view of our own sacrifices? [01:16:37]
The sermon mentioned the importance of growing where we are planted. How does John 15:5 relate to this idea of spiritual growth and resilience? [01:06:01]

Application Questions

Think about your current role in the church or community. How can you approach your tasks with the mindset of working for the Lord, as described in Colossians 3:23? [43:49]
In what ways can you contribute to the body of Christ, even if your role seems small or insignificant? How can you encourage others to see the value in their contributions? [53:14]
Reflect on a time when you had to make a personal sacrifice for the benefit of others. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's sacrifice for us? [01:16:37]
What steps can you take to deepen your spiritual roots and grow where you are planted, as mentioned in the sermon? Consider practical actions like Bible reading, prayer, and serving. [01:06:01]
How can you foster a sense of community and connection within your small group or church? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others in their spiritual journey? [01:12:16]
Identify one area in your life where you can apply the principle of "doing your part" more effectively. What changes can you make to ensure you are contributing to the collective mission of the church? [46:44]
Reflect on the story of Balto and the importance of teamwork. How can you apply the lesson that "it's not about who does what, but that the job gets done" in your daily life and interactions with others? [58:03]

Sermon Clips

1. "We have a good church, man. Give yourselves a round of applause. This is a great church and a great city of champions, and we got to remember this, that we all have a role to play in the kingdom of God. Say this with me, or say after me. Say, I have a part to play in the kingdom of God. Amen." [40:55] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Do your part. Every part matters. Can y'all say that with me? Do your part. Every part matters. Again, do your part. Every part matters. Whether you serve in kids ministry or if you're on the greet team. Because we're talking about servanthood. We're talking about us doing our part in the kingdom of God. It's specifically here today at the church. Whether you're serving kids or on the greet team or you serve donuts... do your best for the kingdom. Because we all have a part to play. Amen." [50:24] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you become a follower of Jesus, when you accept him as Lord and savior, you become part of the best team of all. You begin, come on, that's the best team of all. The team, Jesus, and you begin to grow in Christ. On our journey with Jesus, as Christians, we are expected to grow. The Bible says, and it's not on the screen. It's not on the screen. Chris, don't freak out. It's Luke 2 52, that Jesus grew in wisdom. He grew in stature and favor with both God and with men. Amen." [01:04:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Grow where you're planted. First Corinthians 3, 5 through 9 says, after all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? Who was Apollos? Who was Paul? Apollos and Paul were, you know, Paul wrote most of the New Testament and Apollos was a man who helped build the early church. And in this it says, who is Apollos and who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed. The good news. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts and Apollos watered it, but it was God. It was God who made it grow." [01:06:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The deeper the root, the stronger a tree is. The deeper a person in the Lord, the stronger that person, family and I, we lived in Baton Rouge, and trees over there, even though that they may be some older than here, they're not as strong than trees in other parts of the States because they, they're basically at sea level over there where we were about 26 feet above sea level. New Orleans is actually underneath the sea level, but trees there during hurricanes and storms, they fall more because they don't have a deep root." [01:09:09] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Bible reading is very important to get deep, dive deep into the word of God. The Bible, the Bible says, you know, it's like a sword. It's stronger than any two double-edged sword. It's powerful. It's useful for teaching and rebuking and correcting and righteousness. The Bible's a great tool for you to grow because we as Christians need to grow. Amen. Another way for you to grow and get your roots deeper into the Lord is prayer. You might be saying, Pastor Oscar, like, I don't pray as much. I don't, you know, learn, learn it. Just pray. Just talk to the Lord." [01:10:39] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "In closing, as I've said, we all have a part to play on this team, but it's important to know what team you're on. I want to make it perfectly clear that here at Harvest Fellowship, we are on God's team. We're on team Jesus, and we want everyone to be on that team. There's room for everyone to be on that team, this Harvest team, but more importantly, on God's team." [01:13:52] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You see, our father, he had a part to play to give up his one and only son for us. And Jesus had his part to play to give up his one and only son for us. To die for our sins and then to be resurrected and brought back to life to conquer death and hell once for all. You see, they got it done. They did their part." [01:17:35] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "If you feel lost, if you feel disconnected, there's a place for you today. And no one knows who raised their hands. No one knows that. But if you need prayer, these people are prayer warriors and they want to meet with you, talk with you. Tell somebody that you made that decision today. Tell somebody that you made that decision today to come back to the Lord or to run to the Lord for the first time. We rejoice with you. All of heaven is rejoicing for you today." [01:21:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Lord, we love You. We thank You, God, for a powerful day today, Lord. In Your presence, God, teach us to be better teammates, God. We're on Your team, Lord Jesus. Teach us to grow in You, Father, to be what You designed us to be. We thank You, God, for a move of Your Spirit today, God. Move, God, in us as we leave this place today. May we leave here different, not the same. We thank You, Lord, for Your power. We thank You for Your love. We honor You today. It's in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, and everyone said, Amen." [01:27:54] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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