Story – A loaded station wagon pulls into the only remaining campsite. Four youngsters leap from the vehicle and begin feverishly unloading gear and setting up a tent. The boys then rush off to gather firewood, while the girls and their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils. Nearby, a fellow camper is marveling at the scene. He says to the youngsters' father: "That, sir, is some display of teamwork." The father said, "I have a system. No one goes to the bathroom until the camp is set up.” (we did this as a video, with the set up at high speed)
There’s value in participation. The Bible speaks about a certain power in plurality.
Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.
Matthew 18:19-20 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." There’s something about more than one person being involved that lends effectiveness to even our prayers.
I notice that in the NT, there’s never just a single pastor at a church. By the way, that title is the same as elder or overseer – the elders are the pastors of the Church. Search the NT concerning that. And , as you do, see that there’s always a plurality. Why? Because the load is too much for one man; the task is too demanding for just one leader. And the wisdom of several spiritual men is greater than the limited wisdom and experience of just one.
This morning, I want to speak about participation, partnership, teamwork. Someone has aptly said that the word TEAM stands for “Together Everyone Accomplishes More.”
One way to understand that power of participation even better and to appreciate it even more would be to visit places where they’ve done that already. I want us to do that this morning – to take a trip to Participation Manor, if you will, and to take a peek in their windows there. I want us to look into that place and see what it takes to build it. I want us to see what happens, in a house, when we all put our hands together.
So, please picture it with me this morning: we’re in the front lawn, and there are 5 windows out front here where we’re going to do some peeking. Every window of the house is simply going to be another way that we learn the greatest achievements in the Body of Christ involve many hands working together.
The first window is a peek into
The Tower (Babel)
This window is tall and narrow because that’s the only way to see the tower. It started in Genesis 11. God wanted everyone to go ahead and move out into the post-flood earth and populate it. They wanted instead to stay and build a big city – and they did, a big city with a big tower. Look into this window and you’ll see it – only it’s unfinished and crumbling. It was quite an accomplishment, God said so in Genesis 11:6 - The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”
Even when it wasn’t for the right cause, people were able to accomplish a lot by working together. And that was the key: working together. When God wanted the work to stop He did it by introducing different languages, and everyone split up. When people weren’t together on the project, it stopped. It’s a negative example, but it’s one that shows the power of participation. What do we do about that? Right now, just go, “Hmmmm…” and let’s go look into the next window…
Moses’ Bedroom
(Exodus 18) Poor Moses. A lot of you can relate to him. He’s a tired man. He gets up early, works hard all day, and comes home late, exhausted. Here wears a lot of hats, er, turbins. He’s in the middle of writing the first 5 books of the OT. And here lately he has been playing Judge Judy for the entire nation of Israel – that’s over 1 mil. people. All during the whole Exodus out of Egypt thing, his wife and 2 sons stayed back at her home. Now, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law is bringing his wife and 2 sons to him in the wilderness. Add that to his list of responsibilities. Every day, from start to finish, the people come to him to act as judge for them. They’re there all day. Jethro sees what it’s doing to him. It’s too much for one person. The job is too big…
Exodus 18:17-23 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."
So, Moses did exactly what his wise father-in-law advised. Now, it’s not recorded there, but I suspect that, after this, Moses was able to get in a Calgon bath now and then, and that he was a better husband and father as well – all because people participated in the load. It was good for Moses. It was good for the whole nation of Israel. Moses would tell you this participation thing is a good thing.
The Nineveh Room
You remember Nineveh, the wicked city where God sent Jonah by Whale-O-gram to deliver a very special message: Only 40 more shopping days before God nukes this place!
Ill - October of 1962, the cold war was pretty close to home as the United States went through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Those were scary days, and it showed. There were nuclear bomb drills, bomb shelters, open fear. Some people took it very seriously. Some didn’t.
But Nineveh! Whoo! This was a crisis of the first order, and starting with the king, they all took it seriously – like it or not.
(Jonah 3) 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
Even a wicked king understood the importance of cooperation, from the top down. So you’ve go the king wearing sackcloth – a real fashion statement. The one that says, “Please don’t destroy our city, God!” Pretty soon, it catches on so that even the animals are wearing it! And, in this case, when everyone joined together, God regarded it. God had compassion on a city that repented all together. Would the king of Nineveh have anything to say about the value of partnership, teamwork, participation?
Can’t you just see the Barbara Walters interview that followed? “So, Mr. King of Nineveh, is it true that everyone in Nineveh joined in on this city-wide repentance?” “Yes, Barbara, it’s true. Even our family dog Gizmo got into the act. It has really caught on. In fact, our teenage kids are wearing saggy sackcloth jeans with holes in them now.”
The point is, even in a wicked city, again, when there was a great need for change, everyone participated, and things changed.
Nehemiah’s Shop
Nehemiah’s shop is a busy place. You may not be able to see in the window here. Seems there has been a wall built in the way! Nehemiah, remember, was the man who took on leading the project to rebuild the destroyed wall surrounding Jerusalem. You can read about this whole project in the OT book by Nehemiah called “Nehemiah.”
Building a wall may not sound like so big a deal. But realize that Jerusalem had about 1 mile of wall to rebuild. The first hindrance was rubble. The workers could hardly even reach the place they needed to work. Then there was opposition, internal problems, discouragement. At least 10 gates needed to be rebuilt as well as some 4-5 towers. And they get it done. (Nehemiah 3:9) Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section. (Nehemiah 3:12) Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters. So you’ve got leaders, and their daughters joining in. Everyone was doing his or her part! You even have people like Malkijah… Nehemiah 3:14 The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. 3 cheers for Malkijah! Everyone joined in! Of the 46 people and groups named in Nehemiah 3, only one group didn't help – Nehemiah 3:5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
Party poopers! – But they’re the exception.
You’ve heard of the 80/20 principle – that in groups, like the Church, 80% of the work, 80% of the giving, is usually done by 20% of the people. And the other 20% of the work, and 20% of the giving, is usually done by 80% of the people. What we end up with are the “tired 20” who are carrying the load. But when the 80/20 principle changes and becomes the 2/98 principle, things happen!
I love Nehemiah 4:6 - So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. In other words, the work was going on all around the city at the same time. It was a cooperative effort. What happens when many people put their hands together? Well, crumbled cities get rebuilt, and God’s people shine like they’re supposed to.
The Church Room
The Church room is actually a view into the first 6 chapters of Acts.
I like looking into this room! From the very beginning, the Church has been a picture of what teamwork can accomplish. And in 6:7, right before Stephen becomes the first solo hero of the Church, we see how it’s doing.
(Acts 6:7) So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
That’s not too surprising when you look at the first days and weeks of the Church in Acts 1-4
Consider how teamwork was a feature of the Church from the very beginning:
Acts 1:14 – they all joined together constantly in prayer
Acts 2:1 – They were all together in one place
Acts 2:44 – All the believers were together and had everything in common
Acts 4:32 – All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
There is pressure and threats from the Jewish council, but they just kept growing in number. Not too surprising – whenever a team is threatened from the outside it tends to make them pull together even more. But this is different. In Acts 6, the problem is inside. The need is important – taking care of widows in the Church. It’s a big enough load that the 12 Apostles can’t do that and the other work too. The solution is in vv3-4. They presented the need. They tried to get more people involved so that the work of the Church would press on. Out of the church stepped 7 men who would handle this special ministry. In other words, as you look into this window of the house, you’re looking at the very thing we’re working on accomplishing these next 4 weeks.
Result? Needs were met. No internal upheaval.
(Acts 6:7) So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
“Oh, so Sherm, you’re suggesting that if we’ll be like that Church was in Acts 1-6, we’ll experience growth and see great things happen among us? No. I’m insisting it!
But what will it take?
Conclusion
Listen to Paul’s description of the Church in
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ill – Ever play Jenga? It’s a simple game. You start with a bunch of rectangular blocks, in 3 colors. They’re stacked in a way that makes a little tower. Then, one by one, you’re supposed to remove them from all levels of the tower. At first, it seems like the tower can still stand, missing just a few blocks. Then, it starts to lean and teeter. One by one, as the blocks are removed, the structure wanes, until finally, the loser removes the block that sends it falling over.
This structure of which you and I are a part isn’t made to stand with blocks missing. To be its best, it has to have every block in place. Peter says,
1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Every person who belongs to Jesus Christ is a minister. Let me repeat that and make sure it sinks in: Every person who belongs to Jesus Christ is a minister. The word translated “minister” in the NT is the exact same word translated “servant.”
God has prepared good works for every one of us to walk in. Every part of the Body of Christ has an important function. Every member of the family has significance.
So anyone who is a part or who is considering being a part of CCC needs to consider: being a part of this body of believers comes with an expectation that you'll be giving the gifts the Lord intends to give His Church through you, whatever they may be. This morning, when I invite you to join in the work at CCC, I invite you to take on the responsibilities God has for you here. I wouldn’t invite you to anything less. Imagine it:
Ill - Imagine asking someone, “Hey, do you want to become part of a church?”
“What kind of a church?”
“Well, what kind are you looking for?”
“One where I’ll be accepted just like I am. I want a church where people really care about ME; where my needs get met and where I’ll find joy on a regular basis. I want a church where I’ll be fed and where I’ll grow, where my kids receive loving attention and good teaching. I want a church where they don’t always have their hand out for a special offering, and where things go the way I want them to.”
“Oh, well, great! That’s my church - provided…”
“’Provided’ what?”
“Provided that you and everyone else who joins it is accepting of everyone who comes to it; provided that you care about every person and that you meet other peoples’ needs; provided that you work on making it a joyful place on a regular basis, and that you participate in helping others to be fed and to grow; provided that you and others pitch in to make sure that other peoples’ kids receive loving attention; provided that you regularly give as the Lord blesses you, so that that financial needs are always being met; provided that you are content to let things be done the way others like them. If you, and the people who join here, join with that attitude, then it will be the kind of church you’re seeking. But if I invite you to do anything less, then the church will be less. Why would I invite anyone without letting them know those expectations? If they weren’t there, then the church would never be what you’re hoping it would be. To invite someone to come and be a non-participant in those things is to wish that the Church would become less than it should be. Why would I invite anyone to that?”
Great things happen when the people of God all participate in what God desires to do through His people.
Ill - There are several occasions of this story, but they all make the same point: At a Canadian Horse Show, one event is a "strength pull" to test which horse can pull the most weight. At one particular show, the horse winning the event was able to pull 9,000 pounds. The second horse was able to pull 8,000 pounds. The show's organizers thought that if they yoked the 2 animals together, they should be able to pull about 17,000 pounds. In fact, when yoked together, the pair of horses was able to pull 30,000 pounds! It’s called synergy - the simultaneous action of two separate parts is greater than the sum of those parts.
When God’s people all join together, it’s not just the work of 200 or 300 or 400 people times one. It’s the work of God Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
