Protect the Promise — Play Your Part

THE YEAR OF PROMISE — TEAM DAY MESSAGE

Today is Team Day — and I thought we’d start with a few fun facts about *that* big game happening this weekend. Did you know

FUN FACTS

The name of the big game supposedly came from a children’s toy.

Americans will eat over a billion chicken wings today.

It’s the second‑largest food consumption day of the year.

I’m going to Disney World!” became a slogan by accident.

The Lombardi Trophy is handcrafted by Tiffany & Co.

Halftime performers aren’t paid.

You could attend the very first championship game for $12.

Only one MVP has ever come from the losing team.

The first championship game aired on two networks at the same time.

Bill Belichick holds the record for the most appearances.

NEW COMPARISON — THIS YEAR’S TICKET PRICE

Average ticket price this year: around $9,000–$10,000 depending on seat and marketplace.

Original ticket price in 1967: $12.

“From twelve dollars to nearly ten thousand — that’s what it costs to watch their team. But being part of God’s team? That’s priceless… and it’s available to everyone.”

“All of that is fun, but today isn’t about that team. Today is about God’s team — the Body of Christ. And unlike the big game, God doesn’t have spectators. Only participants.”

Romans 12:1–20 NIV

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

“Paul is coaching the church. He’s saying: If you’re in Christ, you’re not a fan in the stands — you’re a player on the field. And every player has a position.”

The year of promise but the promise isn't passive its activated when we participate

The Promise Is Lost When We Stop Participating

Let me share a story with you about some church people… It’s about 4 people in the church whose names were Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody… The church had some financial responsibilities and Everybody was asked to help… Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it… Anybody could have done it… But you know who did it? Nobody… It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done… Then the church grounds needed some work, and Somebody was asked to help… But Somebody got mad, because Anybody could have done it, and after all, it was really Everybody’s job… In the end the work was given to Nobody, and Nobody did a fine job…  On & on it went… Whenever work was to be done, Nobody could always be counted on… Nobody visited the sick, Nobody gave his time, Nobody shared his faith… In short, Nobody was a very faithful member… Finally, the day came when Somebody left the church and took Anybody & Everybody with him… Guess who was left. Nobody! Isn’t that a sad story?

Churches don’t lose because of bad doctrine — they lose because of bad participation.

On God’s team, Nobody is not an option.”

THE PROMISE IS NOT FOUND ON THE SIDELINE

BE A PART OF THE TEAM

Romans 12:1–2 “1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

“Think about why you joined this team.”

**Justification** — He removed my guilt and declared me righteous. 

- **Adoption** — He brought me into His family and calls me His child. 

- **Grace** — He empowers me and treats me better than I deserve. 

- **The Holy Spirit** — He lives in me, guides me, and strengthens me. 

- **Help in affliction** — He walks with me through every trial. 

- **Assurance of election** — He chose me and secured my purpose. 

- **Promise of glory** — He guarantees a future hope. 

- **No separation from His love** — Nothing can pull me from His hands. 

- **Confidence in His faithfulness** — He keeps every promise.

“God has done too much for us to sit on the bench.”

Spectators don’t experience the promise — servants do

PRIDE WILL DESTROY THE PROMISE

Romans 12:3 “3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

1 Corinthians 12:21 “21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!””

“There is no ‘I’ in team — but there is an M and an E… meaning you’re a part of this unique team.”

Paul addresses the “I” problem directly:

1 Corinthians 12:21 “21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!””

This is the biblical version of “get rid of the I in team.”

“The moment you start saying, ‘I don’t need them,’ or ‘they don’t need me,’ you’ve stepped out of the Body and into pride. Pride has benched you

Pride benches players.

Humility puts people in the game.”

THE PROMISE IS ONLY FOUND TOGETHER

Romans 12:4–6 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

1 Corinthians 12:14 “14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

Paul is saying:

“This isn’t a one‑man show. This is a many‑membered body.”

Let me show you something fascinating:

“The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes bone in the middle ear. It’s tiny — barely the size of a grain of rice.

But if that little bone stops working, you lose your balance, your hearing, and your orientation.

A tiny part… with a massive impact.”

“Small doesn’t mean insignificant.

Hidden doesn’t mean unimportant.

Quiet doesn’t mean unnecessary.

Every gift matters because every person matters.”

The promise is only found together

THE PROMISE IS ONLY FOUND THROUGH LOVE

Romans 12:9–20 NIV

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Paul gives us a picture of what a healthy team looks like:

A sincere team

A holy team

A devoted team

An honoring team

A diligent team

A fervent team

A serving team

A hopeful team

A prayerful team

A generous team

A hospitable team

A blessing team

A unified team

A humble team

A peaceful team

A forgiving team

An overcoming team

This is what a winning team looks like.”

ALTAR CALL — TEAM DAY ACTIVATION

“Today is not about joining a church — it’s about joining a team.

Today is not about filling a position — it’s about fulfilling a purpose.

Today is not about volunteering — it’s about discovering your spiritual gift.”

Then:

“If you’re ready to get off the sidelines…

If you’re ready to find your place…

If you’re ready to use your gift…

If you’re ready to say, ‘Coach, put me in’…

Come. Today is your day.”

DECLARATION FOR THE CHURCH

Lead them in this:

We are one body.

We are one team.

We have one mission.

We have one Spirit.

We have one purpose.

The promise works when we do.

Our mission is to reach up, reach in, and reach out.”