Cooperation Sows Success

Wisdom of Geese - Video

Cooperation - the art of working together in unison for a common goal, knowing we will achieve more together than we ever will alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 NASB95

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

The enemy wants to divide us and keep us divided to make us ineffective for the kingdom. We are strongest when we are in unity and cooperate with each other.

Team Unity is Critical

A father had a family of sons. Unfortunately they weren’t very nice to each other. There was constant quarreling and bickering. No matter what this Father said to his sons, it didn’t do any good. As a result he thought long and hard about what he could say. He wanted to provide them some type of lesson that would help them realize the impact that their constant quarreling would ultimately have.

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 NASB95

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

No matter what this Father said to his sons, it didn’t do any good. As a result he thought long and hard about what he could say. He wanted to provide them some type of lesson that would help them realize the impact that their constant quarreling would ultimately have.

One day the quarreling became more aggressive and even violent. The father broke it up and sent each son to a different corner of the yard. It was at that point that this wise Father came up with a lesson. He sent one of the sons to bring him a bundle of sticks. He tied the bundle of sticks and asked each son to take turns in trying to break them. Each of them tried very hard, but couldn’t come close to snapping the bundle. The father then untied the bundle and gave each son one stick and asked them to break it now. They did so easily.

It was at that point that this wise Father came up with a lesson. He sent one of the sons to bring him a bundle of sticks.

He tied the bundle of sticks and asked each son to take turns in trying to break them. Each of them tried very hard, but couldn’t come close to snapping the bundle.

The father then untied the bundle and gave each son one stick and asked them to break it now. They did so easily.

He then said: “My sons, do you not see how if you help each other and work with each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you continue to be divided amongst yourselves you won’t be any stronger than a single-stick in that bundle.”

Samaritans Purse - Churches coming together to achieve a common goal of helping and evangelizing.

Possible opportunity in Ellicott City, Maryland

As a church we will achieve more together than we ever will individually!

Saying: “A burden shared is a burden halved!”

1 Cor

Two weeks ago we had 6 of us here to work on the property. We accomplished much more, and much faster than I ever could have working alone.

Ministering, we will accomplish much more as a body using our gifts corporately than one pastor ever could.

Philippians 4:10–18 NKJV

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Phil 4:

There are times when we are challenged to believe and be thankful.

There are times when we abound in provision.

The key to contentment is our trust and relationship in Christ. God’s desire is that in all circumstances we realize and depend on the one who enables us to be able to do all things. We are the branch, He is the vine

True as an individual, also true as a church

Bob Nichols

God uses others to provide through sharing. Paul commends them that early on no other church shared with him in His ministry other than Phillipi

Communicate, Sharing - koinoneo - To come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, enter into fellowship

They didn’t just focus on their own needs but sowed into (shared) Paul’s ministry

Resist the urge to have an isolated vision for FH

Truth Magazine article - certain Church of Christ churches believing it is sinful for one church congregation to send $ to another congregation for the purpose of helping them evangelize.

Principle of sowing and reaping

2 Corinthians 9:10 NASB95

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

Paul sought for them to receive the fruit of their sowing into, partnering with his ministry

Paul sought the

Results of our commitment to sowing into our missions partners

Want to see your ability to abundantly minister grow? Sow into others!

Saying: Everyone likes attention and cooperation, but the best way to get it is when you first give it.

Sayings:

Few burdens are too heavy when everyone lifts

Sayings:

Few burdens are too heavy when everyone lifts

Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. People who share common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Few burdens are too heavy when everyone lifts

West African Adrinka Symbol for Cooperation - “help me and let me help you”

Only strength can cooperate. Weakness can only beg. Dwight D. Eisenhower

West African Adrinka Symbol for Cooperation - “help me and let me help you”

CBS commentator Charles Osgood told the story of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered and incapacitating stroke. Margaret’s stroke left her left side restricted, while Ruth’s stroke damaged her right side. Both of these ladies were accomplished pianists but had given up hope of ever playing again. The center activity director sat them down at a piano together and encouraged them to both play a solo piece only do it together, Margaret playing on the right and Ruth on the left. They did and a beautiful sound resulted, as well as a beautiful friendship was developed.

Samaritans Purse - Churches coming together to achieve a common goal of helping and evangelizing.

Possible opportunity in Ellicott City, Maryland

Psalm 133:1 NASB95

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1–3 NASB95

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.

Team Unity is Critical

A father had a family of sons. Unfortunately they weren’t very nice to each other. There was constant quarreling and bickering.

No matter what this Father said to his sons, it didn’t do any good. As a result he thought long and hard about what he could say. He wanted to provide them some type of lesson that would help them realize the impact that their constant quarreling would ultimately have.

One day the quarreling became more aggressive and even violent. The father broke it up and sent each son to a different corner of the yard.

It was at that point that this wise Father came up with a lesson. He sent one of the sons to bring him a bundle of sticks.

He tied the bundle of sticks and asked each son to take turns in trying to break them. Each of them tried very hard, but couldn’t come close to snapping the bundle.

The father then untied the bundle and gave each son one stick and asked them to break it now. They did so easily.

He then said: “My sons, do you not see how if you help each other and work with each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you continue to be divided amongst yourselves you won’t be any stronger than a single-stick in that bundle.”

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 NASB95

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

1 cor 12 1

CBS commentator Charles Osgood told the story of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered and incapacitating stroke. Margaret’s stroke left her left side restricted, while Ruth’s stroke damaged her right side. Both of these ladies were accomplished pianists but had given up hope of ever playing again. The center activity director sat them down at a piano together and encouraged them to both play a solo piece only do it together, Margaret playing on the right and Ruth on the left. They did and a beautiful sound resulted, as well as a beautiful friendship was developed.

In a local church, what one person can’t do alone, perhaps two or more can get it done, and in harmony.

We achieve more together than we do alone

Junius & SUMC sowing into Foundry Church

Covenant Evangelical and Harvest COG

As the church of Jesus in Morgantown, what one church fellowship cannot do alone, multiple churches working together can. It will take cooperation and unity to truly impact this city in a meaningful way.

Mansfield KY

Points for Sharing our facility with Greater Love

Pastor Junius approached me

Remain autonomous ministries / temporary arrangement

Help a new ministry get on a good footing

Pool our skills and giftings for joint tasks

Shared utilities and maintenance costs

Shared investment and manpower in updating our facility

Shared admin & office support, lawn care, etc

Perhaps joint Wed eve bible studies and ministries

Greater exposure and visibility for FH

Greater resources & support for missions, local and outside

Opportunity to gleen from an experienced ministry

Learn to appreciate the gifts in various fellowships, theirs and ours - Rom 12:6

Demonstrate to Morgantown, how the church is ONE and can work together

Paul McCartney - I love to hear a choir. I love the humanity to see the faces of real people devoting themselves to a piece of music. I like the teamwork. It makes me feel optimistic about the human race when I see them cooperating like that.

3 John

3 John 5–8 NASB95

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

Cooperation Sows Success

Intro