Are You on the TEAM?

Today’s message is a topical message and what this means is I’m going to be coming from several Scriptures so grab your pen and paper and get ready to take notes. I want to start, as I often do, with a question, ...

Have you ever played a sport that required more than one person to play the game? Something like football, basketball, baseball, softball or soccer? They all require more than one person to play the game and it requires a plan and teamwork for the team to have any type of success. Often times there is a standout or star player, but without the other players they couldn’t even play the game.

Have you ever played a sport that required more than one person to play the game? Something like football, basketball, baseball, softball or soccer? They all require more than one person to play the game and it requires a plan and teamwork for the the team to have any type of success. Often times there is a standout or star player, but without the other players they couldn’t even play the game.

Our God is a God of excellence, why should we give Him anything less than our best? When you look around at the things God has created, you should look in awe and wonder at the beauty of His creation and it should inspire you to do your best for Him.

All the players together make up a team. Team sports mandate that the people work together and if they fail to work together, if they fail to communicate, the team fails, and they lose the game.

All the players together make up a team. Team sports mandate that the people work together and if they fail to work together, if they fail to communicate, the team fails and they lose the game.

• And when you evangelize with excitement and excellence; God will make it effective - - “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

We just need to strive to be planting and watering, then trusting that God will do the rest. Church, it’s time to grow. We’ve experienced seven years of famine and now it’s time for feasting. Are you ready?

There are other types of teams. When a man and woman get married, they become a team and that team requires communication, it requires working together toward a common goal. Whether it be raising children, getting an education, getting a job, better yet, a career, owning a home or preparing for retirement.

To be a part of this team you must be “A”vailable. If you don’t show up nothing will happen. And with being available and being a member of the team you make yourself

When they are old enough and in certain situations, parents and children can become a team. But there must be a clear understanding the parent/child team is much different that the husband/wife team. Yet, as a team, they are still working toward a common goal; perhaps it’s the child going to college. The parents save as much money as they can and the child gets the best grades they can to possibly earn scholarships.

• Accountable to leadership - “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.”

And then there is the Christian team. The team that consist of those who identify themselves as called out believers of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Not only are we accountable to leadership, we are accountable to each other. If you see your brother or sister about to fall into a ditch you need to reach out and grab them or at least call out to them and warn them of the danger. Then your availability must come with…

To be a part of any team there are certain requirements you must meet and there are certain positions on the team you are qualified to fill. Not everyone can do everything on the team, and if you don’t do your part the team fails.

So today, my question to you is, “Are You On the TEAM?” I’m going to take the word TEAM and break it down in an acrostic. I’m going to give you characteristics of a team member using the letters in the word TEAM.

• Action - - “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.”

So today, my question to you is, “Are You On the TEAM?” I’m going to take the word TEAM and break it down in an acrostic. I’m going to give you characteristics of a team member using the letters in the word TEAM.

As I said before, to be a part of a team there are certain requirements you must meet. To play a sport, you must have the talent and ability to play, you must have knowledge of the game, you must know the rules of the game and you must know your position or where you fit on the team. But there’s something else you must do…you must also qualify. See, you can have the talent and ability to play, you can know the game, you can know the rules of the game, you can know what position you would best fit in, and still not qualify to be a member of the team.

No it’s not enough to simply say you’re a Christian, your actions should demonstrate it also. There’s work to do in the Kingdom, there’s work to do in the house and we need you at your best to get it done.

If you volunteer to do something, do it to the best of your ability and if you need help, let it be made known. And in your availability you must

To be eligible to be a part of the Christian team, you must first, you got it, be a Christian. I’m going to start where I normally end, because this message is for those who are members of the team. So to be a member of the team you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, confess that you are a sinner, believe that He is the Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, that He died for your sins, was buried, rose three days later, ascended back to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on your behalf and invite Him to be Lord of your life. So, the first requirement to be a member of the team is you must be a born again believer.

To be eligible to be a part of the Christian team, you must first, you got it, be a Christian. I’m going to start where I normally end, because this message is for those who are members of the team. So to be a member of the team you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, confess that you are a sinner, believe that He is the Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, that He died for your sins, was buried, rose three days later, ascended back to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on your behalf and invite Him to be Lord of your life. So, the first requirement to be a member of the team is you must be a born-again believer.

Now the things I’m about to tell you are for and about the believer. Don’t expect non-believers to do these things or even believe them and if you call yourself a Christian and you’re not doing theses things, you have something to work toward. Use it as a map to get where you want to go because none of us have arrived, we all have work to do. All have sinned, past tense, and fall short, present tense, of the glory of God.

Now the things I’m about to tell you are for and about the members of the Christian team. Don’t expect non-believers to do these things or even believe them and if you call yourself a Christian and you’re not doing these things, you have something to work toward. Use it as a map to get where you want to go because none of us have arrived, we all have work to do. All have sinned, past tense, and fall short, present tense, of the glory of God.

• Assess your commitment

Alright here we go - The “T”. To be a member of this team you must be willing to make a Transfer.

• - “For if we would judge ourselves we should not be judged.” It’s not judging to be called out when you do something you shouldn’t be doing. Christian living has standards and when you fail to live according to the standard, your brother, sister, husband, wife, pastor, deacon, child have a right to call you on it, in love and with respect. Because what you must know is

Alright here we go - The “T”. To be a member of this team you must be willing to make a Transfer.

Transfer your time - - “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

• Transfer your time - - “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

• - “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

Imagine you have an account where you get $86,400 deposited everyday and you must spend every penny of it every day. You can’t put any in savings, you can’t invest it, you should have something to show for it and you must be wise about how you’ll use it. You can only buy so much stuff and eventually you’ll have to find creative ways to use it.

Now let’s shift gears, you have an account that renews at midnight every night. You get 86,400 seconds deposited into your account at midnight every night. What are you doing with your time? It’s precious and once it’s gone you can never get it back, you can’t save it for later and it doesn’t roll over. And so, we must be intentional about planning our days and making the most of the time we’re given. How are you spending your time? How much are you giving to God?

In our busy lives, we are running here and there and everywhere, in a attempt to get stuff, status, positions, and recognition when in the end what we really want is peace, but without Jesus, you can have no peace.

To be a part of this team you must strive for “M”aturity.

Transfer your talent - - “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Imagine you have an account where you get $86,400 deposited every day and you must spend every penny of it every day. You can’t put any in savings, you can’t invest it, you should have something to show for it and you must be wise about how you’ll use it. You can only buy so much stuff and eventually you’ll have to find creative ways to use it.

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

What has God gifted you to do and what are you doing with it? Are you using what He gave you for his glory or to get glory of your own? Many performers find themselves lonely, turning to drugs and alcohol to try and fill the emptiness that surrounds them after the show is over, after the adoring fans stop screaming, after the admirers have gone away. Whatever your hands find to do, do it as unto the Lord. And then you need to…

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

• Mature - When we look at being mature we must look at where it comes from… - “11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”

Now let’s shift gears, you have an account that renews at midnight every night. You get 86,400 seconds deposited into your account at midnight every night. What are you doing with your time? It’s precious and once it’s gone you can never get it back, you can’t save it for later and it doesn’t roll over. And so, we must be intentional about planning our days and making the most of the time we’re given. How are you spending your time? How much are you giving to God?

Transfer your treasure -

- “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Are you trying to build earthly treasure, spending money on things that when the newness wears off it leaves you wondering why you ever bought it in the first place. Don’t misunderstand, our Heavenly Father is rich and we can be too, we just have to be wise in our spending and management of money and not let money manage us.

God gave us these people to help us mature, to teach us His ways, to show us His will so that we can grow up. Anyone ever been around immature Christians who thought they were mature? It’s hard isn’t? We must strive to be aware of our own weaknesses and shortcomings. It’s easy to see it in others, but when it comes to our own weaknesses, it’s harder to see, it’s harder to accept that we’re not perfect. Whaaattt? So when we can get mature, the next step is we

- “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”

In our busy lives, we are running here and there and everywhere, in an attempt to get stuff, status, positions, and recognition when in the end what we really want is peace, but without Jesus, you can have no peace.

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

EEwww, tithe, there’s that money word. Too often we’re taught that our money belongs to us, we work for it and we should be able to do whatever we want with it. But we are in error, we are merely stewards of what God has given and He ask for just one tenth in return so the work of the ministry can go on.

Salvation is free, but ministry costs money. The building, the furnishings, the lights, the equipment, the internet, the AC, the heat, the water, the tracks, the advertising. Oh we do the best we can, getting the best deals, using the stuff that is free to reach as many as we can, using social media, teleconferencing, Craig’s List and whatever else that’s out there. We do all we can to be good stewards of the tithes and offerings we receive, but there are limits to what we can do, yet with God we are limitless. Remembering and proclaiming that we are a supernatural church, composed of supernatural people doing supernatural things, for we are laborers together with God.

And we do our best as pastors to take care of the people of God, not trying to do too much so that you’re physically worn out, yet still feeding the flock of God so you can continue to grow in your faith. It’s a tight rope and we’re walking it every single day.

Copeland, Germaine. Prayers That Avail Much Commemorative (p. 289). Harrison House LLC. Kindle Edition.

And we do our best as pastors to take care of the people of God, not trying to do too much so that you’re physically worn out, yet still feeding the flock of God so you can continue to grow in your faith. It’s a tight rope and we’re walking it everyday.

• Transfer your talent - - “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

• Matriculate - we move to the next level…

To be a part of this team you must “E”vangelize - you must be willing to tell others about the goodness of the Lord. - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Evangelism is not an option, it’s a requirement, to be a part of the team. Like practice for the game, practice evangelism, until you get good, then practice until you get great. And when you evangelize there are some characteristics you should exhibit…

What has God gifted you to do and what are you doing with it? Are you using what He gave you for his glory or to get glory of your own? Many performers find themselves lonely, turning to drugs and alcohol to try and fill the emptiness that surrounds them after the show is over, after the adoring fans stop screaming, after the admirers have gone away. Whatever your hands find to do, do it as unto the Lord. And then you need to…

First, you need to be excited - - speaks of the lame man at the gate called Beautiful who was healed through Peter, “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” The man’s behavior caused the people to look and wonder and question what was going on with him? You may or may not have received a physical healing like the lame man, but you have been healed, now you need to stand up and walk and leap and praise God for your healing. You were a wretch undone, but God saw fit to bring you out, you were on your way to hell, but God saw fit to save your soul and that is something to shout about. Not only do you need to be excited…

• , - “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

• Transfer your treasure -

It’s unrealistic to think you’re going to get more of anything, if you don’t manage what you have well. Having more money is not going to fix your money woes, if you don’t manage the little well and you get a lot you won’t change your spending habits, you’ll just buy more. That’s why poor people who get a settlement of money or win the lottery are broke shortly after they receive it…unless they get help in learning how to manage their money. A big part of management is knowing what, how, when and to whom to say no to. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Amen somebody.

You need to do it with excellence - “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

Our God is a God of excellence, why should we give Him anything less than our best? When you look around at the things God has created, you should look in awe and wonder at the beauty of His creation and it should inspire you to do your best for Him.

And when you evangelize with excitement and excellence; God will make it effective - - “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

• - “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

• - “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

We just need to strive to be planting and watering, then trusting that God will do the rest. Church, it’s time to grow. We’ve experienced seven years of famine and now it’s time for feasting. Are your ready?

Along with your maturity, what’s your…

To be a part of this team you must be “A”vailable. If you don’t show up nothing will happen. And with being available and being a member of the team you make yourself

Are you trying to build earthly treasure, spending money on things that when the newness wears off it leaves you wondering why you ever bought it in the first place? Don’t misunderstand, our Heavenly Father is rich, and we can be too, we just have to be wise in the spending and management of money and not let money manage us. Part of that treasure is the tithe…

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Accountable to leadership - “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.”

• Message - what are you saying with your mouth and does your life match?

• - “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Not only are we accountable to leadership, we are accountable to each other. If you see your brother or sister about to fall into a ditch you need to reach out and grab them or at least call out to them and warn them of the danger. Then your availability must come with…

• “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ...standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

EEwww, tithe, there’s that money word. Too often we’re taught that our money belongs to us, we work for it and we should be able to do whatever we want with it. But we are in error, we are merely stewards of what God has given and He ask for just one tenth in return so the work of the ministry can go on.

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Action - - “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.”

No it’s not enough to simply say you’re a Christian, your actions should demonstrate it also. There’s work to do in the Kingdom, there’s work to do in the house and we need you at your best to get it done.

If you volunteer to do something, do it to the best of your ability and if you need help, let it be made known. And in your availability you must

I need you, you need me, we’re all a part of God’s body; I pray for you, you pray for me…

Assess your commitment

Salvation is free, but ministry costs money. The building, the furnishings, the lights, the equipment, the internet, the AC, the heat, the water, the tracks we pass out, the advertising. Oh we do the best we can, getting the best deals, using the stuff that is free to reach as many as we can, using social media, teleconferencing, Craig’s List and whatever else that’s out there. We do all we can to be good stewards of the tithes and offerings we receive, but there are limits to what we can do, yet with God we are limitless. Remembering and proclaiming that we are a supernatural church, composed of supernatural people doing supernatural things, for we are laborers together with God.

6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

- “For if we would judge ourselves we should not be judged.” It’s not judging to be called out when you do something you shouldn’t be doing. Christian living has standards and when you don’t live according to the standard the brother, sister, husband, wife, pastor, deacon, child have a right to call you on it, in love and with respect. Because what you must know is

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

- “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

And we do our best as pastors to take care of the people of God, not trying to do too much so that you’re not physically worn out, yet still feeding the flock of God so you can continue to grow in your faith. It’s a tight rope and we’re walking it every single day.

• - “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God...”

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

You should always focus on pleasing God rather than man.

To be a part of this team you must “E”vangelize - you must be willing to tell others about the goodness of the Lord. - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

To be a part of this team you must strive for “M”aturity.

Evangelism is not an option, it’s a requirement, to be a part of the team. Like practice for the game, you need to practice evangelism, until you get good, then practice until you get great. And when you evangelize there are some characteristics you should exhibit…

9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Mature - When we look at being mature we must look at where it comes from… - “11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”

So to be on the team you must

God gave us these people to help us mature, to teach us His ways, to show us His will so that we can grow up. Anyone ever been around immature Christians who thought they were mature? It’s hard isn’t? We must strive to be aware of our own weaknesses and shortcomings. It’s easy to see it in others, but when it comes to our own weaknesses, it’s harder to see, it’s harder to accept that we’re not perfect. Whaaattt? So when we can get mature, the next step is we

Transfer your time, talent and treasure. You must Evangelize with excitement and excellence and watch God make it effective. Then you must make yourself available, being accountable to leadership and each other, being a person of action and assessing your commitment to the cause of Christ and the church. And lastly you must strive for maturity so you can matriculate to the next level and the message you preach with your life is the same as the one you preach with your mouth.

Matriculate - we move to the next level…

• First, you need to be excited - - speaks of the lame man at the gate called Beautiful who was healed through Peter, “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” The man’s behavior caused the people to look and wonder and question what was going on with him? You may or may not have received a physical healing like the lame man, but you have been healed, now you need to stand up and walk and leap and praise God for your healing. You were a wretch undone, but God saw fit to bring you out, you were on your way to hell, but God saw fit to save your soul and that is something to shout about. Not only do you need to be excited…

, - “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

• You need to evangelize with excellence - “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

Now, there’s just one more thing. How many know when you’re part of a team, you all wear the same uniform? So here it is - : “10 Finally, my brethren (and sisters), be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

It’s unrealistic to think you’re going to get more of anything, if you don’t manage what you have well. Having more money is not going to fix your money woes, if you don’t manage the little well and you get a lot you won’t change your spending habits, you’ll just buy more. That’s why poor people who get a settlement of money or win the lottery are broke shortly after they receive it…unless they get help in learning how to manage their money. A big part of management is knowing what, how, when and to whom to say no to. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Amen somebody.

Our God is a God of excellence, why should we give Him anything less than our best? When you look around at the things God has created, you should look in awe and wonder at the beauty of His creation and it should inspire you to do your best for Him.

Are you on the TEAM? Jesus died for you, so you could be a part of the team. The doors of the church are open.

- “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

Along with your maturity, what’s your…

• And when you evangelize with excitement and excellence; God will make it effective - - “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

Message - what are you saying with your mouth and does your life match?

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church

We just need to strive to be planting and watering, then trusting that God will do the rest. Church, it’s time to grow. We’ve experienced seven years of famine and now it’s time for feasting. Are you ready?

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ...standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

I need you, you need me, we’re all a part of God’s body; I pray for you, you pray for me…

To be a part of this team you must be “A”vailable. If you don’t show up nothing will happen. And with being available and being a member of the team you make yourself

- “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God...”

You should always focus on pleasing God rather than man.

So to be on the team you must

Transfer your time, talent and treasure. Then you must Evangelize with excitement and excellence and watch God make it effective. Then you must make yourself available, being accountable to leadership and each other, being a person of action and assessing your commitment to the cause of Christ and the church. And lastly you must strive for maturity so we can matriculate to the next level and the message we preach with our lives is the same as the one we preach with our mouths.

Now, there’s just one more thing. How many know when you’re part of a team, you all wear the same uniform? So here it is - - “Finally, my brethren (and sisters), be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Those are the qualifications to be on the team and when you are part of a team there’s a team uniform so here it is - - “Finally, my brethren (and sisters), be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

• Accountable to leadership - “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.”

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Are you on the TEAM? Jesus died for you, so you could be a part of the team. The doors of the church are open.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Not only are we accountable to leadership, we are accountable to each other. If you see your brother or sister about to fall into a ditch you need to reach out and grab them or at least call out to them and warn them of the danger. Then your availability must come with…

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

• Action - - “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.”

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

No it’s not enough to simply say you’re a Christian, your actions should demonstrate it also. There’s work to do in the Kingdom, there’s work to do in the house and we need you at your best to get it done.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

If you volunteer to do something, do it to the best of your ability and if you need help, let it be made known. And in your availability you must

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

• Assess your commitment

• - “For if we would judge ourselves we should not be judged.” It’s not judging to be called out when you do something you shouldn’t be doing. Christian living has standards and when you fail to live according to the standard, your brother, sister, husband, wife, pastor, deacon, child have a right to call you on it, in love and with respect. Because what you must know is

• - “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

To be a part of this team you must strive for “M”aturity.

• Mature - When we look at being mature we must look at where it comes from… - “11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”

God gave us these people to help us mature, to teach us His ways, to show us His will so that we can grow up. Anyone ever been around immature Christians who thought they were mature? It’s hard isn’t? We must strive to be aware of our own weaknesses and shortcomings. It’s easy to see it in others, but when it comes to our own weaknesses, it’s harder to see, it’s harder to accept that we’re not perfect. Whaaattt? So when we can get mature, the next step is we

• Matriculate - we move to the next level…

• , - “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

It’s unrealistic to think you’re going to get more of anything, if you don’t manage what you have well. Having more money is not going to fix your money woes, if you don’t manage the little well and you get a lot you won’t change your spending habits, you’ll just buy more. That’s why poor people who get a settlement of money or win the lottery are broke shortly after they receive it…unless they get help in learning how to manage their money. A big part of management is knowing what, how, when and to whom to say no to. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Amen somebody.

• - “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

Along with your maturity, what’s your…

• Message - what are you saying with your mouth and does your life match?

• “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ...standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

I need you, you need me, we’re all a part of God’s body; I pray for you, you pray for me…

• - “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God...”

You should always focus on pleasing God rather than man.

So to be on the team you must

Transfer your time, talent and treasure. You must Evangelize with excitement and excellence and watch God make it effective. Then you must make yourself available, being accountable to leadership and each other, being a person of action and assessing your commitment to the cause of Christ and the church. And lastly you must strive for maturity so you can matriculate to the next level and the message you preach with your life is the same as the one you preach with your mouth.

Now, there’s just one more thing. How many know when you’re part of a team, you all wear the same uniform? So here it is - : “10 Finally, my brethren (and sisters), be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Are you on the TEAM? Jesus died for you, so you could be a part of the team. The doors of the church are open.