Serving Together (Part 2)
Notes
Transcript
Serving Together, Part 2
INTRODUCTION
10 years ago I came to Eastern Heights thinking I had it all figured out. I leave knowing I know nothing. We came from small town to the big city. From a skyline of empty buildings to a skyline of thriving skyscrapers. I realized quickly that Eastern Heights had great leadership. Chuck Bennett, Lonnie Hoelscher, Paul Koonce, Bob Wilson, Loyd Morrison, Larry Beard, Bevan Collins and I could go on and on and still leave out important people. My ten years as pastor of Eastern Heights means nothing outside of the team God put me on. I served alongside great people. Cathy and Carole, Angela and Jennifer. Jaymi, Stephen, Lucas and Ryan. Not counting the many volunteers like the one I labeled our full-time volunteer, Cindy Morrison. There were those who held the hardest volunteer position in our church, Children's Team Leader. Tara, Jenifer Miller, Carrie, Cassie and Dwayne, Jenifer and Barry (again).
Paul was not alone- he had a team
last week we saw Timothy.
This week- Epaphroditus
Read: Philippians 2:25-30
I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.
So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,
for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Pray
3 Characteristics of Great Team Members
Sacrificial (25)
Sacrificial (25)
A team player- part of the family. Cares about others.
Difference between wanting people on your team and being a part of the team.
Christ is the head- we are the body- we don’t need a head. We need other parts of the body.
Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Ephesians 4:15-16
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
In 2012 we changed the structure of the church to a team structure.
Committees make decisions.
Teams accomplish goals together.
This fits the Biblical example of ministry so much better.
How can we effectively and efficiently accomplish our vision?
This does not come through meetings. it comes through people living on mission together.
To be on a team we all sacrifice together.
When I asked you to be on a team with me, you never failed.
ILL-- Back-to- School Bash- moved to West side of town.
Then changed to Pumpkin Patch
First year showed up with no clue what I envisioned. I did a poor job explaining the vision. God blessed despite my failure to sale the vision because you showed up and became a team.
Compassionate (26)
Compassionate (26)
Cares more for other’s needs than own.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Manna Ministries- Orphans and Widows.
My foster kids- Thank you for caring for them like they were your own.
Loved (27-28)
Loved (27-28)
This characteristic may seem odd. Why does it matter if other people love you?
It matters because it shows character.
ILL-- References on a resume.
If you see someone everyone loves and would fight for, you should think about getting on their team.
I knew I wanted to be on Ms Carole’s team from day one. She was loved by all. Sacrificed for all.
Answered phone: Jesus Loves You, Eastern Heights Baptist Church, this is Carole.
Therefore, Honor Them (29-30)
My last call to you as pastor is for you to honor those who are in leadership.
Lucas- become one of my closest friends. Loves to make disciples. Loves to study and teach God’s Word. Lucas is not just a youth pastor. He is associate pastor. He is ordained. He holds two Master’s Degrees in Seminary. Respect him and let him serve you.
Ryan- you’ve also become a great friend. Ryan is always prepared. He is always professional and makes sure that every worship service honors Christ. He works beyond someone who is just a part-time employee. He is a bi-vocational minister. He composes every detail of the service every week from sound, video, lights, instruments etc.
Deacons (all these guys I call my friend)
Barry Miller- loves kids and they love him. He loves people.
Brian Bufford- he will do anything for anyone at anytime. Sacrifices his own needs for others on a daily basis.
Eric Morrison-
Ryan Bennett
Steven Davis
Steve Warehime
Dwayne Conner
All of these guys’ jobs have gotten harder. Honor them.
CONCLUSION
Is it time for you to get on the team?
Salvation
Membership
Become someone others can count on.
Serve as part of the body of Christ.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”