Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4

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1 Author: Elliet Giron Fowler Date: Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV) 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Teamwork means that we share a common ideal, Embrace a common goal. Regardless of our differences, we strive shoulder to shoulder, Confident in one another s faith, trust, and commitment. In the end, teamwork can be summed up in five short words: "We believe in each other." 1 / 7

2 A farmer noticed a highway department truck pulling over on to the shoulder of the road. A man got out and dug a hole, then got back into the truck. Then the other occupant got out, filled up the hole and got back in the truck. Every fifty yards this amazing process was repeated. What are you doing? the farmer asked. The driver replied, We re on a highway beautification project, and the guy who plants the trees is home sick today. What s the bottom line (morale)? No Unity, no Productivity! God blesses those who work together in unity! 3 STEPS FOR EFFECTIVE TEAMWORK 1.) The team members must Care for One Another. Uncaring people on a team are like two guys in a sinking boat, sitting together at one end doing nothing. As the people at the other end are bailing furiously, one says, Thank God that hole isn t in our end of the boat. Without Sacrifice there can be no Success! Sometimes we are called to sacrifice: time, effort, comfort, and our own desires for the sake of the team. We should adapt the Musketeer motto All for One and One for All! 2 / 7

3 2) The team members must communicate effectively In Hurricane Katrina, hundreds died while those who could have rescued them stood by. Why? Communication broke down (show Railway joke slide) 3) Your rights must take second place, The team s success must always be of greater value than your own individual interests. Your I ll do it myself, that way I know it ll get done right attitude, robs others of the opportunity to participate, learn and grow, and leaves the job undone or poorly done. T.E.A.M = Together Everyone Achieves More! T.E.A.M.W.O.R.K = Together Enjoying A Ministry Worshiping Our Righteous King - note: Enjoy not just Endure There s no I in Team 3 / 7

4 In Ephesians 4v16 (NLT) we read the whole body (symbolical of church, ) is fitted TOGETHER perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts to grow so that the WHOLE BODY (team) is healthy, growing, and full of love. From this we learn that united as a team we, each contributing our bit, can help the church GROW HEALTHY and STRONG and FULL of love. As the marriage verse in Ecclesiastes 4:12 states though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken". One of the ways to create effective teamwork is by not getting stuck when you see a need and are able don t wait to be asked. Many people make the mistake of assuming that somebody else will do it - like in the story of the Good Samaritan. If you see rubbish on the floor, someone coughing, a new person standing alone, assist, ACT swiftly! There s a famous quote that says "A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than the giant himself." As a TEAM we can exceed our limitations! The Lord wants us to give our time, our talents and give up our earthly treasures and put him first, and we will be blessed 100 percent fold, and he promises that in our lifetime. 4 / 7

5 According to Stephen Covey, Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts. Interdependent people COMBINE their OWN efforts with the efforts of OTHERS to ACHIEVE their Greatest SUCCESS. Teamwork is Biblical and part of God s will for us as believers, when we apply it God blesses us. When we apply faith and passion to our dream the Lord will bless us. As we celebrate womens ministry today, I ll going to mention some of the women that worked as a team in doing the Lord's work. Women of the Bible worked as team members in the home, from their homes and outside of the home. Ministry In The Home Mother Eunice and Grandmother Lois taught Timothy the Scriptures from childhood (2 Tim. 3:15). Jochebed received her son Moses back from the river, taught him about God, and no matter how hard those in the palace tried, they could not remove her training (Ex. 2). Moses 5 / 7

6 grew to esteem God more than the pleasures, the wealth, and the politics of Egypt (Heb. 11:24-26). Hannah nursed her son Samuel, made clothes for him and presented him to the Lord in the temple as she had vowed to do (1 Sam. 1). She also prayed for his fruitful service. Sarah respected her husband s authority. Proverbs 31 tells us that King Lemuel s mother warned him of the dangers of embracing wayward women (31:3), of abusing wine (31:4-7), and of being just and fair in all his doings (31:8-9). The noble wife of Proverbs 31:10-31 was her husband s trusted companion a virtuous woman, a skillful mother and a productive keeper of the home. Ministry From The Home Priscilla, the wife of Aquila, co-labored with Paul in tent making, in the gospel and discipling (Acts 18:2-3). It is evident from Scripture that she and her husband also used their home for the kingdom of God (Acts 18:24-26; 1 Cor. 16:19; Rom. 16:5). In so doing, they both risked their lives to serve Christ (Rom. 16:3-4). Martha showed hospitality to the Lord and others in her home (Lk. 10:38; Jn. 12:2). Rahab used her home (marked by the scarlet thread, a symbol representing the redeeming blood of Christ) to spread the warning of God s imminent judgment, and consequently saved a house full of people (Josh. 2,6). Peter s mother-in-law was hospitable to the Lord and His disciples (Mk. 1:31). The mother of Rufus was such an encouragement to Paul that he considered her his own mother (Rom. 16:13). Ministry Beyond The Home 6 / 7

7 Joanna and Susanna provided for the Lord out of their substance, probably meals and clothing (Lk. 8:3). Dorcas was full of good works and charitable deeds; she made garments for widows (Acts 9:36, 39). Phoebe was a servant in the church, a helper of many including Paul (Rom. 16:1-2). Mary worshiped the Lord by anointing His feet with precious ointment (Jn. 12:1-7). Euodia and Syntyche labored in the gospel with Paul (Phil. 4:3). Esther risked her life in coming before the king to be an intercessor for her people (Est. 4-5). Ruth gleaned in wheat and barley fields, beat out the grain, and provided for the needs of Naomi (Ruth 2). Deborah was a notably wise woman who rendered personal counsel to many in Israel including Barak (Jud. 4). Abigail bestowed godly advice to David, and after pondering her wisdom for a moment, He replied, Blessed is your advice and blessed are you (1 Sam. 25:33 NKJV). Older women taught younger women how to better love their husbands and children (Ti. 2:4). Brothers and sisters we can pray for CLD's dream-team believing in our Father in heaven who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Philippians 4:8-9 says, Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 7 / 7