Overview

1 Corinthians 12:12–13, Ephesians 4:1-6

Today’s message is about being called to be on God’s team. That means walking with humility, gentleness, patience, love, and unity as part of one body and one Spirit. It’s a call to get off the bench and get in the game.

We are on the same team

Ephesians 4:2-3

Humility, gentleness, patience, and love shape how we live together, with an eagerness to maintain unity for the sake of peace. Loyalty stays with God and His team above any workplace, paycheck, school system, or political party.

Points

1. Unity in God’s family means remembering you’re on the same team.
2. Walking in the calling includes being eager to maintain unity for the bond of peace.
3. The way you engage people publicly can either maintain unity or stir up strife and lose peace.
4. Loyalty to God and His team comes before other affiliations.

Quotes

• Paul says we should be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
• When we lose unity, we lose our peace.
• Being on His team is the most important thing and my loyalty is to Him rather than any worldly affiliation.

We are equipped to play the game

Ephesians 4:11-16

God sends leaders to equip people for doing the work of the ministry. The work of serving can be hard, but it matters. Being trained allows us to do things well, and the church is attempting to equip everyone for the work of ministry.

Points

1. The church equips people for the work of the ministry, and ministry is real work.
2. Serving can look like hard, practical work that supports what matters most.
3. Without training and preparation, you can end up in a role you weren’t equipped for.
4. The aim is to build up the body, grow in unity and knowledge of Jesus, and equip everyday life as a follower of Jesus.

Quotes

• This is what The Church is meant to be, doing the work of the ministry together.
• We do all these things that may feel like they have no bearing on somebody’s soul, but we are creating a space so that people can come in here and experience the presence of the living God.
• We are attempting to equip the church through Sundays and Bible studies and small groups and boys and girls ministries and youth ministry to equip everyone for the work of ministry.

We have no excuse to sit on the bench

Ephesians 4:1

Even being a prisoner did not stop Paul from ministering. Hurt, comparison, age, or comfort can turn into excuses to sit on the sidelines instead of serving. Sitting on the bench too long leads to being inactive. It’s time to get off the bench and get into the game.

Points

1. If Paul ministered from prison, there isn’t a reason to quit altogether.
2. Serving isn’t limited to one life stage, and there isn’t a retirement point.
3. Inactivity is different from taking a break, and staying on the bench leads to stiffness and reluctance.
4. Serving and doing the work of ministry isn’t treated like a suggestion here; it’s a call to get in the game.

Quotes

• Paul is in prison and yet that did not stop him from ministering.
• I don’t see anywhere in the Bible where it tells you when you can retire from ministry.
• Please hear me, this is not me saying hey you all need to serve more and give more and work yourself to death!
• It’s time to get off the bench and get into the game.

Conclusion

Are you living your life eager to maintain unity in God’s family, and do you need help getting off the bench. If you aren’t serving alongside others at the church, today is your day to begin using the gifts and talents God has given you to bless one another.