Teamwork
Today’s Verse:
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. ~Mark 16:20
One of our modern-day phrases we use to describe the importance of synergy is, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” The vision, or dream, that Jesus gave to His disciples who made up the first local, New Testament church was, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Our devotion this morning encourages us about how this vision continues to be accomplished today between the Lord and His people.
We see the performance.
“And they went forth, and preached….” First, we see the compliance. Without any ado, the initial disciples passionately embraced our Lord’s vision and focused their efforts on preaching the gospel. Second, we see the courage. They did not allow their fears to inhibit them from going forth. They went forth in spite of opposition, hardship, and challenges. Third, we see the commitment. They were committed to much walking. They were committed to much working. They were committed to much witnessing.
We see the partnership.
“The Lord working with them….” The Bible says that we are laborers together with God. It reinforces this principle by telling us that we are workers together with Him. The Lord working with us gives us capability, competence, and confidence. It is the Lord answering prayer by opening doors for us. It is the Lord saving souls and adding to His church. The Lord working together with us is the fact that God builds His church. He allows us to come into business with Him. We have comfort knowing that the Lord is working through us in spite of our inadequacies and inabilities.
We see the power.
“…And confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Foremost in the Lord working with them was the power of God on their ministry. We have no power without God’s power. We have no ability without the Lord’s ability. We have the Lord’s hand upon us. We have His Holy Spirit working in us. It is not only the Lord working with us, but the Lord working through us. Biblical teamwork requires that the Lord be working with us. We must be careful of trying to do God’s work without Him. When the Lord is working with us, we must have faith in His strength and power.
We see the product.
“And they went forth, and preached every where….” There was permeation. Everywhere implies beyond the immediate area. They went throughout the world with the gospel. There was population. The church consistently saw people saved, baptized, and added to it. There was perpetuation. The 2 Timothy 2:2 principle of training other faithful men to do the same was being taught. Today, we continue in the footsteps of these original disciples by preaching the gospel everywhere. We are privileged that the Lord works together with us. It is His work, and He allows us to be used of Him to grow His work. Yes, teamwork makes the dream work. Let’s endeavor to remember that we need the Lord to build His work. The Lord desires to work through you: give Him full liberty to do His work through you. Hudson Taylor said, “God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.”
Have a cooperative God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Nehemiah 8-9