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The Importance of Faithful Teammates (Titus 3:12-15)

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The Importance of Faithful Teammates (Titus 3:12-15) Maryland Brent Alderman THE IRREPLACEABLE IMPORTANCE 240.818.3053 OF FAITHFUL TEAMMATES [email protected] (Titus 3:12-15) Paul “Bear” Bryant, long-time football coach at the Of the two, we know more about Tychicus from other University of Alabama, had a great philosophy for references in Scripture. We know he was part of Paul’s handling his teams. “If something goes wrong, I did missionary journey in Acts 20 and was the one who it. If something goes semi-right, we did it. If Paul trusted to deliver his letters to Ephesus and something goes great, you did it.” His teams bought Colossae. In fact, Tychicus was given high praise from into that outlook because they won a lot of games Paul: under his leadership. Colossians 4:7, 8 - Tychicus will tell you all about my Teammates are crucial to success. None of us, no activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful matter what sphere of activity we are engaged in, minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent can reach our full potential on our own. The mission him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how of any given team is completely dependent on each we are and that he may encourage your hearts member buying in to the goals of the organization. Sharing the load of ministry makes effective ministry It’s true in sports, in business, in politics, but possible. Too many who are doing too little are finding especially in the church. fault with the church when they could be helping to shoulder the responsibilities. As Paul wraps up writing to Titus, we get a glimpse of the importance of teamwork and how critical it is to seeing ministry move forward effectively. It’s easy to stand on the sidelines and find fault with the church’s weaknesses, deficiencies and ineffectiveness; it’s Titus 3:12-15 - 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus another thing to become involved in fixing the problem by to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I becoming part of the solution. More dedication, more 13 have decided to spend the winter there. Do your involvement, more prayer, more effort, more devotion, best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their more service, and more humble cooperation and way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our participation in the activities of the church are the people learn to devote themselves to good works, appropriate responses to the situation. so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be - Wayne Mack - unfruitful. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. SPIRITUAL TEAMWORK SATISFIES LONLINESS SPIRITUAL TEAMWORK SHARES THE LOAD Notice Paul’s desire to get together again with Titus In these last few verses of Paul’s letter to Titus, there when he says, “do your best to come to me.” We need are a few names listed who were key parts of Paul’s companions in life. God, as a Trinity, exists in a constant team. Apparently, Paul intended to send a replacement state of community. Humans, made in the image of God, for Titus to take over his ministry on Crete. Artemus or naturally seek community. If it is denied us, and we are Tychicus were on their way to relieve him, because forced to live a truly solitary life, we quickly unravel. Paul had a plan to meet with Titus. Both of these men God has designed us to live in the context of would have been trusted colleagues, equipped to relationships. The better we can do that, the happier handle the challenging conditions of ministry. we are. The Irreplaceable Importance of Faithful Teammates Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone If we are coming to church only as consumers, to get our own needs met, then we have missed the point of the when he falls and has not another to lift him up! church. We are intended to be part of God’s plan for SPIRITUAL TEAMWORK SUPPLIES LABORERS drawing other people to Himself, for encouraging and building up those who are already His children. Each One of the ways special needs are met within ministry member is not simply intended to be a consumer. We are is through the help of fellow laborers. Paul asks Titus all intended to be providers. We are co-laborers with God Himself! Some of us may well be introverted or less to do what he can to supply the needs of two other talkative. But none of us are designed merely to be partners in the gospel. ministered to, as if the whole church revolved around our Say what you want about lawyers, but Zenas not only own felt needs and desires. We are all called to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” and to “bear one was an attorney, but was a valued part of Paul’s team. another’s burdens” We know Apollos was a major figure in the first- - Mark Dever and Paul Alexander - century church and had a significant role as a teacher. SPIRITUAL TEAMWORK SURROUNDS WITH Acts 18:24-25 - Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of LOVE Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been The affection that is found in the relationships between instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in team members cannot be denied. Pulling toward the spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things same goal, sharing the same passion, and creating a concerning Jesus, history of partnership shouldn’t divide anyone – it should always draw people together. So as a team member, Titus would make sure that Zenas and Apollos had what they needed to continue. In our last study, we saw the weight Paul placed on the Paul knew he could count on Titus to follow through. unity of the church. Anyone who was divisive was to be SPIRITUAL TEAMWORK SEEKS TO LIFT warned, then avoided. That’s because when working for the cause of Christ, division kills. Teammates will Again in verse fourteen, Paul returns one more time to root out costly dissention and deal with it. Our very this theme of emphasizing doing good. Earlier in the mission cannot be achieved without the love that letter, he agreed that Cretans were characterized by comes from hearts drawn together in common work laziness, gluttony and lying. These behaviors would and purpose. change only if their hearts were changed by the gospel of Christ. Teammates in ministry will seek to lift others up to work and give to others. In Ephesians, Paul also We cannot expect the world to believe the Father sent the underlined the importance of teaching good works and Son, that Jesus' claims are true, and that Christianity is productivity: true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created true Christians. in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared - Francis Shaeffer - beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 4:28 - Let the thief no longer steal, but BIBLE STUDY Legislators and Staff (During Session) rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. hands, so that he may have something to share with Room 153, House Office Building anyone in need. .
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