Thursday, October 13, 2022

Focus on the Team - Part 2 - Who is our "Team?"


I wrote last month about Aaron Judge and his New York Yankees. Aaron was laser-focused on his role on the team and their goal to win baseball games. (Update: The Yankees made the post-season playoffs and are currently leading their best-of-seven series against the Cleveland Guardians by 1 game to none.) 

The New York Yankees, aka Bronx Bombers, are arguably one of the most successful sports teams in the United States. They have won 40 American League pennants, and 27 World Series championships, both MLB records. What a great history. What a great team.

If you are a Christian, you are part of a team as well. Our team consists of other Christians all around the world. Our team is the church. Let's take a look at what scripture says about our "team."

Matthew 16:18 states that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. It may not appear that way today, but the church will not be defeated. Not by hell. Not by Satan. Not by anyone. 

Ephesians 1:21 says that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. In modern terms, Jesus is the coach, owner, and GM. He's called the head because often in the Bible the church is called a Body. Christian believers all play a part like a body, with Jesus serving as the head. 

Acts 20:28 tells us that Jesus bought the church with his blood. His sacrifice ushered the church into existence. This speaks to the value the church has. It is priceless. The cost of Christ dying on the cross was enormous. 

You are part of a victorious, priceless team lead by none other  than Jesus Christ himself!

What is so sad is when you hear people say, "I love Jesus, but I don't care for the church." It is akin to saying, "I am rooting for Aaron Judge, but I don't like the Yankees." The Yankees are his team. You can't cheer for one and not the other. The church is Jesus' team. You can't just love Jesus and throw His church to the curb. 

Probably the biggest problem people have is that Jesus is perfect and the church is far from it. Why? Well, the church is full of sinful people like you and me. We have not yet been perfected. That will come one day through Jesus. Until then, the church is full of imperfect people. The future of the church is bright and victorious. 

Next month let's look at the distractions we face as we strive to focus on Jesus and live as the church.

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