Several times I
have heard athletic coaches encourage their players by saying: "Play hard,
play smart, play together." Consider how this concept, with modification,
applies to the local church.
Ephesians 4:12,16
– The church was organized (verse 11) for the purpose of equipping members to
accomplish works of service so the body can be edified (built up – verse 16).
Like a good team, we must learn to work hard, work smart, and work together.
Work Hard
>>>>>>>
Titus 2:14; 3:1 –
God’s people should be zealous of good works and ready to every good work. When
you see an opportunity to do some good work, are you zealous and ready to do
it?
Hebrews 10:24 –
Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
Colossians 1:10 –
Paul prayed that the Colossians might walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing
Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
The local church
exists to arrange opportunities for members to study, worship, and work for the
Lord. Like a good team, in order to succeed, we need every member working hard
to achieve our goals.
Work Smart
(Wisely)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Success requires
team members, not just to work hard, but to use good judgment in the work.
Joshua 1:8 – God
instructed Joshua to meditate on the Book of the Law and observe to do all that
was written in it. "For then you will make your way prosperous, and then
you will have good success." Success in God’s work requires understanding
how to work wisely. That wisdom comes from following God’s word.
Colossians 1:9,10
– Paul prayed for the Colossians "to be filled with the knowledge of His
will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the
Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in
the knowledge of God." To be fruitful in good works, we must be filled
with wisdom and spiritual understanding.
2 Timothy 3:15 –
The Scriptures "are able to make you wise for salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus." Verse 17 says the Scriptures equip us
thoroughly for every good work.
As with any good
team, success requires working wisely. In spiritual work, wisdom comes from
learning and obeying the word of God.
Work Together
>>>>>>>>>
To work
effectively, all members of a team must work together with unity and harmony.
Acts 1:14; 4:32 –
The gospel describes the unity of the very first local church in Jerusalem
saying the disciples were "all" with "one accord" and the
multitude of believers had "one heart and one soul."
Philippians 1:27
– We should stand fast in "one spirit with one mind" striving for the
gospel.
Philippians 2:1-4
– Be like-minded, having the same love, of one accord of one mind.
Ephesians 4:2,3 –
Bear with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace.
As with any good
team, in order for the church to achieve the work God has assigned to it, every
member must work hard. But not just any work will do. We must work wisely
according to God’s word. And we must work together in unity, with one heart and
one soul.
How hard do you
work do help the local church achieve its goals? How well do you understand and
follow God’s plan for working effectively? How well do you work with the other
members of the team?
#Bible #BibleStudy
https://www.gospelway.com/invitations/work_hard.php
#Bible #BibleStudy
https://www.gospelway.com/invitations/work_hard.php
