Team Jesus ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “Foolish Wisdom” by Pastor Dave Folkerts; 10/31-11/1/09,

Message #DF143; Daily Devotional #1 - “Team Jesus”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): It’s sports time. Pro football is ramming ahead, NASCAR is racing for the finish line, and the World Series is rounding first, heading for home. The players spend months preparing for pre-season games and continue their regimen both during and after the season. In short, they are always game-ready. Each one is carefully chosen, and they must all work together for the good of the team. Every position is filled with the one gifted to execute that purpose. It’s game time. The strategy is planned, the bodies are trained, the mind is focused, and they are equipped to meet the opposing team. They suit up in their sports protection gear and proudly don their team jersey for who they represent. Let the games begin.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers; Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen." Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-20) After Jesus spent time in the wilderness in preparation for His ministry, He chose the first few of His twelve disciples. With the plan of salvation already in place (John 3:16), Jesus began to prepare His disciples for the Great Commission (Mark 16:15). He coached them and prepared them for the future works they would do in His name. They were all gifted to fulfill a specific purpose of their calling, and their minds were focused differently because of His presence (Romans 12:2). After He ascended to Heaven, the Holy Spirit came to counsel and equip them with the power to accomplish that for which they were called. So what started with two fishermen grew to four, which grew to twelve, which now includes everyone who has left their nets by the sea to follow Jesus—a team of people seeking first the Kingdom. By definition, a team consists of a group of people united for a common purpose, where each member uses their gifts to build up the team. Jesus said, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters. (Luke 11:23) Whose team are you on? If you want to be freed from the chains of sin, Team Jesus is for you. If you want to be filled with everlasting peace, exceeding joy, and abundant life, Team Jesus is for you. If you want to spend eternity with your Heavenly Father, Team Jesus is for you. This team is built on faith, hope, and love. Did the disciples miss a better opportunity when they left their nets to follow Jesus? Were they leaving treasure behind for others to snatch away? When we look at the world through the eyes of Jesus, we don’t see what we lost but how much we have gained. Although they did not see the complete picture when they followed Jesus, they walked by faith. Suffering came with the glory and defeat came with the victory, but through it all, they were more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). The torch has been passed for us to continue the work of sharing the Gospel with a lost world. Together we grow and learn (Proverbs 27:17) and are fit to face the opposing team. Alone we are weak, together we are strong, and with Jesus we are on the winning team (Ephesians 6:10).

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Every day is ‘game day’. Our mission is to seek and then bring to Jesus those who are lost; our strategy is to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit. How are you doing with these? The Bible is our guide, Jesus is our strength, and the Holy Spirit is our coach. All too often we forgo reading the Scriptures, trying to live on daily bread that is stale and moldy; we forget to call on Jesus when we are weak, trying to operate in our own strength; and we don’t pray nearly enough to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so we can know what to do and then have the power to do it. The disciples learned that Jesus satisfies the soul and their real treasure is in Heaven. 2-4-6-8, who do we appreciate? JESUS, JESUS! YEA!

• How are you contributing to improve and encourage the team?

• Are you in a constant state of preparing and training yourself?

• Do you proudly display your ‘Jesus’ jersey?

• Are you always ‘game-ready’?

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Psalm 149:4; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 1:4