Get in the game 02 01 15

PASTOR BRIAN JONES THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAMWORK WORK TOGETHER DEFINITION OF TEAM The combined, effective action of a group to achieve a common goal.

A group of people with a full set of complementary skills required to complete a task, job or project.

TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 1: None of us can do _________________________ on our own, that is why we __________________________________________________________ each other!

My job was to plant the seed, and Apollos was called to water it. Any growth comes from God. (1 Corinthians 3:6 – The Voice) TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 2: We all have ___________________________________________ gifts, talents, and abilities & they’re all _________________________ and _____________________ He joins and holds together the whole body with its ligaments providing the support needed so each part works to its proper design to form a healthy, growing, and mature body that builds itself up in love.

(Ephesians 4:16 – The Voice) Each believer has received a gift . . . That gift is given for the good of the whole community, just as a body is one whole made up of many different parts . . . Here’s what I mean: the body is not made of one large part but of many different parts . . . This is where God comes in. God has meticulously put this body together; He placed each part in the exact place to perform the exact function He wanted . . . That way there should be no division in the body; instead, all the parts mutually depend on and care for one another.

(1Corinthians 12:7, 12, 14, 18, 22025 – The Voice) TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 3: We get more done by working __________________________________________ as a team than we do by working alone Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help. If two lie down together, they will be warm, but a person alone will not be warm. An enemy might defeat one person, but two people together can defend themselves; a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – CEV) In a horse-pulling contest at a county fair, the first-place horse moved a sled weighing 4,500 pounds. The runner-up pulled 4,000 pounds. The owners of the two horses wondered how much the animals could pull if they worked together. So they hitched them up and loaded the sled. To everyone’s surprise, the horses were able to pull 12,000 pounds that’s 3,500 pounds more than if they had gone solo!! Here we observe SYNERGY taking place – where combining forces produces better RESULTS than individual effort. Teamwork bring a greater result than going solo. 1 + 1 = 3!

TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 4: When we are ________________________________________ as a team, It brings huge ______________________________________ to our lives

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend . . . (Proverbs 27:17- NLT) Speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Msg) Let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good. Let us . . . encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

(Hebrews 10:24-25 – LB) We were created to need each other by a God who values relationships. Our faith was never meant to be something that isolated us; it was never meant to be something we felt we had to do alone.

Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts. Interdependent people COMBINE their OWN efforts with the efforts of OTHERS to ACHIEVE their Greatest SUCCESS. (Stephen Covey) TEAMWORK makes the DREAMWORK (John Maxwell)

PASTOR MICHAEL CRANFORD - THE IMPORTANCE OF EXCELLENCE – DO YOUR BEST 1. We must continually reject a mindset of _________________________________________________________ “Good enough is not good enough” Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by.

(Colossians 3:22 MSG) God wants you to go beyond the normal and surpass what is required of you. We should work to always exceed expectations. That is the kind of work God blesses. We live in a culture of mediocrity. How many times do we complain about shoddy workmanship or poor service or inferior quality? Americans used to take pride in their craft, but today it has become about just getting by. So many people just put in their time, do the minimum that’s required of them, and cut corners, getting by on as little effort as possible. That’s the bad news. The good news is that this makes it very easy to stand out at work. Any time you take pride in your work and decide to do more than expected, you’ll rise to the top. (Rick Warren) 2. We must strive for _________________________________________________________________ in all we do!

“Go BIG or go home!”

Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of . . . (2 Timothy 2:15 – MSG) No matter what your task is, work hard. Always do your best as the Lord’s servant . . .

(Colossian 3:23 – The Voice) Whatever work you do, do your best . . . (Ecclesiastes 9:10 – NCV) Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters.

And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. (Colossians 3:22-23 MSG) 3. We must remember that excellence _______________________________________________________ God and ______________________________________________________ people! – “Be Different” Let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good actions and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 - ISV)

4. We must always do our best because we are _____________________________________________ JESUS! “Stay Focused on “the WHY” If anybody forces you to go a mile with him, do more—go two miles with him. (Matthew 5:41 – Phillips)

PASTOR JON WEST - THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING – BE PREPARED 1. To be prepared, we must study the ____________________________ - GET IN THE WORD EVERYDAY! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Msg) Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book be out of your mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. (Joshua 1:7-8 – Msg) One of the common elements in all levels of football, from the peewees to the pros, is the playbook. It contains the game plan each team uses to overcome its opponent. Without the playbook, teams and players would be in a state of confusion, not knowing what to do or where to go. On the other hand, no matter how good the playbook is, it’s absolutely useless if the players don’t study it and apply it on the field. When it comes to life, there is no better playbook than the Word of God. It contains everything we need to defeat the opposition (the devil). In order for us to consistently overcome our life’s adversary, we must know what God’s “playbook” says by reading and studying it, and applying what it says to our lives.

2. To be prepared, we must listen to the _______________________________ - TRUST AND FOLLOW HIM My sheep recognize my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 - LB) Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! (James 1:22 - Msg) When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over.

God will make it all plain. (2 Timothy 2:4-7 - Msg) 3. To be prepared, we must continually ___________________________________ everyday - WORK HARD Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God . . .

(1 Timothy 4:7-10 – Msg) Train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God . . . (1 Timothy 4:7-10 – NLT) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – NLT)

PASTOR CHUCK BERNAL - THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSEVERENCE – DON’T GIVE UP! 1. We must reject the temptation to _______________________________________ when things get tough!

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 - NLT) So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good.

At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. (Galatians 6:9 - Msg) Don’t get discouraged in doing what is right. (2 Thessalonians 3:13 – CEB) We prove to be authentic servants of God by resolute perseverance in times of difficulties and distress.

(2 Corinthians 6:4 – NJB) 2. The number one quality that Jesus commends is _________________________________________________ “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted . . . ” (Matthew 25:21 – GWT)

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

(Hebrews 10:36 - NIV) But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.

(Hebrews 10:36 - Msg) We’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! . . . (Hebrews 12:2 – Msg) That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:15-17 - NLT) 3. When we are tempted to quit, we must follow the example of ____________________________________ Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:2-3 – Msg) We want you all to continue working until the end so that you’ll realize the certainty that comes with hope and not grow lazy. We want you to walk in the footsteps of the faithful who came before you, from whom you can learn to be steadfast in pursuing the promises of God. (Hebrews 6:11-12 – The Voice)

The difference between faithful people and unfaithful people is unfaithful people give up at the first sign of difficulty. Faithful people keep on keeping on. Faithful people are determined. Faithful people are diligent. Faithful people are persistent. Faithful people don’t know how to quit. You know how a little acorn becomes an oak tree? An oak tree is just an acorn that refused to give up. It is always too soon to quit. You are never a failure until you quit, and it’s always too soon to quit. God uses tough times to test our persistence. If you’re going through tough times right now, you have to determine never to give up. God is more interested in what you’re becoming than what’s happening to you. He often allows trials, troubles, tribulations, and problems in your life to teach you diligence, determination, and character. The problem you’re going through right now - It’s a test of your faithfulness. Will you continue to serve God even when life stinks? (Rick Warren)

PASTOR BRIAN JONES THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAMWORK WORK TOGETHER DEFINITION OF TEAM The combined, effective action of a group to achieve a common goal.

A group of people with a full set of complementary skills required to complete a task, job or project.

TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 1: None of us can do everything on our own, that is why we need each other!

My job was to plant the seed, and Apollos was called to water it. Any growth comes from God. (1 Corinthians 3:6 – The Voice) TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 2: We all have different gifts, talents, and abilities & they’re all necessary and _ important He joins and holds together the whole body with its ligaments providing the support needed so each part works to its proper design to form a healthy, growing, and mature body that builds itself up in love.

(Ephesians 4:16 – The Voice) Each believer has received a gift . . . That gift is given for the good of the whole community, just as a body is one whole made up of many different parts . . . Here’s what I mean: the body is not made of one large part but of many different parts . . . This is where God comes in. God has meticulously put this body together; He placed each part in the exact place to perform the exact function He wanted . . . That way there should be no division in the body; instead, all the parts mutually depend on and care for one another.

(1Corinthians 12:7, 12, 14, 18, 22025 – The Voice) TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 3: We get more done by working together as a team than we do by working alone Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help. If two lie down together, they will be warm, but a person alone will not be warm. An enemy might defeat one person, but two people together can defend themselves; a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – CEV) In a horse-pulling contest at a county fair, the first-place horse moved a sled weighing 4,500 pounds. The runner-up pulled 4,000 pounds. The owners of the two horses wondered how much the animals could pull if they worked together. So they hitched them up and loaded the sled. To everyone’s surprise, the horses were able to pull 12,000 pounds that’s 3,500 pounds more than if they had gone solo!! Here we observe SYNERGY taking place – where combining forces produces better RESULTS than individual effort. Teamwork bring a greater result than going solo. 1 + 1 = 3!

TEAMWORK PRINCIPLE 4: When we are connected as a team, It brings huge blessings to our lives

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend . . . (Proverbs 27:17- NLT) Speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Msg) Let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good. Let us . . . encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

(Hebrews 10:24-25 – LB) We were created to need each other by a God who values relationships. Our faith was never meant to be something that isolated us; it was never meant to be something we felt we had to do alone.

Dependent people need others to get what they want. Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts. Interdependent people COMBINE their OWN efforts with the efforts of OTHERS to ACHIEVE their Greatest SUCCESS. (Stephen Covey) TEAMWORK makes the DREAMWORK (John Maxwell)

PASTOR MICHAEL CRANFORD - THE IMPORTANCE OF EXCELLENCE – DO YOUR BEST 1. We must continually reject a mindset of mediocrity “Good enough is not good enough” Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by.

(Colossians 3:22 MSG) God wants you to go beyond the normal and surpass what is required of you. We should work to always exceed expectations. That is the kind of work God blesses. We live in a culture of mediocrity. How many times do we complain about shoddy workmanship or poor service or inferior quality? Americans used to take pride in their craft, but today it has become about just getting by. So many people just put in their time, do the minimum that’s required of them, and cut corners, getting by on as little effort as possible. That’s the bad news. The good news is that this makes it very easy to stand out at work. Any time you take pride in your work and decide to do more than expected, you’ll rise to the top. (Rick Warren) 2. We must strive for excellence in all we do!

“Go BIG or go home!”

Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of . . . (2 Timothy 2:15 – MSG) No matter what your task is, work hard. Always do your best as the Lord’s servant . . .

(Colossian 3:23 – The Voice) Whatever work you do, do your best . . . (Ecclesiastes 9:10 – NCV) Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters.

And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. (Colossians 3:22-23 MSG) 3. We must remember that excellence _ honors God and _ inspires people! – “Be Different” Let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good actions and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 - ISV) 4. We must always do our best because we are representing JESUS! “Stay Focused on “the WHY”

If anybody forces you to go a mile with him, do more—go two miles with him. (Matthew 5:41 – Phillips)

PASTOR JON WEST - THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING – BE PREPARED 1. To be prepared, we must study the playbook - GET IN THE WORD EVERYDAY! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Msg) Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book be out of your mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. (Joshua 1:7-8 – Msg) One of the common elements in all levels of football, from the peewees to the pros, is the playbook. It contains the game plan each team uses to overcome its opponent. Without the playbook, teams and players would be in a state of confusion, not knowing what to do or where to go. On the other hand, no matter how good the playbook is, it’s absolutely useless if the players don’t study it and apply it on the field. When it comes to life, there is no better playbook than the Word of God. It contains everything we need to defeat the opposition (the devil). In order for us to consistently overcome our life’s adversary, we must know what God’s “playbook” says by reading and studying it, and applying what it says to our lives.

2. To be prepared, we must listen to the coach - TRUST AND FOLLOW HIM My sheep recognize my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 - LB) Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! (James 1:22 - Msg) When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over.

God will make it all plain. (2 Timothy 2:4-7 - Msg) 3. To be prepared, we must continually practice everyday - WORK HARD Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God . . .

(1 Timothy 4:7-10 – Msg) Train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God . . . (1 Timothy 4:7-10 – NLT) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – NLT)

PASTOR CHUCK BERNAL - THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSEVERENCE – DON’T GIVE UP!

1. We must reject the temptation to give up when things get tough!

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 - NLT) So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good.

At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. (Galatians 6:9 - Msg) Don’t get discouraged in doing what is right. (2 Thessalonians 3:13 – CEB) We prove to be authentic servants of God by resolute perseverance in times of difficulties and distress.

(2 Corinthians 6:4 – NJB) 2. The number one quality that Jesus commends is _ faithfulness “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted . . . ” (Matthew 25:21 – GWT) You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

(Hebrews 10:36 - NIV) But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.

(Hebrews 10:36 - Msg) We’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! . . . (Hebrews 12:2 – Msg) That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:15-17 - NLT) 3. When we are tempted to quit, we must follow the example of Jesus & the saints Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:2-3 – Msg) We want you all to continue working until the end so that you’ll realize the certainty that comes with hope and not grow lazy. We want you to walk in the footsteps of the faithful who came before you, from whom you can learn to be steadfast in pursuing the promises of God. (Hebrews 6:11-12 – The Voice)

The difference between faithful people and unfaithful people is unfaithful people give up at the first sign of difficulty. Faithful people keep on keeping on. Faithful people are determined. Faithful people are diligent. Faithful people are persistent. Faithful people don’t know how to quit. You know how a little acorn becomes an oak tree? An oak tree is just an acorn that refused to give up. It is always too soon to quit. You are never a failure until you quit, and it’s always too soon to quit. God uses tough times to test our persistence. If you’re going through tough times right now, you have to determine never to give up. God is more interested in what you’re becoming than what’s happening to you. He often allows trials, troubles, tribulations, and problems in your life to teach you diligence, determination, and character. The problem you’re going through right now - It’s a test of your faithfulness. Will you continue to serve God even when life stinks? (Rick Warren)