HELPING OUR CHURCH WIN

Helping Our Church Win
1 Corinthians 15:57–58
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

There is something special about being part of a team.
Every team has a goal. Every coach has something they want their team to accomplish. There are mottos, sayings, strategies, and pep talks designed to motivate the players.
But beyond all the talk, every great team must have a desire to win—and they must understand what winning really means.
The same is true for the church.
We live in a time when the church is facing tremendous challenges. Churches are closing, attendance is declining, pastors are leaving the ministry, and many people who claim to be Christians rarely attend church.
But Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. The church belongs to Him, and because of that, God's people have a responsibility to be faithful to His church, support its work, and continue taking the Gospel to the world.
I'm a Christian today because somebody loved my family enough to bring the Gospel to us. In 1976, someone reached toward my family, and because of that, my family met Christ.
Since then, we've tried to return that favor.
Someone reached us, so we reach others.
Someone invited us, so we invite others.
Someone cared about our souls, so we care about the souls of others.
That is the responsibility we have been given.
We've already been given the victory through Jesus Christ. Now we are called to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Those words sound like something a coach would tell his team:
“Don't give an inch.”
“Don't back up.”
“Stay in the game.”
“Give it everything you've got.”
And that's exactly the kind of commitment the church needs.
Church ought to be a spiritual pep rally. The Word of God ought to excite us. The Christian ought to be the happiest person on the planet because we've been given eternal life and victory through Jesus Christ.
The problem isn't that the Gospel has become boring.
We make it boring when we forget what we've been given.
What Does Winning Mean for a Church?
A big building doesn't necessarily mean a church is winning.
Large attendance doesn't necessarily mean a church is winning.
Programs, ministries, finances, or even being debt-free don't necessarily mean a church is winning.
There's nothing wrong with any of those things. In fact, I pray God allows us to do more for His glory.
But none of those things define winning.
So what does winning mean?

1. Winning Means Building What Christ Builds
Jesus said:
“Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
—Matthew 16:18
It is His church.
Our responsibility is to build what Christ is building.
If we are going to be successful for Christ, we must be moving in the direction Christ wants us to go.
We ought to do everything we can to promote His church and His Gospel.
Don't spend your time telling people outside the church everything that's wrong with the church.
Promote the church.
Tell people how good God has been to you.
Tell them what Christ has done in your life.
Tell them about the hope you've found in Him.
We cannot build Christ's church in our own power. We need His power.

2. Winning Means Bringing Glory to God
I prayed before this service and asked God to help me keep the focus on Him.
We're having Team Spirit Sunday. We're wearing jerseys and talking about teams and competition. There's nothing wrong with any of that.
But the focus must remain on Christ.
Ephesians 3:21 says:
“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
What we do in this church should ultimately have very little to do with us.
People lead.
People serve.
People teach.
People sing.
People organize.
People clean.
People preach.
But ultimately, He must get the glory.
3. Winning Means Reaching Souls
Proverbs 11:30 says:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
That's what winning is all about.
Not simply filling seats.
Not simply having a large building.
Not simply having money in the bank.
Souls.
We can have full pews and still be losing if we're not interested in souls.
We can have the biggest building in town and still be losing if we're not reaching people with the Gospel.
Every person who walks through our doors matters.
The question is not simply, “Did they come to church?”
The question is:
“Are they ready to meet the Lord?”
I love seeing visitors come through our doors. I love seeing babies. I love seeing children filling the classrooms. Those are signs of life and hope for the future.
But more than anything, we must care about their souls.
That is winning.
Building what Christ builds.
Bringing glory to Him.
Reaching souls.
What Do We Bring to the Team?
It's one thing to cheer for a team.
It's another thing to be part of the team.
Every player has a position, and every position has expectations.
If you're the quarterback, you have responsibilities.
If you're a lineman, you have responsibilities.
If you're a batter, you have responsibilities.
And if you're a member of God's church, you have responsibilities too.
There are several things every believer should bring to the team.

A. Faithfulness
One of the greatest things you can bring to God's work is simply faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 4:2 says:
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
I'm not saying everybody can be here every time the doors are open. Families need vacations. People work. Things happen. Life happens.
But we ought to have a pattern of faithfulness.
Our children shouldn't have to wonder on Sunday morning, “Is today a church day?”
As for me and my house, we'll serve the Lord.
You don't have to be talented.
You don't have to sing.
You don't have to teach.
You don't have to preach.
But you can be faithful.
You can be faithful in front of your children.
You can be faithful in your church.
You can be faithful to God.
You don't have to be faithful to be saved, but you need to be faithful to be obedient.
People don't follow absent leaders.
If we want to lead others, we must set the bar high when it comes to faithfulness.

B. Work Ethic
Every great athlete has something in common:
They work.
Kobe Bryant was known for his incredible work ethic. He was often the first one in the gym and the last one to leave.
I'm not saying we need to start our church day at one o'clock in the morning!
But I am saying we ought to take seriously the work we do for God.
Whatever ministry you're involved in, study it.
Improve it.
Learn how to do it better.
If you're an usher, learn how to be a better usher.
If you're a greeter, learn how to be a better greeter.
If you're working in the nursery, ask how you can make that ministry better.
If you're teaching, study.
If you're singing, practice.
If you're serving, give it your best.
Colossians 3:23 says:
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
We ought to give God our best.
That includes our attitude.
Our attendance.
Our punctuality.
Our preparation.
Our effort.
Our work ethic.
There is something special about being at church early and serving together.
I love walking into this building early on Sunday morning and seeing people fellowshipping, preparing rooms, straightening chairs, cleaning, making coffee, and getting everything ready.
That's part of the work.
That's part of the team.
And I especially want to challenge the next generation:
We need you.
Teenagers, young adults, moms, dads—we need you to learn what it means to show up early, serve faithfully, and help God's church move forward.

C. Contending for the Faith
Jude 3 says:
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
We aren't called to be contentious with people.
But we are called to contend for the faith.
The word carries the idea of striving and giving everything you've got.
You've heard a coach say:
“Don't leave anything on the field.”
That's the picture.
We should not give our best to our jobs, our hobbies, our vacations, our extracurricular activities, and everything else—and then give God whatever is left.
We ought to contend for the faith.
There are churches all across America that are struggling.
There are churches that may close their doors in the years ahead.
But not on my watch.
Not here.
We're going to work.
We're going to serve.
We're going to reach people.
We're going to encourage other churches.
We're going to keep pushing the Gospel forward.

D. Involvement
Every member should be in the game.
When you watch a football game, you see the players on the field, but there are countless people behind those players.
Coaches.
Trainers.
Special teams.
Equipment managers.
Travel coordinators.
Medical staff.
People who wash uniforms.
People who schedule hotels and flights.
There are hundreds of people involved in making the team successful.
The same is true at church.
On Sunday morning, you may see the preacher standing behind the pulpit.
But there's so much more happening.
People are singing.
People are teaching children.
People are keeping the nursery.
People are greeting.
People are making coffee.
People are cleaning bathrooms.
People are vacuuming floors.
People are working security.
People are running the sound.
People are putting things on the screens.
People are practicing music during the week.
There are people serving behind the scenes that most people never see.
And every one of them matters.
1 Corinthians 12:21 says:
“And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee…”
We need each other.
There is a place for you to serve.
Maybe it's a broom.
Maybe it's a microphone.
Maybe it's a lawnmower.
Maybe it's a classroom.
Maybe it's a nursery.
Maybe it's a ministry nobody else sees.
Whatever it is, get in the game.

3. The Holy Spirit Calls the Plays
Every team has playmakers, but every team also has people calling the plays.
They see the bigger picture.
They see what the defense is doing.
They see things the players on the field may not be able to see.
And the church has a Play Caller.
The Holy Spirit of God.
Zechariah 4:6 says:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Psalm 127:1 says:
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it…”
And Jesus said in John 15:5:
“Without me ye can do nothing.”
God uses people.
He wants to use us.
But He is the One who knows the whole picture.
He has the wisdom.
He has the power.
He knows what's next.
We must depend upon the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.
We can make our own plans, but without God's direction, we can end up running the wrong play.
We need to trust the Play Caller.
We Must Have a Team Commitment
No great team reaches a championship without commitment.
Nobody wins the Super Bowl, the World Series, or a National Championship because everybody was scattered and doing their own thing.
They pull together.
They persevere.
They overcome injuries.
They overcome losses.
They keep giving their best.
Why?
Because they're committed.
And God's people need that same commitment.

1. Commit Your Life to Christ
If you've never committed your life to Christ, what are you waiting for?
Here's your sign.
Give yourself to the One who gave Himself for you.
Church attendance cannot save you.
Being a good person cannot save you.
Being religious cannot save you.
Only Christ can save you.
Commit your life to Him.

2. Commit Yourself Spiritually to the Lord and His Church
Pray for your church.
And I'm not just talking about saying, “Lord, bless the church.”
Call people by name.
Pray for your Sunday School teachers.
Pray for your children's teachers.
Pray for your pastor.
Pray for the people serving around you.
Ask God to lead you in His Word.
Ask Him to lead you in your personal ministry.
You have a ministry.
Ask God to show you what it is.
Don't simply sit around wondering why you're not being used.
Ask God what He wants you to do next.

3. Commit Yourself Physically to the Lord and His Church
We need you here.
I'm thankful for our online ministry. There are people who are sick, elderly, working, or physically unable to attend who can stay connected through our livestream.
But online church was never intended to replace being with God's people when you're physically able to be there.
You can't hug somebody's neck through a screen.
You can't shake somebody's hand.
You can't experience corporate worship in the same way.
You need the people sitting beside you.
And sometimes those people need you.
Romans 12:1 says:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
After everything God has done for us, isn't it reasonable that we give Him our best?
Give Your Best to the One Who Gave His Best for You
If I were your coach and you wanted to reach the next level, I wouldn't be a very good coach if I didn't challenge you.
Sometimes the best coaches get in your face.
Sometimes they make you work harder.
Sometimes they make you sit down because you're not giving your best.
But the goal isn't to beat you down.
The goal is to make you better.
And that's my desire for our church.
I don't want this message to be about browbeating anybody.
I want our church to be our best.
I want us to give our best to the Master.
Give your best to the One who gave His best for you.
If we'll be faithful…
If we'll work…
If we'll contend…
If we'll get involved…
If we'll follow the Holy Spirit…
If we'll commit ourselves to Christ and His church…
I believe God will allow us to do some great things.
God never blesses unfaithfulness.
He never blesses a half-hearted attitude.
But when God's people give Him their best, I believe we can say with confidence:
The best is yet to come.
And that's how we help our church win.