THERE IS NO “I” IN TEAM…
It's an oft used phrase. That there is no “I” in team.
It means that effective teams work together for common goals rather than personal agendas and self-advancement. It is why some very expensive football teams have failed. Great players , all playing for themselves. Whereas, some mediocre teams, made up of hardworking but less gifted (and less expensive) players have done amazing things, just by teamwork.
We know that even the disciples sometimes went their own way. James and John (the Sons of Thunder) asked Jesus if they could sit at Jesus’ side in glory – much to the chagrin of the others! Jesus’ response was telling; “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be bond-servant of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
But that phrase – there is no “I” in team - got me thinking.
What about Team Jesus?
Jesus gathered around him many disciples and 12 apostles who were his closest “team”. In the upper room, as he prepared them for his impending death on the cross, he said this:
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15).
We lead Collective Worship (aka assemblies) at Christ Church school every Monday morning using the excellent materials from Spinnaker Trust on values. This week it was on “Friendship”. Each week there is an object to represent the theme. On Monday it was “The Friend Ship”, positing that having friends is like being aboard a ship. It has a crew who work together to make it go in the right direction and sails that catch the wind of the qualities that make for good friends – love, trust, forgiveness and kindness.
Drawing on scripture we considered:
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “therefore encourage one another and build each other up” – words and actions that build up, not tear down.
Proverbs 17:17 “Friends love through all kinds of weather” – even in stormy seas the crew stay together, building up and encouraging and being supportive.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “It is better to have a friend than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps up…with a friend you can face the worst. Round up a third friend? A three stranded rope isn’t easily broken” – heavy lifting is easier alongside others and if one falls the others are there to pick them up; the rope analogy cements all this – a rope of many strands is stronger than the individual strands alone!
So teamwork, and being good friends, means being supportive and cooperating – working together.
But what about Team Jesus?
As I was able to say in the Third service on Sunday, he co-partners with us. He is part of the team – since we are his body and he is the head! He sent his Spirit to be our strength, direction, wisdom and counsel and healer – our advocate and the one who grants the charisma – gifts to be used to build up the church.
We are called to be Team Jesus – working together.
But here is the rub.
There is an “I” in Team Jesus. And there is an “am”
Jesus said it seven times.
"I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35) – spiritual sustenance
"I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12) – light in darkness
"I am the Door" (John 10:9) – access point to the Kingdom
"I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11, 14) – carer and protector
"I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25) – source of eternal life
"I am the true Vine" (John 15:1, 5) – source of spiritual life and fruit
And if there were any doubt as to who the team captain is of Team Jesus……
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6) – no one comes to the Father except through him.
HE is the captain, and we follow him!
There is no “I” in team.
But there is an “I am” in Team Jesus!
And that’s what makes it so essential to be part of that team. Literally life changing. Its only by being in Team Jesus that life has meaning and purpose – it's what we were all made for.
He is the way.
He is the truth.
He is the life.
Get on board, crew the good ship Team Jesus.
Kingdom, here we come.
Ship ahoy!
Amen!!
Many Blessings
Doug
vicar@christchurchpurley.org.uk
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