Pastor’s Perspective

by Pastor Perry De Groot

Fellowship and Sports! Believe or not, there is a comparison between the two. In light of the success of the Northwestern men's and women's basketball teams and their outstanding seasons with the women winning the championship; let's discuss the relationship between teamwork and the unique quality of fellowship in the life and ministry of the church, the body of Christ.

One of the keys to the success of any athletic team is the unselfish ability of each player to work together as a harmonious unit. NWC's teams certainly demonstrated that. It was seen in their passing the ball around, every team mate contributing to the scoring and their encouragement for one another after a well chosen pass resulting in a basket or calming each other down after a tense moment in the game. It was also seen in the excitement of the starters as they exhort and encouraged the substitutes when they came in to play.

A very important component is evident in the fellowship of the congregation, when the people are working together as a unit, in a harmonious whole for the good of all. Read and reflect on these truths from the Lord in these Scriptures.

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. " I Corinthians 12:4-7. New King James Version

These next verses are taken from the book of Ephesians, but they are important in setting the context of why each one in the congregation at First Reformed Church needs to do their part, according to how the Lord has gifted them to serve and minister.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through and in you all. To each one of us grace was given according to measure of Christ's gift, for equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; speaking the truth in love, so that we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:4-7, 12-13, 15-16. NKJV.

Now each one of these passages communicates the truth of God about the extreme importance of fellowship; when each believer is doing their part and fulfilling their responsibility in preserving the fellowship of the church. The second passage gives the reasons for maintaining the unity and harmonious working together.

The benefits of the athletic team working together as one is to experience the satisfaction and fulfillment of teamwork, but then there is the added benefit of accomplishing the mutually agreed upon goals and sometimes winning the contest.

The blessings and benefits of unity, harmony and teamwork (the apostle Paul talks about “fellowship or partnership in the Gospel”—Philippians 1:5) in maintaining fellowship in the life of the body of Christ is the joy and delight of oneness in Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit. In addition, there are the blessings of doing our part to help others to respond to the call of Christ, to help each other discover our God-given gifts/abilities to serve one another, to help each other grow in the love, grace and experience of trusting and gratefully obeying the Lord. And as each individual commits to doing their part, other people are attracted to that congregation, its love for the Lord and for one another.

Let me share one of my favorite stories illustrating the truth of these scriptures and potential application for our lives and First Reformed Church.

The carpenter's tools had a conference; Brother Hammer was in the chair. The meeting had informed him that he must leave because he was too noisy and loud; but he said, "If I am to leave, Brother Gimlet must leave too; he is so insignificant that he makes very little impression."

Little Brother Gimlet arose and said, "All right, but Brother Screw must go also; for you have to do is turn him round and round, again and again to get him anywhere."

Brother Screw then said. "If you wish I shall go; but Brother Plane must leave also. All his work is on the surface; there's no depth in it." To this Brother Plane replied, "Well, Brother Rule will have to withdraw if I do, for he is always measuring other folks as if he were the only one who is right."

Brother Rule then complained against Brother Sandpaper in these words, "I don't care; he is rougher than he ought to be and rubs people the wrong way."

In the midst of the discussion the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He had come to perform His day's work, so put on His apron and went to the bench to make a pulpit. He employed the screw, the gimlet, the sandpaper, the saw, the hammer, the plane and all the other tools. The day's work over and the pulpit finished, Brother Saw arose and said, "Brethren, I perceive that all of us are laborers together with God."

May all of us, each and every one continue to enjoy and experience the harmony of working together and fulfilling our service for the good of all under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, our only Saviour and Master.

United together by Christ, in Christ and for Christ!

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