I have heard Christianity described as a “Team
Sport.”
I agree with that description, yet, even with that analogy there is a vital
breakdown. Let’s take football for example. That game includes not only 22
people that are competing to win, but would also include spectators and
cheerleaders. Someone described it like this: Football is 22 men in desperate
need of rest, and 50,000 people in desperate need of exercise! This description
is very appropriate concerning the Church today! A few “performers”
with the majority of the team spectators! Then we have the cheerleaders…who
cheer no matter what is happening on the field. I remember seeing a group cheer
when the other side scored! They did not really know what was going on!
“Conscious Living” changes that! God’s Team has only One
Spectator…God Himself! Every other member on the team has a designed
purpose and God desires every one of them to know what they believe and why.
The record of Josiah illustrates key realities of a healthy
team…which
today is called “The Church.”
It would be worth your time to read 2 Kings 22–23 & 2 Chronicles
34–35,
which I will be quoting from.
First we see “They” were Involved all together! In
purging, rebuilding the Temple, commitment to renewal and in the Passover.
… They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence.”
Second, The leaders Trusted the team, and all were Faithful.
When leaders delegate, they need to empower and release! All on the Team must
keep their word! Josiah and the leaders gave the funds and materials needed to
repair the Temple and trusted them to do it…and “they” did!
…”Let them deliver it (the money) into the hand of the
workmen…to repair the house… The men did the work faithfully with foremen over
them to supervise”
When the team plays together it pays together! 2 Chron. 34:8-9
& 35:7-8 – From the leaders on down, everyone gave a portion to the cause!
Lastly, “Substance” was brought back to the Temple! The inside is always essential if
the outside is to mean anything!
“I have found
the book of the law in the house of the Lord… The king went up to the house of
the Lord…and all the people, both
small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the
covenant.”
The outcome…Worship! Throughout Scripture worship is
central to being used by God!
2 Chronicles 35:18 There had not been celebrated a
Passover like it in Israel since the days of Samuel…nor had any of the kings of
Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did with the priests, the Levites,
all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
The so What: When was the last time I became involved in something
for the Lord? When I delegate to someone or commit to do something how does it
turn out? Do I really believe in what I am doing? Is there some way that I
would like to express to God how much I love Him? Do I participate or am I a
spectator?
