ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

The Team

Matthew 10.1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus gave the apostles authority, commands, warnings and promises as He sent them out. This chapter gives us some insight into the personal power of Jesus. Would the 12 have received such words from anyone other than the Son of God? 

Some athletes may be able to identify with this team and the Coach. Perhaps you recall long, hot, demanding practice sessions that left you weak, drained and bruised. I recall enduring such practices more than 30 years ago.

Why would a group of adolescents voluntarily engage in what many would call punishment? The motives were varied but we wanted to be part of the team and "paying the price" was not optional. We trusted our coaches to direct us to become a successful team. 

However, I do not think many of us would have remained on the team if our coaches had warned us as Jesus did. He promised floggings, hatred and death for His team. Do you wonder why the 12 stayed with Him? Their loyalty points to the unique power of Jesus to lead and inspire. They wanted to be part of His team and they were willing to pay the price. They had found love and acceptance on the team. They trusted Him. He gave them a sense of direction, purpose and hope:

Matthew 10.39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. They were willing to lose their lives for Christ, their Life...and they did.

Consider your own life. What would it be like if you were not on the team--if you did not know the Coach?

Dear Father, we are so grateful to be part of Your team. We follow Jesus with purpose and hope today. He is our Life and is worthy of our trust. Help us to lift up one another as we face the challenges of the day. May we be effective as we share this Life. Help those who are hurting. We ask this in the name of Christ, the Beloved. Amen.

1 John 5.14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Let us be thankful and prayerful!

Love
Brad Forgy