Well, you may be wondering why there is a part four of this series, since last week I told you it was the last part. Oops! That was my (Melody's) fault. Moving on. If you need to catch up on the previous parts, you can do so here:
Now, getting into the real final part of the Revolutionaries series! We're going to talk about working together.
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Have you ever heard of Edmund Hillary? Perhaps not, so here's a quick biography; he was the very first man to climb Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth. But what many people don't know is that he didn't do it alone. A man named Tensing Norgay was right beside him, helping him. In fact, one day while climbing the mountain (before reaching the summit), Hillary was on a chunk of ice that collapsed. Norgay saved his life.
People always used to ask who was really the first one up, and Hillary always refused to say, he would say they reached the top as a team. The point is that Hillary was not alone. And it wasn't even just the two of them. There was an expedition of about 400 people who were trying to reach the top.
Maybe you've heard of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. Did you know that right behind him was Buzz Aldrin, and the man who stayed in the ship was Michael Collins. These two are far less famous, but they were just as important to walking on the moon as Armstrong.
None of these men, or the revolutionaries we've learned about earlier in this series accomplished what they did alone. And you can't do it alone, either.
There is an anonymous quote that says, “You can only be good at one or two things. You need a team of people with different strengths to achieve greatness.” In other words, you can't do it alone; the purpose of your life cannot be accomplished alone. You can't start a country alone. You can't end apartheid alone. You can't land on the moon alone. God's plan for us always involves teams. That's why God created church.
Luke 10:1-9 talks about Jesus sending out the very first missionaries. These men were bringing a spiritual revolution to their region, and they didn't do it by themselves. They had to work together with other people to accomplish that goal.
Have you ever noticed that when you're with someone else you are braver than when by yourself? When you are home alone, it is really easy to get creeped out, right? You are much more likely to do something bold and brave when you are with someone else. That's why Jesus sent the disciples out two-by-two. Having more than one person also brings balance and encouragement.
Jesus Christ himself built a team to accomplish his goal!
When God calls people he calls them to groups, families and nations! They may be alone when He calls them, but He turns them into a family, a nation. No one does anything significant alone. No one makes a difference alone. Yes, it takes you working and making a choice to sacrifice. But, you can't do it alone.
Hitler killed 6 million Jews, but he didn't do it alone. Stalin killed 22 million people, but he didn't work alone either. The greatest good and the greatest evil is done by groups of people.
Whether you know it or not, you are already part of a team. Whether your goals are stupid and silly or not, you are still a team. Where is your team going?
Back in 1936, it probably felt good to be part of the Nazi party. They were successful, they had a charismatic leader who made good on his promises. Things were getting done! By 1944, things were looking decidedly worse. Some people saw where it was headed and got out early.
Where is your team heading? Is your team going where you want to go? Is it going where the vision for your life is? Is it willing to act with focus, to take steps to do something significant? Where are your friends going?
The best teams help you find yourself doing things you wouldn't normally do. That can work both ways; negative and positive. Do you ever find yourself doing things you wouldn't normally do? Are you happy with those things? Choose your teams carefully. You team can destroy your life or it can enable your life.
You can rise to higher heights because of the people you hang around. On the other hand, the people around you can drag you down.
You are Revolution Church. Not Pastor Dan, not the building, not Friday night at 7:30. You are the church. This region is in need of a revolution, and it's up to you to bring it. None of us can do it by ourselves; but God has called all of us to bring life, to overthrow the darkness, sickness, depression and small-mindedness that rules over this region. To establish a new kingdom of life, hope and light.
Nothing will change unless you change it. As easy as it is to just sit back and blend in and do whatever you feel like, nothing will change when you do that. It starts with you making a decision, cutting out what's dragging you down and starting to make a difference. God has called you. Live with vision, act with sacrifice, work as a team and make a difference in this region!
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