Dream Team

It was when I was a kid the USA Olympic Basketball went from college players only to NBA players. The first team was people like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and the likes all on one team. Some of the greatest players of all time, not competing against each other but playing together on the same team against the world, they were called the Dream Team. They had no flaws, they were near perfect, and it showed as they easily won the gold medal destroying all their opponents.

As I always say I am only as strong as my team. Who I choose on my team will determine how successful I am. Just like teams give much thought before drafting players, we see Jesus in Luke 6:12 prayed all night before choosing who would make his dream team.

We live in a individualistic society where people try to achieve so much on their own, so they can get all the credit. People don't like others to share in their success. The Kingdom of God is established through the body of Christ. His body is made up of many different members, which is all those that confess Him as Lord. The Kingdom can only advance as we work together. Our eyes can no longer be on ourselves but on the face of Jesus and His body, the church.

Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player ever could not have won all those championships without his coach, and the role players around him. Jesus the greatest human to ever live also could not have completed His mission without a team. Who we hang around will determine how far we go in life. We must choose wisely.

I have played pick up games before and as captain chose the wrong players, thinking they were good, maybe because of their size, and lost miserably because my judgment was wrong. The only way we can choose the right team is through the help of God. When man chooses apart from God's guidance they are wrong, we judge by outward appearances while God judges the heart.

The children of Israel chose Saul, for he looked the part, but he was prideful and stubborn, and the nation suffered greatly, God chose David a man after his own heart, and the nation defeated all it's enemies and lived in peace longer than ever before. Those whom Jesus chose did not look the part, they were full of problems, character flaws, the least likely's, but God knew their heart, they could be taught, they would follow, and eventually they would be the one that carried out the work that Jesus began when He was taken up.

Choosing who to work with together takes discernment which the Holy Spirit has given. Wisdom comes from above, so prayer must not be forsaken or poor judgement will follow.

We see in Luke 6:16-19 that people were identified differently. Out of the disciples, Jesus chose twelve Apostles, who are sent ones. Those who would go with Him from place to place, first following, and then doing what He does. It says in verse 17 that Jesus was surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. So there were those in the crowd who followed Him and those who only wanted healing and deliverance from Him.

On a team you got many players who are playing for different reasons, a good coach knows how to distinguish each player in a way that he get's the most out of them. Rookies usually don't become great over night, they must be trained, and be given experience in phases. If you put too much expectation they may become so frustrated in themselves that they give up, if you don't give them enough opportunity to grow they will never develop. Some players are stubborn and just don't learn well, they cannot be trusted in the game, they are basically just utilized in practice to fill a position, yet they still have a role.

Most people come to God for selfish reasons, but God does not deny them. For some of them will show gratitude and mature over time in relationship with Him, becoming true followers of Christ, to the point where they also will be sent ones, others may just warm seats on Sunday mornings, or even be very active in church activities but not really live it outside of church.

We must be able to distinguish who is who around us so we know what type of service to offer them. Some people around us need care, so our words are to primarily bring hope while offering healing and deliverance. We cannot expect much in return. They are to be treated like patients. Others are really trying to follow us but have so much issues to deal with they cannot really commit much. God is refining their character. The other group is ready to play, they have developed skills that can be used to better the team so are ready to be put in the game. Each person placed around us is important they are just at different levels in their walk, and must be treated accordingly.

True church is not a game, it is not a place we attend once or twice a week, it is a matter of life and death. It is walking with God daily, moment by moment, and being joined with the body of Christ to destroy darkness, save the lost, and advance the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth until the restoration of all things. Individually we will always be defeated but united we will stand and live victoriously while the world fades away like quickening sand. We might not appear to be great but God knows our heart and He has placed us on His Dream Team.