So, if you would today, open up your Bibles and let me give you—everybody say, “It takes a team.” It takes a team. Let me give you our text today.

Philippians chapter 1:27 reads like this: Just be sure you live as God’s people in a way that honors the good news of Christ. Think about that line for a moment. Let’s not rush past it. He says, just be sure you live as what? As God’s people. How many of you know that first and foremost, if you’re a child of God, we are God’s people?

Jesus taught a pretty strong message when He said people should forsake family to follow Him. He wasn’t promoting strife or division in families. He was saying when you have to make choices, your priority needs to be the kingdom of God. And your family of choice needs to be the people of God.

So as God’s people, the writer is saying, let’s honor what we’re a part of. Let’s honor the kingdom of God. And then the Apostle Paul says, if I come and visit you or if I’m away from you, I’ll hear good things about you. I’ll know that you stand together. Everybody say, “Stand together.” Stand together with the same purpose, and that you work together like a team to help others believe the good news.

Scripture refers to us in different ways. We’re called an army. We’re called a family. But every family isn’t teaming. You can be part of a family and not be a team. You can be part of a group and not be a team. I’m talking about something higher here.

If all you can think about is a sports team, you’re missing the point. This is higher. This is devotion. There’s a theology surrounding it that calls us out of isolation, out of ourselves, out of our own ways and preferences. It calls us to be a team. Why? Because if we’re going to do what God wants us to do in the earth, it takes a team. It can’t happen with one person.

Turn and tell somebody, “It takes a team.”

In the summer of 1936 at the Berlin Olympics, there were nine unlikely American athletes representing the United States in the men’s rowing competition. They were from the University of Washington, and they practiced just a few miles from where we are today. They weren’t favorites. They weren’t from an Ivy League school. They were sons of loggers, farmers, and shipbuilders.

When the starter horn sounded, they locked in. Eight oars. One rhythm. No talking. Every breath timed. Every stroke unified in perfect sync. They weren’t the biggest or the strongest, but they rowed like one perfectly synchronized machine. That’s why they brought home the gold medal.

That victory was the product of synchronized strength. If one rower’s paddle hits the water late, the boat can tilt, create drag, and slow down. But when everyone is synchronized, it’s not just physical strength—it’s strength in sync.

You’ve seen this when people move heavy furniture. Someone says, “On the count of three, lift.” One, two—sync. Strength in sync. What one person couldn’t move alone, now moves.

Turn and tell somebody, “Sync your strength.” Husbands and wives, say, “Sync your strength with mine.”

We all have strengths, but the call today is to sync your strength. Don’t isolate yourself with it. The call of God is to sync it.

Nothing of great value is achieved alone. We celebrate individual achievement, but when you look closer, every accomplishment came through teamwork. John Maxwell said that although we admire solo achievement, no lone individual has done anything of value. None of us can do on our own what we can do together.

I may be the one speaking today, but I’m standing on a platform built by a team. I’m using a microphone created by a team and run by a team. Screens, technology, the building—every part of this service exists because of a team.

Let me celebrate the teams at Champions Centre: church kids, youth, legacy giving, worship, connect, admin, safety and security, production, pastors, and many others. It takes a team.

We’re building a new building, not built by one person, but made possible by a team. Somebody say, “It takes a team.”

Henry Ford said, “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

There’s something sacred about teaming. Sacred means a divine power that has a transformative effect on lives and destinies. Scripture says where two or three gather in My name, I’m there. Why? Because something sacred happens when people come together in agreement.

Jesus said what God joins together, let no one separate—including you. God uses relationships to shape us. It takes a team to mold us into the image of God. On your own, you won’t mature.

Spiritual maturity moves from dependence, to independence, to interdependence. God uses people in your life to grow you.

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works prepared in advance for us—not me.

For you to experience God’s best, you must be teamable. Being teamable means having the right spirit, the right attitude, and the right heart. It’s not about you—it’s about the boat.

Here are some tips for teaming: be committed—wear the jersey. Call it my church. Be your best for the team. Be coachable and unoffendable. Earn trust. Encourage instead of criticize.

The best teams practice encouragement. Let’s be people who get better with time.

When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” He was inviting us onto His team. Join His mission. Choose Him.

If God is drawing you today, it’s time to choose. Lift your hand. Choose who you will serve.

Lord Jesus, I choose You. Be the Lord of my life. Forgive me. Walk with me. I give You my life. In Jesus’ name.

Let’s celebrate salvation.