REFLECTIONS ON THE SUNDAY SERMON
Speaker: Dr. Todd Bezilla
MAKING THE TEAM!
By Linda Cobourn, EdD
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Ephesians 2:8
Chosen last.
Again. Story of my life.
I jogged to the outfield on the school baseball diamond, shielding my eyes from the sun. It wasn’t my fault that my vision issues and asthma kept me from being a star athlete.
I stood way out past the action, watching blurry images of my classmates swinging the bat and running bases. I reminded myself I had other gifts. I was a good student. I was creative. I loved to write stories. I’d even won a poetry contest.
Still, no one ever chose me for their team.
I was never much of an athlete but I got over all that when I found a team I could finally join. No running. No squinting into the sun. I became a member of God’s team.
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
— John 5:24
Being on God’s team doesn’t require athletic prowess or knowledge of game rules. There are only two qualifications:
- Hear the Word of God.
- Believe in Jesus.
That’s it.
All gifts are needed by God.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Paul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Paul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
— Acts 11:25–26
Paul was a tentmaker. Barnabas was a priest. Others on Team Jesus included fishermen, tax collectors, politicians, and business owners. They all had different trades, personalities, and abilities—but every one of them had a part to play.
God gave each of us a unique gift. It doesn’t matter what that gift is; it only matters that we use it for Him.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
— Colossians 3:23
I became a teacher. But as Dr. Todd reminded us on Sunday, the roster of spiritual gifts is wide and deep: administration, apostle, art, discernment, exhortation, faith, giving, hospitality, knowledge, leadership, music, mercy, prophecy, shepherding, and wisdom.
You don’t have to be in the pulpit or on a church committee to serve. God uses teachers, caregivers, greeters, janitors, technicians, prayer warriors, and lunch-makers. It doesn’t matter how visible the job is—it matters that it’s done in faith.
Salvation is God’s free gift, not something we earn. But our response to that gift? That’s where our service begins.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
— James 2:17
So don’t just sit on the bench. Suit up, show up, and step into your place on God’s team
Takeaway
You are already chosen—by grace, through faith. Now, live like it. God’s team has a role that only you can fill.
A Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for choosing us—not for what we can do, but because of Your great love. Help us to listen for Your call and use our gifts for Your glory. Whether we serve in quiet corners or on center stage, let us remember we are part of Your team. Keep us faithful, humble, and ready to play our part. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
