Going it Alone

"Then Jesus went out from village to village, teaching.  And he called his twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two, with authority to cast out evil spirits"  Mark 6:6b-7 (NLT).

One is such a lonely number.  One man or woman can accomplish much if God is on his or her side, but there are dangers and pitfalls in being alone.

Jesus knew this and so he sent his disciples out in pairs to bring the good news to Israel.  He knew that when one person became discouraged, the other could lift his spirits.  When one was overwhelmed by evil forces that came against him, the other could join in the fight.  When one wasn't sure what to say, the other could help him out.  When one was tempted to sin, the other could put him back on the holy path.  When one might blunder, the other would intervene.

Many pastors quit and leave the ministry because they feel alone.  Many ministry leaders resign their positions because they feel unsupported or unappreciated.  Many small business owners throw in the towel because they alone carry the company on their back.  Widows and single parents struggle with loneliness that God never intended.

God did not design us to be loners.  He gave Eve to Adam, the disciples to Jesus, the church to Christians and the Holy Spirit to converts.  Even God himself is manifested in THREE persons - - father, son, and Holy Spirit.  The holy trinity is a team and all of us are created to be in that image.  This means that part of bearing God's image is learning to live and exist in the framework of teamwork and partnership.  God knows that for us to be successful in life we must learn not only to obey him, but love and work with others 

Teamwork is critical to the success of a company, business, or church.  Jesus began his ministry by choosing a team of twelve.  He trained them, lived out a holy example before them and then sent them to do what he had done.

If we are discouraged it can often be because we have no teammates or partners.  We are going it alone and our loneliness defies the very image of God who is triune.  Everything inside us screams for companionship - - for someone to help bear our burdens and share our triumphs.  Jesus knew this and so he sent his disciples out as teams.  A Christian without a team or at least a partner is a Christian who is weakened by his isolation.

Don't misunderstand.  Sometimes we must travel alone for a while.  Sometimes we have no choice.  A single mother; a grieving widow; a small business owner; an inmate in prison - - sometimes they must travel alone for a time.  And there are even those who have been gifted of God to remain single their whole lives through.  But even these men and women need partners - - friends in the cause of the gospel or in daily life.  So if we are wise, we will pray daily for God to send us a partner or a team to strengthen us and in turn strengthen them. 

Why do we think that gangs are so alluring and popular with some of our youth?  It is because everyone needs to belong somewhere.  It is unfortunate that Satan has come up with alternatives to the church, for the church is the greatest gang on earth!  Yes, Christians have their faults and can sometimes act sinfully toward one another.  But nonetheless, the local church is the team to which God wishes for every human to belong.  He wants us to partner with other followers of Christ to bring the good news to the world.  We simply can't do it alone.

In every successful church that I've ever observed it was led by a leader who brought people together to use their gifts for God.  Great leaders are team-builders.  They know that alone they can accomplish little, but with a team empowered by God, they can accomplish much.  This is also true for businesses, government, clubs, or sports.

Wilt Chamberlain was one of the greatest basketball players of all time.  He played for the Philadelphia 76ers.  He was so good that during his career he once scored 100 points in a singe game.  But his team as a whole was weak.  They depended too much on Wilt and not enough on themselves.  Consequently, Chamberlain lost far more championships than he won.  The reason is because one man does not make a team.  No one can win for long alone.

God knew this and that's why he gave us the church.  We need each other to make it through this life holding God's hand through thick and thin.  It's a tough world out there, and Satan is doing everything in his power to kill you dead.  He doesn't want you to succeed in living a holy life.  He doesn't want you spreading his word.  He doesn't want you to be loyal to God.  He doesn't want you to forgive others or make friends or forget your painful past.  He wants you to die and roast in hell.  It's as simple as that.  To accomplish this, he will do everything in his power to isolate you and make you feel alone.  He knows that if he can get you by yourself his chances of destroying you have gone up a hundred-fold!

So let me ask you: are you going it alone?  Are you isolated?  Do you belong anywhere?  Do you feel that you don't need anyone?  Let me challenge you to join God's team.  Okay, so maybe you've been hurt and have determined not to trust anyone ever again?  Let me assure you that God cares about your hurt, but he also knows that you need a partner to heal and a Godly team to find a purpose for your life again. 

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