WHOSE TEAM ARE YOU ON? By Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
The question that resounds today is this: Whose team are you on? Every believer must choose daily whether they are on God's side or aligned with the ways of the world. The battle between righteousness and wickedness is evident, and the Lord is calling His people to a steadfast commitment. The world is full of enticements and distractions that can easily lure an individual away from the truth. The choice is clear—either follow God wholeheartedly or be ensnared by the deceit of the enemy. In this sermon, we will examine the importance of loyalty to God's team, the dangers of double-mindedness, and the rewards of faithfulness.
________________________________________
THE DANGER OF DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS
James 1:8 - "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."
When people waver between God's way and the world's way, they disqualify themselves from being fully committed to the Lord. The Bible warns against double-mindedness because it leads to instability, compromise, and ultimately, destruction. Lot’s wife serves as an example of someone who failed to fully commit to God’s team—her longing for the world caused her downfall.
________________________________________
TOTAL COMMITMENT TO GOD'S TEAM
Luke 9:23 - "Then He said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"
Jesus made it clear that following Him requires forsaking all else. Those who desire to be on God's team must abandon personal agendas, worldly desires, and self-centered ambitions. Joshua demonstrated this unwavering commitment when he boldly declared that he and his household would serve the Lord. In the same way, believers today must stand firm and declare their allegiance to God.
________________________________________
THE SNARE OF SELF-LOVE AND WORLDLY ENTICEMENTS
2 Timothy 3:2-4 - "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."
One of the biggest enemies of true commitment is self-love. The modern world is filled with people prioritizing personal gain, pleasure, and self-fulfillment over obedience to God. This selfishness leads to spiritual blindness and destruction. When people prioritize themselves over God, they fall into deception, making them easy targets for the enemy.
________________________________________
FOLLOWING THE RIGHT EXAMPLES
Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Jesus set the ultimate example of obedience and loyalty to God's team. He never strayed from His mission and remained faithful until the end. Joshua also exemplified steadfast faith, leading God's people with courage and determination. If we are to be victorious, we must walk in their steps, refusing to compromise or be swayed by the world.
________________________________________
SUMMARY
Every believer must answer the question: Whose team are you on? The choice between following God and following the world has eternal consequences. Double-mindedness, self-love, and worldly enticements lead to destruction, but steadfast faithfulness to God brings victory and eternal life.
________________________________________
CONCLUSION
God is seeking people who will fully commit to Him. Like Joshua, we must declare our allegiance to the Lord and stand firm against the temptations of the world. Jesus has shown us the way, and it is our responsibility to follow Him wholeheartedly.
________________________________________
THE CALL TO ACTION
Make a conscious decision today to be on God's team. Forsake anything that pulls you away from Him and commit to walking in obedience. Choose righteousness over compromise, faith over fear, and truth over deception.
________________________________________
FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Be encouraged that God rewards those who remain faithful to Him. Stay steadfast, remain in His Word, and trust that He will guide you to victory.
________________________________________
SALVATION PRAYER
If you have not yet made the decision to be on God's team, you can do so today by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of Your grace. I believe that You died for my sins and rose again for my salvation. Today, I surrender my life to You and declare that You are my Lord and Savior. Cleanse me, renew me, and help me walk in Your ways. I choose to be on Your team forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
