Teamwork—a cooperative effort by a group or team. Notice the word cooperative. That means working together, cooperating, having a common goal. As followers of Christ we have the best of all common interests—our relationship with Jesus! As we conclude this sermon series (but not the emphasis), think about how you will partner with others to be better equipped to serve our Lord. As we work together in this common cause we will bring light into darkness, flavor to blandness and life to a place tainted by death. Let’s allow God to use us to bring life to our city and community!
The following story illustrates the principle of life that comes from teamwork. It is our distinct privilege and responsibility to bring spiritual life as we work together to serve God. Think about how God can use you to accomplish this.
Every year in Alaska, a 1000-mile dogsled race, a run for prize money and prestige, commemorates an original "race" run to save lives. Back in January of 1926, six-year-old Richard Stanley showed symptoms of diphtheria, signaling the possibility of an outbreak in the small town of Nome. When the boy passed away a day later, Dr. Curtis Welch began immunizing children and adults with an experimental but effective anti-dipheheria serum. But it wasn't long before Dr. Welch's supply ran out, and the nearest serum was in Nenana, Alaska--1000 miles of frozen wilderness away. Amazingly, a group of trappers and prospectors volunteered to cover the distance with their dog teams! Operating in relays from trading post to trapping station and beyond, one sled started out from Nome while another, carrying the serum, started from Nenana. Oblivious to frostbite, fatigue, and exhaustion, the teamsters mushed relentlessly until, after 144 hours in minus 50-degree winds, the serum was delivered to Nome. As a result, only one other life was lost to the potential epidemic. Their sacrifice had given an entire town the gift of life.
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