To Be Happy, Learn to Collaborate

In 1 Corinthians 1:10 I read, “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.” (The Message)

Happiness isn’t a matter of luck; it’s a matter of learning. To live a happier life, I need to learn how to work well with others.

I call this the skill of collaboration. It’s an important skill not often taught in schools, but when learned, it can exponentially increase a person’s happiness.

What do I need to learn in order to work well with other people?

First, learn to cooperate with others. The church in Philippi sent a man named Epaphroditus to help Paul while he was in prison in Rome. Philippians 2:25 says, “I feel that I must send Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier—back to you. You sent him as your personal representative to help me in my need” (GW).

By calling Epaphroditus his brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, Paul was using three relational metaphors that represent teamwork. Life together is a family, a fellowship, and a fight. Epaphroditus was a team member. He didn’t shut himself off from the world and become a lone ranger.

As believers, we are in the same fight together against Satan, so we need to cooperate with one other—no matter how different we all are. The best place to learn how to do that is in the church.

Second, learn to be considerate. Paul mentioned Epaphroditus again in Philippians 2:26: “He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick” (GW).

Notice how Paul used two examples of consideration: Paul was considerate of his coworker’s homesickness, and Epaphroditus was considerate about the Philippians’ concern.

When I learn to be considerate of other people’s needs, fears, and doubts, I’ll be a happier person. For instance, if I am considerate of my spouse, I’ll have a happy marriage. But if I’m not thoughtful with my words and actions, I’ll have an unhappy marriage.

The Bible says, “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common” (1 Corinthians 1:10 The Message).

“Cultivating a life in common” takes work. Like a garden that requires cultivation to bear fruit, I’ll see how my effort bears the fruit of happiness and strong relationships.

In summary, happiness isn’t a matter of luck; it’s a matter of learning. Learning how to work well with others. This is the skill of collaboration. It’s an important skill not often taught in schools, but when learned, it can exponentially increase a person’s happiness. To learn to work well with others: First, learn to cooperate with others. Life together is a family, a fellowship, and a fight. Epaphroditus was a team member. He didn’t shut himself off from the world and become a lone ranger. We are in the same fight together against Satan, so we need to cooperate with one other—no matter how different we all are. The best place to learn how to do that is in the church. Second, learn to be considerate. Paul used two examples of consideration: Paul was considerate of his coworker’s homesickness, and Epaphroditus was considerate about the Philippians’ concern. When I learn to be considerate of other people’s needs, fears, and doubts, I’ll be happier. Scripture tells me to get along with others, I must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common”. This takes work. Like a garden that requires cultivation to bear fruit, I’ll see how my effort bears the fruit of happiness and strong relationships. 

Learning To Find Things in Common

In review of 1 Corinthians 1:10 this morning, I'm reminded that,  “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common” (The Message).

Like a frustrated coach watching his team bicker on the court, Paul called for a time-out. He saw the danger of divisions and arguments. The Corinthian believers' lack of unity was obvious. They may have been playing in the same "uniform" but they were doing as much as the opposition to bring about their own defeat. The problems weren't so much differences of opinion as divided allegiances. They were arguing over which position on the team was most important in a way that made them ineffective as a unit. They were on the field, but out of the game. Division works like brick walls and barbed-wire fences to undermine the effectiveness of the message that believers are to proclaim. I am to focus on my coach, Jesus Christ, and the purpose he has for me. Strive for harmony. Keep arguments about allegiances off of the team.

If I don’t work well with others, I’m going to spend much of life unhappy. So what needs to be learned in order to work with others?

First, learn to cooperate with others. The church in Philippi had sent a man named Epaphroditus to Rome with a gift of financial support for Paul while he was in prison. In Philippians 2:25 it says, “I feel that I must send Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier—back to you. You sent him as your personal representative to help me in my need” (GWT). By calling Epaphroditus his brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, Paul was describing life and ministry as a family, a fellowship, and a fight. As a believer, I’m in the same fight together against Satan, and we need to support each other. The best place to learn how to cooperate with others is in the church.

Second, learn to be considerate. Paul speaks again of Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:26 when he says, “He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick” (GW). This verse includes two examples of consideration. Paul is considerate of his coworker’s homesickness, and Epaphroditus is considerate of the Philippians’ concern. The more I’m considerate of other people’s needs, doubts, and fears, the happier I’ll be. If I’m inconsiderate, I’m going to have an unhappy marriage or friendship or work environment.

“Cultivating a life in common” takes work. Like a garden that requires cultivation to bear fruit, my efforts will bear the fruit of happiness and strong relationships.

In summary, I need to get along with others. I must learn to be considerate, cultivating a life in common. Division works like brick walls and barbed-wire fences to undermine the effectiveness of the message that I am to proclaim. I am to focus on my coach, Jesus Christ, and the purpose he has for me. I need to strive for harmony and keep arguments off of the team. To work with others, first I need to learn to cooperate. I need to support others. Secondly, I need to learn to be considerate. Considerate of others needs, doubts, and fears. Cultivating a life in common will take work. My efforts will bear the fruit of happiness and strong relationships.

Seems the best way to get along with others is to find things in common and use those to help cultivate cooperation and unity. As I think about my work environment, while we want to build a culture that is open and providing value, I find that trust has been lost. There is way too many needs / demands / pressures and to do things quickly and changing priorities without regard to relationship building. It makes the team apprehensive and able to trust what is being asked. 

This morning Father I thank you for the reminder about unity, consideration and cultivating a life in common. I pray this morning Father for your Spirit to remind me of these things today. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my decisions and my interactions with others. These things I ask in your Son Jesus Name, Amen.

Working With Others, I Can Accomplish More

In review of Ephesians 2:10 it says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV).

Bottom Line:

We are created by God, through Jesus to do good things that God prepared for us to do.

What this means to me:

I am God’s handiwork. He created me in Christ Jesus to do good things that he has planned in advance for me to accomplish.

In Ephesians 8-10, Paul's helps me realize my true identity in Christ. He tells me that God saved me by God’s own grace when I first believed. There is no way I can take credit for this; it is strictly a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things I do or have done, so I can not boast about it. For I am God's true masterpiece. He created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things he had in mind for me to do, long ago.

When someone gives me a gift, I don't respond with, "that's nice, how much do I owe you?" No, an appropriate response to a gift is “Thank You." Yet at times, even after being given a gift of salvation, I still feel obligated to try to work my way to God. But because my salvation and even my faith are gifts, I should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy.

I become saved through God's unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on my part. Out of gratitude for his free gift, my goal is to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not as something to merely to please myself. While no action or work I do can help me obtain salvation, God's intention is that my salvation will result in acts of service. I am not saved merely from my own benefit but serve Christ and build up the church.

I am God's masterpiece (work of art, workmanship). My salvation is something only God can do. It is his powerful, creative work in me. If God considers me his masterpiece, I do not dare treat myself or others with disrespect or as inferior work.

God put me here on Earth to do a certain work that only I can do. Ephesians says that God created me to do good works and that he planned in advance what I would spend my life doing. However, he didn’t plan for me to do this work alone. I need to work with others to accomplish it.

There is a feeling I get when I do too much work on my own. I get exhausted and burned out. Why? Because I’m trying to do my work alone, while God never meant for it to be that way.

I’m reminded In this verse from Ecclesiastes 4:9, that God tells me, “Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together” (NCV). When I work as a team, I’ll get so much more done. Plus, having good teammates alongside me is a whole lot more fun and less tiring!

Picture it this way: Each of us is like a snowflake. On our own, we can’t make a big difference. However, when one fragile snowflake sticks with a lot of other snowflakes, they can stop traffic. Like snowflakes, we can make a big difference if we work together, each one of us simply doing our small part.

When I work together here on Earth, I’m actually practicing for eternity? In Heaven, we will all have to work, but each of us will have just a small piece of work, so we’ll never get overloaded or tired. Though no one will carry a heavy burden as each one of us does our small part, all the work will still get done.

As I walk through life, I need to remember that I’m not supposed to do everything on my own. I need others to walk alongside me, and others also need me. As I share the burdens of my work with fellow Christians, I’ll find that I actually accomplish more for the glory of God.

Today, I’m also reminded that this also goes for work. I’m trying to do a lot more on my own. I really need others from the team to be engaged and help me accomplish what needs to be done.

Sticking Together With Other Believers

In review of Matthew 12:25-26 it says, “Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.”

Bottom Line:

Jesus knows our thoughts and our heart. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

What this means to me:

Jesus knows my thoughts and my heart. If I’m not working with Him, them I’m working against Him. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Today's passage comes from Matthew 12. In it the Pharisees in hearing about Jesus' miracle of healing a demon-possessed man, who could not speak or see, explained it by saying that Jesus was getting his power from Satan, the prince of demons." However Jesus knew their thoughts and told them that if Satan is casting out Satan, then he is divided and fighting against himself. His kingdom will not survive. However if He (Jesus) was casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. Anyone who isn't with Jesus opposes Him, and anyone who isn't working with Jesus is actually working against him.

When Jesus came to earth, He gave up complete and unlimited use of his supernatural abilities. But he still had profound insight into human nature. His discernment stopped the religious leaders' attempts to trick him. The resurrected Christ knows all of my thought. Given this, I can be comforted because he knows what we really mean when we speak to him. It can be threatening because we cannot hide from him, and he knows any selfish motives.

A house divided against itself cannot stand. Loyalty is the key to church survival and growth. I must stick together with other Christians, refusing to be intimidated by the world, the flesh, and the enemy.

God’s law supersedes man’s law. I need to resist doing or saying anything that is contrary to the Word of God. God see’s my predicament. He will guide and protect me, drawing me to the exact place I need to be at the appointed date and time.

I should always surround myself with loyal, God-fearing friends. This way we can lift each other up in times of trouble and bear each other’s burden. As we gather, he will be there in our midst. In God’s presence, love abounds.

Relationships Go Better When We Find Things In Common

In review of 1 Corinthians 1:10 it says, “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.”

Bottom Line:

We must strive to get along with and be considerate of each other avoiding divisions or taking sides. Work to cultivate a life in common.

What this means to me:

I am to strive to always get along, be considerate and live in harmony with others. I am to avoid divisions, especially in the Church. Paul encourages me to work on being of one mind, united in thought and in in purpose.

In today's passage from 1 Corinthians 1, Paul writes about Divisions in the Church. He starts by appealing to each of us, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the the Church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Paul spoke this because he had heard of quarrels where some are saying, I'm a follower of Paul, others Apollos, others Peter. or that they only follow Christ. Paul points out that Christ has not been divided into factions, nor has anyone been baptized in the name of one of us. Christ has sent he (Paul) to not baptize but rather preach the Good News, and not with clever speech as to distract away from the Cross of Christ.

Conformity, compromise and working well with others seems to be one skill that isn’t really reflected in our culture or taught in our schools. However, it’s a very important skills to learn especially if we are going to be a happy and joyful person. Quite the opposite, being uncooperative with others, leads to unhappiness.

In order to work with other people I must learn to:

First, learn to cooperate with others. Epaphroditus was a man that the church in Philippi sent to Rome with a gift of financial support for Paul while he was in prison. Philippians 2:25 says, “I feel that I must send Epaphroditus — my brother, co worker, and fellow soldier — back to you. You sent him as your personal representative to help me in my need” (GWT). By calling Epaphroditus his brother, co worker, and fellow soldier, Paul was saying that life and ministry is a family, it’s a fellowship, and it’s a fight.

The church is the family of God. I am a brother with the people I minister to and worship with, and we should treat them as such. It’s also a fellowship, where I work and serve together with a common goal, the Great Commission. In addition, I’m in the same fight as others against Satan, and I need to support and to support others. I need to defend and encourage others. The “best” place to learn how to cooperate with others is in the church.

Secondly, I need to learn to be considerate. Paul is speaking of Epaphroditus again in Philippians 2:26 when he says, “He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick.” There are two examples of consideration. Paul is considerate of his co-worker’s homesickness, and Epaphroditus is considerate about the Philippians’ concern. The more considerate I learn to be of other people’s needs, doubts, and fears, the happier I’ll be.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common” (MSG).

By nature I am not a considerate person, because I tend to think of myself first and not the needs of others. “Cultivating a life in common” takes work, and learning to get along and work well with others takes practice. Like a garden that requires cultivation to bear fruit, you’ll see how your effort bears the fruit of happiness and strong relationships.

In summary, I am to strive to always get along, be considerate and live in harmony with those around me. I am to avoid divisions, especially as it relates to my Church family. Paul encourages me to work on being of one mind, united in thought and in in purpose.

Learning To Cultivate a Life in Common

In review of 1 Corinthians 1:10 it says, “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.”

Bottom Line:

Get along with each other. Learn to be considerate of each other, be of one thought and one purpose.

What this means to me:

I am to get along, agree and be in harmony with my fellow Christians, allowing no division or splits to take place. I am to be considerate and help cultivate a life in common, in which we are all of the same mind, completely united in our thoughts and purposes. Working well with others is not something that is taught very often. However, It is one of the most important skills to learn on the road to being happy. If I don’t work well with other people, I’m going to be unhappy much of my life. What I need to remember about learning to work with others is:. I must learn to cooperate with others. Epaphroditus was a man that the church in Philippi sent to Rome with a gift of financial support for Paul while he was in prison. Philippians 2:25 says, “I feel that I must send Epaphroditus — my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier — back to you. You sent him as your personal representative to help me in my need” (GWT). By calling Epaphroditus his brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, Paul was saying that life and ministry is a family, it’s a fellowship, and it’s a fight. The church is the family of God. I am brothers and sisters with the people I minister and worship with, and I should treat them as such. It’s also a fellowship, where I work and serve together with a common goal — the Great Commission. I’m also in the same fight with them against Satan, and we need to support and encourage each other. The best place to learn how to cooperate with others is in the church.. Next, I need to learn to be considerate. Paul is speaking of Epaphroditus again in Philippians 2:26 when he says, “He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick.” Notice there are two examples of consideration. Paul is considerate of his co-worker’s homesickness, and Epaphroditus is considerate about the Philippians’ concern. This is a key to happiness! The more considerate I learn to be of other people’s needs, doubts, and fears, the happier I’ll be. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common” (MSG).By nature its not easy being a considerate person. I tend to think of myself first and not the needs of others. “Cultivating a life in common” takes work, and learning to get along and work well with others will take practice. Like a garden that requires cultivation to bear fruit, I’ll see how my effort bears the fruit of happiness and strong relationships.