How can we apply the teamwork seen in Ezekiel 27:9 to church projects? Seeing Teamwork in Ezekiel 27:9 “ ‘The elders of Gebal and her skilled men were within you, caulking your seams. Every ship and sailor of the sea came to you to barter for your merchandise.’ ” The Picture of Collaborative Excellence • Elders—seasoned leaders who supplied wisdom • Skilled men—craftsmen who handled the technical work • Ships and sailors—outside partners who stepped in at the right moment Together they kept Tyre’s massive fleet seaworthy. No single group could have managed the task alone. Why Teamwork Matters in Kingdom Work • God consistently uses a body, not lone heroes (1 Corinthians 12:14–20). • Joint effort preserves unity and displays love (John 13:34–35). • Shared labor multiplies results (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Lessons We Can Apply Today • Respect varying roles: leaders, planners, craftsmen, helpers. • Quality counts—“caulking the seams” points to careful, sometimes unseen work. • Outside collaboration is welcome when it advances the mission. • Constant activity—ships kept coming; momentum fuels ministry. Practical Steps for Church Projects 1. Clarify the goal together (Nehemiah 2:17–18). 2. Assign roles by gifting—administration, craftsmanship, hospitality, finance (Romans 12:6–8). 3. Set timelines with checkpoints—regular “seam-inspections.” 4. Invite outside expertise when needed: contractors, consultants, sister churches. 5. Communicate progress to the whole body; celebrate milestones publicly. 6. Provide tools and training so every volunteer can serve skillfully. 7. Pray and work side by side, refusing gossip or turf wars (Ephesians 4:3). Encouraging Every Member’s Giftings • “There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4) • Highlight testimonies of hidden-role servants. • Rotate younger believers into stretch assignments under mentors, as the elders of Gebal did for craftsmen. Guarding Unity and Purpose • “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel…standing firm in one spirit, contending together for the faith.” (Philippians 1:27) • Use conflict-resolution guidelines before tensions spread. • Keep Scripture central so personal preferences stay secondary. Celebrating the Completed Work Together When Nehemiah’s wall was finished, “all the nations…were greatly disheartened.” (Nehemiah 6:16). Afterward, Israel gathered for reading, worship, and joy (Nehemiah 8:12). Do likewise: • Host a dedication service. • Share stories of God’s provision. • Redirect freed-up energy to the next kingdom assignment. Following Ezekiel 27:9’s pattern—wisdom, skill, and partnership—turns any church project into a living testimony of the gospel at work among God’s people. |
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