Philippians 2:19-20 (NKJV) But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.
The Apostle Paul believed that churches require strong spiritual leadership. He understood that he could not fulfil his calling alone, and he needed people to work with him. While Paul was under house arrest, he sent Timothy to care for the needs of the church in Philippi and to know the state of the church. Paul was confident in sending Timothy because Timothy shared his like-mindedness.
Being of one mind is the inner desire to conduct oneself cooperatively, to be on the same team, to go for the same objectives, for the benefit of one another. Paul knew that Timothy would represent him well and fulfil the task. The two of them had a trusted partnership. Timothy had the same love, care, and passion for the church in Philippi; he was Paul’s travelling companion on the mission trip; he knew Paul’s concerns, passions, ministry direction, priorities, and how things should be done. Most importantly, it was their love and passion for their Saviour Jesus Christ that bound them together.
Philippians 2:1-4 (NKJV) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfil my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Likewise, it brings tremendous joy to the pastor when there are like-minded people with them. It makes the work of the ministry easier. Pastoral ministry is about people, but it can be emotionally demanding to deal with people. The opposite of having joy in the ministry is pain, hurt, and sorrow that is brought to the minister of God because of strife and division, or church members undermining the pastor’s leadership and decisions. This is why Paul urged the church in Philippi to fulfil his joy by being like-minded, of one accord, with the same love, and with one mind.
No pastor can fulfil the calling of building the local church alone. He needs partners just like Paul. The church will not be effective and efficient in carrying out her calling unless the congregation is of one accord, has the same love, is like-minded with the pastor, and focuses on the same goal of preaching the gospel. God will communicate His plan to His under-shepherd—the local church pastor. When church leaders share the pastor’s vision, they will think and minister to the people in the same way, just as Timothy did for Paul when Paul sent him to the church in Philippi.
Sermon Series：Unity in Diversity (ServeFest 2025)
同心合意的力量
腓立比书 2:19-20 我靠主耶稣指望快打发提摩太去见你们，好知道你们的情况，心里就得着安慰。因为我没有别人与我同心，真正关心你们的事。
使徒保罗深知教会需要坚强的属灵领袖。他明白自己无法独自完成神的托付，需要同工并肩作战。当保罗被软禁时，他差遣提摩太前往腓立比教会，既了解教会光景，也供应信徒需要。保罗之所以放心差遣提摩太，正因为二人同心。
“同心”意味着内心渴望以协作的态度行事，如同属灵伙伴追求共同目标，彼此造就。保罗确信提摩太能完美代表自己完成任务，这份信任源于他们深厚的同工情谊。提摩太对腓立比教会怀着与保罗相同的爱、关怀与热忱——他不仅是保罗宣教旅程的同伴，更深知保罗的关切、异象、事工方向与优先次序。最重要的是，对救主基督共同的爱将他们紧紧联结。
腓立比书 2:1-4 所以，在基督里若有什么劝勉，爱心有什么安慰，圣灵有什么交通，心中有什么慈悲怜悯，你们就要意念相同，爱心相同，有一样的心思，有一样的意念，使我的喜乐可以满足。
同样，当牧者身边出现同心同德的同工时，必会带来莫大欣慰。这使圣工得以轻省开展。牧养事工本质是与人同工，但处理人际关系常需付出情感代价。若会众结党纷争、质疑牧者领导，带给神仆人的就不是喜乐而是伤痛。正因如此，保罗才恳切劝勉腓立比教会要”意念相同、爱心相同、一心一意”来满足他的喜乐。
没有任何牧者能独自完成建造地方教会的使命。如同保罗需要提摩太，牧者也需要属灵伙伴。唯有当会众与牧者同心合意、爱心相同、专注传福音的异象时，教会才能有效践行大使命。神必将祂的蓝图启示给群羊的牧者——地方教会的牧师。当教会领袖与牧者共享异象时，他们就能像提摩太对待保罗那样，以相同的心志牧养群羊。
讲章系列：ServeFest 2025——在多元中合一
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