James 2:2-4 (KNJV) “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
The church in Philippi was more concerned with personal prestige and selfish ambition than with fostering unity among the congregation. Being exclusive, biased against the rich and poor, racist, and focused on our own needs is not love, certainly not the same kind of love that Christ has for us. We are to have the same love for one another, just as Christ loves us unconditionally. When we love others as Christ loves us, there is no room for wrong attitudes, spiritual pride, or elitism; nor should we be concerned about the different strata of society within the church or nationalities, because we are all in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s love is poured out from our hearts to the people around us. Therefore, we should all have the same love in our hearts for the Lord.
God dislikes disunity, rebellion, and strife. It takes effort, dying to self, and choosing to align with the church by making her our priority, so that we can be in one accord. Unity does not come about automatically and requires us to be intentional about it. When we are united in spirit, there is an absence of individualism or selfish ambition. Unity and oneness in the body usher in God’s manifested presence in a church.
2 Chronicles 5:13a (NKJV) indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord,
It takes many musicians to create a unique sound, as they are known for their individuality. Therefore, these trumpeters and singers were united, producing one sound, which was a sign of being in one accord to glorify God! It wasn’t about them anymore, but all about God. He is the only audience in worship. We can do likewise. We sing to the audience of one.
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. No pastor can fulfil the calling of building the local church alone. They need partners just like Paul, who was in partnership with the church in Philippi. The church will not be effective and efficient in carrying out her calling unless the congregation is of one accord, with the same love, being like-minded with the pastor and focused on the same goal of preaching the gospel.
Sermon Series：Unity in Diversity (ServeFest 2025)
同心合意，一心一志
雅各书2:2-4 “如果有一个手戴金戒指、衣着华丽的人进入你们的会堂，同时有一个衣衫褴褛的穷人也进来，你们却看重那穿华丽衣服的人，对他说：‘请坐在这好位上’，又对那穷人说：‘你站在那里’，或‘坐在我的脚凳旁’，这难道不是你们中间存着偏心，用恶意评判人吗？”
腓立比教会曾过分关注个人地位和私欲，而非会众间的合一。排斥他人、对贫富有偏见、种族歧视或只顾自己的需要，都不是爱，更不是基督对我们的爱。我们当以基督那无条件的大爱彼此相爱。当我们如此行时，便容不下错误的姿态、属灵的骄傲或优越感；也不该在意教会中不同的社会阶层或国籍背景，因为我们在基督里都是一体的。圣灵将神的爱浇灌在我们心里，使我们能爱周围的人。因此，我们心中都当存着对主同样的爱。
神不喜悦分裂、悖逆和纷争。合一需要付上代价——舍己，并选择以教会为重，优先顺服，才能同心合意。合一不会自然发生，我们必须刻意追求。当我们在灵里合一时，便不再有个人的野心或私欲。教会的同心合一能带来神同在的明证。
历代志下5:13a 吹号的、歌唱的都一齐发声，声合为一，赞美感谢耶和华。
众多乐手共同奏出独特的声音，尽管他们各有特色，但这些吹号者和歌唱者却能同心发声，归荣耀于神！这不再关乎他们自己，而是单单为神。祂是敬拜中唯一的观众。我们同样可以如此，只为那一位而歌唱。
“一心一志”是内在的渴望，愿意彼此配搭，同属一个团队，追求共同的目标，互相造就。没有牧师能独自完成建造地方教会的呼召，他们需要同工，正如保罗与腓立比教会同心服事。除非会众同心合意，存同样的爱，与牧师同心，并专注于传福音的同一目标，否则教会无法高效地完成她的使命。
讲章系列：ServeFest 2025——在多元中合一
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