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 was very confident in sending Timothy to the church in Philippi because Timothy was like-minded with him. He knew that Timothy would represent him well and fulfil the task given. It was a trusted partnership. Timothy had the same love, care and passion for the church in Philippi. Because Timothy was Paul’s travel companion on the mission trip, he knew Paul’s concerns, passion, ministry direction, ministry priorities and how things should be done. Of course, it was first and foremost their love and passion for their Saviour Jesus Christ that bound them together.
Philippians 2:2 (NKJV) fulfil my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
It brings tremendous joy to pastors when there are like-minded people with them. It makes the work of the ministry easier, because dealing with people can be very emotionally draining but unfortunately the pastoral ministry is about 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. That’s why the Apostle Paul asked the Philippians to fulfil his joy by adopting the attitudes of being like-minded, one accord, same love and one mind because it is important to be like-minded with the pastor that you serve with to fulfil the mandate of the church.
God will communicate His plan to His under-shepherds who will share their hearts with the congregation so they can be like-minded. If this like-mindedness with the pastor is settled, everything in the church ministry will be easy, smooth, and aligned. This like-mindedness is especially important for board members, cluster leaders, cell group leaders and staff because they are helping the pastor at all levels of leadership. They should emphasise, communicate, and reinforce the vision of the church to both old and new members.
You can be a blessing to ICS just as Timothy was to Paul by being like-minded with regards to pastoral care. ICS is a cell church. All the pastoral and koinonia (deep fellowship with God and fellow believers) happen in the cell groups. We stress the importance of discussing the Sunday sermon so that everyone regardless of their spiritual maturity can participate in the discussion and practise the truth. Cell groups exist for evangelism as well as for koinonia. When cell group leaders are like-minded with the pastor, they will think and minister to the people in the same manner just like Timothy in relation to Paul. Being of one mind is the inner desire to conduct oneself in a cooperative manner, be on the same team, go for the same objectives, for the benefit of one another. The one mind or one goal is to preach the Gospel and to make Jesus known.
Sermon Series：ServeFest 2023 February
志同道合的人
腓立比书2：19-20 我靠主耶稣指望快打发提摩太去见你们、叫我知道你们的事、心里就得着安慰。因为我没有别人与我同心、实在挂念你们的事。
使徒保罗非常有信心地派遣提摩太去腓立比教会，因为提摩太与他志同道合。他知道提摩太会很好地代表他，并完成所赋予的任务。这是一个可信赖的合作伙伴关系。提摩太对腓立比教会怀有同样的爱、关心和激情。因为提摩太是保罗在传道旅程中的同行，他了解保罗的关切、激情、事工方向、事工重点以及应该如何做事。当然，首先和最重要的是，他们对救主耶稣基督的爱和激情将他们紧密联系在一起。
腓立比书2：2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。
当有志同道合的人与牧师同在时，牧师会感到无比的喜悦。这使事工工作变得更容易，因为与人打交道可能非常消耗情感，但不幸的是，牧师的事奉工作就是与人打交道。与事奉的喜乐相反的是，由于纷争和分裂给神的仆人带来的痛苦、伤害和悲伤。这就是为什么使徒保罗要求腓立比教会以志同道合、同心合意、同样的爱心和心思意念来成就他的喜乐，因为为了完成教会的使命，与你一同事奉的牧师志同道合是重要的。
神会向祂的牧养者传达祂的计划，他们将与会众分享他们的心意，以便他们能够志同道合。如果与牧师的志同道合得到解决，教会事工中的一切将会变得容易、顺利和协调。对于董事会成员、区域负责人、小组领袖和工作人员来说，这种志同道合尤为重要，因为他们在各个领导层面上都在帮助牧师。他们应该强调、沟通和强化教会的异象，无论是对老会员还是新会员。
你可以像提摩太对保罗一样，通过在牧养关怀方面与ICS志同道合，成为ICS的祝福。ICS是一个细胞小组教会。所有的牧养和同伴关系都在小组中发生。我们强调讨论主日讲道的重要性，以便每个人都能参与讨论和实践真理，无论他们的属灵成熟度如何。小组存在于传福音和同伴关系的目的。当小组领袖与牧师志同道合时，他们将以与保罗和提摩太类似的方式思考和服事人们。同心合一是一种内在的渴望，以合作的方式行事，成为同一团队，追求相同的目标，为了互相的利益。这一个心思或一个目标就是传福音，让耶稣被大家认识。
讲章系列：服事招募节 – 一心一意，彼此团结
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