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. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
The Apostle Paul wrote many epistles from prison, which contain important teachings and instructions to the churches that he had planted. They are still relevant to the church today. Paul’s love for the church parallels Christ’s love for the church. A church is a body of believers who congregate to worship the living God. This epistle was addressing some divisions and discords found in the church of Philippi. It is never an easy thing dealing with issues in church and having to make difficult decisions.
Members of the church of Philippi were apparently causing discords by their attitudes and actions. They were more concerned about their personal prestige and selfish ambitions and were drawing members away rather than bringing unity in the local church! They were highly opinionated without reason or basis and had an attitude just about everything. Some thought that they were more superior than others and they were not able to work in harmony. There was spiritual pride amongst them. Pride is the opposite of humility; it is very subtle and begins with murmuring about the style, teaching, practices, and at times even the different strata of people in the congregation, but it will destroy the church if it is not managed well.
It is unfortunate that the church is very familiar with disunity. Although many of the mainstream denominations were birthed out of a revival, many were also branched out due to church splits. It is never a good feeling when you know that the church that you are planted in is divided. Nobody wins in a divided church except the enemy, and that is precisely what he wants because the devil wants the church to be in strife, divided and ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Nothing much can be achieved when a church is divided because she will lose her witness and effectiveness in the city.
If you have decided to worship at ICS, that is your home church. It is a place where you worship God on a weekly basis, serve Him and make Him known through this body of believers. We are a church that is blessed to bless the community and the nation.
Sermon Series: ServeFest 2023 February
合一的主张
腓立比书2：1-4所 以 ， 在 基 督 里 若 有 甚 麽 劝 勉 ， 爱 心 有 甚 麽 安 慰 ， 圣 灵 有 甚 麽 交 通 ， 心 中 有 甚 麽 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 。 凡 事 不 可 结 党 ， 不 可 贪 图 虚 浮 的 荣 耀 ； 只 要 存 心 谦 卑 ， 各 人 看 别 人 比 自 己 强 。 各 人 不 要 单 顾 自 己 的 事 ， 也 要 顾 别 人 的 事 。
使徒保罗在监狱中写了许多书信。为他所植堂的教会给出了重要的教导及指示。这些教导对今日的教会依旧适用。保罗对教会的爱好比基督耶稣对教会的爱。教会是众多信徒聚集、一起来敬拜永活真神的肢体。腓利比书是写给正遭逢分歧和冲突的腓利比教会的。处理教会中的问题从来都不容易，做决策更是艰难。
显然的，腓利比教会的会友因其态度和行为导致了不和。他们非但没有促进当地教会的合一，反而一心只顾自己的声望和自私的野心，从而导致人心涣散！他们各持强烈的己见。虽然缺乏正当的理由却事事都有各自的想法和争端。有些人自认比他人高一等，不能和谐地在一起共事，他们当中有人属灵骄傲。骄傲与谦卑不能并存。起初这种纷争并不明显，也许是对某些偏好、教导、工作开展的一些闲言，有时是对会众中不同阶层人士的看法。假设没好好地处理（管理），这些将毁坏教会。
不幸的是，“不合一”对于教会并不是什么新鲜事物。虽然许多主流教派都诞生于复兴，却也有许多是由于教会分裂而自立宗派。当你得知自己亲手植堂的教会被分裂时，心里总不会好受；教会分裂，两败俱伤，唯有仇敌得逞。正中魔鬼下怀。牠巴不得教会纷争和分裂，无法为神的国度发挥效力。当教会分裂时，便基本上一事无成，因为他将失去在那座城里的见证和果效。
倘若你已决定在ICS敬拜，那ICS就是你的本地教会。这里是你每个主日敬拜、事奉上帝的地方，且要藉着这信徒的肢体传扬祂的名。我们是一个因蒙福而去祝福社区和万国的教会。
讲章系列：服事招募节 – 一心一意，彼此团结
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