Growing in Our Service to Jesus
It
was to the church in Philippi that we find some of the most
heart-wrenching words written from a pastor's heart. Paul the apostle,
sitting in a Roman prison, hindered from visiting the church in Philippi
himself, jotted a note to the church and wrote, "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. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:19-21, NKJV).
When
looking for someone to care for the church, as Paul carefully and
prayerfully considered those closest to him, only Timothy sought the
Lord first alongside of him. Everyone else he could think of wanted
their own things, selfishly. Isn't that sad? Nothing halts the joyful
progress of the gospel more than those who selfishly serve, not seeking
the things which are of Jesus.
As
God raises you up to serve in your local congregation (Psalm 75:7),
unity and like-mindedness with Jesus and your spiritual leadership is
vital. If not, fruitfulness will be withheld from heaven if you choose
to serve with your own agenda, in opposition to the flow of ministry in
that particular fellowship, under the careful oversight of your
spiritual leadership.
Please
be careful here; some people think that like-mindedness means a loss of
personal identity or a faltering attempt at conformity. Others may
think they should submit to their leadership even when there is sin
present - but that's not it at all. There is great diversity in every
church and the true beauty of His Body is how God works all of our
gifts, talents, and personalities together for His higher good.
Additionally, God never encourages submission to sin, especially sin
within spiritual leaders. No, like-mindedness is the sweet fragrance of
unity that is shared among men and women whom God has knit together by
the love of Jesus.
The
word used in the New Testament for like-minded is "phroneo" and
depending on the context used, it means to have an understanding, to be
wise, to feel and think along similar lines. Amos the prophet put it
this way, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3, 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, fulfill 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" (Philippians 2:1-4, NKJV).
Serving
Jesus within your local church requires a lot of prayer and seeking out
the unique reason God has placed you in His service. If you choose to
do your own thing - your own way - apart from the unity given to us by
His Spirit (Ephesians 4:3),
it will be a long, hard, and frustrating road of ministry for you and
your church's leadership. However, if your heart resonates with the
heart of Jesus, with the heart of your pastor, with the heart of your
overseers, and with the heart of your fellow servants, oh what a
difference you'll make for the Kingdom of God. Pray for like-mindedness
with your pastors and leaders - that's a prayer God will surely answer!
"I
do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me
through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me,
and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may
believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given
them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me;
that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that
You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me" (John
17:20-23, NKJV).
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