Young People's Group

THE CHALLENGE TO BE ONE

by Pastor Mitch
October 26, 2014

The Strong Appeal To Have Oneness

Having oneness is not as easy as it seems. The Philippian Church had a deep sense of love for the apostle Paul, and he loved them deeply as well. It would seem that they would also have this special love for each other. On the contrary, some of the Philippians had problems and difficulties in relating to each other. Paul made a strong appeal to them to seek to constantly be one.

“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 …” 
Philippians 2:1-2

The focus of this verse is on the experiences of spiritual blessings that we have in the Lord. There would be the experience of the reality of God, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our life. Paul wrote of how there would be the encouragement that is found in the sphere and influence of the Lord Jesus. Comfort would also come through experience of God’s love shown to us. There would also be the fellowship that we can have with each other that comes through the Spirit. Last but not least, there would also be the experience of affection and mercy from God. Paul strongly appealed to the reality of these experiences as the motivation to be one. He also made a personal appeal for the church to do so. There is no greater joy than to see the Church coming together as one.

The Cultivation Of Oneness

“… By being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” 
Philippians 2:2

As we consider what it means to have experienced the blessings of the Lord, there must also come a tremendous sense of purpose. Paul wrote of the need for the Philippians to be of the same mind. The challenge is for us to have the same way of thinking and inner perspective. Whether we would have this oneness or not is dependent on us. When we have the same mind, we would also possess and express the same kind of love. There would be this unity in our soul and we would be focusing on the same Biblical things. Paul continued in this chapter to write of the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). The cultivation of oneness begins when we are able to choose to be like-minded.

The Manner Of The Practice Of Oneness

“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 2:3-4

The focus of the practice of oneness is never about ourselves. It is always about focusing and caring for others. When we understand what it means to be one, there would be certain things that we would not do. Paul wrote of how the saints in Christ Jesus and together with the leaders would not do anything through selfish interest or for personal self-glory. The only way to practise oneness is through everyone having the same spirit of humility. Our mindset would be one where we would think of how lowly we are before others. All that we have received from the Lord is through His love and mercy. We do not deserve anything from Him and yet He has blessed us with all things. Our challenge is to think humbly of ourselves and to consider others more important than ourselves. We would seek to do things not thinking of ourselves but especially thinking of the interest of others. Young people, let’s seek to build up this sense of oneness. This Saturday, we are going to have a combined fellowship meeting. The AM, the YAG and the YPG are coming together for a time of worship and fellowship. Let’s seek to build up this sense of oneness with a deep sense of humility now and for the year ahead.

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