One Purpose Philippians 2:1-2

When teams work with one purpose and goal it can be an awesome thing to watch. But, when everyone is not on the same page and does their own thing, it gets ugly fast. 

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." Philippians 2:1-2

Last winter I was coaching my youngest son's basketball team. What made it fun was that everyone worked hard and was willing to work together. Except for one boy. The whole team would run a play and he would just do his own thing. I can't tell you how many times I encouraged him to be a part of the team. Paul, encourages us to be like-minded, have the same love and be one in spirit and purpose. As Christians, we are part of the body of Christ and we each have our part to play. If we are off doing our own thing the rest of the church is left to play one man/women down. 

First, you need to be like-minded. Like who? Like Christ. Christ came to serve, not to be served. When you go to church do you go to "get fed" = be served or do you go to serve = feed someone else?

Second, you need to have the same love as Christ. He loved first and he loved those who persecuted him. He loved Peter who denied him. We love because Christ first loved us. When you go to church do you go to give love or get love?

Third,  you need to be of one spirit and purpose in Christ. The purpose is to lift up Christ. "To know him and make him known" is the vision/motto of my alma mater Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University). When I attended there I thought it was a bit corny but as I have matured I see the simple truth in it. As a church we seek to know him and to make him known. That is our purpose. When you go to church, what is your purpose?

Back to my son's basketball team. Everyone on that team improved, except the one boy who just wanted to do things his way. If you want to grow in Christ you have to be a servant. Seek the mind of Christ, the love of Christ, the Spirit and purpose of Christ. 

Father, help us to know you and make you known. Thank you that you first loved us. Praise be to you in us today!