ICS Daily Devotions
Be Like-Minded to Fulfill Our Mandate
Phil 2:1-4 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.
What is the difference between an aircraft carrier and a cruise ship? Although both have people on board, they have very different mentalities and serve very different purposes. One is very focused on the mission at hand while the other is in a holiday mood. There is no redundant personnel on board the aircraft carrier because everyone is trained for a specific purpose; everyone is stationed at the assigned position and is battle ready. In contrast, the cruise ship consists of holiday makers and a service crew on rotational shift.
A cruise ship has 90% holiday makers waiting to be served and ready to make a complaint if the service is slightly off standard. It could be a cruise to nowhere on international waters, whereas an aircraft carrier has a specific mandate for a special mission. Everyone on board has a role to play and she is very focused on the mission.
A church is not a cruise ship but more likened to an aircraft carrier with a mandate given by the Lord Jesus Christ, so everyone has a role to play so that she can fulfill her mission. Jesus Christ is the captain of the ship and the pastor is the chaplain who cares for the servicemen. Every one of us will work together for a common purpose with the saving of souls for the Lord Jesus Christ as the mission.
Like the tug boats towing the ships as they are leaving the port, we can either be those that push or pull the ship in different directions thus causing it to go around in circles, or we can all be those that pull the ship in the same direction to help her leave the port for her mission. Therefore, let us put down every denominational difference and concentrate on our mission—be like-minded with the vision in mind, be of one heart and one accord to put forth our best in serving God with our gifts and talents in the various ministries that belong to the church.
Sermon Series: Serve Fest – A New Season
