What a Fellowship 何等美好的团契

[Dexu Xia]

Stand firm in the one Spirit. Philippians 1:27

Philippians 1:27; 2:1-4

Today's Scripture   Philippians 1:27; 2:1-4

Today's Insights  Paul made the appeal for unity among brothers and sisters in Jesus (Philippians 1:27) from a context of factions and persecution. As he wrote, he was imprisoned, yet he said, “What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (v. 12). He noted that some were “[preaching] Christ out of selfish ambition” (v. 17). He knew his own life was in danger (v. 20), and he warned his hearers that they’d also face opposition (vv. 27-28). Yet he knew they’d “stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” (v. 27). Their behavior needed to contrast with those whose motivation was prideful (2:3). Any suffering they might endure would serve to enhance their unity. Such courage and unity only take place through the power of the Holy Spirit. He guides us and helps us grow in fellowship with one another.

Today's Devotion

Rachel “church hopped” for three years before finding a Bible study group that provided what she couldn’t find in a traditional church—community. Rachel is Deaf. Around the world, many Deaf people face similar worship challenges. Her house church nurtures community by watching a Deaf church service on YouTube, discussing the teaching with each other, and then sharing a meal. The small group provides the Spirit-led church family Rachel craves.

The apostle Paul explains what makes a church a community: the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Writing from prison, he urged this connection to the church at Philippi. His hope, in part, was to encourage spiritual unity in a congregation he’d formed and loved.

“Stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one,” Paul urged (Philippians 1:27). He added, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, . . . then make my joy complete by being like-minded” (2:1-2).

So don’t be selfish, he said, “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (vv. 3-4). Those wise words can guide all church families. By the power of God’s Holy Spirit, our communities can serve Him in harmonious fellowship with each other.

Reflect & Pray

How do you sense the Holy Spirit working in your life? 
How can God’s Spirit help you grow His fellowship in your church?

Dear God, in a sometimes-unloving world, please inspire me to follow Your Holy Spirit’s leading to help build communities that reflect You. 

By Patricia Raybon

“知道你们同有一个心志，站立得稳，为所信的福音齐心努力。”（腓立比书 1:27）

今日经文：腓立比书 1章27节；2章1-4 节

今日感悟：保罗是在当时教会里派系林立，自己又内外受敌、惨遭逼迫的背景下写了腓立比书。书中，保罗呼吁在基督耶稣里的弟兄姐妹要合一（腓立比书 1:27）。尽管保罗在写此信时身陷囹圄，他却说：“我所遭遇的事，反倒叫福音更兴旺了”（12节）。他指出，有些人是“出于私心传基督”（17节）。他深知自己性命危在旦夕（20节），却警告受信的教会弟兄姐妹会同样面临反对（27-28节）。然而，他确信他们会拥有“同一个心志，站立得稳，为所信的福音齐心努力”（27节）。在基督里，他们的言行举止应当与那些出于骄傲私心的人形成鲜明对比（2:3）。他们所受的任何苦难，反而会增强彼此间的合一。这种勇气与合一，唯有借着圣灵的大能才能实现。圣灵引导我们，并帮助我们在彼此的团契生活中不断成长。

 今日灵修 瑞秋在寻找一个能提供“群体归属感”的教会团体，这是她在传统教会中无法找到的。在加入现在的查经小组之前，瑞秋曾辗转于不同的教会长达三年。瑞秋是一位失聪人士。在世界各地，许多失聪人士都面临着相似的敬拜挑战。她所在的家庭教会通过在YouTube上观看专为失聪人士举办的崇拜聚会、彼此讨论教导内容以及共进餐食，来培育群体情谊。这个小组满足了瑞秋所渴望的那种由圣灵带领的教会大家庭的需要。

  使徒保罗阐明了何为教会群体：那就是圣灵里的团契。他在狱中致信腓立比教会，极力倡导这种联结。他的愿望就是要在他所建立并深爱的会众中，鼓励属灵上的合一。 “在同一个灵里站立得稳，齐心努力，”保罗如此劝勉（腓立比书 1:27）。他接着说：“若在基督里有什么劝勉，爱心有什么安慰，圣灵有什么交通……你们就要意念相同，使我的喜乐可以满足”（2:1-2）。 因此，不要自私自利；他说：“各人不要单顾自己的事，也要顾别人的事”（3-4节）。这些充满智慧的话语可以指引所有的教会群体。借着神圣灵的大能，我们的群体能够在彼此和谐的团契中事奉祂。

 反思与祷告 你如何感受到圣灵在你的生命中动工？神的灵如何帮助你在教会中促进属神的团契生活？

 亲爱的神，在这个有时缺乏爱的世界里，求祢感动我跟随圣灵的引导，去建立能彰显祢形象的群体。

作者：帕特利西亚 雷邦