Unified as One with Humility and Perseverance
“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. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:1-4
Focus 1: Fundamental foundation – Being grounded in God’s Word
“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:5-6
In God’s ministry, we need to recognise that it is God who supplies, provides and brings growth. Our human ambitions needs to be decreased in order for Christ to rule and reign in our lives and in the ministry of OCF.
In today’s world, with access to many worldly materials and mindsets, it is crucial to know God’s word and to be constantly and faithfully praying.
“ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15
In learning the truth, there is no cutting edges, no compromise when it comes to our relationship with God.
“ Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-28
We want to be grounded on strong foundations (Colossians 2:6-7) so that in times of trials and temptations, we are able to stand firm. In addition to that, it is only through a close relationship with God that we are able to align ourselves with God’s plan.
Focus 2: Unity
Let us continue to devote ourselves to prayer and make every effort to be united as one in Christ so that we may shine as a city of light. Looking to Jesus as our example, let us continue to walk in love, serving one another, putting aside our differences (Romans 14:19) to make every effort to do that which leads to peace and edification. Most importantly, humbling ourselves before our Lord and one another (Ephesians 4:2-6) being humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love. Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as we were called to one hope when we were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15
Individual members will also need to learn to function in Unity, Paul continually emphasizes on the Spiritual Unity we have have through the cross of Jesus, we are no longer divided but one Body (Ephesians 4:1-7). This is also important as OCF is not a church and OCF members need to learn to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we’ve been called, with humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, exercising tolerance and showing grace to one another also seeking to maintain Unity when we are commissioned and sent out by churches into various ministries and missions. When we work together, caring for the problems of each others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others before ourselves thus experiencing unity. We do this by not getting caught up with our own agendas and needs that strains relationships in God’s family.
Focus 3: Humility
Christ personifies humility best and we as His followers should strive to be transformed more and more into His image.
Jesus washes the disciple’s feet (John 13:1-5).
With students from different nationalities, studying different courses and being brought up in various church cultures as well as ethnic cultures, it is almost inevitable that each member will meet another who live a different lifestyle and have mindsets that are completely different from themselves. This is where we OCFers need to learn to humble ourselves and not place our opinions and works superior to others. This also places us in an excellent ground to grow to appreciate and learn about different cultures and to learn how to work and serve in unity despite our differences. When we can work in unity with one another, relating with one another as Christ would, seeing things through His eyes, then only will we be able to break through the walls of cultures and mindsets to reach out to the community around us, our campus, our nation, our homes.
” Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. Philippians 2:5-11
Focus 4: Perseverance
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
When we start a journey with Jesus, it is almost as if we are running a race. This race we set out for is one that we do not attempt alone but one that is lead, guided and provided for our Heavenly Father. Like in a many marathon races, midway through, we may be so exhausted by our physical fatigue that we get caught up in our own feelings and emotions, and often forgetting that God is still there with us, not forsaking us, but giving us the strength to carry on, each step at a time. When we face obstacles, in reaching out, in our own life situations, we need to re-focus, looking to Christ, reminding ourselves once again why we have begin on this journey and the plans and purposes God has set in place ahead of us. We need to know that in all that we do for Christ, our source of strength, our directions and purpose is from Him and not our own.
Foundations → Key Focus points (HUP) → To Reach out, Build up and Send back
5 Levels Spelling out Humility, Unity, Perseverance
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
We need to understand God’s heart for our campuses, families and nations as we reach out to students on our campuses, in our houses, build them up as disciples of Jesus and allow God to open our eyes to see the vast Harvest Fields around us, in Australia, in our home countries and around the world.
Level 1: OCF Australia:
· Convention attendance, seeing the importance of learning from one another and uniting as one body
· AGM: Accountability & support to EXCO and vice versa
· Participation in National Prayer Mission Month and National Prayer Day to unite in prayer, recognising the importance of keeping one another in prayer and to pray for the nations.
Level 2: Inter-States:
· Support one another in prayer and to be accountable to one another, to encourage one another.
Level 3: Intra-States & Inter-Centre:
· Encourage centres within state to:
o Share resources & support
o Combine meetings, camps, evangelistic meets, sports day etc.
· Work closely with state advisory members
Level 4: Intra-Centre (within members):
· Support leaders vice versa
· Accountability to OCF leaders
· Discipleship
· Prayer and care
· Submission to leaders (clause: Provided you have a biblically sound leader)
· Accountability to own local churches (partnership with church)
· Service (within centre)
· Loyalty to church, service to God
Level 5: Individual level
Committed to reaching out to peers, friends and family. Recognizing the importance of being build up in God’s Word in order to be effective disciples for Christ and for His ministries. To see the importance of being rooted in a Local church for support and spiritual growth, to be sent out to wherever God calls us to be, be it in the secular working world, a church ministry or the mission fields.
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6)