Exploring inspirational ways we can stand collectively in ONE spirit and SHINE during this season.

“God has got a message for us as a college family” encouraged Duncan Corby, our Hillsong College Academic Dean, as he brought an inspirational message to our global Hillsong College student body in this week’s online chapel service.

Using the example of the Philippians’ experience, and bringing context to how this may apply to our current season, we are reminded of the normal times as a college family and how we share many parallels with the Philippian church.

In the midst of radical and unexpected change, through the exploration of Paul’s instruction to the Philippian church (Phil 1:27-28), Duncan charged the student body to stand together in unity, stand firm in distance, and stand in ONE spirit in order to SHINE as a collective community.

“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in 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 of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

– Philippians 2:1-4

Looking further into the start of chapter 2, and taking on Paul’s instructions, Duncan highlighted HOW we can do this:

1. As a college family, we draw encouragement, love, and enjoy a common sharing of the SPIRIT in the same way that the Philippians’ did, experiencing a tenderness and compassion through our UNITY.
2. Just as Paul asked the Philippians to bring him joy in prison as he heard of their deeds, we too can make our leaders’ joy complete as they HEAR about us and ENGAGE with us.
3. Collectively, we can stand out in the world during this time by turning our eyes off just ourselves and look to ONE ANOTHER. To value the needs of others; to find innovative and creative ways we can serve and support others above ourselves.

Duncan passionately encouraged us that this is a time to be stirring ourselves in the things that Paul goes on to say to the Philippian community;

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.”

– Philippians 2:12-13

Duncan concludes that “even now, God is at work amongst us”. Even though we are in this current situation and season, God is at work IN us, “causing us to grow, to rise, to strengthen, to get deeper, to get richer, to get more passionate, to become more and more like Jesus, to lean into the things of God more and more, so that we can rise and stand strong”.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

He finishes by encouraging the global college body, “Let He who began a good work in US, carry it on to completion”. We need not be anxious about the future, but we can be full of CONFIDENCE and JOY about where the future is heading for us TOGETHER.

To hear Duncan’s full message, join us at Hillsong College by clicking on the link below:

If you would like further learning from Duncan, we would love to bless you by giving away 6 weeks FREE of our Bachelor of Theology subject “Introduction to the New Testament”. Sign up before May 8th to receive your free gift and learn more at: hillsong.com/college/online