Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon emphasizes the importance and blessings of unity within the Christian community, as desired by God and depicted in Psalm 133.
Greetings, beloved family in Christ. I stand before you today, not as a distant preacher on a pulpit, but as a fellow traveler on this road of faith we share. We gather under the banner of God's love, bound by His grace, and united by the Holy Spirit. Today, we shall turn our hearts and minds to a theme that is as old as the church itself, yet as fresh and vital as the morning sun - the power of unity in the body of Christ.
Our guide for today's sermon is the beautiful and profound Psalm 133. Let us read together from the Holy Scriptures: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
This psalm, in its simplicity and depth, paints a vivid picture of the harmony that God desires for His people. It speaks of a unity that is not just superficial or temporary but runs deep, permeating every aspect of our lives, just as the precious oil permeated Aaron's beard and robes. It speaks of a unity that brings blessing, just as the dew brings life to the mountains of Zion.
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in. He attaches far more importance to godly intercourse than we do. Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation."
How true are these words in our world today! We see divisions and separations on every side, even within the body of Christ. Yet, we are called to a different standard. We are called to unity, to harmony, to love. We are called to stand together, to bear one another's burdens, to encourage and uplift each other. We are called to be one as Christ and the Father are one.
In the body of Christ, unity is not a mere suggestion; it is a divine mandate. It is the lifeblood that courses through the veins of the church, giving it vitality and strength. When we stand together, we reflect the very nature of God Himself, who exists in perfect unity as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This unity is not about uniformity or sameness; it is about harmony. It is about different parts working together for a common purpose, just as different parts of a body work together to keep it healthy and functioning.
Imagine a choir. Each member has a unique voice, a unique part to play. The sopranos, the altos, the tenors, and the basses all have different notes to sing. Yet, when they come together, when they blend their voices in harmony, they create a beautiful symphony of sound that no single voice could produce on its own. This is the picture of the church that the Bible paints for us. We are all different, with unique gifts, talents, and roles to play. Yet, when we come together in unity, we create a beautiful symphony of faith that glorifies God and blesses the world around us.
Now, let's consider the oil that the psalmist speaks of. This is not ordinary oil; it is precious, consecrated oil, used for anointing priests and kings. It is a symbol of God's blessing, His favor, His presence. When it is poured out, it does not remain at the top; it flows down, permeating everything it touches. This is the picture of unity that the Bible paints for us. When we live in unity, God's blessing, His favor, His presence flow down upon us, permeating every aspect of our lives. It brings healing where there is hurt, hope where there is despair, and joy where there is sorrow.
The psalmist also speaks of the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. Mount Hermon is the highest peak in the region, known for its abundant dew. This dew is a source of life, nourishing the vegetation and providing water for the animals. The mountains of Zion, on the other hand, are not as high or as lush. Yet, the psalmist imagines the dew of Hermon falling on Zion, bringing life and vitality. This is the picture of unity that the Bible paints for us. When we live in unity, we bring life and vitality to those around us. We nourish and sustain each other, just as the dew nourishes and sustains the vegetation.
Finally, the psalmist tells us that in this place of unity, the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. This is not a temporary or fleeting blessing; it is eternal, unending. It is the ultimate blessing, the gift of eternal life. This is the picture of unity that the Bible paints for us. When we live in unity, we experience the fullness of God's blessing, the gift of eternal life. We experience a foretaste of heaven, where all believers will dwell together in perfect unity, forevermore.
As we delve deeper into the heart of Psalm 133, we find ourselves standing on the holy ground of unity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO