Introduction

Good morning, family of God! Isn't it a joy to be together in the house of the Lord this morning? When we gather together in unity, we reflect the very heart of God and experience a taste of His kingdom here on earth. As we dive into the Word today, we're going to be looking at a portion of Scripture that speaks directly to the blessing, power, and necessity of unity among believers.

Psalm 133:1-3 says,

"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."

In these verses, we see the beauty and benefit of unity depicted in vivid imagery. It's something that God not only desires for us but something He blesses.

As William Sloane Coffin once said, "Unity is not something we are called to create; it's something we are called to recognize."

Let's open our hearts and minds to the Lord as we explore this topic today.

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of gathering together as Your people. We ask for a spirit of unity among us, not for our glory, but for Yours. Help us to recognize and embrace the unity You’ve given us through Your Son, Jesus. Open our eyes to see how we can better live out this unity in our daily lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Let's dive in, shall we?

The Blessing

This Psalm paints a vivid picture of unity as a precious oil, a blessing that is good and pleasant. The imagery of oil in the Bible often signifies anointing, consecration, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we live in unity, we are essentially living under the anointing and blessing of God. This unity is not a superficial or forced conformity but a deep, spiritual harmony that binds us together in love and mutual respect.

It’s powerful: It's like the precious oil running down Aaron's beard and onto his robe. This is a reference to the anointing of Aaron as the high priest. The anointing oil was not just sprinkled but poured out in abundance. Similarly, when we dwell in unity, God's blessing is not just sprinkled but poured out upon us in abundance. The unity of believers attracts God's favor and blessing like nothing else.

An active engagement: It requires effort, sacrifice, and a commitment to peace and reconciliation. It calls for humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love. It's about putting the interests of others above our own, seeking to build up rather than tear down. It's about speaking the truth in love and forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave us.

A reflection of the nature of God: The triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - exists in perfect unity. They are distinct yet one, three persons yet one God. This divine unity is the model for our unity. As believers, we are distinct individuals with different gifts, personalities, and backgrounds. Yet, we are one in Christ, members of one body. Our unity is a testimony to the world of God's love and transformative power.

A vital necessity for the body of Christ: It's the environment in which we grow and mature in our faith. It's the context in which we exercise our spiritual gifts for the common good. It's the platform on which we proclaim the gospel to a divided world. Without unity, we are like a body disjointed and dysfunctional.

About God: It's about His glory, His kingdom, His purposes. It's about manifesting His love, His grace, His power to a watching world. It's about advancing His gospel, His mission, His cause. When we live in unity, we align ourselves with God's heart and His will. We become a channel of His blessing to others and a beacon of His light in the world.

The Power

The power of unity is a force that can bring about transformation, healing, and growth, both on an individual and collective level ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO