Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. As we gather together in the house of the Lord, we are reminded of the profound beauty and strength found in unity. We are called to be one body, one family, under the benevolent gaze of our Heavenly Father.

In the wise words of R. Alan Woods, "We may not all be on the same chapter, but we should be in the same book." This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of our gathering today. We are not just a group of individuals, we are a family, bound together by the love of Christ.

Let us turn to the scripture for today, Psalm 133 which reads,

"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."

How beautiful is this imagery? The psalmist compares unity among the believers to the anointing oil that was poured on Aaron, the high priest. It is a symbol of consecration, of setting apart for a holy purpose. The unity of God's people is sacred, it is holy, it is a blessing from the Lord.

Our sermon today will focus on three main points - Harmony in the Household of God, Honoring Diversity within Unity, and Harnessing the Power of United Prayer.

But before we delve into these points, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for gathering us here today as one family. We ask that you open our hearts and minds to your word today. Help us understand the beauty and strength of unity. Teach us to love one another as you have loved us. Guide us as we strive to live in harmony, honor diversity, and harness the power of united prayer. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Harmony in the Household of God

In the sacred scriptures, we find the image of the household as a metaphor for the church. This is not a random choice of words. It's a deliberate selection that carries profound implications. A household is a place where people live together, share resources, and support each other. It's a place of mutual respect, love, and care. This is the kind of relationship that God wants us to have with each other in the church.

The idea of living together: In a household, people share the same space. They eat together, they sleep under the same roof, they share the same joys and sorrows. This is not just about physical proximity. It's about emotional closeness. It's about sharing life. In the church, we are called to live together in the same way. We are called to share our lives with each other, to be there for each other in good times and bad, to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

The sharing of resources: In a household, resources are not hoarded by one person. They are shared among all members. Everyone contributes according to their ability and everyone benefits according to their need. This is not just about material resources. It's about spiritual resources as well. In the church, we are called to share our spiritual gifts with each other. We are called to use our talents and abilities for the common good, not just for our own benefit.

The mutual support: In a household, people don't just live together and share resources. They support each other. They help each other. They look out for each other. This is not just about physical support. It's about emotional and spiritual support as well. In the church, we are called to support each other in the same way. We are called to bear each other's burdens, to encourage each other, to pray for each other.

The respect, love, and care: In a household, people don't just live together, share resources, and support each other. They respect each other. They love each other. They care for each other. This is not just about outward actions. It's about inward attitudes. In the church, we are called to respect, love, and care for each other in the same way. We are called to treat each other with dignity and honor, to love each other as Christ has loved us, to care for each other as we would care for ourselves.

A picture of harmony: Harmony is not about uniformity. It's not about everyone being the same or doing the same thing. It's about everyone playing their part, everyone contributing their unique gifts and talents, everyone working together for the common good. This is the kind of harmony that God wants us to have in the household of God. This is the kind of harmony that is good and pleasant, like the precious oil poured on Aaron's head, like the dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion. This is the kind of harmony that brings blessing and life forevermore.

Honoring Diversity within Unity

The psalmist's imagery of unity as precious oil paints a vivid picture of the sacredness of unity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO