Real Unity
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Real Unity
Real Unity
Psalm 133: 1-3
Psalm 133: 1-3
Real Unity is not uniformity that happens because of regulations and restrictions. Uniformity is like flowers set in a pot all of one kind, color and height.
Real Unity is an array of flowers set in a field all growing together to set forth a beautiful landscape.
What the world tries to produce is uniformity not unity. The world wants everyone to act, look, do and say the same thing.
Real unity is a group of believers coming together for one purpose, to glorify God. It does not matter if you are red yellow, black or white we are all precious in His sight. Born again believers should be the perfect example of real unity.
The Psalmist sets before us three things in these three verses that I believe will help us have a better understanding of what real unity is and what it does.
I) Real Unity is Pleasant.
I) Real Unity is Pleasant.
“Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
A) Real unity is specially binding and appropriate amongst Christian brethren.
A) Real unity is specially binding and appropriate amongst Christian brethren.
· This is expressed best by Abraham in his words to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee; for we be brethren.”.
· 1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
· Albert Barnes in his notes on this psalm made a very compelling statement for us believers; “They are redeemed by the same Saviour; they serve the same Master; they cherish the same hope; they are looking forward to the same heaven; they are subject to the same trials, temptations, and sorrows; they have the same precious consolations. There is, therefore, the beauty, the ‘goodness,’ the ‘pleasantness’ of obvious fitness and propriety in their dwelling together in unity.”[1]
B) Real unity will never resemble that of the world.
B) Real unity will never resemble that of the world.
· The world thinks real unity is everyone thinking the same way.
· Like I mentioned in my opening statement, worldly unity is uniformity. When you attempt to make everyone the same you may change their appearance but, the amazing thing is you cant change who they are. People are people not robots.
· When uniformity is desired, eventually disaster will come. Just look at the history of Israel, they desired to be like the world. They wanted kings, rulers, captains etc. 1Sam. 8 starts their process to which really never ended until the 1940’s when they became a nation again.
· If there is real unity, then everyone is after the same goal and everyone follows the same playbook, there may be differing opinions, but we are ultimately guided by the Book.
We can compare real unity with uniformity by Proverbs 6: 16-19. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, “My opinion is better than yours.” a lying tongue, “the Preacher said...” and hands that shed innocent blood. “Oh, a fetus is not a living thing.” An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, “If I can only get him to admit to it, I could get his position.”, feet that be swift in running to mischief,” aint nobody looking”, A false witness that speaketh lies. “So and so said it not me.”, and he that soweth discord among brethren. “Did you hear what so and so did last night?”
C) Real unity will produce an important influence on the world.
C) Real unity will produce an important influence on the world.
Joh 17:21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
· Having conflict between each other will not draw the lost
· Our unity should reflect that of the Father and Son relationship
· When I was growing up my dad and I butted heads horribly, my mom always said it was because we were so much alike. My wife can attest to this that I am my dads son because in many ways I am my dad. My grandma use to even call me little Scott.
· The way we act and live together should resemble that of the divine relationship
· The world will know that Christ is alive if we really lived in unity
Real unity will be most pleasant when those who form part of one family (the church), live together in peace and harmony.
II) Real Unity is Complete.
II) Real Unity is Complete.
A) Real unity is like the precious ointment that was poured upon the head of the priest.
A) Real unity is like the precious ointment that was poured upon the head of the priest.
· This oil that was poured would run down upon the beard, and all the way down to the skirts of his garments;
· It is held by some that the Psalmist David intended to set forth a detailed description of how important unity is among believers. His first figure he uses is taken from the oil that was poured on the head of the high priest at his consecration (Ex.29:7, Lev. 8:12, 21:10) the comparison does not lie in the preciousness of the oil, or in its all-pervading fragrance, It lies, I believe in it being poured on the head.
· When poured it did not rest there, it flowed down into the beard, down onto the priestly garments, all the way down to the hem. It consecrated the whole body
· The oil is a picture of the Holy Ghost. When we are born again we are anointed with the oil and we are covered from head to toe.
· How far are we allowing the oil to flow?
B) Real unity is like the body of Christ mentioned in 1 Cor. 12
B) Real unity is like the body of Christ mentioned in 1 Cor. 12
· 1 Cor.12:12-27
· Unity among believers is not secured by making all believers the same. Unity is secured among the many because all believers are in Christ . Though there is diversity in gifts by the Spirit, by one Spirit all believers are baptized into one body.[2]
Real unity will only be complete if we allow the oil to flow all the way to our feet and we work together as one body.
III) Real Unity is Effective
III) Real Unity is Effective
We see this in three ways
1. Real Unity is Delightful.
1. Real Unity is Delightful.
The anointing oil was beautifully perfumed, and, when it was poured forth, it diffused its fragrant odors to the great delight of all who were near. Real Unity is not only good and pleasant in itself, but it agreeably affects all who behold it. When the world beholds a truly united Church, it will speedily be won to Christ. John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me
2. Real Unity is Refreshing.
2. Real Unity is Refreshing.
As the dew. In eastern climates, is refreshing to vegetation, and is inestimably precious during a dry spell. So real unity cheers and invigorates the heart. Rom 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
3). Real Unity is Strong.
3). Real Unity is Strong.
Real Union is strength. We can see this in the last verse of the text. Mount Hermon is made of pure limestone. Limestone is a hard sedimentary rock. It is made of shell, coral and other things mainly from marine life. (side note: another proof that God formed the mountains.) If you were to separate all the components from the rock each one individually would be brittle and weak but put together and they become the building block for the construction industry. Limestone has numerous uses: as a building material, an essential component of concrete (Portland cement), as aggregate for the base of roads, as white pigment or filler in products such as toothpaste or paints, as a chemical feedstock for the production of lime, as a soil conditioner, and as a popular decorative addition to rock gardens. Limestone formations contain about 30% of the world's petroleum reservoirs.[2] Matt.7:24-25 (foundation upon a rock) (separate a rock and it becomes sand)
“Separate the atoms which make the hammer, and each would fall on the stone as a snowflake; but welded into one, and wielded by the firm arm of the quarryman, it will break the massive rocks asunder. Divide the waters of Niagara into distinct and individual drops, and they would be no more than the falling rain; but, in their united body, they would quench the fires of Vesuvius, and have some to spare for the volcanoes of other mountains.”—Dr. Guthrie. [3]
Real Unity will influence the believer in such a way that others will come to Christ.
Application: Real unity is so much different from what the world calls unity. Real unity brings people closer, uniformity eventually will divide. With everything happening around us, there is no time like the present to put aside our differences and remember that we have one goal, to glorify God in all we say and do. If we keep our eyes on Christ than this church will be pleasant, complete and very effective. So lets keep our eyes to the skies and our hand to the plow, because our Lord is coming back soon.
Questions to ask:
1. You say, Preacher, I cant relate to this real unity you speak about because I don’t have unity with Christ, what must I do to abtain this real unity?
A: John 3 tells us you must be born again! Romans 10:9 and 10 says That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2. What do you feel like when yo come to Church? Is contentment and resentment? If, so you can fix that tonight by coming to God in humbleness and sincerity and admit your faults to Him and ask that he put that joy about church back in your soul so that you may enjoy the Unity of the believers again.
3. If neither of these is you, rejoice but be very cautious and ask yourself Do my actions towards my fellow believers exhibits such unity that the world could say there is something different about that person. I want what they have.
[1] (Barnes)
[2] (The Reformation Heritage KJV study Bible. 2014. P.1661
[3] (Pulpit Commentary, 1880)