Text: Psalm 133
Unity is good and pleasant, but we must understand what kind of unity this is
Unity Must Be Based Upon God’s Word
- Unity compared to oil used to anoint Aaron (v. 2) – there were specific instructions given as to how this oil was to be made (Exodus 30:22-25)
- We are to be careful to follow God’s pattern, just as Moses was (Hebrews 8:5)
- We must serve God according to His word (Colossians 3:17; Matthew 7:21-23)
- We can have unity as a result of following the pattern (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Unity Makes Us Distinct
- Again, unity compared to oil used to anoint Aaron (v. 2) – this consecrated him & set him apart (Exodus 30:30)
- We are to be holy / set apart (1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:9)
- Unity sets us apart (John 17:20-21) – Jesus prayed that His disciples would be united as He and the Father were; this is not like the world, but distinct from the world
- We have been called out (1 Peter 2:9) – we unite with one another because there is a real difference between us and the world (Romans 12:2)
Unity is a Divine Blessing
- Unity compared to the dew of Hermon (v. 3) – dew used in Scripture to represent God’s blessing (Genesis 27:28; Hosea 14:5; Micah 5:7)
- Unity is a divine blessing in that it exists because of God – He brought us together (Ephesians 2:13-16)
- There are benefits to unity – strength (Ecclesiastes 4:9,12); encouragement (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25)
Unity Must Be Cherished
- Unity is “good” and “pleasant” (v. 1) – avoid threats to unity: division, strife, selfishness
- We are to “dwell together in unity” – way of life; not an afterthought, not to be taken lightly, but pursued (Hebrews 12:14)
- “Live in peace with one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:13)
Unity Must Be Defended
- As precious as unity is, we must strive to preserve it (Ephesians 4:3)
- Do not pervert it by extending fellowship beyond God’s limits (2 John 9-11)
- Do not destroy it by breaking fellowship with those God has accepted (3 John 9-10)