The Desire for Unity

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)