Unity

   In these Vs the Lord is telling us that the blessings of the Lord will come upon us when we are in unity.

I.        The word "Unity" in this V means, "Properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly: -alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-)together withal."

II.      V1 Here the Psalmist David described the beauty of unity that exists among brethren.[1]

A. However, unity does not require that they see eye to eye on everything.

                             i.   On matters of fundamental importance they agree. On subordinate matters there is liberty for differing viewpoints. In all things there should be a spirit of love.

                           ii.   We are all different but that does not prevent our working together.

1. All the members of the human body are different, but as they function together and in obedience to the head, which is Jesus. And this unity ushers in the very glory of God.

b. God never intended that we would all have to agree on matters of minor importance.

                             i.   But if we do disagree on the minor things, it is most important that we do not become disagreeable.

c. The real enemies of unity are jealousy, gossip, backbiting, being critical or criticizing without helping, and lovelessness.[2]

III.    V2 Unity is like the fragrant perfume that was used in anointing Aaron the priest (Ex. 30:22–30). It was poured on his head, then ran down on his beard, and from there to the edge of his robe. The pleasing scent was enjoyed not only by the priest himself but by everyone in the vicinity.[3]

a. The oil poured on Aaron’s head flowed down on his beard and shoulders, and onto the breastplate with the names of all 12 tribes. The oil thus symbolized the unity of the nation in worship.[4]

b. The anointing oil pictures the ministry of the Holy Spirit, descending as a sweet-smelling savor on God’s people when they live happily together in unity, and diffusing the aroma of their testimony to the surrounding areas.[5]

IV.    V 3 Then again unity brings refreshment. “It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion.” The psalmist sees Mt. Hermon as the source of cool, invigorating moisture for distant mountains.

a. Again the dew typifies the Holy Spirit, carrying refreshment from united brethren to the ends of the earth. No one can measure how far-reaching is the influence of believers who walk in fellowship with God and with one another.

B. In V 3b He says, .... (read) The final point is that the Lord commands the blessing where brothers and sisters live together in unity.

a.            Take Pentecost as an illustration. The disciples were living in harmony and peace, united in prayer and waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. Suddenly the Spirit of God descended upon them in all His fullness and they went forth with the fragrance and refreshment of the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth.

C. The blessing is explained as being life forevermore. This may be understood in two ways. When there is unity among God’s people, they themselves enjoy life in its truest sense. And not only so, they become the channels through which life flows out to others.

                 1. When we're in unity we're opening the doors for the blessings of the Lord.

                 2. Really the word "Blessing" in (V 3) means "Prosperity in every sense."

                        a. Even the phrase "Life for evermore", means "The fullness of life w/out end." Here & now, & forever.

                        b. But it's all contingent on the Church dwelling in unity.

          B. MAR 3:24-25

                 1. Division is opposite of unity.

                        a. A house will crumble & fall with division, but unity will build up.

                 2. Paul said something that was very interesting to the church at Corinth.

                        a. 1st of all, He said that they had all the gifts of the Spirit in operation in their church, they had revelation from God, & Paul said they were lacking nothing (prosperity).

                        b. But in (1COR 3:1-3) Paul said that because of the Strife & Division in the church they were still carnal & they acted no different then sinners. (mere men)

                               i. Because of the Strife & Division of that church Paul said that they were still babes.

                               ii. Not able to handle the meat of God's Word but needed the milk.

                               iii. Then because of the pride they refused to admit they were wrong.

                               iv. Then trying to correct the problem he says,"We are all fellow workers w/ God." (V 9) Read all of (1CO 3) The whole chapter deals w/ Division & Strife.

          C. AMOS 3:3

                 1. In the 1st 6 chapters of the book of Acts there are 8 reference that speak of believers being in unity.

                 2. We should all strive to be in unity w/ one another.

   II. How many of you would like to know what Jesus' prayer for this church is?

          A. JOHN 17:20-23 I'm going to read it from the NIV.

                 1. (JOHN 17:20-23 NIV) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

                        a. Jesus prayed for us to be "ONE IN UNITY."

          B. COL 2:2

                 1. Or as t NIV puts it "United in Love"

                        a. Unity in the love of God.

          C. Turn w/ me to JOHN 13:34-35

                 1. Again from the NIV it says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you MUST love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

                        a. It's a commandment that we love one another. Not in word only, but in deed.

                        b. One of the main ways to show the love of God is to pray for that person that might be doing something wrong.

                               i. Intercede for them.

                               ii. John said in (1JOHN 2:10) that if we're walking in Love there is no occasion of stumbling.

D. EPH 4:1-3

a. The word “ENDEAVORING” means “do diligence” twice, “be diligent” twice, “give diligence” once, “be forward” once, “labour” once, and “study” once. 1 to hasten, make haste. 2 to exert one’s self, endeavour, give diligence.[6]

b.           How are we to keep this UNITY?

c.           Read EPH 4:2 (again)

                                    i.   The Amplified Translation says, “Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.”

1.            (pride promotes disunity; humility promotes unity)

                                   ii.   And V 3 says, “Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.”[7]

d.           Eph 4:11-13

E.  Phil 2:1-4

   III. There's a lot of fruit that's produced when we're in unity.

          A. MATT 18:19-20

                 1. It takes us to be in unity to agree in prayer.

          B. ACTS 5:12

                 1. When they were in one accord there were miracles that took place.

          C. Even Revival took place when the believers were in one accord.

                 1. ACT 5:14

                 2. In (ACTS 2:46-47) It tells us that because of the saints praying, & praising God, & the unity they had many souls were saved daily.

                        a. It's God's will for us to dwell together in unity.

                        b. In (ACT 16) Paul & Silas unity w/ Prayer & praise - Power.

   II. PSA 133:1-2 again.

          A. The oil is likened to the anointing. Unity allows the anointing to flow, but strife or disunity stops the anointing.

          B. Jesus is the Anointed One. The word CHRIST refers to “His anointing.”

                 1. Disunity or anti- unity is the same as anti- anointing or ANTI- CHRIST.

COL 3:12-17

Unity.docx

WED 3/27/91 TFC & WOLCC 6/30/91 & wolcc 6/17/07

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[1]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:888). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[2]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 133:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[3]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 133:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[4]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:888). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[5]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 133:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[6]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (G4704). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[7]The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987 (Eph 4:3). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.