THE BEAUTY OF UNITY

(Psalm 133)

...Marked on many of our bills are the words “E Pluribus Unum.” This means _one_ out of many. The

    great “melting pot.” Yet today, we no longer seem to be _one__.

...David wrote Psalm 133 about the unity enjoyed by brothers who lived together. Unity is a _fruit__ of

    genuine community. Only Jesus can produce this in a home, church, or nation.

...Verse one describes the beauty of this unity by calling it “good” and “pleasant.” The Hebrew text tells us

    to “behold” it, for such a thing is _rare__ in our fallen world.

TWO PORTRAITS UNFOLDING THE BEAUTY OF US, AS GOD’S

FAMILY, LIVING TOGETHER IN UNITY.

...For _unity_ is a foretaste of heaven.

I.     THE BEAUTIFUL SMELLING OIL THAT ANOINTED AARON PICTURES UNITY AS

        A BLESSING  _FROM__  GOD. (v 2)

            A. David refers to the time when _Aaron__ was first set apart as the High Priest. (Lev 8:1-12)

                 ...This anointing was done at God’s direction; in His way, with His authority, and any blessing

                     it conferred was from God.

            B. The words, “running down” are given 3 times emphasizing that the blessing of Aaron’s

                  anointing was from _above__ himself, it was from God.

                        1. We are sinners, and one of the sad marks of sin is that it _separates , creating disharmony

                             and hostility.

                        2. It takes _God__ to overcome sin and bring harmony again.

                        3. All real unity, lasting unity is from God.

            C. This oil was poured on Aaron’s head and it flowed down on his beard and shoulders and onto the

                 breastplate with the names of all 12 tribes.

                        1. This oil symbolized the _unity__ of the nation.

                        2. It was a beautiful aroma. (Exodus 30:22-24)

                        3. The blessing of unity _flows_ from one person to another. A person “at peace with

                             God” is a blessing wherever they go.

II.     THE REFRESHING DEW FALLS FROM GOD’S HEAVEN UPON THE GREAT AND THE

         SMALL. (v 3)

            A. Mount Hermon is a couple hundred miles north of Jerusalem and is the highest peak in Israel.

                 ...This snow-covered mountain is the source of the Jordan River.

            B. The chief point of this image is that the dew is for _little__ Zion (Jerusalem) as well as

                 great Hermon. This dew falls on both!

                 ... “When a church, family, or nation is at _peace__, it benefits not only the important persons

                 but also everyone.” All are blessed, especially the small and unimportant. Disharmony _hurts_

                 everyone!!

            C. The dew on Mt. Hermon was heavy. This symbolizes God’s blessing as _refreshing  and

                 invigorating. It is “life forever more.”

NOTE:

1. Unity comes from God, who is building His _church__.

2. The Bible reveals the way as far back as the Garden of Eden.

3. In the New Testament, people are not saved and left on their own, but brought into a _new__

    fellowship: The church.

4. Jesus prayed for the church, and the one thing He prayed was for God to give His people _unity__.

    (John 17:20-23)

5. This was not an artificial or an enforced unity, but was based on a common participation in Christ.

6. The first church demonstrated this unity. (Acts 2:42)

    -The Apostles’ _teaching__ was what drew them together.

    -The love of scriptures led these to _love__ each other.

    -They worshiped the Lord. Communion, prayer, and praise!

1. Sin is the enemy of peace and unity.

2. God is the great peacemaker.

3. The stronger your vertical fellowship is with the Lord, the stronger your horizontal fellowship will be.

4. We are called to strive to maintain the unity of peace.

5. This unity is not the same as ecumenical unity; it is founded upon the unity of scripture.

6. Perhaps you are here and lost in the wages of sin.  Receive Christ the Lord as your Savior.