INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 133
Worshipping God brings God's people into a unified fellowship - both in the times of David, Jesus, the Early Church, and in our lives today. Having UNITY and HARMONY with each other, is as important as UNITY WITH CHRIST.
In our last lesson, Psalm 132, we looked ar how God came to dwell with us. This week, we look at David's Psalm 133, and how we need to dwell with each other. David reminds us how "good and pleasant" is the unity and harmony we can have with God's people. It makes our lives so much more "enjoyable" and peaceful.
As the people of Israel were united under David's reign, it is appropriate that, as his people journeyed to Jerusalem for their "Feasts of the Tabernacle", he would write this Psalm of unity. They were not only climbing up the hill to Jerusalem (Mt Zion), but it was a "spiritual climb", as they were to come closer to God to worship Him.
Later in this Psalm we have "pictures in words" that show how UNITY is a "rich and abundant BLESSING". When we come together in UNITY as did God's people, we, as His children also experience His "goodness" and His "blessing."
"Unity among God's people makes life thriving and healthy." David Guzik
"The Jewish people sang Psalm 133 to express their joy in coming together to worship at the Temple, where God promised to meet them. The Psalm imparts blessing and life to God's people. And it proclaims oneness in faith." Nancy Koester
WHAT US UNITY AND HARMONY? - Read Psalm 133:1; Matthew 5
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people (brothers) live together in UNITY (HARMONY)." Psalm 133:1 (NIV/NLT)
"What a beautiful picture of UNITY! That is the first thing we learn about living together in unity. It is both GOOD AND PLEASANT." Ray Fowler
The word translated "pleasant" means "beautiful, sweet and lovely". The Book of Acts describes the Early Church and how they were unified.
"They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and to FELLOWSHIP, to the breaking of bread and to prayer......All the believers were together and had everything in common......They broke the bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added daily to their number those who were being saved" Acts 2:42,44, 46&47 (NIV)
HOW DO WE BECOME UNIFIED IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS?
* Let our conversations be in PEACE.
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God." Matthe 5:9 (NIV)
* Resist temptations to be ANGRY.
"But I say, "If you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgement." Matthew 5:22a (NLT)
* Be quick to FORGIVE.
"Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7 (NIV)
* Be a LISTENER.
"God blesses those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the humble (meek) for they shall inherit the whole earth." Matthew 5:4&5 (NLT)
* You may disagree - but PART AS FRIENDS.
"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so everyone will praise your Heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16 (NLT)
* PRAY TOGETHER
"You heard that it was said, "Love your neighbiour and hate your enemies". But I say: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father." Matthew 5:43-45 (NLT)
Just like when a family go on a "roadtrip", brothers and sisters don't always get along. Sometimes they they don't always "agree with one another". They might get angry and need to work on making peace with each other. In the same way, children of God, need to work together to overcome their disagreements, and to love each other as "brothers and sisters in Christ."
"Keep loving other as brothers and sisters." Hebrews 13:1 (NLT)
HOW IS UNITY PRESENTED? - Read Psalm 133:2&3;
Living together in UNITY is a gift of GOD'S GRACE. There are two "liquids" that David uses to describe the UNITY among God's people.
1. OIL - POURED AND DRIPPING DOWN - Read Psalm 133:2; Exodus 30:22033; 40:1-16; Mark 14&16
"It is like PRECIOUS OIL on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robe." Psalm 133:2 (NIV)
"Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. Than dress Aaron in the sacred garments , anoint him and consecrate him, so he can serve me as a Priest. ......Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue through all generations." Exodus 40: 12,13 & 15 (NIV)
"All priests have the oil of Aaron on their head. The generous quantity of oils adds to the picture of the community gathering as a "sweet, pleasant" time together." James Linburg, cited by David Guzik
Oil was a "valued commodity" with the Israelite people. It was not only used in the Temple to anoint the priests, but also to put on their guests when they would come to their home to share a meal. They needed to be washed with these "perfumed oils" because in Israel's hot temperatures it was important to "cool down".
Jesus Himself had this "sweet smelling fragrance" poured on him when visited by Mary Magdalene.
Jesus Himself washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper, and after His resurrection. For Christians today, Jesus' resurrection represents our UNITY in the Church and our future FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST IN HEAVEN.
"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Salome brought Spices so that they might go to annoint Jesus's body....."Don't be alarmed", he said, "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified. HE HAS RISEN! He is not here, See the place where they laid Him."Mark 16:1,6 (NIV)
Oil is also a "symbol of the Holy Spirit". In the Body of Christ - the Church, the "sacred and sweet smelling oil" comes over all God's people - His Children.
"Christian fellowship is like the oil poured on the head, running over, onto the beard. It is precious and refreshing, it is a gift from God, and God is generous with His gift. He doesn't hold anything back." Ray Fowler
2. DEW OF HERMON (MELTING SNOW) - Psalm 133:3a, Galatians 3:23-29
"Mt Hermon is far to the North of Jerusalem (Mt Zion). Mount Hermon rises above the Jordan Valley. It had its share of hearty rainfull and snow. The melting snow, or dew, flowed down into the Valley. In arid country the rain is scarce and the rivers dry up. It is the scarcity of water in these dry lands, which makes Mt Hermon's dew so precious." Nancy Koestet
The RICH DEW that covers MT HERMON, makes the land green and moinst. It refreshes the thirsty ground. In fact MT HERMON AND MT ZION are UNITED by their DEW. This image also reminds us of the CHURCH where we are all one. It is this UNITY "that crosses all human boundariues and divisions".
In Christ we all have a special UNITY, through Himself, God and the Holy Spirit.
"There us neither Jew nor Greek, slace nor free, male nor female, for YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS." Galatians 3:28 (NIV)]
"Dew is REFRESHING and Christian fellowship should also be REFRESHING. We should leave the Church ENERGIZED, ENCOURAGED AND RENEWED - charged up, revved up and READY TO GO." Ray Fowler
CONCLUSION: THE BLESSING OF UNITY - Psalm 133:3b
"For the Lord bestows His blessing, even LIFE FOREVERMORE." Psalm 133:3b
We have talked about the GOODNESS and the SOURCE of living in UNITY. Finally, let's talk about the BLESSING that is "bestowed on us". The word "bestow" means to "command." You receive God's blessing you need to LIVE IN UNITY.
God's blessings LAST FOREVER and it is a "foretaste of Heaven". We lift up our hands to PRAISE GOD when we are in Church often SEEKING HIS BLESSING. In the New Testament we read how Jesus sought UNITY among his disciples and the believers in the Early Church.
"By this all men will know that you are my disiciples, if you have LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER." John 13:35 (NLT)
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who willingly believe in me, through their word; that all mat BE ONE, as You Father, are in Me and I in You; that these also may be ONE IN US, the world mayt believe that You sent me." John 17:20&21 (NKJV)
Later, in Acts we read how the Early Church UNITED IN FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER. ]
"So the continued daily with ONE ACCORD in the Temple, and BREAKING BREAD from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and HAVING FAVIOUR WITH ALL PEOPLE." Acts 2:46&47 (NIV)
"The point that stands in the fact that they were all in ONE ACCORD. They were UNITED and there was UNITY AMONG BELIEVERS, and God was BLESSING THEM. " George Clayson
Finally, Paul reminds us of the importance of having UNITY and HARMONY among one another. In the Early Church there was not always harmony among God's people and Paul reminded them thay they needed to "work hard" at this.
"If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, LIVE PEACEFULLY WITH ALL MEN." Romans 12:18 (NKJV)
"Always be humbe and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of Your love. Make every effort to KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT through the BOIND OF PEACE." Ephesians 4:2&3 (NLT)
"If you want to experience GOD'S BLESSING, them you need to LIVE IN UNITY. God gives HIS BLESSING when believers live together IN UNITY." Ray Fowler
"Together", Chris Tomlin & Russell Dickerson (Composers and Performers), 2020, Chris Tomkin Channel (ITUNES)
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"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
Clayson, George, "The Blessing if Unity" ,2023, LogosSermons.com
Guzik, David, "Psalm 133 - The Blessed Unity of God's People - The Enduring Word, Bible Commentarty", 2020, ewm@enduruingword.com
Fowler, Ray, "Psalm 133 - Living Together in Unity - The Psalms of Ascent - Stepping Stone", 2023, rayfowler,org
Koester, Nancy, "Commentary on Psalm 133", 2009, WorkingPreacher.com
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