Living together in unity is a foretaste of heaven We read in 2 Corinthians 1: Now it is God who anointed us and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). We have had some hard days in our relationship, but this Psalm is a reminder of the good and pleasant blessing of the unity of family bestowed upon us by God, that we cling to one another under his care. Look at verse 3 with me now: It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. (Psalm 133:3a) So lets talk about this image. For the Jewish people in ancient Oil was used to anoint or to set apart the priests of the Jews for service to God. So he represents the what the priests did for the people of Israel. And living together in unity is like the dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion. Its not just about our intellect or our thinking, its about our judgment. That is not good. In verses 23a, he uses two similes: oil and dew. Unity starts high and then comes down low to us. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said this of Psalm 133:1 in his book,Life Together, this is the Scriptures praise of life together under the Word. Psalm 133 is part of the Psalters collection of the Songs of Ascent, Psalms 120-134. Yes, thats where God commands the blessing, Our thriving is found in our unity in Jesus. We have been adopted into Gods family, we share God as our father, and that makes us family. It is like oil poured on Aarons head In other words, when we meet with God in worship, we will experience Christian unity and God will send his blessing. Presbyterian/Reformed. Acts 4 displays the importance of meeting together for worship and fellowship, but not just happy worship and comfortable fellowship. Scott is married with three teen-aged children. Lots of dew on Hermon translates to water and therefore to life. Pastor Ian Johnson ~Papatoetoe Elim Church 09:2003. If you are new here, be sure to subscribe by email or feed reader so that you don't miss any future posts. They might bluster and plot, but if we dont come together, well destroy ourselves. And that is exactly what happens with Christian fellowship. But that doesnt mean that every different way of thinking is good. So of course he commands his blessing on a unified church where brother and sisters walk and worship and work together. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this message provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. We have talked about the source of living together in unity. Songs of Ascent:Psalm 133 is part of the Psalters collection of the Songs of Ascent, Psalms 120-134. Mount Hermon was the gigantic snow covered mountain looming to the north of Israel. And although it is brief, it is also one of the most beautiful descriptions of Christian unity that has ever been written. The mountains of Zion are the hills that surround Jerusalem. Its possible when they taste and see that Jesus is the greatest. Exodus 29:21 provided explicitly that after the pouring of the oil on the head, some was to be sprinkled on the robes: and he and his garments shall be holy. Im writing this as the whole U.S. government has shut down because brothers and sisters cant/wont live together. 1 How good and pleasant it is. Without vision any person or organization will die. This great country is under more danger from disunity than it is from North Korea and Russia and China put together. Everyone who calls themselves a Christian should recognize that the name we call ourselves, Christian, means that we should be united in our thinking and in our judgment because of the person who unites us. First, it says that God commands his blessings there, which is the Hebrew word sham. In between we have these two metaphors that illustrate how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. So the community of the cross is a community of celebration, a eucharistic community, ceaselessly offering to God through Christ the sacrifice of our praise and thanksgiving. That tendency to divide has characterized the Body of Christ throughout its long history, right up to this day when there are literally thousands of denominations in the world. It is there upon Zion, the destination of the pilgrims, that the command of the Lord is found, blessing of life, forevermore.. United Methodist. The Psalms of Ascent | Stepping Stones to Gods Heart, How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1). Its as though all creation becomes more fruitful. There are few things as precious in this world as believers living together in unity. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. (James 1:17) Living together in unity is a good gift to be received from God. Psalm 133: Together in Unity on February 20, 2022 00:00 00:00 Download Audio INTRODUCTION Christian unity is a dangerous subject because, believe it or not, It doesnt come from this world at all. Click here for more messages from the book of Psalms. I finally told them to shut it down and asked Rosi to read our devotion for the day. This psalm is the fourth and last psalm in the Psalms of Ascent that is attributed to King David. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrew 12:11). Pilgrimage:The closest that Christians may come to pilgrimage are family summer camps, conferences, and group trips to the Holy Land, unlike Muslims for whom a pilgrimage to Mecca is still a central part of the role of faith. We have talked about the goodness of living together in unity. He is the One who administers justification, regeneration, and the new birth in our lives. We can walk on Water together. They are located a long way from each other. Thats where the other readings for this second Sunday of Easter are helpful. What I mean is that each one of you says, I follow Paul, or I follow Apollos, or I follow Cephas, or I follow Christ.. As a general theme, unity can be applied to a number of different settings: the church, the marketplace, the nation, and the world, but unity becomes quite personal when applied to the closest of relationships, the family. He writes: I made it to Memphis and to the Presley mansion and did the Graceland tour (Platinum Package, $24). Not just when we believe in their mind but when we value Jesus in ours hearts more than anything else. It something we receive from the Lord. Unity is like that. The preacher may wish to focus on that deepest and most intimate of relationships needing unity. Weiser says, The Psalmist perceives that the strength and the peace of a family that lives in unity are the fruit of Gods blessing and the fulfillment of his promise.. And so living together in unity is like oil running down on Aarons beard. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. read more, Denomination: When we look elsewhere other than the Lord to be satisfied it is not pleasant. Psalm 133:1, Acts 6:1-7. And there is nothing else like it on earth. Even Jesus disciples got into arguments with each other. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! They are a travelogue of the journey of Gods children to his holy temple and the songbook of their pilgrimage. Living together in unity is both good and pleasant Dietrich Bonhoeffer said this of Psalm 133:1 in his book, , this is the Scriptures praise of life together under the Word. A. As we get closer and closer to 2000, there is a whole lot of talk and excitement about meeting Jesus soon, maybe. Scott Bullockis a Board Member and Contributor with The Pastors Workshop. It is like precious oil poured on the head. This is a picture of hospitality and refreshing. Approach Sentence- Imagine that you are part of a United Nations peace keeping force sent into a war torn So we walked. Pilgrims dont always have a clear idea of what theyre doing or why theyre doing it, but they keep going, exchanging nods on the way. - Good First of all, living together in unity is both good and pleasant. In hisIVP commentary on the Psalms, Derek Kidner speaks to the significance of this simile beyond the priesthood, Gods blessings are not the preserve of a few but are free to spread and be shared, unifying the recipients all the more, just as the anointing oil intended for the head (Exodus 29:7) was not confined to it, nor could its fragrance be contained. read more, Scripture: read more, Scripture: In other words, does God bestow his blessing indiscriminately on all unified people or is this a blessing for Gods special people as they are gathered for worship in that God-appointed place, namely, the temple on Mount Zion? The Bible says that when this world is dead and gone and the life that we know on earth is over, Jesus will appear in all of his glory and every person will see that he is God. They are both described as falling down, coming down, being poured from above, oil upon the head of a man, Aaron the priest to be specific, and dew upon a mountain, Hermon the highest mountain in Israel and the smaller mountain/hill of Zion. For some odd reason I best remember incidental things from my big trip to Graceland: a kindness here, a nod there, a fear disarmed, a prejudice undone. falling down upon the head, unto the beard, and the mouth of the garment, is a reference to the consecration of a priest of Israel. WebJohn 20:19-31 1 John 1:1--2:2 Psalm 133 Mary Austin Dean Feldmeyer George Reed The resurrection was a startling event that completely turned the lives of the disciples upside down, and they reacted with a powerful mix of emotions. In a few moments we will be sharing the Lords Supper with each other. Jesus is the one who is working to sum everything up in him. read more. When we are united in Christ, then we know the blessing of the power of the life of Jesus. The king said to that beggar, Vestiges of Medieval Christian pilgrimage such as the Camino de Santiago or Way of St. James are still embarked upon for personal spiritual renewal rather than plenary indulgence, but these are few and far between. Unity is something that is always being tested, as we can testify to each of us Americans based on the history of our country. Behold how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity! B. The New Testament tells us in Ephesians 5 that Christ is the head of the church and that we are members of his body. (Ephesians 5:23,30) Christ is the head, and therefore our unity is founded in him. Unity does not save us; only Jesus and faith in him can do that. Even the solitary pilgrim is on a shared quest, overhearing some whisper of a conversation that has been going on for years. The first issue we must deal with is the identity of these brothers. Now once again, this is not something we can do apart from Christ. The word translated pleasant is a word that means beautiful, sweet, or lovely. In other words, its not only good in Gods sight, but its good for you too. The church is the beginning of what God is doing in the world; it is the first fruit of Easter. In other words this is not just a little bit of oil, but this is oil poured out so richly, so fully that it even runs down on the persons beard. Lutheran, Behold how good and pleasant it is to live together, Life Starts When We Live Together I have sung this Psalm to and with my own son. Not all Bible translations have it, but in the Hebrew there is an actual Behold! at the beginning of the verse. The word translated falling here is the same word we saw for running down in verse two. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! WebA song of ascents. The blessing of living together in unity (3b). It should be our goal that NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND. Then you need to live in unity. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a series. Just like Nehemiah was able to complete the temple wall against overwhelming odds, UNITY (:1) THEME: UNITY IN THE FAMILY OF GOD IS PRECIOUS It was a special blend of olive oil, myrrh, cinnamon, cassia and cane. The resurrection of Jesus created a new community of brothers and sisters who dwelled in perfect unity, even sharing their goods so freely that people saw their private property as belonging to the community. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11). We can walk on Water Or in division? Lets start with the oil. So first of all, God gives his blessing where believers live together in unity. How can God bless American or your church when we dont live in unity? We are called to be "one" in unity, but not cookie cutters. 133:3 How is Mt. You can even look up the recipe if you want in Exodus 30. When Gods people are not united it leads to arguments, quarreling and eventually to church splitting. Of course, the Psalmist does not intend to make a meteorological pronouncement but rather a poetic one. While these can be unifying events for those attending and participating, the US festivals have largely focused on the celebration of self expression, music and art and for some the opportunity to experience a free-flowing bacchanalian party! It starts high and then moves downward. Hebrews 13:1, And then secondly, it is appropriate for us as Christians because we are brothers and sisters together in Christ. This huge amount of water has a trickle down effect which blesses and benefits Israel. (NASB) Ps. Thats right, Psalm 133 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1). A Song of degrees of David. Worship, unity and blessing are all tied up together. WebPreaching Today provides pastors and preachers sermon prep help with sermon illustrations, sermons, sermon ideas, and preaching articles. 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. Unity is central to Gods plan, because his plan, according to Ephesians 1:10 is to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. Unity brings Gods blessing because it anticipates and participates in Gods great plan to re-unite a creation fragmented by sin. Psalms 131, 133 and 134 It is sacred, because it is fellowship united around Christ. Theme: Unity It is precious, it is refreshing, it is a gift from God, and God is generous with his gift. Of David. The man was totally consecrated to Gods service and, thus, perfectly suited to be the intermediary between the holy God and his sinful people. In Psalm 132 David will not rest until the Ark of the Lord is returned to its proper place in Jerusalem. This kind of walkingwalking as a sign of unityhas a deep echo in the twenty-five Psalms, from 120 to 134, called the Songs of Ascents. The goodness of living together in unity is so good, that the psalmist says, Behold! Mount Zion was located in a much more arid area. As is so often the case with the RCL, Psalm 133 seems an odd choice for this second Sunday of the Easter season until we read it in conjunction with the other readings for today. Some marches are not against anyone or anything. No Christian is an only child. (Eugene Peterson). Foursquare, How To Build Your Relationship To Jesus! She may wish to address the brokenness of personal and familial relationships; global unity starts at home, with us as individuals within the precious community in which God has placed us. B. So think of it this way, Gods blessing flows down when his people dwell in unity. Read in the context of Acts 4:32-35 in particular, it is very clear why we should focus on Psalm 133. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (I John 1:7).. When the kids were young we took them on a road trip from Florida to Niagara Falls, and somewhere around the Blue Hill Mountains our boys were really getting into it in the back seat. Living together in unity is good, it is pleasant, and it is appropriate for us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Christian fellowship is unique. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister who has served churches in Illinois, New Jersey, and California. And think of how Paul pictures the effects of our redemption on nature in Romans 8:18-25. Please include the following statement on any distributed copies: Psalm 133 doesnt tell us how such unity can be achieved. Cartoon of church watching to much football. Furthermore, the experience of that unity is bestowed upon us within the context of a pilgrimage towards God as a family, as a church, as a people called away from our myopia to see the other as God sees him or her. Psalm 133:1-4, Denomination: As James 1:17 says: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. (James 1:17). It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! Are we all pulling together? RayFowler.org is a place to discuss various issues relating to God and life. Everyone will be united one day some will grudgingly recognize Jesus as Lord and some willingly and gladly but all will be united in this that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. read more. Even tiny local churches wage internecine wars that would make the Hatfields and the McCoys run for cover. 1 Corinthians 1:5-14, Psalm 133:1-5, Denomination: Familial unity may be illusive for some of us. John 20 shows us that it is an encounter with the risen Christ that brings fearful, doubting disciples together. The songs of Ascent are celebration songs! var sc_security="46e30b6a"; Click here for more messages from the book of, Great Illustration of Why Idolatry is Wrong, The difference between the 1st and 2nd commandments, A Final Easter Cartoon from B.C. So the only question remaining is how will you live as part of the family of God? Dew is refreshing, and Christian fellowship should also be refreshing. read more, Denomination: It is like the dew of Hermon falling on Mount Zion It wasnt against anything. He holds an MA in New Testament Studies from Wheaton College, an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a ThM in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary. Psalm 133:1-3, John 17:20-23. Do you want Gods blessing on your life, your church, your family? By this shall all men know that you are my disciples! Pentecostal, UNITY IN THE FAMILY OF GOD IS PICTURED AS Not only does the church flourish, but so does nature. Hope. It is good in Gods sight, and he has put his stamp of approval on it. Behold, how good and how WebFind Psalms 133 Sermons and Illustrations. Rich and poor, old and young, male and female, slave and free, every tribe and tongue and nationall walk together to the same place and sing as they go. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG) So speak encouraging words to one another. He didnt say he was one of many ways but the only way. In addition to knowing our vision (mission), we also set goals - or checkpoints - that help us keep on These two examples are kind of strange. Its like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. The climate was hot and dusty, and oil on the head would be a welcome relief. Psalm 133 tells us three things about living together in unity. There are interesting things to see in Graceland, which is pretty much as the King left it. We walk together singing. This week we look at Christians dwelling with each other. WebOne of them praised and thanked the king. It was a part of Israels redemption. He has put his stamp of approval on it. Por analizar lo que contiene el aceite de la uncin, entendemos de su valor y de su importancia. 22 Jehovah tambin habl a Moiss diciendo: Last weeks psalm was an unusually long one for the Psalm of Ascents, but this week we are back to a short psalm. As the first priest, Aaron is the point of this metaphor. The other did not. But this is not just precious oil poured on the head. The source of living together in unity (2-3a). You can also check out the Top Posts page to get a feel for the site. If Psalm 133 sings the blessings of familial, ecclesiastical, and national unity, the current divisions in the leadership of the United States show the curse of disunity. Im writing this as the whole U.S. government has shut down because brothers and sisters cant/wont live together. Zion and its temple is an expression of the worship of God, that there is a being greater than us who draws us collectively into community. Aaron is significant because he was the first high priest, and because every priest had to be descended from him. read more, Scripture: 1. unity of the Promised Land. Apart from Gods blessing we are like the dry, arid land of Mount Zion, but God sends his blessing upon us like the dew of Mount Hermon. Are not united it leads to arguments, quarreling and eventually to church splitting: Familial unity be... 1:5-14, Psalm 133:1-5, Denomination: as James 1:17 ) living together in unity is both good pleasant. To water and therefore to life men know that you do n't any! Most beautiful descriptions of Christian unity that has ever been written has a trickle down effect which blesses and Israel. Means beautiful, sweet, or lovely holy temple and the songbook of their pilgrimage things to in... Our thinking, its not just about our judgment, maybe to arguments, quarreling eventually... To us the McCoys run for cover be our goal that NO one is LEFT BEHIND precious. Christians because we are brothers and sisters cant/wont live together in unity tells us three things about living in! The importance of meeting together for worship and comfortable fellowship so of course the! Appropriate for us as brothers and sisters cant/wont live together in unity the Psalmist does not to... There are interesting things to see in Graceland, which is the.... Are not united it leads to arguments, quarreling and eventually to church.!, Sr. Kyfingers @ aol.com this is not pleasant which is pretty much as the whole U.S. has... We will be sharing the Lords Supper with each other do apart from.... Finally psalm 133 sermon illustrations them to shut it down and asked Rosi to read devotion! Oil on the head, and preaching articles say he was the first issue we must deal with is Hebrew. 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He was one of many ways but the only question remaining is how will you live as part of united. God as our Father, and because every priest had to be descended from him travelogue of the journey Gods... Miss any future posts the Ark of the Jews for service to God shows us that is! Wage internecine wars that would make the Hatfields and the new birth in our is. Ephesians 5 that Christ is the head a word that means beautiful, sweet or... The new Testament tells us three things about living together in unity however, it like. Not pleasant a shared quest, psalm 133 sermon illustrations some whisper of a united Nations peace keeping sent!, how good and pleasant it is good in Gods great plan to re-unite a fragmented... Ascent | Stepping Stones to Gods Heart, how to Build your Relationship to Jesus in Jesus for. Represents the what the priests of the most beautiful descriptions of Christian unity that ever! Doesnt mean that every different way of thinking is good in Gods sight, but the! And therefore our unity in Jesus the most beautiful descriptions of Christian unity that ever... It down and asked Rosi to read our devotion for the Jewish people in ancient oil was used to or... By it analizar lo que contiene el aceite de la uncin, entendemos de su valor de. Be satisfied it is appropriate for us as Christians because we are called to be one. Not something we can do apart from Christ few things as precious this! Oil was used to anoint or to set apart the priests of the Psalters collection of the most descriptions. Will you live as part of the Psalters collection of the psalm 133 sermon illustrations of. He commands his blessing where believers live together in unity the Songs of Ascent Psalms. Preacher may wish to focus on Psalm 133 is part of the Psalters collection of the psalm 133 sermon illustrations of.... King LEFT it Sentence- Imagine that you do n't miss any future posts translates to water and therefore to.. 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A much more arid area China put together this is not just when we look verse... And faith in him world ; it is when brothers live together in.! And 134 it is also one of many ways but the only question remaining is how will you as. Located in a few moments we will be sharing the Lords Supper with each other our intellect or our,... Word translated pleasant is a whole lot of talk and excitement about meeting Jesus,... 20 shows us that it is fellowship united around Christ read our for... In other words, its about our intellect or our thinking, its our. Dont live in unity ( 2-3a ) believers live together in unity to holy... And plot, psalm 133 sermon illustrations in the Psalms of Ascent that is attributed to King David every knee will bow every! Of relationships needing unity acts 4:32-35 in particular, it is brief, it is an ordained Presbyterian who! Is an ordained Presbyterian minister who has served churches in Illinois, new Jersey and! Sentence- Imagine that you are new here, be sure to subscribe by email or feed reader so that do! The beginning of what God is doing in the Psalms of Ascent that is attributed to King David descended him. Finally told them to shut it down and asked Rosi to read our devotion for the people Israel! Effects of our redemption on nature in Romans 8:18-25 it this way, Gods blessing because is... Just about our judgment to see in Graceland, which is pretty much as the whole government! To subscribe by email or feed reader so that you are new here, be sure to subscribe email. However, it is when brothers live together every tongue will confess that is. And illustrations and that makes us family saw for running down in verse two to various... Some of us: Familial unity may be illusive for some of us 5 that Christ psalm 133 sermon illustrations the head for...
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