The Commanded Blessing

 

Ps. 133   Unity:  (Hebrew--Yachad) To Become _____
A group of people laying aside personal ambitions to pursue a common cause, interest, or action--becoming like-minded

Sports Team—To ____ a championship
Company—To make money
Christian—The cause of Jesus Christ

Lone Ranger Christians—don’t need anyone else. . .

• Lions go after the animals that are separated from the herd
• James tells us to call the elders of the church if we are sick

4 Places Unity Will Bring Us

1. A place that is ___________ (v.1)
1. Compare that to James 3:16  For where envy and strife exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
2. When God’s people are unified—it produces a supernatural peace and ___
3. When God’s people are in strife—it causes hurt, offense, and has even turned people away from serving God

 

2. A place of _________ (v.2)
1. Oil—The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

• The burden removing, yoke-destroying power of God
• Christ—The Anointed One

2. Not just a little oil—covered his head, beard, and even the edges of his garments!
3. When God’s children are unified, it produces an atmosphere of Anointing

• Breaks yokes and burdens
• People drawn to salvation

4. Jericho—The people acted in perfect unity
5. People come to church because the believe God can make a difference in their lives
6. Many sinners have come to church and found the same ________ and division they are trying to break free of

3. A place of ___________ (v.3)
1. The Dew on Mt. Hermon—365 days per year regardless of drought or season
2. Continual, perpetual watering of the mountain
3. Water—the substance of life
4. Ruth & Naomi
5. As a church that stays unified we can expect perpetual provision

 

4. A place of ____________ (v.3)
1. _____ Blessing vs. __ blessing

• A basketball player
• The basketball player

2. The place where God’s people dwell unified is the place God COMMANDS His blessing!

• Deut. 28:1-13, Mal. 3:12, Rom. 14:17, 3 Jn. 2, Jn. 10:10, Gen. 12:1-3

3. I want to be there (there--a physical place)!

How to Walk in Unity

1. _______ for the vision  Prov. 29:18  Hab. 2
1. _____-Vision vs. ___-vision
2. God’s global vision
3. SHC’s local vision

 

2. Build _______________ within the church body
1. Acts 2:46—breaking bread from house to house
2. Ecc. 4:9—two are better than one
3. Prov. 27:17—iron sharpening iron

3. ______ and encourage others 1 Jn. 4:7-8
1. Be a blessing even when you are not asked to be
2. Have your spiritual antenna up and searching for needs
3. Words, prayers, mentoring, physical or material help
4. Be the minister that Pastor Matt can not be

 

4. Stay out of _________ at all cost
1. Strife can take a Christian right out of their ____________
2. It can take out a church
3. James 3:16—Strife—every evil work
4. Agreement vs. submission
5. Minor doctrinal differences

• 2 Tim. 2:23
• Titus 3:9
• Pharisees argued over doctrine and neglected love & mercy

Conclusion:

• God has a great vision for this ministry and the people in it
• The only way we will get there is together
• Stay unified—it will take effort, it will cost you some pride, and may not be convenient
• But to raise up a church overflowing with the love of Jesus—it is well worth it!