CHARACTER QUALITY # 47 Unity

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.  3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Lesson From The Bees

One bee always seems ready to feed another bee, sometimes even one of a different colony. Mutual feeding among bees, who are very social insects, is the order of their existence. The workers feed the helpless queen who cannot feed herself. They feed the drones during their period of usefulness in the hive. Of course they feed the young. They seem to enjoy the social act.

Bees cluster together for warmth in cold weather and fan their wings to cool the hive in hot weather, thus working for one another’s comfort.

          When swarming time comes, bee scouts take out to find suitable quarters where the new colony can establish itself. These scouts report back to the group, executing a dance (as they also do to report honey) by which they convey the location of the prospective home to the colony. As more than one scout goes prospecting and reports back, the bees appear to entertain the findings of all scouts and at last the entire assembly seems to reach a common conclusion on a choice. Thereupon they all take wing in what is called a swarm.

During the last Supper Jesus prays a beautiful prayer for the disciples.  How they are one with Jesus and how he loves them and will protect them. How he is one with the Father and they are one with him.  It is a beautiful prayer.  The prayer continues but takes a turn – this is the continuation of that prayer:

John 17:20-23

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 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. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 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.

teteleiwuenoi eis en = that they may be "having been perfected – in - one”

The perfect tense indicates a permanent state as the final goal and result.  In other words, our unity with one another and with Christ is not to be hit or miss, rather constant and unending.

Unity does not mean conformity.  It does not mean we always agree on everything.  What unity does mean is that we have the same purpose – the same goal – the same belief – the same direction.  I might think it is better to go on the lower windy path and you might think it is better to go on the higher straight path but we are going in the same direction – reaching for the same goal – that people may know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

By our unity with the church past present and future, there may be a unity that defies logic – that cannot exist by human will alone – that our unity is a byproduct of our individual relationships with Jesus.  Jesus is saying, when the world sees this, they can then find salvation.  If the church is not in unity, the world will pass us by without a second glance except to ridicule us.

Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Do you know your brothers and sisters – Carol Jean Edwards blessed my heart at the church picnic – I asked a group of long-timers to introduce themselves to people they don’t know and I caught her doing it – an example of striving for unity.

 “STRANGERS” TOO LONG

Privates Henry Pauch and Steve Obeda, inducted at Fort Sheridan, Ill., came to a camp in Texas, in the same troop movement. For two months they were in the same platoon and slept in bunks not far apart. Then they exchanged addresses. One lived at 2533 South Troy Street, Chicago, and the other at 2541, same street, same city. They were close neighbors, but strangers for thirteen years – then got acquainted so far from home.

 Colossians 3:12-14

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The Lonely Hill

The cross stood on a lonely hill, And He was lonely, too,

The day they nailed Him to the cross         To die for me and you.

The sins of every one of us Lay heavy on His heart,

Yet He was not afraid to die For He had done His part.

Around Him all was loneliness, For few would stand Him by.

Ah, let it not be all in vain He suffered so to die.

If you will listen when He comes And knocks upon your door,

Then let Him in, so that He won’t Be lonely any more.

The cross is right before you now at this place he does abide,

Memento of that blessed day When He was crucified.

Come to the lonely hill again, And stand once more to pray

That all the world may know His love through unity of His church on this communion Day.

Form the Heart,
Pastor Jeff Cooper