(Unity In The Church )

VERY BRIEFLY IN THE WORDS OF THE LATE REVEREND DR LEROY BULLOCK ON MY WAY TO MY SEAT

I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOUR ATTENTION THE 5TH DIVISION OF PSALMS THE 133 # FOR YOUR READING I WILL LIFT UP VERSES 1-3

Psalm 133:1-3 (KJV)

1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

WITH THE HELP OF THE LORD AND THE GUIDIANCE OF OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

I WANT TO REASON WITH YOU ON THE THOUGHT

(UNITY IN THE CHURCH )

THE 133 # OF PSALMS IS A SHORT BEAUTIFUL GEM WITHIN TREASURY OF GOD`S ETERNAL WORD

IT WAS ONE OF SONGS THAT WERE SUNG EN ROUTE TO OR AT THE GREAT FESTIVALS IN JERUSALEM

BECAUSE THEY WOULD TRAVEL TO THE FEAST WITH COMMON PURPOSE

AND THAT WAS TO WORSHIP THE LORD AT JERUSALEM

AND AS WE EXAMINE THE TEXT BEFORE US

IT GIVES US SOME BIBICAL INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT UNITY IN THE CHURCH

WELL THE FRIST THING THE PSALMIST LETS US KNOW ABOUT IS

THE GOODNESS OF UNITY IN THE CHURCH

NOTICE WHAT HE SAYS IN VERSE 1

HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT IT IS WHEN BRETHENS DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY

BECAUSE THE WORD GOOD MEANS

EXCELLENT --AGREEABLE AND BENEFICAL

IN OTHER WORDS IT`S SOMETHING THATS GOOD IN GOD SIGHT

AND GOD HAS PUT HIS STAMP OF APPROVAL ON IT

THE WORD PLEASANT IS A WORD THAT MEANS

BEAUTIFUL --SWEET AND LOVELY

AND ALL THE PSALMIST IS TELLING US IS

THAT NOT ONLY IS IT GOOD IN GOD SIGHT BUT IT`S GOOD FOR THE BLOOD BOUGHT SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD

EVEN WHEN YOU GO TO ACTS 2ND CHAPTER 42 - 47

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

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WELL NOT ONLY DOES THE PSALMIST TELLS ABOUT UNITY IN THE CHURCH

BUT HE ALS O REVEALS TO US WHERE THE UNITY IN THE CHURCH COMES FROM

HE LETS US KNOW THAT UNITY IN THE CHURCH IS LIKE OIL POURED ON AARON`S HEAD

NOTICE WHAT VERSE 2 SAYS

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

IN OTHER WORDS HE GIVE US A BIBLICAL IMAGE THAT GROWS AND EXPANDS IN MEANING

BECAUSE OIL WAS A VAUED COMMODITY IN ANCIENT ISRAEL

NOT FOR MAKING GAS OR FUEL LIKE WE DO IN THIS DAY AND TIME

BUT IT WAS USED FOR COOKING AS WELL MOISTURIZING AND REFRESHING

AND THE UNITY THAT COMES FROM GOD IS NOT JUST OIL

BUT IT`S A PRECIOUS OIL

AND THE WORD PRECIOUS IS THE SAME WORD AS GOOD IN VERSE 1

IT`S EXCELLENT ---AGREEABLE AS WELL BENEFICIAL

IN OTHER WORDS THE PSALMIST PAINTS US A PICTURE OF HOSPITALITY AND REFRESHING

BUT NOT ONLY IS THE OIL POURED ON THE HEAD

BUT IT`S ALSO RUNNING DOWN THE BEARD

WHICH LETS US KNOW THAT GOD IS GENEROUS --GRACIOUS AND NOT STINGY

AND THE WORD RUNNING DOWN APPEARS TWICE IN VERSE 2

THEN APPEARS A 3RD TIME IN VERSE 3 WHERE IT`S TRANSLATED FALLING

IN OTHER WORDS GOD BLESSINGS FLOWS DOWN ON US FROM HEAVEN

THAT`S WHY BISHOP PAUL MORTON TOOK A PEN AND PUT IT TO PAPER AND WROTE

OPEN THE FLOOD GATES OF HEAVEN AND LET IT RAIN

I THINK THE OLD CHURCH USED TO SING IT LIKE THIS

EVERYTIME I TURN AROUND HE KEEPS MAKING AWAY SOMEHOW OVER AND OVER AGAIN HE KEEPS ON BLESSING ME

BUT THE RECIPE FOR THIS PRECIOUS OIL POURED ON AARONS BEARD CAN BE FOUND IN EXODUS 30 : 22 - 33

IT WAS A SPECIFIC FORMULA WITH SPECIFIC INGREDIENTS THAT WAS USED FOR ANOINTING THE PRIEST AND SACARED OBJECTS IN THE TEMPLE

AND THAT TEACHES US THAT UNITY IN THE CHURCH IS SACARED