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Unity Is Pleasant v. 1  Hebrew for “pleasant” = agreeable  Used re: music Psa 81:2  Used re: honey Prov 16:24  Unity is to be as “harmonious” as song and as “sweet” as honey

Unity Is Pleasant v. 1  Think of the division David had known in his lifetime  Re: Saul 1 Sam 18:16  David never tried to divide the nation 1 Sam 24:6 26:9  All he ever did was run to protect himself

Unity Is Pleasant v. 1  Think of the division David had known in his lifetime  Re: Absalom 2 Sam 15:1-6  Absalom did try to divide the nation… seize it for himself  His actions were not honorable

Unity Is Pleasant v. 1  When Israel had unity, how “pleasant” that must have been  The Lord does not approve of anyone who tries to further conflict, strife among His people Prov 6:16-19  We need to develop David’s spirit

Unity Is Precious v. 2  As precious as the oil used to anoint the high priest  A revealed recipe Ex 30:23  When near, one could have smelled the sweet fragrance of his presence  Not offensive, pungent

Unity Is Precious v. 2  The oil flowed down from Aaron’s head to the edge of his robes  Idea of completeness, all-consuming  Unity is to be this way  Inclusive of everyone…even the lowliest among us 1 Cor 12:20-25

Unity Is Precious v. 2  The oil flowed down from Aaron’s head to the edge of his robes  Unity is to be this way  It shows no respect of persons…willing to embrace everyone Acts10: Cor 1:10-12 Jas 2:1-9

Unity Is Perpetual v. 3  As on-going as the dew of Mt. Hermon  Dew needs 2 things (cool air, moisture)  Moisture Ù Mediterranean Sea  Cool air Ù Mt. Hermon

9,200 feet above sea level Highest mtn. in the area

Top snow covered most of the year Principle source for Jordan River Can be seen far away A little more than 100 miles

Unity Is Perpetual v. 3  As on-going as the dew of Mt. Hermon  There is always dew near Mt. Hermon  Necessary, given the low rainfall  If not for dew, vegetation would die  In the north, dew is so heavy the plants are literally drenched each morning

Unity Is Perpetual v. 3  Just as Mt. Hermon’s heavy dew brings refreshment to plant life, unity will refresh God’s people  Just as dew descends from above, so will the blessings of unity Jas 3:13-18

Conclusion  Unity can’t be worked up with “cheerleader enthusiasm” (shallow)  When conditions are right, it comes  It is achieved when something is present that unites  For us, that “something” = TRUTH

Conclusion  Religious people who differ doctrinally have tried to have “unity in diversity”  A failed concept  Not what Jesus prayed for Jn 17:14-20  Not what can be “kept” or “preserved” Eph 4:3

Conclusion  Unity only comes with others who try to do what I do…live righteously before God and obediently to His word  Have we achieved such “unity” at this place?

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