Monday 21 January 2013

How Vital Is Spiritual Unity? By Dr. Thomas Chung dated 20.1.13

Introduction

Last week in Genesis chapter 1 we studied how God created the natural laws. What goes up must come down. We also examined the spiritual laws God created. Behind the natural laws are spiritual laws. God is light there is no darkness in Him. We live in a dark world. Jesus came, so the church can give light to the world. When we talked about Jesus we bring light to the world.

This week we look at unity verses disunity. Spiritual unity verses spiritual disarray.

 In Matthew 12:25 Jesus said every kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. In FBC we may have three different language groups, but we are spiritually united in Christ. The languages divided us, but we are united in spirit. Blessings come through spiritual unity.

Psalm 133:1-3 have only three verses but they speak volumes in spiritual unity. This Psalm was most probably written by King David. King David knew that if he did not unite the tribes the nation of Israel will not be united. King David was from the tribe of Judah and King Saul from tribe of Benjamin. When King David came to power, the people of Benjamin thought King David will kill them all, however, God gave the Spirit to King David and allowed the tribe of Benjamin to support King David.

 What God thought of spiritual unity? He said “how good”, “how pleasant” . “Good” can refer to outward beauty whereas “pleasant” refers to inward beauty. Inner beauty refers to the thoughts, the heart, and attitudes. Outward beauty refers to behaviors. If your heart is right your behavior will also be right. The Bible talks about both these beauties. We are not only to do what is right but have to be seen to be right!

Verse 2, the anointing of Aaron from the head to the beard to the collar of his robe which was an outward poring of oil and this also symbolized the inner Holiness of God. Also symbolizes God anointing a person.

The oil is symbolic a) The Holy Spirit b) burning from God C) the oil reduce friction. Forgiveness is also like oil that can reduce the fliction between two persons. Pride is like two rough surfaces roughing against each other. When tough surface roughs against each other this causes burns. When we pour oil of forgiveness there is no friction. Someone said, “forgive perhaps, but not forget!”. Forgiving is not easy, but God can help us to forgive. Forgiveness is part of Christian maturity and spiritual growth. Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they were doing”. Spiritual unity from the leadership flows down from the eldership down to the congregations.

1st parabolic – oil anointing the head

2nd parabolic – dew on Mt. Hermon

Both talk about the importance of spiritual unity.

What is the meaning of “dew” in the Bible? Each time the Bibles talks about dews they referred to a) blessing of God b) revival. Isaiah 26:19 whenever there is spiritual unity, God will let dew fall.

Spiritual unity like faith a) faith in God b) faith we exercise.

There are two folds aspects here. 1) God gave faith 2) it is man’s responsibilities. In spiritual unity, God pours out the unity, but man must work at it. Where there is spiritual unity there is blessing.  

Conclusion

Ephesians 4:1-3 Unity and maturing in the body of Christ 1 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.

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