Unity is a rare and precious gift among God’s people, and it is both good and pleasant in the eyes of the Lord. When we gather together, whether in worship, in community groups, or in the everyday moments of life, we are called to reflect the unity that God himself enjoys—Father, Son, and Spirit living in perfect oneness. This unity is not just a nice idea or a passive state; it is something we must actively pursue, pray for, and protect. The world around us is marked by division and discord, but God’s people are to be set apart by a supernatural togetherness that transcends our differences, preferences, and even our own desires.

Psalm 133 paints a vivid picture of what this unity looks like. It is like precious oil poured out on Aaron, the high priest—an image of being set apart, consecrated, and refreshed. This oil was rare, costly, and used only for a special purpose, just as unity among God’s people is a rare virtue that marks us as belonging to him. The psalm also compares unity to the dew of Mount Hermon, which brings life and refreshment to the land. In the same way, unity among believers brings life, provision, and blessing to the church. It is in this place of unity that God commands his blessing—life forevermore.

But unity is not easy. It requires self-denial, humility, and a willingness to put aside our own preferences for the sake of the body. It means bearing with one another in love, practicing forgiveness, and sometimes admitting that we are the ones who need to change. Community groups are where this unity is lived out in practical ways—sharing meals, meeting needs, celebrating and mourning together, and pushing each other to follow Jesus more closely. This is not just about being around people we like; it is about loving the people God has placed in our lives as he has loved us.

The call is clear: boldly pray for unity, strive for it, and live it out. Unity is not passive; it is an active pursuit that brings the good and pleasant faithfulness and provision of God into our midst. Let us be a people who are marked by this rare and beautiful virtue, for in unity, we find the blessing and life that God has promised.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Unity Reflects the Heart of God True unity among believers is not just a social nicety; it mirrors the very nature of God, who exists in perfect unity as Father, Son, and Spirit. When we dwell together in unity, we reflect his character to the world, showing that our oneness is rooted in something far deeper than shared interests or backgrounds. This unity is a testimony to God’s goodness and his desire for his people to be one as he is one. [45:59]
• 2. Unity Is a Consecrating and Refreshing Blessing The imagery of oil running down Aaron’s beard is more than poetic—it points to the way unity sets us apart as God’s people and refreshes us in our journey. Just as the oil was rare and costly, so is the unity that God pours out on his church. It is both a sign of being chosen and a source of joy and refreshment, making our life together not just bearable, but beautiful and fragrant to those around us. [50:52]
• 3. Unity Brings Life and God’s Provision The dew of Mount Hermon brings life to the dry land, just as unity brings vitality and blessing to the church. Where there is unity, God commands his blessing—life forevermore. This is not just about getting along; it is about experiencing the fullness of God’s provision, faithfulness, and presence as we live out our calling together. [59:01]
• 4. Unity Requires Self-Denial and Active Pursuit Unity does not come naturally; it must be pursued with intentionality and humility. It means denying ourselves, practicing self-control, and sometimes letting go of our own preferences for the sake of the body. This is a spiritual discipline that challenges us to love others as Christ has loved us, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. [57:11]
• 5. Community Is the Context Where Unity Is Lived Out Community groups are not just a program—they are the primary context where unity is practiced and protected. In these smaller gatherings, we bear one another’s burdens, celebrate together, serve one another, and grow in Christlikeness. It is here that the blessing of unity becomes tangible, and where we learn to love, forgive, and strive together for the sake of the gospel. [66:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:22] - Assurance of God’s Love
• [30:50] - Declaration of Our Need for God
• [32:27] - Introduction to Bold Prayers Series
• [35:33] - Importance of Taking Notes and Discipling Others
• [37:47] - Sibling Story: From Conflict to Unity
• [39:34] - The Power of Unity in Crisis
• [40:36] - The Longing for Unity
• [41:55] - Psalm 133: The Call to Unity
• [44:31] - The Challenge and Beauty of Unity
• [45:59] - Unity Reflects God’s Character
• [49:23] - The Image of Oil: Consecration and Refreshment
• [52:58] - Unity as a Distinctive Mark of God’s People
• [54:30] - The Cost and Blessing of Unity
• [58:14] - Unity Brings Life: The Dew of Hermon
• [63:12] - Praying for Unity at Impact Church
• [66:30] - Community Groups: Living Out Unity
• [69:14] - Stories of Unity in Community
• [70:59] - Striving for Unity: A Rare Virtue
• [71:56] - Responding: Pray, Repent, Live in Unity
• [74:00] - Final Prayer and Response

Bible Reading

Psalm 133 (ESV) — > Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
> It is like the precious oil on the head,
> running down on the beard,
> on the beard of Aaron,
> running down on the collar of his robes!
> It is like the dew of Hermon,
> which falls on the mountains of Zion!
> For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
> life forevermore.

Observation Questions

1. What two images does the psalmist use to describe unity in Psalm 133, and what do they represent?
2. According to the sermon, what was the context in which Psalm 133 was originally sung or prayed by God’s people? [[41:55]]
3. What does the phrase “the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore” mean in the context of this psalm?
4. In the sermon, what are some practical ways community groups live out unity? [[01:09:14]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the psalmist compare unity to the oil poured on Aaron’s head? What does this say about the value and purpose of unity among God’s people? [[50:52]]
2. The sermon says unity is “good and pleasant” because it reflects God’s own nature. How does our unity as believers show the world what God is like? [[45:59]]
3. The dew of Hermon is described as bringing life and refreshment. In what ways does unity bring “life” to a church or community group? [[59:01]]
4. The sermon mentions that unity requires self-denial and humility. Why is unity so difficult to maintain, and what are some obstacles that get in the way? [[57:11]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says unity is not passive, but something we must “actively pursue, pray for, and protect.” What is one specific way you can pursue unity in your community group or church this week? [[41:55]]
2. Think about a time when you experienced conflict with another believer. How did you respond? Looking back, is there anything you would do differently to pursue unity? [[39:34]]
3. The oil on Aaron set him apart for a special purpose. In what ways can you help set your group or church apart as a place of unity and refreshment for others? [[50:52]]
4. The sermon says unity often means putting aside our own preferences for the sake of the body. Is there a preference or desire you need to lay down for the sake of unity? What would it look like to do that? [[57:11]]
5. Community groups are described as the main place where unity is lived out—sharing meals, meeting needs, celebrating and mourning together. Which of these do you find easiest? Which is hardest? How can you grow in the harder area? [[01:09:14]]
6. The sermon calls us to pray boldly for unity. Take a moment to pray for unity in your group and church. What is one specific thing you want to ask God for regarding unity? [[01:11:56]]
7. The psalm says God commands his blessing where there is unity. How have you seen God’s blessing in times of unity? Is there a situation right now where you need to seek reconciliation or forgiveness to restore unity? [[01:12:59]]