We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Psalm 133:1-3
*
INTRODUCTION
The psalmist has come from miles away - Psalm 120. He has leaned on the providential care of God on his journey home to enjoy one of three festivals – Psalm 121. He has heard some great truths and sung about some great family themes as he approached the city of Jerusalem – Psalm 122-129. In Psalm 130, he had a “Just As I Am” moment, probably in the temple, where he sees pictured all that must be done to atone for his sin and he unloads his burden of sin and guilt that he’s been carrying. And keep in mind, the psalmist was not alone.
*
One can imagine the scene as pilgrims ascend to Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16-17). They would have traveled from various places. They would have been from various tribes. They would have had different backgrounds and interests. Yet they all assembled for the common purpose of praising God, facing their sin, connecting with others, and anticipating what God might do next for the nation. Together, God’s people expressed a common heritage and faith. The writer testifies to the sweetness of this unity.
*
And now in Psalm 133, it’s come time to pack it up and go home. Psalm 133 is the psalmist’s way of saying: “This has been so good; I don’t want this to end. I don’t want to go home. I’m not alone in this faith. This has been so fun – being with everybody; unloading the guilt of my sin; the music, the food, the visual aids. But before they get out of there, they are given a departing word. All this unity and love you feel right now, take it with you. It’s been a great week together, so let’s not fight on the way home.”
*
PROPOSITION
Three wonderful pictures of unity in Psalm 133: verse 1 says that unity is like a devoted family; verse 2 says that unity is like a delightful fragrance; verse 3 says that unity is like a dewy field—three wonderful pictures, illustrations, of unity.
*
Stay United! When we stand united we can face the world together and not feel alone. Together, we find courage, strength, and power. But if we are influenced by a divider rather than a uniter, you will divide and then peace is destroyed. We have to work against the division, hatred, and selfishness.
*
Kidner succinctly enunciates this message: “In short, true unity, like all good gifts, is from above; bestowed rather than contrived, a blessing far more than an achievement.” Unity is both gift and effort. It’s “gift” in that God graciously gives it. It’s “effort” in that we can do things to minimize the friction of disunity. Unity can take years to build but seconds to destroy, so it must be guarded, preserved, and defended.
*
INVITATION
The word Christ means “the Anointed One.” By living sufficiently near to our great priestly Head to catch the fragrant ointment as it descends from Him — to be living so near the Man in the glory as that the refreshing dew of His grace may drop upon our souls, thus rendering us fragrant and fruitful to His praise.
*
Unity with your brethren is vitally important, but so is unity with your Lord: “If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom 6:5). Are you truly united with Christ? Are you reconciled to him? Are you living in him? Oh, Lord, bless and guard the unity of our church. Bless and guard the unity of our homes. Bless and guard the unity of our country. And, Lord, may that pursuit of unity start with each of us.