June 15--Unity

1 Kings 14:1-15:24 Acts 10:1-23 Psalm 133:1-3 Proverbs 17:7-8

Go Mavs! Anita and I joined the family, including all 9 grandkids, for swimming, barbecue and a LOUD Mavericks basketball watch party on Sunday afternoon. It was a joyous occasion! Having watched or listened to at least portions of nearly every Mavericks game this season, I was thrilled to watch the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA Championship. They did so with the kind of self-less teamwork they have shown all year. Unlike rival teams that seemed to sport one, two or three superstars, the Mavericks won game after game with team efforts. While Dirk Nowitzki was clearly the team leader, each win was a show of unity with players taking turns being the top or second-best scorers. At least six players scored well for each victory. God must have smiled with us at the unity represented by this team, and the glory given to Him by the MVP of the final game, Jason Terry.

Our Psalm for today is a beautiful tribute to the kind of unity exemplified by this Mavericks team. Psalm 133:1 reads, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." Here's a four-point analysis of that unity--1) shared goals, 2) shared values, 3) clear individual roles, and 4) mutual respect. Each member of the team was clear about the goals--the score board kept that clear. They were united by values including unity, hard work, trust, and belief in each other. They each new their respective territory--what position to play, who and where to defend, where to be to catch the passes and make the shots. Finally, they respected each other--from respect for the coach, to respect for the point guard (Jason Kidd) calling the plays, to respect for each players ability to score.

1 Corinthians 1:10 has this plea: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." Our life in Christ is of eternal significance, far more important than a basketball championship, yet too often we lack unity. Divisions tear us apart. Galatians 5:19 puts a lack of unity on the sin list: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." So, as we strive to build the Kingdom of God, as we grow our church, as we serve our families, our places of employment, our schools, our cities, states, nation and world, may we exemplify unity. May we receive that unity through the power of the Holy Spirit!

If we keep our goals clear, are united by the values of Jesus, and if we identify clear roles and areas for each of us to serve, and if we tie it all together with mutual respect and love for one another, you and I can, as it says in Philippians 1:27 "stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Go Brothers and Sisters in Christ!!

Pastor Paul