A. While in Kenya on a short-term mission trip, I purchased this walking stick. It is made for the tourist like me, not the Kenyan. But what caught my eye was the motto carved into it that says “Harambee.” It is Swahili for “let us pull together.” It was part of the original unity movement when Kenya became an independent nation in 1963. It was used as a special calling by leaders to bring together clans, communities and even the nation of Kenya. It was both an invitation to a special meeting and reminder of the importance of unity at the meeting.
B. I am sure that in my childhood, like yours, we siblings never fought. Well, maybe we fought a little. Okay, I cut my brother’s thumb and sister knew every button to push.
C. Is it different in churches today? There are those who dislike the "in" crowd and the "in" crowd saying they are not a clique. It is easy to find fault in our brother or sister. There is just one problem with that feeling – it goes against everything God desires for his family. We are more than just people who believe in the same God and worship in similar style. We are family.
D. It is both good and pleasant when we beat the norm and come together in unity. It is good and pleasant when we unite with a common plea and look for ways to serve each other.
E. David compares it to the fragrant oil used on the high priest and was poured over him with such a great amount that it ran down his head and beard and onto the collar of his robe. This was not a dab of oil, but an out pouring. It is perspective. To the Jews it was an anointing to show that a person was of great importance so they took something expensive and used it in a way that was uncommon. To take the high priest and anoint him with that much oil would have cost a tremendous amount of money. It was not a waste, because he was not a waste. Do you understand that the more I value you, the less I value things? Therefore, I can do something extravagant and it not be wasteful, because it being used in conjunction with you; and you are important. Where the dew of unity falls so does the blessing of the Lord our God.
I. D – Discovery of Jesus
A. David says the blessing of unity is like the dew of Mount Hermon falling on Mount Zion. The idea is that the dew is refreshing and a blessing in such a dry climate. I want to make an acronym of the word DEW this morning and talk about some things that are refreshing and a blessing as we dwell together in unity. I want you to consider the DEW of our REACH retreat that starts tomorrow.
B. The letter “D” stands for “Discovery.” One of the things that Jeff will teach us is the importance of our relationship with the lost. We use the word outreach, but I like discovery.
C. As Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, he gathered his disciples on a mountain and there he told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt 28:18) Most of us don’t know much about REAL authority. Most of us would say that “authority” and “power” are the same thing. There is a difference. Power has no direction – only the sheer force of energy. Authority does. It implies control, jurisdiction, and the ability to rule.
D. The biblical foundation of the authority of Jesus is simply that He is (and always was) God! Because of His authority, He has given to each of us the responsibility (and blessing) of sharing the announcement of this discovery with the world. That is a specific direction – a goal to accomplish. That goal was to “go make disciples of every nation.” Why do I constant push sharing your faith with others? Because people we know will die in their sin and be cut off from eternity with God and us if we don’t. The world is stuck in the mud of sin and it is our goal to help people discover the Jesus who can set their feet on higher ground.
II. E – Encouragement of the Saints
A. There is more to the DEW coming down than just discovery of Jesus. When a person comes to Jesus and is saved, God adds them to the church, the body of Christ. David begins this psalm with a word that the NIV does not use. Some translations say “See” others say “Behold.” The idea of the word is to “stop and look at something.” In this case David says “Stop and look how great it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Some churches are changing the name on their signs to “Family of God” to make a statement.
B. The letter “E” stands for “Encouragement.” Another aspect of the REACH retreat is our relationship with each other. Most of us realize that Peter had several failures. It is one thing to fail, it is another to be told you will fail. Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” That’s really going to make his day. We know that Satan won that battle, but Jesus did not leave Peter only knowing Satan’s desire, Jesus told Peter his desire. He finished that thought by saying, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32) Peter needed to know his commission in light of his failure. Peter was to encourage others.
C. Part of our responsibility as a Christian is to encourage one another. Encouragement comes when you are at your spiritual high to help someone who is at their spiritual low. It motivates others to keep on in the face of trials and difficulties. Encouragement will help bear a brother’s load while at the same time teaching them how to carry their own burden. It is the gift of the older mentoring the younger, the elders shepherding a flock, the preacher ministering to needs within the family and teaching the unbeliever. Encouragement weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice. It is how churches become family and how individuals become the body of Christ.
III. W – Worship
A. The last aspect of the DEW I want to mention is taken from the letter “W” which I want to stand for “Worship.” Jeff will also talk about relationship with God. Until that relationship is personal and real nothing else will matter. Jesus told the woman at the well, “A time is coming and now has come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23)
B. There have been many who seek to define what worship is, I would rather ask you to think about what worship does. Worship is a celebration or lifting up of something or someone. We are here to worship the Father. It is our time of celebration each week as a family. The world has much depressing news to offer, worship is our time to bring praise to God and lift our spirits up before him.
C. David would dance before the Ark of the Covenant.
Paul and Silas would sing praises and pray while being bound in the depth of a prison cell. The throng in heaven surround the throne and cry “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Who is, and was, and is to come.” (Rev. 4:8)
D. Worship can lift us up before the throne of God. I believe you will experience that each of the next three nights and this afternoon at the area wide singing. For the last hour we have been in worship. Can you feel the DEW falling down and the blessings of God rising up? I can.
Conclusion:
A. Discovery, Encouragement, Worship. The DEW of Hermon falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessings, even life forevermore.
B. Do you have “life forevermore?” Have you discovered the Jesus who can lift you up from the muck of sin and set your feet on the rock of salvation? Have you been blessed by the encouragement that comes from the family of God? Have you opened your heart to worship God and come before his throne with thanksgiving? That DEW of God’s blessings can be yours today.
C. If we can help you receive from God his blessings, then come as we stand and sing.
