Crestwood Church Blog

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.” Psalm 133

Unity is one of the most precious attributes that God wants his people to inherit. It is something that made Israel victorious and close to God and it is the prayer of the Lord Jesus that the church should be one. (John 17:21) When we are one we are stronger and love flows and the power of God falls.

In governments , sports, empires, at work, at home, when unity reigns, you achieve more, there is a common sense of purpose and the indifferences between us disappear, or become less noticeable.

Last week at Quinta was a great week where a large part of the church (53 in total) were able to come and share a holiday together. It rained, and it rained but it did not dampen out spirit, because unity is bigger than emotion, weather or circumstance.

The great thing about unity is that we can all still be ourselves, we all have different personalities and different ways of doing things, and unity works when this is in unison with each other.

The common factor of the church is the Lord Jesus, he is the glue that binds us, he is our example and our source of delight. His spirit within us is like the oil that is poured on the High Priest in this Psalm, he covers every part of the body ( the church) and he is the one who brings the refreshing. Everyday life often is exempt from unity, but when God’s people come together, unity is evident and it is this attribute that often speaks louder than any other form of evangelism.

Brothers and Sisters, let us be in the place where the refreshing oil of the Spirit of God can continue to bind us and strengthen us and keep us from looking through our own eyes at each other. The joy of unity is that it is here that God commands or pronounces the blessing. Put aside any divisions or disagreements and look to unity that comes from Christ through his Spirit. So that He may be satisfied and delight that his children abound in love and unity.

Labels: Holy Spirit, Oil, Strength, unity

posted by Andy Hodson - Sunday, 10 August 2008, 21:32
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This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people and particularly of all believers. 1 Timothy 4:9-10

Serving Christ, is no easy walk in the park. That may be one of the greatest under estimations in the 21st century, but today as much as we work for the kingdom and glorification of the Lord Jesus through our mortal lives , we know little of what many have faced since the church started in AD33.

Many of us like to keep fit, some of us think about it, a few actually do it, but many fall well short of the pain threshold in physical exercise that is needed to keep us in perfect condition. This weekend the “Olympics” start in China, many athletes will soon come face to face with those that they have been training to run, swim, jump, row against. Only one will come back with the prize, the Gold medal, in years past the victors laurel.

Paul writes about his life and is encouraging Timothy the younger church leader to keep going with the effort and exercise he is putting in for the kingdom. The word “struggle” in this verse is an athletic term, it means to reach or strain for a prize. In the 100m race it is normally won by the narrowest of margins, it can be down to the one who strains to get his head over the line and wins by that distance. You see it in their facial expressions, the look of agony and commitment to get that prize.

In this verse God is really saying two things, one are you straining, pushing yourself to achieve more for the gospel of Christ, do you work hard for God.

Paul’s reason is simple and yet massive, obvious and yet profound. For our hope is in the “LIVING GOD”. Wow, we do it to please and serve the Living God, the one true God, the Almighty, the Majestic, the Awesome, Indescribable God.

Now that changes everything, do you attend church for you, do you work with kids or youth for you, do you do whatever you do, for you or for the Living God who saves, who saved you. If someone rescued you from the sea, put themselves in danger for you, would you not be eternally grateful. God through Christ rescued you from the pit of hell and has put you in his safe keeping until he comes again.

Brothers and Sisters, please don’t get stuck into living for Jesus for yourself, or for the elders, but get stuck in, because of the One who has done it all for you. When you are at home thinking should I go tonight, say “yes” because my father, the living God would want me to.

Labels: Athlete, Living, Strain, Struggle

posted by Andy Hodson - Saturday, 2 August 2008, 21:37
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