Tommy Walls delivered a sermon focusing on the theme of "The Place of Commanded Blessing," emphasizing the importance of unity among believers. He began by mentioning the absence of Brother Jeff, who was preaching elsewhere, and humorously referenced the congregation's preparation for snow. Walls centered his message on Psalm 133, describing it as a place of unity where God commands blessings. He reflected on the encouragement and promises from Psalm 37 shared in a previous sermon by Pastor Danny, highlighting the importance of trust, delight, and rest in the Lord, especially in the context of evil men seemingly triumphing.
Walls elaborated on the significance of unity, using Psalm 133 to illustrate how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. He compared this unity to precious ointment on Aaron’s beard and dew on Mount Hermon, signifying the anointing and refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit. He challenged the notion that unity is merely a name for some churches, pointing out that true unity transcends differences and disagreements.
The sermon further explored the aspects of unity – a place to dwell, something to behold, and likened to precious ointment and dew. Walls identified love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as signs of unity, rooted in the Spirit's presence. He discussed what hinders unity, such as bitterness, gossip, and a contentious spirit, and what advances it, including walking worthy of one's calling with humility, long-suffering, and love, as instructed in Ephesians 4.
Walls also emphasized the power of Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17 and the importance of edifying one another, being peaceable, and practicing forgiveness. He concluded by underscoring the significance of unity in witnessing to the world, as a divided church hinders the gospel message. The sermon ended with a call to strive for unity for the glory of Christ and the advancement of His kingdom.
