THE CHRISTMAS TABLE

At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ Luke 14:17 (NIV)

So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.Ephesians 1:6–7 (NLT)

A Table Of Unity

I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)

The Heart Of Unity

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV)

Ephesians 2:14–19 (NIV) 

¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 

¹⁵ by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 

¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. 

¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 

¹⁸ For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.

If the Lordship of Jesus Christ is not greater than any difference you have with others—be it political, racial, economic, language, geography or whatever, then you have not fully understood what it means to be under the Lordship of Jesus. David Guzik.

Unity – Commanded Blessing

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the LORD commanded the blessing; life forevermore. Psalm 133:1,3 (NKJV)

1. Unity With God

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Deuteronomy 6:4–6 (NIV)

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” Genesis 11:5–7 (NIV)

2. Unity With Others

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29–31 (NIV)

Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:28 (NIV)

A. In Marriage

You husbands must give honour to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT)

Physical—“As you live together.”

Intellectual—“Treat your wife with understanding.” 

Emotional—“Giving honour to the wife”

Spiritual—“That your prayers be not hindered.”

B. In Church Life

All the believers were one in heart and mind… With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all. Acts 4:32–33 (NIV)

C. In Prayer

Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.Matthew 18:19–20 (NIV)

Conclusion

I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one — I in them and You in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved me. John 17:22–23 (NIV)

Communion

If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23–24 (NIV)

Sean Stanton — Sunday 8 December 2024​​ of