All These Men of War, That Could Keep Rank, Came
The unity of the Church is secured when individual hearts enthronize Christ, allowing each person to become one with all kindred souls in the everlasting kingdom.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of unity in the Church, drawing parallels from the unification of Israel under King David. He argues that true unity is achieved not through organizational efforts but by each individual heart enthroning Christ as King. Meyer warns against being double-minded, as true loyalty and service to God require a single-hearted devotion. He encourages believers to work together in harmony, as collective efforts yield greater results than individualistic pursuits. The sermon calls for Christians to maintain their ranks and support one another in the mission against the kingdom of Satan.
Text
All these men of war, that could keep rank, came
to make David king. I Chron. xii. 38.
THE crowning of David secured the unity of Israel. Because all these men of war converged on the chosen king, they met each other, and became one great nation. The enthroning of David was the uniting of the kingdom. Herein is the secret of the unity of the Church. We shall never secure it by endeavouring to bring about an unity in thought, or act, or organization. It is as each individual heart enthrones the Saviour that each will become one with all kindred souls in the everlasting kingdom.
Is your heart perfect to make Christ king? We read in verse 33 of Zebulon, whose warriors were not of a double heart; the margin says they were "without a heart and a heart." The double‑minded man is unstable in all his ways; he is not to be relied upon in his loyalty or service to his king. The only blessed life is that of the man whose eye is single. It is only such an one that receives anything from the Lord. Let us ask that the thoughts of our hearts may be cleansed by the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, that our hearts may be perfect towards Him, and so perfect to all who hold Jesus as King and Head, though they differ from us in minor points. Different regiments, but one army, one movement, one king.
Let us learn to keep rank, shoulder to shoulder, and in step, with our brethren. Too many like to break the ranks, and do God's work independently. Fifty men who act together will do greater execution than five hundred acting apart. There is too much of this guerilla fighting. Unity is strength; and in their efforts to overthrow the kingdom of Satan it is most essential that the soldiers of Christ move in rank and keep step.
Sermon Outline
- The Crowning of David Secures Unity
- The Secret of Church Unity
- The Importance of a Single-Minded Heart
- The Importance of Unity in Action
- Unity is strength
- Soldiers of Christ must move in rank and keep step
Key Quotes
“It is only such an one that receives anything from the Lord.” — F.B. Meyer
“Different regiments, but one army, one movement, one king.” — F.B. Meyer
“Unity is strength; and in their efforts to overthrow the kingdom of Satan it is most essential that the soldiers of Christ move in rank and keep step.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We must ask that the thoughts of our hearts may be cleansed by the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, that our hearts may be perfect towards Him.
- We must learn to keep rank, shoulder to shoulder, and in step with our brethren, working together effectively in the Church.
- We must strive to have a single-minded heart, being stable and reliable in our loyalty and service to our king.