Sermon Recaps

Why Unity Unlocks God's Blessing (And Bitterness Blocks It)

By Erik Kingsley · · Imagine Church, Pembroke Pines, FL

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to walk in God's blessing while others struggle to break through? The answer might surprise you—and it has everything to do with who you haven't forgiven yet.

This past Sunday at Imagine Church, Pastor Erik Kingsley delivered a message that cut straight to the heart of what keeps us from experiencing God's fire in our lives. With just one week before Pentecost Sunday, he asked the room a question that probably made everyone squirm a little: "Is there anybody in your life right now that you have not forgiven?"

The truth he unpacked from Scripture was both challenging and liberating: The fire falls on unity. Division delays Pentecost.

Unity Is Where God Commands His Blessing

Pastor Erik took us to Psalm 133, where David reveals something powerful about how God's blessing works:

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore." —Psalm 133:1-3

Notice that word "commanded." God doesn't suggest blessing or hope you get blessed. He commands it, decrees it, orders it. But only in one place—where there is unity.

"Unity is not just a nice idea," Pastor Erik explained. "It's the address where the blessing lives."

The oil David describes wasn't just any oil—it was the anointing oil, the sign of God's presence and consecration. When we dwell in unity (not just tolerate each other, but actually make our home there), the anointing flows through community, not in spite of it.

Love Makes Unity Possible

But here's where it gets practical. How do you achieve unity with imperfect people who have hurt you? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 13—not just the "wedding chapter," but instructions for a divided church full of real wounds and legitimate grievances.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." —1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Pastor Erik broke down what this love actually looks like:

  • Love is patient with the person who hurt you
  • Love doesn't keep a ledger of wrongs—it tears up the record
  • Love believes the best in people, not the worst
  • Love never fails—not sometimes, never

"Unity is not built on perfect people," he emphasized. "It's built on people who choose love even when it's hard."

The Prison of Bitterness

One of the most powerful moments came when Pastor Erik addressed the cost of unforgiveness. Using Hebrews 12:15, he explained how bitterness isn't just a feeling—it's a root that grows deep and contaminates everything it touches.

"Bitterness is a prison where you are both the prisoner and the guard. You hold the key. It's called forgiveness."

He painted a devastating picture: "The person you're bitter toward is probably not thinking about you. They may not even know you're hurt. They may have moved on completely. While you are sitting in that root—letting it grow deeper every day—poisoning your own soil."

What Forgiveness Is (And Isn't)

Pastor Erik was careful to clarify what biblical forgiveness actually means:

Forgiveness is NOT:

  • Saying what they did was okay
  • Pretending it didn't happen
  • Trusting them immediately
  • Reconciling the relationship instantly

Forgiveness IS:

  • Releasing them from your personal court of justice
  • Handing the case to God
  • Taking them off the hook in YOUR heart
  • Choosing your freedom over their debt

"Forgiveness doesn't set them free. Forgiveness sets YOU free."

All Together in One Place

The message culminated with Acts 2:1, where the disciples experienced Pentecost because they were "all together in one place." Pastor Erik broke down three requirements:

  • ALL—nobody was missing, nobody was too hurt to show up
  • TOGETHER—unified in heart and mind, not just proximity
  • ONE PLACE—physically present, breathing the same air

"The fire fell on ALL of them because ALL of them were there."

Your Next Step

As Imagine Church prepares for Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Erik challenged everyone to take specific action this week:

  1. Forgive somebody—make the decision, even if you don't feel it yet
  2. Call somebody you've been avoiding
  3. Believe the best about people instead of the worst
  4. Invite everybody to Pentecost Sunday
  5. Come ready—whole, free, and expectant

The question isn't whether God wants to pour out His fire in your life. The question is whether you're positioned to receive it. Unity isn't just about getting along—it's about positioning yourself where God commands His blessing.

If you've been carrying bitterness, holding grudges, or avoiding difficult relationships, this might be the week to let it go. Not for them—for you. Because you deserve the fire, and your Pentecost breakthrough might be just one act of forgiveness away.

Want to hear the full message? Check out our podcast or catch it on our YouTube channel once it's uploaded. And if you're in South Florida, we'd love to see you this Sunday at 10 AM—doors open at 9:30. There's a seat waiting for you at the Holiday Inn in Pembroke Pines.

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