The Power of Agreement!

‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Matthew 18:19–20 NKJV

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

[AV]

Matthew 18:

Big Idea:

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

When the people of God come together there is nothing that they cannot do!

MINISTRY:

Purpose:

We have come to a moment of great sadness as we pay tribute to the memory of M. W.. I knew M. through knowing E.. What a privilege is mine to have been asked to take this Service, and to pay my own tribute to M.. A man of character, a big man with a big heart. I have been impressed by his support of E. in her activities at H. C. Church, and also at H. C. E. Centre, where with us she has worked as a volunteer serving the local community. There will be a gap left by the passing of M., for he was greatly loved and will be missed by many.

To encourage the deacon and deaconess to come together in the spirit of unity to help the pastor build the kingdom of God on earth.

It is good at times like this, in moments of great sorrow, to turn for comfort and strength to the Word of God.

Prayer:

The Scripture chosen by E. that we read earlier, speaks of there being a time for everything. This is something we can find hard to accept. We gladly accept the nice, happy parts, but when it speaks of there being a time to mourn, and even a time to die, we find that hard to accept. But with the wisdom that the Lord has, which is far above ours, it becomes real and acceptable. ‘To everything there is a season’. At a time like this we need to remember that in God’s order there is a time to weep, and it helps us to bear the sorrow we feel when we allow the tears to flow, as we face the fact that there is also ‘a time to die‘. We must also remember that ‘weeping may be for a night, but joy comes in the morning‘.

Lord, the world that we live in wants to pound us down into the dust from whence we came. We are controlled by clocks, traffic lights, endless lines, unrealistic expectations and request for participation in all manner of civic events.

We read in the Scriptures of the God who loved so much that He gave His only Son to die for us. Can there be greater love than that? God cares for you and me! It is at a time like this that we can feel vulnerable, and need reassurance, a time when we hurt because we miss a loved one

Our energies are drained and our nerves become frayed. The trials and demands continue without end, and they often seem urgent, even chaotic. Help us to separate trial from opportunity, replace demand with sacrifice. Help us to replace urgency with submission to Your will, understanding instead of antagonism. Jesus, slow our lives down so that we can learn to enjoy some of the simple things in life. Give us the gift of patience.

You will remember that Jesus said “I lay down my life”. He knew that there was ‘a time to die‘. For Him to die. Here is One, the Son of God who is interested in each one, interested enough to die for us, and who now calls us to follow Him. It is in the closeness of His presence that we find encouragement and strength at a time like this?

Help us to understand rather than demand; experience relaxation rather than frustration.

Here we are, come to pay tribute to the memory of M. W., a relative and a friend. No wonder there is sorrow at such a time as this. We cannot deny that there will be an ache in many hearts because of this loss.

Lord Jesus speak through my vocal cords and think with my mind. Dip me down in the well of understanding that I may speak a word that I both edifying and pleasing in thy sight. I ask you to anoint the ears of those who are here today that they may receive with gladness the Word of God which is able to save our souls. This is my prayer in Jesus name let the church say Amen!

This then is the time to draw near to the Lord, the time when we hurt because we miss our loved one. It is at this time that we need to allow the Lord to care for us. Right here in this gathering, as you lift your heart to the Lord, you too can find the Peace of God coming into your heart. We need to come to Him to find His rest; to hear the comfort of His voice speaking to our hearts.

Definition of agreement

The Lord said, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What a wonderful promise from the One who loves with an eternal love, the One who cared enough for His each one to lay down His life for them. How good to personally know such a God as this, at a time when we need someone to help us in our time of sorrow.

It means to come into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion

Earthly friends, with all the best intentions, can tell us that they care, but that does not meet the full need. It does help, but it does not remove the ache from the heart. This is when we need our Heavenly Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to bring comfort where there is grief. He can bring peace where there is distress. He can bring joy even in the valley of tears. Does your heart ache? Then turn to the Lord Jesus. He wants to help you right now. The Word of God tells us to ’cast all our cares on Him, for He cares for us’. We see how much He cares, by His act of laying down His life for us, we who were lost and under condemnation. It is good to know that ‘God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him’, and bring us eternal life, through His death and our acceptance of His provision.

1. We can deduce that at least two people can agree to agree or agree to disagree. Whichever way we want to look at it, it means there is a common ground for moving forward either to the Glory of God or for our selfish reasons.

Right now, let us open our hearts to the Lord, and find safety in our distress. Give your aching heart to Jesus. Say to Him, ‘Lord, I need You to care for me’. He will hear you, and will help you.

2. It can also be said that there must be an agreement to go ahead or not to go ahead with a request from God, with a project on hand and so on.

May you each one know the Lord Jesus Christ, and the peace and comfort only He can bring.

Why at least two

Strength

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

A bundle of sticks cannot be broken. If the strands in the broom do not agree you cannot sweep with it.

An ant does not have strength to kill except when they are in numbers.

Encouragement

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Success

two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

Defense

… And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him

Faith added to faith

When at least two people agree, it means we are joining or faith together.

Overcomes our limitations

Friendship

Agreement brings about friendship because two or more people of common views or background must be involved. The first prerequisite in the process of agreement is to have at least a friend in other words; you must have at least a favored companion to begin the process of agreement. That is why asked the question “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

Satan has always deceived believers and nonbelievers into a self-centered narcissism that has brought destruction and waste. When you follow the enemy's tracks, his goal is always to divide and conquer.

In Eden, Satan brought death, dealing division to Adam and Eve and plunging the human race into the fall.

At Babel, Satan sought to use the miracle principle of unity to lead another rebellion against God. The ancient ruler Nimrod sought to usurp God's throne, as had Satan, by building a tower. Consequently, division came and the nations began to war against each other.

Abraham divided his family by siring a boy named Ishmael, the father of the Arab nation. This division now spans more than 3,000 years throughout the Middle East and will culminate with the end-time war of Armageddon.

The division of Jacob's sons and the selling of Joseph into slavery led to famine and shortage for Israel. This would only be remedied by the restoration of these brothers.

The captivities of both Israel and Judah took place after their division into two separate kingdoms under Jeroboam and Rehoboam. Israel could mark its decline from that breach in family relationship.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, the faith of Abraham was divided into Pharisees and Sadducees. They had wrecked the faith, and now the nation lived in slavery under Herod and Rome.

The Cross and Unity

Jesus came to die for individuals, but His cross also made possible miracle-working relationships. His cross reconciles all divisions.

Before His death and resurrection, Jesus gave a hint about miracle power in : "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Read this promise and see its potential. If we can agree, anything becomes possible!

Yet Satan has convinced the Western world that individualism, self-assertion and self-interest are the way. In the communist world, he has divided people into the educated elites and the so-called workers or masses. Here humans lose their souls.

The truth is that the cross redeems the individual and then reconciles that person with all the redeemed. In this new level of agreement, miracles become possible.

In , Jesus teaches us that connections count: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (vv. 4-5).

First, we must abide in the vine. Using the image of a vineyard, Jesus views believers as clusters of tasty grapes on a flourishing vine. Each grape is delicious, but together they can produce something more valuable: wine. This teaching reflects the Old Testament prophecies of God's family.

It is amazing that Jesus uses the word agreement to describe our relationships. The Greek word is sumphoneo. Sum is the word together, and phoneo is voice or say. We get our word symphony from this word. It means to let the same word of faith go forth from all of us in harmony. Every instrument in an orchestra is different, but when all the instruments are led by a capable conductor, the music is miraculous. This is the kind of harmony that is sweet to the ears of God. This kind of relationship makes miracles possible. God loves this kind of unity:

Later, Isaiah reminds the people of the favor that is released in the cluster of grapes: "Thus says the Lord: 'As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, "Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it," so will I do for My servants' sake, that I may not destroy them all'" ().

The prophet Micah mourns the loss of unity under the same image of the cluster of grapes: "Woe is me! For I am like those who gather summer fruits, like those who glean vintage grapes; there is no cluster to eat of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires. The faithful man has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; every man hunts his brother with a net" ().

God is looking for the cluster and instead finds brother pitted against brother. This terrible scene shows how the blessing is forfeited and mourns the absence of new wine. No wonder Jesus did such extensive teaching in on the vine and branches!

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore" ().

In this psalm, we learn that God commands not a blessing but the blessing when He beholds a people in unity. This psalm gives a prophetic view of the church clothed in the garments of the High Priest, with the anointing of power flowing from the Head, Jesus. As the church walks in unity, blessings flow off the Head to the hem of the garment. What a picture and promise!

Jesus came to bring reconciliation. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares that our offerings will not bring a harvest until we reconcile with our brothers ().

Jesus' prayer in is a cry for unity. This was what was on His great heart right before His bloody death. The whole prayer is in the plural, including us all!

James 1:5-

James 1:5–8 NKJV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Agreement begins with you!

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:2 NKJV

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:2–3 NKJV

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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Ephesians 4:2–3 The Message

And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

Eph 4:

Ephesians 4:2

Genesis 11:1–9 NKJV

Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:1-

The rat trap!

One day a well known farmer set a rat trap in the Barn to catch a rat that had been hanging around the barn. When the rat saw the trap he went to warn the other animals about the trap that he saw the farmer set in the barn. The rat went to the chicken and said to the chicken watch out for the trap in the barn. But the chicken just laughed and said that trap is not for me because I am too smart to be caught is such a trap. The rat went to the pig and told the pig watch out for the trap that is in the barn and the pig just snorted and said I am not worried about the trap that is in the barn because I am too strong to be held by a trap like that. So the rat went to the cow and said to the cow watch out for the trap that is set in barn; but the cow just kept chewing its cud and said I am not worried about such trap because I am too big to be held by a trap like that…

Soon after that the farmer’s wife came by the barn and the rat trap had caught a snake in it and when she walked by the snake bit her and made her very sick. So since the best thing to eat when you get sick is chicken soup, the farmer killed the chicken to make his wife some fresh chicken soup. The farmer’s wife continued to get sicker and sicker until she died. Since the farmer was well known a great crowd came to console him at the loss of his loving wife. They became hungry and needed something to eat so the farmer killed the pig to feed his guest. The funeral was quite an affair the farmer’s wife was laid to rest under an old oak tree in the family’s cemetery. After the funeral a repast was held and they had to feed the family and friends so the famer killed the cow to feed his friends and family. So as result of one rat trap, the chicken that was too smart got killed, the pig that was too strong got killed, and the cow that was too big got killed…

Oh the rat got away because he saw the trap…

The Pencil Maker...

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be." "One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand."

"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

“Four” Pencils have color. Your life will need to be colored with Patients, mercy and forgiveness!

“Five” Pencils have a number on them! May the Lord teach you to number your days so as to incline your heat to wisdom!

"Six: The most important part of you will always be what's inside." "Seven: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write." The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person. Three: You will be able with God’s help to correct any mistakes you might make. Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside. And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties. Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.

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