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Show WHEN WE AGREE Matthew 18: 19-20 This sermon oneness, to be is designed to on one accord, call us to to agree, and to be in unity. The Greek work for agree used in Matthew 18: 19-20 is a musical term. It speaks harmony of instruments in the symphony. It refers to that which has been put together and of the each part is congruent with the other, to harmonize and be without contention, to advance from the same roof. It reminds us of importance of being properly tuned to the same key, and giving the sweet sound by Holy Spirit power at the strike of the Master's hand. In this text Jesus was teaching: His disciples how to bring offended brothers back together, the into reconciliation. Most of us operate- as if the duty to make right a wrong is that of the person who did the- wrong alone. Jesus wanted them to know that the responsibility for doing something about separation and division was 1 always that of the person harmed It was to go to the was one one who did the harm. time try but time and time at first, then with another one or not just again---alone involved. The a one two, then involve the church. That would be the way of connecting up, establishing a covenant, and being put back together again. It is time for those of us who name the Name of Jesus Christ quit kicking and fighting. It is timeto come together in agreement. What difference would to it make if we The first were of one mind? thing that helps us to agree is to KNOW WHAT NOT TO AG-REE ON. God avoid agreeing to continue and further evil. I always read with great pain the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira in Acts wants us to 5. Both of them wanted the accolades and .. blessings that Barnabas received. So they agreed together to "tempt the Holy Spirit." They sold a piece of property, kept back part of the proceeds, and carne to the house of God. One c-ame claiming to give the proceeds of their 2 the spot for the lie he told. Then the other came, not knowing what property sale but died on happen, telling the same agreed upon lie and died, and was taken out and buried by the same undertakers. They didn't have to agree to continue the' evil. It was their possession that they sold and the money was theirs after they had sold it. When will calls us we agree to continue wrong, God to account. things this text brings to mind is that what God is getting done is according to The second His will and fulfills His word. When agree to com along side of God or better yet to allow god to come along side of us, we are on the right track. Ev-en Jesus we said, "I and my Father and one. I do nothing except my Father." "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the F ather in Me? The words that I speak to you, I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells- in Me does the works. in the Father and the else believe Me for the sake of Believe Me that I Father in Me', or am 3 the works themselves." did not come to (John destroy but to 14: 10-11) He fulfill. That the Old Testament and the New Testament work together to reveal th-e full story of God and His work among His people. There means is disharmony between the two. Finally, we ought to come-together and no agree because that PLEASES THE LORD. The Master came with a message- of 'reconciliation and He wants to see us together. He wants us to dwell and walk together in unit)'. Whenever we put aside our differences and come together for the cause of Christ, we can make the difference that please God. Jehoshaphat got word that a great host was coming against them. In his fear, he sought the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. When'all the people came together and asked the Lord for help, they defeated Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir. (2 Chronicles 20: 1-21) Nehemiah's homeland was- destroyed. He went back home and organized the people to rebuild / 4 The Bible says that "They rebuilt the walls because the people had a mind to work." the walls. Disciples scattered when crucified but they gathered in that (Nehemiah 4: 9) Jesus upper was room prayer on and the The were on one day accord, in of Pentecost. (Acts concert 14) Holy 1: They prayed and God poured out His Spirit like a rushing might wind and 3000 souls were added to the church. Peter was in jail, locked in' the inner cell with chains and guarded by soldiers but the church came together in prayer and an angel escorted Peter to the cooperate prayer meeting. (Acts 12: 1-17) For "The Church's Christ her Lord one over foundation is Jesus one Elect from every nation, yet all the earth." (Hymn 336 "The .... Church's One Foundation" 5 ' by Samuel Stone) |
