Sermon Central
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The Power Of Agreement
Contributed by Olayinka Alamu on Jun 4, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: What it means to agree in the presence of God
The Power of Agreement
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Definition of agreement
It means to come into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion
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.
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.
Why at least two
Strength
Ecclesiastes 4:12 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
Ecclesiastes 4:10 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
Ecclesiastes 4:9 two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
Defense
Ecclesiastes 4:12a … 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
The process of agreement
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 Amos 3:3 asked the question “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
Psalm 1:1, walking in the counsel of the wicked, you must have agreed with the wicked’s advice. So to agree effectively we must know our friends.
This stage in the process of agreement affords us to know and understand our partner or partners before we agree on any issue. This partner could be a praying partner, a business partner. This is why:
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness
have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is
there between Christ and Belial[1] ? What does a believer have in common with an
unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are
the temple of the living God…
Priority
We must get our priority straight before we agree to agree or agree to disagree, especially wives and husbands because your decisions which is based on your agreements will determine the strength of your marriage.
Acts 5:1-9, This Husband and wife did not get their priority straight, they agreed to agree for their selfish interest and not to the Glory of God.
Verse 1 revealed that Ananias and Sapphira agreed to sell a piece of land.
Verse 3 Ananias made the decision and Sapphira agreed to it.
Verse 9 revealed that Sapphira agreed to test the spirit of the Lord.
Christian brothers, Christian workers, Wives, Husbands, what determines your agreement with other?
The Bible says in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path”. Before you agree regarding a matter, compare your priorities or desires with what the scriptures say, and ask yourself the following questions:
§ Would you be able to ask God to bless it?
§ Could you thank Him for it?
§ Would it be to God’s Glory?
§ Would it be of the world?
§ Would it be a stumbling block to others?
§ Would it be a weight or hindrance?
§ Would it please God or man?
§ How would the Devil react?
§ What would the consequences be?
§ Would it edify you?
§ Would it serve the right master?
§ Would His indwelling presence agree with it?
§ Would you want to be doing this when Jesus Returns?
§ Would it promote love?
§ Have you sought the Lord about it?
§ Have you sought Godly counsel or advice?
Promise of answered Prayer
Mathew 18:19, gives us a definite assurance that there will always be an answered prayer when there is an agreement.
In the book of Daniel chapter 2, when King Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree because of his dream, when Daniel hear he had to request for time so that he could agree with his friends.