By Tom Shanklin

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19, KJV.

There is tremendous power in agreement. If we can agree on anything, Jesus said, It shall be done of my Father.

If a group of Christians can just come into harmony, the possibilities are limitless. But all too often, strife and division spoils the work of God and the thwarts the great work that He wants to do through His body. As Jesus said, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21, KJV.

This message will stir you and encourage you to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit. It will give you some practical keys to overcome offense and to walk in harmony in your home, your business, and in the church. Let this message speak to your  heart today. It's a very important issue, and one the greatest causes of the short circuiting on the power of God today!

Here's the teaching notes…

THE POWER OF AGREEMENT

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:15-20, KJV.

Main Thought: If you can get a bunch of Christian believers to agree, you will have a mighty force for God. Psalm 133, Acts 2:1-4, The role of unity in revival.

AMP 19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Not just agree about a specific prayer request; but basically to live in harmony.

Sumophonos—agree together in harmony; make the same sound. Symphony.

Praying together helps us to "tune up" with the conductor.

-Flow of thought in Matthew 18, conversions, humility, don’t offend littles ones, go after the 99, relationships, forgiveness.

Forgiveness is the essence of the Gospel; Un-forgiveness and strife are contrary to the Gospel.

“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12, KJV.

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21, KJV.

“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Luke 6:28, KJV.

Dealing with conflict…

Unity is so important that Jesus gave a prescription to deal with offenses in the church. He said if someone trespasses against you, go to him alone, not gossip to all your friends and cause disunity in the church body. Most of the time, this will correct the problem. The goal here is reconciliation and healing and preserving the unity of the saints.

WE ARE CALLED TO SPEAK THE SAME THING

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV.

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful...