Lesson 3 ~ Third Week December
THE POWER OF TOGETHERNESS
Background Reading
Ecclesiastes 4:9; Daniel 1:20; Acts 3:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:17
Devotional Reading
Acts 16:25-40
Central Verse
“And all that believed were together and had all things common.”
Acts 2:44, KJV
“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.”
Acts 2:44, NLT
Key Terms
Unify – To make into a unit or a coherent whole.
Togetherness – In or into one place, mass, collection, or group; in touch or in partnership with each other.
Introduction
The Word of the Lord tells the believers that two are better than one; for they can accomplish more together than they can alone. Together means with or in proximity to another person; in one place, mass, collection, or group; in contact, connection, collision, or union; in agreement with; harmony; or unified. Togetherness implies self-confidence and organization.
There is always more power when believers come together in agreement to accomplish a common goal. It is important to understand the power of agreement that two believers have the privilege to execute. In Matthew 18:19, Jesus tells the believer that if two shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by His Father in Heaven. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (KJV, Matthew 18:20).
Discussion
Many scriptures stress the importance of believers joining together in their efforts to build the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. Believers must realize that they are fighting against a formidable foe, who has made them aware that he comes to steal, kill and destroy. To combat the powers of the enemies, believers must come together in the power of the name, the blood and in the strength of Jesus Christ.
Peter and John were newly filled with the power of the Holy Spirit when they joined together at the hour of prayer. On their way into the temple, they saw a man lame from birth lying at the gate of the temple, requesting alms from them as they prepared to enter into the temple. Peter looked at the man and told him to look on him and John. The lame man did as Peter told him, because he expected them to give him something tangible. Peter told him that they didn’t have silver and gold, but they did have something to give him. He told the man, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (KJV, Acts 3:6). Peter took the man by his right hand and lifted him up; immediately the man’s feet and ankle bones received strength. He jumped up, stood, and walked into the temple with them, leaping and praising God. It is not recorded where John said anything, but he was there in support of what Peter was saying and doing. They were together in prayer and power, and the man received his healing.
God wants the same thing to happen for believers in this day. He wants believers to join in together and believe Him for healing and miracles, but believers must touch and agree, believing together. If we would all believe on Jesus as the scripture says, out of His belly would flow rivers of living waters, giving life to those who need new lives.
We are living in perilous times and many believers are being persecuted around the world. Now is the time for believers to join their faith as one and come to God believing Him for victory, just as Paul and Silas did. They were beaten and put in jail for preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. At midnight they used the power of unity; they sang and praised God at midnight, when the guard and all the other prisoners were sleeping.
They sang and prayed so loudly that the other prisoners heard them. Sometimes, believers must be vocal about their worship and praise; they cannot be ashamed to openly give God praise. Together their praise was so powerful that God got involved and sent a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosened. The keeper of the prison woke up and saw what was happening. Thinking that all the prisoners had fled, he took out his sword to kill himself, but Paul spoke aloud and let him know that they were all there.
The keeper of the prison came under conviction and, through the leading of
Paul, he and his household received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. When believers come together in the power of Jesus’s name, there is no power on earth that can stop them. No other power can hold them, and no other power is greater; for greater is He that is in the believer that he that is in the world.
Conclusion
Believers are a part of the Body of Christ, so they must unite to accomplish things that may seem impossible. The body must work together to accomplish common goals. When believers honor God by trusting and obeying Him, God will honor them by doing the things that are impossible for them.
Questions
1. Why is it important for believers to come together as one?
2. Why is there strength in numbers?
3. What happened when Paul and Silas sang and prayed?
4. What did Jesus promise if believers would touch and agree on something?
Essential Thought
Two are better than one for they can produce and accomplish more.
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