Written ~ 01-24-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Eighteen
Matthew 18
Here is quick overview of this chapter…
In verses 18:1-10 we see that temptation will be found in this world, verse 18:7 says, “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.”
Verses 18:12-14 is the parable of the Lost Sheep, verse 18:12 says, “If a man has one hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out and search for the one that is lost?”
Verses 18:15-20 explains how to correct a believer who is living in sin, verses 18:15-17 talk about the steps to take, “…go privately, then take one or two others with you…lastly, take your case to the church…”
Verses 18:21-35 is the parable of the unforgiving debtor, verse 18:32-33 say, “Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’”
Each of these passages have powerful meaning behind them, I pray you will read over them slowly, meditate on them, see how they can be applied to your own life.
For today’s Bible Study let’s take a moment to look at verses 18:19 and 20…
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as My followers (or gather together in My Name), I am there among them.”
Prayer can be a very private thing, just between you and the Lord. Most of us probably have that kind of open communication with the Father every day. But keep in mind just how powerful it is when we come together as two or three praying with intent and in the Name of Jesus. Look how The Amplified Version explains verses 18:19-20,
19 “Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”
It is important as believers that we come together in prayer. As we pray together with one heart, with one mind, powerful things take place in Heaven. (“When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, My Father in heaven goes into action.” Vs 18:19b MSG)
I don’t believe these verses mean that the presence of the Lord won’t be with you if you are praying alone, but there is definitely a powerful presence of the Lord when believers gather together in the Name of Jesus. That’s why it is so important to reach out and support one another. To pray for one another and with each other.
If you don’t have a prayer partner, make it your mission to find that person, the person you can be vulnerable with and start praying with each other, in harmony to the will of God and be prepared to see powerful things happen in your life.
~AMEN~