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GOOD NEWS Letters & SERIES Teachings>
The Point of Agreement - By: Pastor Abraham Bascon
October 21, 2009
THE POINT OF AGREEMENT - By: Pastor Abraham Bascon
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Both Adam and Eve had different personalities. We too, have different opinions, philosophies, personalities etc.. Of course, there are also times where we may have differences. It doesn't mean that we don't love each other. The Word of God says in Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands,as unto the Lord. We should all encourage each other to get into the First Principle classes, so that we may all be in agreement. Last Saturday, a man approached me and asked: "Are you the Pastor of the Word of God Church?" I replied: "Yes, I am." This person told me that he was a minister, and was attending a particular church. He continued on telling me that he was soon leaving this particular church because he didn't "feel" the Spirit at the worship service. First of all, we should not be led by our feelings. 2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) As we think more about what this person said, could it be, that the Spirit is not in him? It doesn't matter where we are, the Holy Spirit of God is within us; and, we are not alone. Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide (dwell, live) with you for ever; So, he says this to me, and I just gently said good day, and continued on to do what I had to do. This man had told me of his intentions to leave the church, because he did not agree with the music. He had told me that the church that he was planning to join up with was lively, like a Pentecostal-like church. He was actually leaving a church because they didn't praise or worship like a Pentecostal-type service. They had more like an Episcopalian type of music. These are two different types of music or singing. Can two walk together except they be agreed? Is that a good reason to leave a church? And he told me that he was a minister. What was he a minister of? Could it be a minister of maintenance? He certainly didn't come across to me as a spiritually mature Christian. Yes, you can still walk together, even with differences concerning certain areas of doctrine. Even as these differences may exist, by finding a point of agreement, we can walk together! And, who is this point of agreement? The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! HE is our Point of Agreement! We certainly can find some points of agreement. We have so many things that will allow us to walk together regardless of differences or disagreements.
In a Pentecostal-type church, the volume is way up. They might be persuaded that the louder the volume, the greater the anointing. Think about it, instead of leaving, take a look around and see if folks are being blest with that particular kind of preaching. Listen to the preacher's words, what is he saying? Is he preaching the Word of God? Well, if so, Praise God, for hearing God's Word being preached! The person that says: "I just don't feel the Spirit there.."
If you are an ordained minister; or, even if you're not, just look around you and see if folks are being blest! If they are, Praise God! Give thanks to God for folks being blest! Are the words of the songs scriptural? If they are; then, Praise God! Find the point of agreement! It is the same thing with a Pentecostal-type church. When you go into such a church, you may say: "Oh my!" For, it is like going into a real loud convention! If you prefer the slow, soft, more traditional style of song, don't get turned off....BUT, first, look around you...are folks being blest? If so, then Praise the Lord!
Is it about JESUS or self? Well, Praise God, Jesus blesses you!
You're in the middle of a Pentecostal-type service, God's Word blesses you, and you see that folks are being blest! Folks see you too are being blest by the Spirit of God! Alleluia!
In 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1, Apostle Paul speaks of babes in Christ. He speaks of them being carnal (meaning: worldly, immature). And where there is envy, strife, divisions, Paul says: "Are you not still carnal, behaving like worldly people?" And Paul gives the reason why! 1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal,
and walk as men? 1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Christians here at the Church of Corinth: there's problems, disagreements.
How can two walk together except they be agreed? This type of disagreement is wrong. Paul says: We brought you the Word, one planted and one watered;but, GOD gives the increase! It doesn't matter who planted or who watered! It is GOD that gives the increase! They were saying: I was baptized by Paul. Another was saying: I was baptized by Apollos... They are both co-laborers of Christ! They are both ministers of God's Word! They are not in competition with each other! But, they are both servants of the Lord! They are glorifying God; not themselves!! Disagreements will bring, contention, jealousy and strife! Christians need to find the "point of agreement!" Again, that point of agreement is: JESUS IS LORD! God created us to be emotional beings. Some folk's emotions are easily displayed; while some others, are able to hold them in. Paul, Barnabas and Peter are all saintly people; yet, they had very strong words against each other. They had a disagreement with John Mark. Remember when Paul was released from prison by the angel? The woman who answered the door for Peter at the house, was John Mark's mother. John Mark was on a journey with Paul and Barnabas, and for some reason, John Mark quit the journey and returned home from the mission field. Then, when they were going oout again, Barnabas suggested that John Mark go along with them again; and, Paul said: no way. Baranabas insisted; however, he ended up taking John Mark himself, and Paul took Silas with him. In spite of their differences, they were still in tune with each other with Christ. Apostle Paul says: "I ran the good race, I finished the task...." 2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
As it was, Paul did refer to John Mark as good for the ministry.
2Ti 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take John Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. Paul found a "point of agreement!" John Mark joined them on their first missionary endeavor. He wanted to do what he had to do. and doing it was perhaps a little too much for John Mark. He continued on in ministry and grew in ministry and Paul saw the John Mark had grown more mature in his attitude. So two can walk together, when they find the "point of agreement!" It's not God's will for this minister to leave a church because of feeling that the Holy Spirit was not there! It's not God's will that things are not going like you want them to. God does not want you to leave; but, to be spiritually mature! If something is difficult for you, stick out the test! Stay where you are! Stay and do whatever the Lord would have you to do! Remember, Satan will do his best to prevent revival from taking place! The devil doesn't want revival or salvation of souls! He knows that his time will get even shorter! Don't listen to the devil's whispers!
Find the "point of agreement." Jesus Christ is Lord! We serve HIM!
Jesus says: "That they all may be ONE!" in JOHN 21.
Joh 17:11-And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are." Joh 17:21 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.
The sign that the Father sent His Son, Jesus, is that His
believers, His disciples (followers, learners) are ONE in JESUS
with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
It goes beyond US, our own selves! We need to be ONE IN CHRIST, IN GOD! So, that the world will believe that the Father sent Jesus! Remember: LOVE covers a multitude of sin! Walk in God's LOVE! Lord bless you!
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