Strengthen Your Brother 2/28/21

(Matt 22:37-40) 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
 
The power of agreement, the need for one another.  
Accountability, especially in this hour and especially to those of   the household of faith
Support of one another is necessary in this time of uncertainty and inability to gather.
We have an important challenge to put forth a greater effort to fellowship, communicate and support one another. The Spirit of agreement and True fellowship, walking in the love of God and one another is important.​ 
There are greater threats to unity now but greater grace is extended.
Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. (Romans 5:20)
His grace is sufficient.  We have the ability to do whatever needs to be done. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

It is important to maintain unity of the Spirit.
(Psalm 133)  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
(Heb 13:1)  Let brotherly love continue.
The Lord commands blessings where there is unity.
 
The enemy’s goal is to divide and conquer
 It takes effort on our part to overcome this.
We must be willing to walk together as God says
The enemy tries to bring discord, deception to God ordained relationships.
Endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.  (Ephes. 4:3)
Satan’s desire is to kill, steal and destroy.
We must continue to communicate and walk in the love of God.
Amos 3:3  how can two walk together except they be agreed?
 
Mathew 24 tells us the works of darkness will increase.  Many will be offended.
 
Isaiah 60 foretold of these days.  60 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. King James Version
This darkness can effect believers’ relationships. Strive to maintain life in the spirit by the Word of God in the kingdom of God.  If not careful, we will be seduced and enticed into the same mindset of the world.
Love God and your neighbor. 
Matt 24 in the last days many will be offended and betray one another,  The love of many will grow cold.  The works of darkness are increasing all around us.  These are the signs of the times.  We must be on guard and not allow our love to wax cold.
Acts 2  The day of Pentecost  2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  
They were able to hear from heaven.  There was the sound and evidence of His presence. God only comes in the midst of peace.
The enemy desires to stop God from displaying his power, to deny us the ability to hear his  voice and see the demonstration of His power.
 
Power in Prayer - the blessing and benefit of unity to the people of
God.
(Joshua 23:10) “One can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand to flight.”
Two have ten times the spiritual power of one.  We need one another. 
Comfort one another.  He is the God of all comfort.
2 Cor 1   Comfort with the same comfort we receive from God.    Comfort with the same comfort we have received from God in our time of trial.  How God has delivered there is strength in our testimony.
Strengthen one another. He is our strength
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
There is no temptation not common to man. Trials and tribulation come to all, saved or not saved.  God gives us power to bear it.  There is always a victory in the midst.
We can count it all joy, know this that the trying of our faith works patience.  It brings a testimony and strength.  God proves in us that He is faithful.   
The strong bear the infirmities of the weak.
When we see others fall in a fault, those who are spiritual are to go to them in a spirit of meekness to correct and encourage and restore.  
Be accountable.  You will need encouragement one day.
Pray for one another
If one is sick he is to call for the elders to anoint him with oil and pray
It is important to maintain unity, fellowship and communication with one another.

It is the great commandment that we love God and one another.
He created man in His image. He desired to have a relationship with us.  He gave Adam dominion over all creation.  He most of all wants us to have communion with Him.  He had great intimacy and communion with Adam and Eve in the garden. Walked with God.
The devil tempted Adam and Eve and they failed. God came looking for them.  Adam wasn’t where he was supposed to be.   Adam wasn’t at the meeting place where they usually met. 
 
The first question God asks in the Bible:
Where Are You?  Who told you that you were naked?
Take inventory.  Where am I in my relationship with God in this hour?  How strong am I now?  Is my love and commitment strong? Is my hunger and love for God strong.  Examine yourself to see if you are still in the faith.
 
2nd question in the Bible was to Cain.   
Where is Your brother?
Cain’s reply “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Peter had a bold confession, not understanding the real cost,  “ I will never leave you.”  You must count the cost.  Cant hold on to  all things important to you.  Can’t be so concerned about your value in this world.
Cannot lose our confidence in God’s faithfulness or count on our own strength.  Manipulation, finances, connections,  etc..
Jesus said before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times.
 In Luke 9:23, Jesus says “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
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You are not your own.  You are bought at a price.  Glorify God in your spirit. You trust in Him.  He provides all things that pertain to life and godliness.   Acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
 
(1Cor. 6:19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple
of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefor glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
 
Seek Him first and all these things will be added to you.
We cannot be concerned about image or self esteem.
Cannot become weary in well doing.  Can’t lose our confidence in God’s way. Cant manipulate, can’t figure it out on your own…
You cannot do It in your own strength.  Glorify God in your spirit. Let Him lead you.
 
Even as Jesus said to Peter, “The devil desires to have you, to sift you as wheat…”
He says “I have prayed for you…that your faith fail not.”  when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.
We must help our brothers and sisters.
 
God is faithful to forgive us if we repent. If we continue to deny him He will deny us before our father.
 
Numbers 32  The people responded to the 10 spies who gave the evil report.
God gave them another chance to possess the inheritance.
 
They needed encouragement to see victory in the lives of their brethren.
Remember Reuben and Gad, (Numbers 32:1,2,5-13). 32 The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock. 2 So they came to Moses and Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the community, and said,… 5If we have found favor in your eyes," they said, "let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan." 6Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, "Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here? 7Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the LORD has given them?
 
Verse 6 you will discourage your brethren if you are not willing to fight
Verse 16 we will go until you have brought them victory.
Vs 18  we will not return until every man has his inheritance
 
This side of the Jordan eastward: comfortable for Gad and Reuben.

The Gaderenes started as sheepherders and turned to raising swine.
God had wanted them on the other side.  They wound up in greater despair and separation from the blessings of the lord.

We have a responsibility to pray and encourage one another.  The world loves its own.
We are to love people, too do good to all men, especially of the household of faith.

Strengthen your brother.