Matthew 18:19-20 (NKJV) “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Imagine the conversation the four friends and the paralysed man had before their act of faith! The paralysed man would likely have shared with his friends his wish to be healed by Jesus. His friends must have believed and agreed that Jesus is the Son of God and has the power to heal, in order to make the journey. In addition, they must have been determined to climb onto the roof to get into the house, and would not back down until they achieved what they had faith for!
Likewise, we can be confident that God is in our midst whenever we gather in two or three. It is important to take time to share about the prayer item, including what we are believing God for. God is the silent listener in the conversation, but He will also prompt us to probe one another about which Word of God we are standing on. For example, is it God’s idea or just a good idea? How did we arrive at our plan, such as starting a new business, applying for a new job, or making a marriage proposal? To go one step further, we should even allow someone to play the devil’s advocate so that we know every area has been covered before we venture out in faith. Honest sharing from the heart is necessary for agreement, so that we can pray effectively as a group. This kind of honest, open sharing brings us closer as a family of believers. The three-stranded cord is not easily broken when we are all in faith!
It is important to understand what faith is so that we can spur each other on to persevere and not focus on the circumstances or bad reports. We will remind each other to stand on the promise that God has given us. Having said that, we must be certain that God has given a promise and share the Word on which we base our faith. Faith lifts us up by looking to God rather than allowing the situation to keep us oppressed and depressed.
If we want to be of help and a blessing to those going through challenges in their lives, we need to be faith-filled friends who are forward-looking rather than complaining or wallowing in a pity party over their circumstances. We need to stand in faith with other fellow believers who are reaching out to God, so that they know they are not alone on the journey!
Reflection: Who are the faith-filled friends with whom you can honestly share your struggles and stand together in prayer? Which promise from God’s Word are you standing on, and how can others agree with you and encourage you in faith?
Sermon Series: 2026 CG Campaign – Up! (Part 4)
信心合一的力量
马太福音 18:19-20 我又告诉你们，若你们中间有两个人在地上同心合意地求什么事，我在天上的父必为他们成全。因为无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间。
想象一下，瘫子的四个朋友和他在采取信心行动之前，他们之间会有怎样的对话！这个瘫子很可能曾向朋友们分享他渴望被耶稣医治的心愿。他的朋友们一定相信耶稣是神的儿子，并相信祂拥有医治的能力，才愿意踏上这段旅程。不仅如此，他们也一定下定决心要爬上屋顶，将他带进屋里，并且在得着他们凭信心所相信的结果之前，绝不退缩！
同样，当我们两三个人奉主的名聚集时，我们可以确信神就在我们中间。重要的是，我们需要花时间分享彼此的祷告事项，包括我们正在相信神成就的事情。神是这场对话中那位安静的聆听者，但祂也会感动我们彼此询问：我们所站立的神的话语是什么？例如，这是神的想法，还是只是一个好的想法？我们是如何得出这样的计划的？无论是开始一项新的事业、申请新的工作，还是向某人求婚，我们都需要寻求神的带领。进一步来说，我们甚至应该允许别人从不同角度提出挑战，帮助我们检视每一个层面是否都已经考虑周全，然后才凭信心踏出去。坦诚地从心里分享，是建立合一和达成共识的必要条件，这样我们才能在群体中有效地祷告。这种真实、开放的分享，会使我们这些信徒更加亲近，成为真正的属灵家人。当我们都在信心中站立时，这条三股合成的绳子就不容易被折断！
我们需要明白什么是真正的信心，这样才能彼此激励，坚持到底，而不是专注于环境或负面的消息。我们要彼此提醒，站立在神已经赐给我们的应许上。然而，我们也必须确定神确实赐下了应许，并且清楚分享我们信心所建立的神的话语。信心使我们仰望神而被提升，而不是被环境压制，陷入沮丧和失望之中。
如果我们希望成为那些正在经历人生挑战之人的帮助和祝福，我们就需要成为充满信心、向前看的人，而不是因环境抱怨，或陷入自怜的状态。我们需要与那些正在寻求神帮助的弟兄姐妹站在信心中同行，让他们知道，在这段旅程中，他们并不孤单！
默想：你有哪些充满信心的朋友，是你可以坦诚分享自己的挣扎，并与你一同站立祷告的？你目前正站立在哪一个神话语中的应许上？其他人可以如何与你一同相信，并在信心中鼓励你？
讲章系列：天天向上! 细胞小组活动 2026 第四部分