CHAPTER 18: THE POWER OF TWO
Matthew 18:20 New International Version (NIV)
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
I’m going to talk today about two. One plus one equals two. You and me, the power of two. You and your spouse, you and your best friend, you and your pastor, you and me. There is power in two of things. Two horses, two dogs, both are better than one, but I’m not talking about animals. Two rockets, or two rifles, well, two rockets is more fire power than two rifles, but I’m not talking about weaponry. I’m talking about people. You can’t have a meaningful conversation with more than one person at a time, certainly not an intimate conversation. “Really,” you might say? “I talk to a lot of people at one time,” you might say. Sorry, gang, no you don’t. Try talking about your inner most thoughts with five people at a time, or four, or three — not as good, right? Who you pick to talk about the real matters, that requires trust. Why not me and God as the power of two? I had to get it in my head a long time ago that all of us can and do decide that God is talking to us when He’s not. You see, the spirit realm that the Bible talks about is a battle ground, a battle for your soul, a battle for good and evil and a battle that is won and lost in your mind. You often heard me say, ‘your mind is a dangerous neighborhood, don’t go in there by yourself.’ It’s true. The power of two? You and a good idea? Ideas, like God, are conceptual in my head. I need to learn how to navigate God as God, not as I see or perceive Him. Not every thought is from God, not every idea is good. Discernment comes from fellowship and fellowship is the power of two.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
I realized that I needed to pray about my ideas, my thoughts my actions, especially my actions before I did them. To discuss the plan first with competent individuals. However, in the final analysis there is generally one person I will ask about ministry issues, job issues, family matters — could it be the same person? Sure. Or it could be a single person in each area. The point is, pertinent conversations can only be held with one other person at a time.
Discussions can be held with a lot of people, that is true. I’m not talking about discussions, I’m talking about the real, bottom line, heart felt decision making that comes late at night, early in the morning, on the battle field of life. In these paramount times of my life, I can only share my most careful thoughts with one person at a time. What if it’s the wrong person?
Catastrophic. In this instance, the wrong person, in the power of two, can ultimately sway the direction of a situation into dangerous consequences. I see it all the time. Husband and wife decide on an incorrect path, and they are set on it, and it’s not right. Partners in business decide on an incorrect investment, a gamble that can ruin all God’s blessings given to a successful corporation. Two decide on an incorrect path of anything — not good. Why can’t I add God as two? Me and God? You wouldn’t listen to Him. You’d ask somebody else. God, is outside of my understanding.
Isaiah 55:8-9
New King James Version
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
You see, I can’t add God as the power of two, I add Him into
the Power of Two? Me and another person.
Scripture says where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there. The power of two can go both ways. Good or not so good. Adding God to a situation is giving the power of two — power. Get it? Adding God to you and your spouse, is adding power. Adding God to you and your partner is adding power to the power of two. Adding God to you and your Pastor is adding power to the power of two.
Proverbs 27:17
New King James Version
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
What’s the downside? Me, I am the downside when I am untrained. I had to realize in my life, finding people to agree with me was a normal, natural human quality. Finding people that criticize me without solution was a normal, natural condition of humanity. Then I had to realize that both of them had no place in fiduciary duties. I have been given, you have been given, authority and responsibility and to those who are given much, much is required. Learn Discernment, align with correct people.
Proverbs 20:18
New King James Version
Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.
All of you have been given a great deal. When pressed against what you want to do, will you run, will you point fingers, will you cut ties with those people who have brought you success — all this because you now have decided they “are not proper” for you? Yes, you will do all that, and so will I without proper counsel. That one person that keeps you correct, even when all others agree with you against that good counsel — that one person that will stop you from what I call the “origin of failure.” That place in your life, where you make the decision to do something you feel is absolutely right and it is absolutely wrong. Without the correct power of two, you will, in the end, be tested and fail. The bible says you will be tested. And for you to have what you have, and all of you have so very much, to keep it, to earn your place as a leader, you must be tested, you must go through challenging times, to become worthy of what you have been given — and absolutely be able to use those gifts to glorify God and “the great commission” given to all of us.
Matthew 28:19-20
New International Version
The Great Commission
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
He is with you, use Him in your choices. Otherwise, pick the wrong person to emulate, and you fail. The power of two, you and the wrong person. Is it possible to add God to you and the wrong person. I have found, it is not possible for me to add God to a relationship with the wrong person. Why? Because at that point, I’ve decided what God should think and I’m trying my best to validate that, God is not a part of it. At this point, I can use the power of two, to breach my fiduciary duty and cause me and those around me to disaster, all in the name of good and God. Scripture tells me two is better, two strong, courageous people, especially in battle. Be sure kids, this world is a battle ground.
Ecclesiastes 4:11-13
New King James Version
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
God is the third cord, the third strand in a rope of two strands, the glue that binds a strength to a rope that saves your life and draws you up into the light of wisdom in the authority He has given you, in His grace, mercy and love. In the power of two, add God.
John 14:23
New King James Version
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
We just got finished talking about redundancy, the backup system. Who is your backup system? The enemy is of the spiritual battle, something that is above your pay scale and mine.
James 4:7
English Standard Version
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Two believers are stronger in spiritual warfare. The Scripture does not say that where one or more free loaders are gathered, it says two or more gathered in ‘my name.”
John 16:33
New King James Version
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
Ecclesiastes 4:9
New International Version
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
Let me tell you about the power of two men walking along, ..and then boom, Jesus drops in. As I read this passage to you, know that in this actual historical account, Jesus has just risen from the dead, and one of his firsts adventures as the Risen Christ is here, with these men.
Luke 24:13
New International Version
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”Verse 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Two men, struck by the Lord, lit up in the faith of the Risen King, sharing the good news with people who would in fact, ultimately bring the gospel to the entire world. The Power of Two! Let me share with you what can be avoided using correctly using the power of two?
Proverbs 6:16-9.
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Those are the things that destroy futures, destiny, all that is holy and good. And those are the things that happen when the power of two is incorrectly used to align with the wrong people. What is my #1 go to scripture for Chapter 12?
Proverbs 13:20
English Standard Version
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Pray that He bring solid relationships into your life to assist in bringing glory to His Kingdom and remove those who are not an ally. Always, always, add God before you make a move.
2 Corinthians 2:14
English Standard Version
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. Amen.
