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BE OF ONE MIND

Text: 1 Peter 3:8-12
20 February 2011

(I) THE CALL FOR ALL TO BE ONE

“Finally, all of you be of one mind,” 1 Peter 3:8

1. A conclusive call

2. Meant for all

3. “One mind” (homophron) .. United in spirit, harmonious

4. The call is given for all to be united and harmonious

(II) COMMON PRACTICES IN ONENESS

1. Mutually commiserative

“Having compassion for one another;” 1 Peter 3:8

2. Brotherly kind of love

“Love as brothers,” 1 Peter 3:8

3. Kind hearted

“Be tenderhearted,” 1 Peter 3:8

4. Friendly

“Be courteous;” 1 Peter 3:8

5. Non-retaliatory

“Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling,” 1 Peter 3:9

6. Blessing those who do evil

“But on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

(III) THE CENTRAL BASIS FOR THESE PRACTICES OF ONENESS

1. It is a calling

“But on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

a) As Christians, we are all called to bless and not do evil

b) It is God’s calling to be one

2. It is scripturally based

“For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-12

a) Reference made to Ps 34… a Psalm of David

b) He instructed that one should refrain from evil and do good

c) The Lord’s eyes are upon the righteous who do no evil

d) He will answer their prayers

e) But He will be against those who do evil

(IV) THE CHALLENGE TO BE OF ONE MIND

1. Heed the call to be one.

2. Cultivate these practices of oneness in our lives.

3. Be certain of the Lord’s blessing when we do them.