2nd Corinthians 13:1-11 “Finally, brethren . . . be of one mind. . . .”

QUESTION: What are the things about which the church should be of one mind?

ANSWER: That is the question.

Watching worldly movies for enjoyment or as a way to waste time,

Entertaining unsaved persons in our homes for financial advantage, or as part of a social agenda,

Etc. (This could be a very long list.)

QUESTION: How can men from different backgrounds and cultures “be of one mind” in a thing?

ANSWERS: They would have to have EXACTLY the same goal, above all other considerations.

(1) To please God above everything else.

Matthew 10:34-38 “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

QUESTION: Are we in favor of a “one-world government?”

ANSWER (with a question): One world government under whom?

(2) Accept the fact that the truth concerning eternal life does not lie within our own wisdom.

Proverbs 23:1-8 “. . . cease from thine own wisdom.”

Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”

Matthew 12:22-26 “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. . . .”

OBSERVATIONS & Conclusions:

(1) The Lord’s kingdom will not be brought to desolation, therefore it will not be divided.

(2) Satan needs to have everybody think the same way about key elements of his agenda, or his kingdom will fail.

(3) There is a good reason why the news media in any country is always controlled by Satan.

(4) In order to distribute propaganda effectively, everybody to whom you distribute it must understand the language.

Genesis 11:1-9 “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.”

QUESTION: How would this have ended?

ANSWER: A totalitarian fascist police state annihilating the human race

Revelation 17:12-14 “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

QUESTION: How will this end?

ANSWER: Matthew 24:22 “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

[There is power in being of “one mind,” under one ruler (whether the ruler be Satan or the Lord)]

Philippians 1:27 “. . . stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. . . .”

2:1-4 “. . . be likeminded . . . being of one accord, of one mind. Look . . . every man also on the things of others.”

(This is not being a “busybody” if the purpose is for the profit of the other in Christ.)

QUESTION (asked by Cain): “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

ANSWER: That is the question the Lord would ask you?

(Genesis 4:9 “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?”)

OBSERVE: [1] Cain has already committed murder against his brother for envy, and now [2] he lies.

QUESTION: Does this remind you of anyone in particular?

(John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

1st Peter 3:8 “Finally, be ye all of one mind. . . .”

1st Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? . . . every one of you hath . . . a doctrine. . . ?” (a question)

Isaiah 28:9 “. . . and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk. . . .”

(another question, along with the answer) (The implication is that we should grow up!)

1st Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. . . .”

EXAMPLES:

Deuteronomy 12:8 “Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.”

Judges 17:6 “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 21:2 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Isaiah 29:24 “They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.”

(Many were called out of Egypt, but only a few were chosen:)

(1st Corinthians 10:1-12 “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed. . . .”)

(Numbers 16)

Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

John 17:8-11 “Holy Father, keep . . . those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

1st Corinthians 11:18 “. . . I hear that there be divisions among you. . . .” (Why would that be?)

1:10-13 “Is Christ divided?”

v. 19 “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest. . . .”

3:1-3 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal . . . for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (As opposed to saints!)

4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?”

6:2-3 (lifted from a context) “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (Paul is asking a question!)