Knowing the Mind of Jesus: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Overview

This week’s study covers 1 Corinthians 2: 6-16 and is titled “Knowing the Mind of Jesus.” We have been dutiful in sticking with our course of study as we examine God’s Word and how it has meaning in our lives, but this study branches beyond the Bible and deserves mention for two specific areas: the presence of the Holy Spirit and the glorious gift of salvation. No matter what troubles and tragedies may occur in our lives, Christians can be comforted by the knowledge that they are never alone. We are taught many things in life, but the knowledge gained from this week’s Scripture is definitely worth embracing.

Introduction
Have you ever played ’20 Questions,’ a game where you try to guess what another person is thinking? A good strategy is to begin with broad questions to narrow the possibilities, and as you go on you get more specific. If you try hard enough and have an open mind, more times than not you will guess the object.
God’s Word, thankfully, is not a game, and we do not have to try to guess the meaning of the Bible. It can take longer for some people to figure it out, but if people attempt to understand it and keep their minds and hearts open, God’s glorious message of Life will shine brightly to all!
As visible as His Message is to some, it must be stated that many people simply do not see the Word of God. Not in the Bible, not within people around them, and not as a part of their daily lives. God and His Word is available, yet it may as well be a black rock in a gravel pit 5 million miles away from a non-believer of Jesus Christ.


Summary
1) Apprehending Christ’s Teachings (1 Cor 2: 6-8)
To apprehend Christ and His teachings is to understand one thing – God’s Will is for you to accept the Gift of Salvation. God wants you to accept His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Sacrifice upon the cross. The life-lessons taught by Jesus as recorded in the four books of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) cannot be fully grasped by a person not willing to first proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Now, people may know of Christ and of His teachings. Many brilliant people have studied the Bible as a history book. They certainly know about Christ the man. For all of this knowledge, the benefits, the wonderful meaning, falls upon deaf ears of those unwilling to accept Jesus and His life.
Ever wonder why kids (and some adults, for that matter!) do not like vegetables? They have never even tried them, yet they know veggies taste yucky. If kids would only give veggies an honest chance…take a small bite when nobody is looking. “Hmmm, not bad.” Now a bigger bite. “Wow! Way better than I thought!” What about people that will not give Christ a chance? Will not even open their heart and mind to the possibility He is who He said He was…If they are not willing to try, to give Him a chance, they will never apprehend the joy He can deliver, or the peace He can grant.

2) Acknowledging the Spirit’s Presence (1 Cor 2: 9-13)
Whitewater rafting is a phenomenal experience, yet unless you are skilled at operating a craft down raging rapids, it would be vital to have a professional guide along. Makes sense, right? I like to think of life as an adventure much like whitewater rafting. Stretches of calm and tranquility…beautiful scenery along the way…periods of fear and danger arising unexpectedly, and maybe even times of sadness and despair. We have no way to know what lies ahead for our lives, but we do have help available to us. We have a guide in the Word of God, in Jesus Christ’s teachings, and in the Holy Spirit.
God guides us if we let Him. It is a decision we must make ourselves, and it is one that is freely available to all. When we accept Christ, we begin to see what God has planned for us. When we acknowledge the Holy Spirit as a part of our lives and as our guide, we can behold the wonderful things in store for us because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice – the blessed assurance of eternal salvation, of a home in heaven forever.
Verse 13 speaks about words given to Paul. It is important to understand that Paul is not writing his words or opinions. No, he is being led by the Holy Spirit as he writes and shares God’s Word with us. Because all words written by man in the Bible are inspired by God and the Spirit within men (and women, possibly – it cannot be absolutely assumed that no women wrote Scripture), we can truly trust the Bible as being the actual Word of God. God’s Word can truly guide and lead us throughout every twist and turn in our lives.

3) Acquiring God’s Gift (1 Cor 2: 14-16)
Paul’s writings can oftentimes be confusing. Even for the ‘veteran’ Christian, the Epistles can be difficult to decipher. With this opinion in mind, please consider the following assessment of 1 Corinthians 2: 14-16: Non-believers cannot understand, while Christians are granted a power of understanding. The Holy Spirit shows Christians the depth and meaning of God’s Word and His Plan, and Christians are able to behold the gift of eternal salvation.
Paul’s words are obviously better written, but the basic message is the same any way you may look at it – it requires belief and faith to acquire God’s Gift. When we can look at the world around us with the blessed assurance of salvation within us, we begin to view situations and people differently. Our daily lives have more meaning and are not so daunting to face when we know what is in store for us through Jesus!
Please understand that a Christian is no better than a non-believer. In no way should a believer belittle one without faith. It is the duty of those that have acquired God’s Gift to share it with others in hopes that they, too, may come to realize what God has in store for them. It is the Christian’s duty to plant the seed, for Jesus will tend to it and nurture it to growth according to His Will.

Conclusion
You do not have to play games or solve riddles to know the mind of Jesus Christ. He wants us to know Him – to have faith and belief in Him and His teachings. When we accept Him we begin to understand that there is so much more to life than we could ever imagine. We are never alone, and we always have hope during times of trouble. Isn’t it great to know that we have assurances by which we can live our lives? In our church group, we believe in three basic truths:
1) We believe that God created the universe and has a plan for each person’s life.
2) We believe the Bible is the literal, living Word of God and speaks to those willing to listen and follow.
3) We believe that the only way to eternal life is by Salvation through the acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Because we have faith in Jesus, we can begin to understand Him, and He will begin to teach us, guide us, and share God’s Gift of salvation with us. Because we have ears that yearn to hear and eyes that strain to see, we know the answers. We don’t have to guess at them or try to figure them out.

Further Questions for Study:

· How can the average person hear God today? See Jesus Christ?
· What advice can you give somebody struggling in their daily living?
· Is it practical to acquire the gift of salvation and not try to share it with others? Why?
· List some of the ways you see God’s Word in action.

Next Study 7/30/06 “Guided by the Word” Psalms 119: 97-108

Gathering Around the Word: Acts: 2:42-47

Overview

When you think of ‘church’ what immediately comes to mind? Is it music, or sermons, or Sunday school? Maybe pews, stained glass windows, or the elderly couple that always smiles at you and sits in the same place every Sunday morning? Whatever images enter our minds, society has done its best to define a church as a building following a set schedule every Sunday (and possibly Wednesday evening) with a congregation and a pastor. Unfortunately, we have allowed society to define the church and what it is. It used to be that churches were influential in shaping families and neighborhoods. Now, churches bend and compromise to remain economically viable amidst a generation of people that has lost sight of the true definition of church – church as God intended church to be.
On average, approximately 50 United States’ churches a week close their doors permanently. What is the main reason? Money. They simply can no longer pay their bills. At the same time, churches seem to be getting bigger and more elaborate – the ‘mega church’ has taken hold as the place to be on Sunday morning. Small churches are failing while large churches are thriving. The reason, once again, is money.
In Acts 2: 42-47 we see the beginnings of the church. People have come together to learn about Jesus Christ from the Apostles, to fellowship with one another, and to help one another. They did not choose a church to attend; they simply went where others also wanting to learn and worship were going. ‘Church’ was not an event, or a show. ‘Church’ was all about the spiritual growth and the celebration of Jesus Christ. It was, indeed, what God intended church – His church – to be.

Introduction
How is it that any group is formed? What people – gender, race, background, etc. – comprise a group? Now, let’s examine a group you belong to. Why did that group come together?
Our theme for our current study these past weeks is “God’s Word.” We see today how God’s Word is the unifier, the catalyst, behind the most influential, satisfying group we can possibly be a member of – God’s church.

I. Gathering Through God’s Word (v. 42-43)
Peter had just completed preaching a long sermon and approximately 3,000 people were baptized. This group comprised the first church, and the happenings there within are quite clear. Three elements of the first church’s services are identified: 1) Teaching, 2) Communion, and 3) Prayer. They did not have to wear certain clothing, nor were there any arguments regarding the style of music being sung. Also, notice in verse 46 how they gather together daily. The purpose of the first church – God’s church based solely upon His Son, Jesus Christ – was to learn, celebrate, and pray. They gathered for Christ and Christ alone.

II. Fellowship Through God’s Word (v. 44-47a)
Regarding the Christian sharing revealed in verse 44, the Life Application Bible states, “Recognizing the other believers as brothers and sisters in the family of God, the Christians in Jerusalem shared all they had so that all could benefit from God’s blessings…as part of God’s spiritual family, we have a responsibility to help one another in every way possible. God’s family works best when its members work together.” (p.1622, Living Bible translation).
Notice that the people did not just share their material possessions – they shared everything! The Word of God was shared, as was their worship, their food, their praise, and their time. This heart and attitude of sharing is the true meaning of fellowship. People and modern churches have lost sight of what fellowship truly is. When you live life w/ an attitude as exhibited in God’s first church, it would be impossible not to be blessed and deeply grateful to our Lord.

III. Growth Through God’s Word (v. 47b)
How does the modern church measure growth? Almost without exception, by money and by the number of members. Let me state the obvious here – this is not the means by which God measures growth in His church! God measures growth, or success, within a church two ways: a church’s witness and service, and the individual church members coming closer to God in spirituality and daily living.
Our society is obsessed with money and the material wealth it (and credit!) can purchase. It is not surprising that we classify groups of people according to their annual income, or that we consider rich people to be successful. Are churches any different? No! Big buildings with multiple services and thousands of attendees obviously signify the effectiveness of a given church…does it not? A small group of people meeting in a living room cannot possibly be blessed and growing…right? We need to realize how God views success, and no matter what church you may attend, try to honestly answer one question – Would God be pleased with all this place does and represents?

Conclusion
Church can be different things to different people. In Acts 2: 42-47, we witness the very first church – the first gathering of believers! Whatever images we may have as to what ‘church’ is, God was certainly pleased that thousands gathered together to learn about Jesus and His teachings. God must have been tickled to see believers spending time together, eating together, and sharing with one another. God blessed the efforts of these first people in His church, and He did so because they praised and worshipped His Son without pretense or ulterior motive.
I believe God is watching churches today. He will be pleased with and bless those groups that are in keeping with the ways and hearts of that very first church 2,000 years ago. It is for Him to judge a church’s success, and it is for each and every Christian to do all they can to be part of a church worthy to God! We may have an idea or image of what church should be, but should we not leave the definition of a true church up to God Himself? In today’s Scripture, we see that ideal.

Applying God's Word: Matt 13:1-23

Overview:

During the previous three studies we looked at some necessary elements of Christianity and the Bible. We summarized the three areas (Longing for Christ – John 1: 1-5, 14-18; Christianity vs. other religions/beliefs; and Food for Life – Isaiah 55) as adding up to our understanding of God’s Word in our lives. When we embrace and respect God’s Word we are equipped to handle our day, walking with Him.

Knowing the Word, however, is not enough. Many people know the definition of cooking, for example, but not everyone can cook well. It takes dedication and practice to create a great meal! The same holds true, in a sense, for Christians. We can know what the Bible says, but unless we trust It completely and have an unwavering commitment to God’s Holy Word, we fall short of what we can be. Unless we Apply God’s Word to our lives, we just know what it is – without application, we are not living the Word.



God’s Word
+
Application

= Christian Living


Summary:

1) Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13: 1-9)

We discussed how God’s Word is definitely ‘good seed’ but the ears & lives it falls upon vary greatly. The group shared their thoughts regarding the imagery in the parable, and it was interesting to find out that we all seemed to focus upon different aspects of the parable (the plant, the rocky ground, the farmer, etc.). It was obvious to us that God’s Word must be spread, or shared with others and that we are not responsible for how it is received – our responsibility is to sow the seed!

2) Jesus Explains His Use of a Parable (v. 10-17)

Why did Jesus teach in parables? He had to constantly be aware of those around Him (Jewish religious leaders) trying to trap Him so they could use His words against Him. Those of us, even today, that want to hear the teachings of Christ will be able to grasp the meaning. Those whose motive is to ridicule or argue against Christianity will never fully understand the true lessons offered by Jesus and God’s Word.

3) Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower (v. 18-23)

It was interesting to discover that the group’s image, or perception, of the parable took on different angles/pictures after our study of the scripture. It was not that the story changed, but by examining Christ’s words and discussing them aloud, we were able to step outside of our own boxes and begin to see that Jesus shows us all different things based upon our individual life experiences and views. How awesome is it that Jesus uses each of His children in a special and unique way? When we know this and have faith in His plan, we not only know the Word, we can actively live the Word of God!


Further Questions for Study:

* Describe what happens to the seed in each of the four types of soil

* Are people always the same type of soil? What would be some factors in changing the type?

* Is God’s Word rigid and unchanging or fluid and flexible? Why do you think so?

* Can we see and hear Jesus today? How?



Next Study 7/16 Gathering Around the Word Acts 2: 42-47

Food for Life: Isaiah 55

This is a retro post that consists strictly of Tonya's notes. Please add comments with your notes as well!


Isaiah was a prophet - God spoke to him.


1. God's Word is Powerful
It is a life giving force.
v1-2 --> why waste your time and resources on things without substance?

2. God is always near
God is in control
v6-9 Seek the Lord
v7 --> the wicked must turn to God. It is not my job to worry about or control others.
v8-9 --> "I have a plan." You don't need to know the details of His Plan. You wouldn't understand them anyway.

3. We need to receive God's Word
We are the seed.
v10-13 The Word causes us to grow.

We have to take action. We have choices to make.


Next week: Matt 13:1-23 - Applying the Word