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#475 (5/11/21) WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST (1 COR. 2:15-16)

Writer's picture: Matt BeaneyMatt Beaney


This week our devotions are based on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

‘The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)

i) MAKE GOOD JUDGEMENTS

This text is about thinking correctly so as to make good judgements. I’m sure that we’ve all made wrong judgements about that job, that school, that course, that relationship, that party… and maybe we came to regret our poor judgement. We all need to learn to make good decisions. Paul says that 'The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things’. Judgements (Anakrinó) means to examine, investigate, question and inquire. This means that Christians will prayerfully - asking for the Spirit’s guidance - make God-centred decisions about all things. When a Christian makes decisions, they will ask questions like, “Does this reflect my being a new creation in Christ? Does this reflect my love for God? Does this bring honour to God? Does this help and love other people? Does this align with biblical teaching?” A Christian makes good judgements about all things.


ii) RECEIVE JUDGEMENT CORRECTLY

As well as making good judgments, we have to learn to receive or dismiss how others judge us. We are taught that we are ‘not subject to merely human judgements’. People judge us based upon our worldly status - background, position of influence, intellect, eloquence, our faith in Christ etc. We are to be careful to refuse these kinds of merely human judgements. Rather than listening to people who judge us wrongly, or our inner negative chatter, we are to listen to God’s correct judgement of us. What does the ‘mind of Christ’ speak over us? If we were to listen to Him what would we hear over us? What does ‘the mind of Christ’ think of you? If we listened, we would hear God’s judgement, “Not guilty in Christ! Chosen! My treasured possession! Dearly Loved….”

Let’s finish by looking at a text which says the same thing,

‘Who will bring any charge (judgement) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.’ (Romans 8:33-34)

OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE

I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.

‘The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)

Use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).


1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?

2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?

3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?

4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?

 

COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY


1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

  1. Let's be praying and actively preparing to invite friends to our carol service on 5th December. Please make sure this is in your diary.

  2. Don't forget to come along and invite your friends to our Christmas Pudding making event on 20th November. Go to the website to book tickets.

  3. We have our next gift days on the 14th, 21st November. Let's be praying for How the Father wants us to get involved.



 

2. Icebreaker

How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?


 

3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group

Running up to our carol service on the 5th December we would like you to spend more time on the SIV (Serving, Invest and Invite) aspect of our time together. Therefore, there will only be fewer questions each week on the Sunday message so as to give plenty of time for praying and sharing about our mission.


On Sunday, we continued with our series in 1 Corinthians.


Please read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.


I wonder how we might define wisdom and maturity? This text portrays wisdom as the message of 'Christ crucified' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). The gospel is God's wisdom and power.

To be mature is to listen and receive God's wisdom in the gospel. To be mature is to build our lives on Jesus. To be mature is also to listen to God's voice in all of scripture.


In summary, we can define the mature: 'The mature are those who listen to God'.


Discussion questions

1. How does Paul define God's wisdom in the first 2 chapters of 1 Corinthians? (1:18, 1:21, 1:24-25, 1:30, 2:1-2)

2. Please read 1 Corinthians 2:9-14. What does this teach about who the Spirit is? What does it teach about his role in our understanding the gospel and the Bible more broadly?

2. How do you listen to God's voice in scripture each day, or how would you like to develop in this?

3. How has God spoken to you from this text or Sunday’s message?

4. SIV - Do you have any encouraging stories or any plans in this regard?

5. SIV - Who are you planning to invite to the carol service on 5th December?

6. Prayer - Let's spend some time in prayer regarding this week's message and anything else that you would like to pray about.







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