Class Lesson August 5, 2012

Hey Gang,

This week we begin a new series from selected incidents in the life of Jeremiah, the prophet, our study will focus on how we too can be the kind of person through whom God works to carry out His purposes in the world. The challenge for all believers is to answer the call to serve God, to understand both the costs involved and the divine resources available, and to resolve to be faithful to Him regardless of the costs or outcomes.

What is a calling?

What is a calling? People feel called to the church, to a ministry, to the mission field, to the medical field, to the military, to some type of volunteer work, and some feel called to understand the mysteries of the kingdom.

Keep in mind that there are 6.7 billion people in the world:

• A third or 2.2 billion believe.
• A third or 2.2 billion have heard the gospel but choose not to follow Christ.
• A third or 2.3 billion have never heard the gospel.

What is a calling?

1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Galatians 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.  
 
Matthew 22:14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
 
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Matthew 13:11 He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.

One source says that a calling is understanding the truths of God when you see, read, or hear them.

• Do I understand Bible teachings and truth when I hear them?
• Do the Scriptures about the gospel of the kingdom of God, the plan of salvation, the purpose of human existence, prophesies fulfilled and unfulfilled, and warnings in the Bible, make sense to me?

Are people called today like Jeremiah was in the Old Testament to preach to a nation of coming judgment? Two events coming up very similar to Jeremiah's call to the nation of Judah.

Greg Laurie will preach a message to America on August 26, 2012 to come back to God.

Billy Graham will preach his final call to America in November of 2013.

Jeremiah was called to preach a message of warning to the nation of Judah - repent and come back to God or there is going to be a disaster to the entire nation. 

Our series is from the life of Jeremiah and we open with his call from God.

• Jeremiah’s 40 year ministry spanned the reign of Judah’s last five kings. The Southern Kingdom was on the path to destruction, which ended with its fall to Babylon in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 21-25). Jeremiah preached repentance and warned of sure judgment, with God using the Babylonians as His instruments of judgment. For this Jeremiah was accused of being a traitor. He suffered poverty and extreme opposition. He was imprisoned, thrown into a cistern, deported to Egypt against his will, and rejected by neighbors, family members, false priest and prophets, friends, his audience, and kings. He was charged with treason. He has become known as “the weeping prophet.” 

I. GOD CALLS – JEREMIAH 1:4-8

The Call of Jeremiah

4 The word of the Lord came to me: 5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. 6 But I protested, “Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.” 7 Then the Lord said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. 8 Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord’s declaration.


Do you believe that God set you apart before you were born for a special purpose?

• Before Jeremiah’s birth, God set him apart to be a prophet.
• Just as God had a plan for Jeremiah’s life, He has a plan for every child of His.
• Does God choose, form, and set apart every believer for service before they are even born, or is Jeremiah’s type of calling just for him? (Ephesians 2:10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.) How can we know if a call to service is just a random thought, an urgent plea from a church nominating committee, or a genuine word from the Lord?
• Jeremiah was a person with a distinctive call; each believer is called to serve God, but each is called to serve in a distinctive way.
• When the New Testament speaks of a Christian being “called,” it usually means called to obey the gospel. On the other hand, when Jesus calls James and John to follow him (Matt. 4:21), they are being called to “be fishers of men,” a very specific task.
• Although we have many examples of God calling an individual to a very particular task–Abraham, Moses, Gideon, the Apostles, among many others–I can find no doctrine that Christians are, as a body, each called to a very specific task.
• On the other hand, there’s no reason to suppose that God no longer wishes particular people to take on particular tasks. For example, we know that the Spirit gives particular spiritual gifts to us, and we are called to use those gifts in God’s service. If my gift is encouraging, then I’m called to be an encourager. In this very real sense, as everyone has at least one gift, everyone has at least one calling.

What was Jeremiah’s initial response to God’s call? What were his excuses? How did God respond to Jeremiah's excuses?

• Jeremiah’s initial response to God’s call was to make excuses. He said that he was too young and could not speak in public. Who does this sound like? (Moses)
• The Lord told Jeremiah not to say such things He would be with him.

How do you suppose his responses changed over time?

• Just as Jeremiah asked questions about his adequacy to fulfill his calling, so do we sometimes offer excuses based on our feelings of inadequacy.

How do you know when it’s God asking us to do something rather than ourselves or someone just needing to fill a spot at church?

• This goes to the larger question of how we know God is speaking to us. God speaks through His Word, prayer, and wise Christians.
• Just because someone asks us to serve, it doesn’t mean God is calling, but we should always be open to the possibility that He is.
• If it conflicts with Scripture, it is not of God.
• If wise Christians question it, you should too; they may not be right, but they may be. · Just as Jeremiah heard God’s plan for his life, we need to be open to God’s will for us.

Make no mistake about it, when God calls a person to serve, don’t you think He knows what He is doing? We all have inadequacies, things we think we can’t do. Do we really believe that God doesn’t know what we can do and can’t do – Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The real call is to be obedient to the call. Make no excuses!

Now, let's see how God equips those He calls for service.

II. GOD EQUIPS – JEREMIAH 1:9-10

9 Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have now filled your mouth with My words. 10 See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and plant.




Do you think God literally touched Jeremiah’s mouth? What are ways God equips people for service besides providing words to speak?

• God provides attitudes, wise family and friends, talents, spiritual gifts, abilities, skills, wisdom, learning, leadership, guidance, and other believers to work alongside us.
• God’s equipping and empowering continues over time. It comes in many forms.

Does God equip believers instantly, or is the equipping more often a lifetime process? Do we have a role in this equipping process? If so, what would that be?

• We need to follow God’s direction day by day. When Saul of Tarsus encountered the risen Lord, he prayed, “What should I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). This is a prayer for all seasons, and it should be our prayer for each day.

What if I don’t feel that God has given me anything to say?

• We should know, use and rely on Scripture in speaking for God. Hasn’t He said enough?
• Just as God reassured Jeremiah, so He reassures us of His abiding presence and adequate help in doing what He wants us to do.

Just as God equips us for the service He calls us to perform, He also affirms His calling. In Jeremiah's calling he was given two visions.

III. GOD AFFIRMS – JEREMIAH 1:11-14, 17-19

Two Visions

11 Then the word of the Lord came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over My word to accomplish it.” 13 Again the word of the Lord came to me inquiring, “What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a boiling pot, its lip tilted from the north to the south.” 14 Then the Lord said to me, “Disaster will be poured out from the north on all who live in the land.

 ............................................................

17 “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them. 18 Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. 19 They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you.” This is the Lord’s declaration.


What was the meaning of the branch of an almond tree? What was the meaning of the boiling pot? Who were the enemies from the north? For what sins was Judah punished?

• God gave Jeremiah two visions for reassurance and challenge. God concluded His call of Jeremiah with a challenge for courageous action. He assured Jeremiah of strength to withstand enemies.
• God caused Jeremiah to see a branch of an almond tree as a sign of God’s watchfulness.
• He saw a boiling pot as a symbol of invading from the north.
• Judgment was coming on Judah because of its idolatry.

How does God affirm those whom He calls?

• The Lord gives His servants all they need to do His will.
• God never calls anyone without equipping them to fulfill His calling.
• He promises to give us all that we need to do what He called us to do.

Why do Christians need to get busy serving God? How would you answer, “I’ve already served, it’s someone else turn now.”

• The result of hearing God’s call should be to get busy serving.
• We should not let the opposition of others intimidate us.
• We should go to all those to whom God sends us.
• God’s word encourages saints, but judge’s sinners.
• God moves in the affairs of nations and individuals to bring in His kingdom.
• If we are sincere about following God as Lord of our lives. He will show us what to do and how to do it. We need to keep listening until we grasp God’s good answers.

The focus of this lesson has been on the folly of making excuses to avoid doing what God is calling us to do.

• God will not keep secret what He wants you to do. He will move your interest in an area he is calling you to. Your feeling for this area of service will grow.
• If your hearts right, He will make it known. It is the will of God for you to know His will.

        1. Have a clean heart.

        2. Surrender your will to His.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, thank You for calling me to opportunities of service to You. Help me not to fail You. Amen

Be in prayer this week as we begin this new series on God's Calling for you - are you going to be a person God uses?

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

 

Class Lesson July 29, 2012

Hey Gang,

This is our last lesson on Living Beyond Yourself through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We have had lessons using the words: Free, Victorious, Empowered, Wise, and this week Confident to describe how we should live with the Holy Spirit in our lives. So what does give you confidence in what will happen to you when you die and how does that affect how you live today?

Olympics     Chick-fil-a     Rob Bell

Someone once asked Martin Luther about his confidence, “Do you feel your sins are forgiven?” He replied, “No, but I’m as sure of it as heaven, for feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving: My faith is in the Word of God, nothing else is worth believing.”

1 John 5:11-13

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

If you were to ask Rob Bell the same question, I think he would answer yes, because God loves me and “Love Wins.” Please Note: I do not agree with Rob Bell's Love Wins theology, but it's a discussion we should have because it confronts us each day more and more. At the core of Apologetics is understanding and defending what you belief and Paul would tell you that we should understand why others believe the way they do in order that we might explain our belief in a loving way.

Love Wins - Rob Bell

Click Here to Watch

How can we live confidently in what will happen to us when we die?

• Today’s lesson concludes a five-week study on the work of the Holy Spirit with a focus on the confidence the Spirit gives. This is not arrogance but a foundation of truth and trustworthiness. God will be with us.
• The Holy Spirit encourages us to remember that God never leaves us or forsakes us.
• We all have some idea of what we think will happen, but there really is no guarantee when it comes to our earthly lives.
• Today’s session focuses on the realities that we can know for sure: As believers, God has redeemed us, we have a relationship with Him, and it will be forever.

I. CONFIDENT IN MY REDEMPTION – EPHESIANS 1:13-14

13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory. 

If you were to ask Tim Tebow how to live confidently in your faith, what would he say?

• Isaiah 40:31 - but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

How does the Holy Spirit give me this confidence?

• What are proofs of ownership that we have today? Why are these important? Which would be the most convincing if ownership was questioned? Samples: receipts, car or house title, contracts.
• What mark of ownership does God put on the life of the believer? How can we know we have it? The Spirit also serves as a down payment of our inheritance. Down payments secure future actions.

Is the Holy Spirit enough confidence to influence the way I live?

• How should this “seal” and “down payment” influence our lives?
• Since the seal indicates security and ownership, believers must live as God’s possession. Our relationship with God should affect our decisions, words, and actions.
• The down payment guarantees our future, so we cannot simply live for this world. Our redemption is for the praise of His glory. Everything we do should point others to Him. The work of the Spirit described in these verses is reserved for genuine children of God – those who have heard and believed the message of Christ.

 





II. CONFIDENT IN MY RELATIONSHIP – ROMANS 8:14-17

14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

How does my relationship with God give me confidence in the way I live?

• In spiritual terms, we don’t have to wonder if we are accepted or not. We belong in the family of God because He has redeemed us. But the Holy Spirit can serve as a reassuring companion when doubts creep in.
• Paul is speaking about believers. Those who follow the Spirit are God’s children through spiritual adoption. Those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. Believers are adopted by God.

How does the Holy Spirit give me confidence in this relationship?



What role does suffering play in relationship with God? What is godly suffering, as opposed to pain we’ve caused with wrongdoing?

• While coheirs share blessings, they also share in the suffering. The path of being glorified with Him (v. 17) passes through difficulties.
• Some may be tempted to think of suffering as a punishment or all suffering as from God.
• The fruits of adoption are deliverance from fear, an intimate relationship with God, assurance that we are God’s children, promise of a future inheritance, and grace to endure suffering.

 



III. CONFIDENT IN MY REWARD – 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-5

Our Future after Death

5 For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring to put on our dwelling from heaven, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

What gives you confidence in your reward of heaven?

• How long have you had your current cell phone? How often do you replace your phones? Why? What else is temporary?
• We tend to change phones and other devices, such as computers or electronic readers.
• Why do you change – because the device wears out or because you want the next new device? Either way the item is a temporary thing.
• Everyone will die unless Christ comes before death. When Christians die they are assured of having a permanent place in heaven.
• The Holy Spirit is the down payment on and guarantor of our inheritance.
• We can be confident of our reward in heaven.

What contrast did Paul present? Based on this contrast, where should we focus our things and our bodies? How do temporary things find their places in light of eternity? How do we manage our bodies between now and heaven?

• Paul used these terms to contrast our failing human bodies that will be destroyed (through death) with the eternal body He has for us after death. Yet we need to care for our bodies and items as Jesus did.
• Our earthly body is suitable for its current purpose, so God expects us to make the most of the time we have. Heaven is a reality, but we cannot ignore our tasks on earth.
• Paul hoped that the Lord would come before his death so that he could avoid a bodiless state.
• We don’t know exactly what our state will be; but since it is in God’s hands, we can trust Him to provide what we need.

During this 5 week study of “Living Beyond Yourself” we have looked at five words that identify marks of a person who lives beyond self. The words are Free, Victorious, Empowered, Wise, and Confident. This lesson challenges us to claim by faith all the good things God offers to believers. At the same time, God calls us to turn from whatever causes us to live with any fear other than the fear of God.
 

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me have the kind of confidence only You can give. Amen

I hope everyone has had a blessed week and that you will be in prayer for this lesson on Sunday as we close out an important series on how we should live with the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Hope to see you Sunday - remember we will be in C221 accross the hall from our old class!

In His Love,

David & Susan

 

Class Lesson July 22, 2012

Hey Gang,

This week we look at how the Holy Spirit teaches us to live beyond ourselves in wisdom. Now what exactly does this mean? What makes us wise or foolish? Is it a beautiful mind? Is it what we know? How do we recognize real wisdom? How does one develop a truly beautiful mind?

A Beautiful Mind 

Click Here

“Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart.”

What good is a head full of knowledge if our hearts are empty and we lack peace of mind and purpose in life?

• "The enlightened people were called as 'Gnostics'. This comes from the Sanskrit word 'Gna' which means knowledge. But knowledge does not mean what one knows through the brain, because brain or intelligence takes one to rationality, which has no wisdom behind it. Rationality can take one anywhere [and] can justify anything, as it is not absolute. So one has to go beyond rationality [and] develop the higher senses of Divinity, by which one can understand the real problems, and the actual solutions of all these problems."

How do we get beyond the ordinary way of thinking? How can we think extraordinary?

• Read Acts 4:13: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
• The disciples of Jesus Christ were ordinary men, but being with Jesus made them extraordinary human-beings.

Where do we find true wisdom?

• Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

Only God can turn an ordinary person into an extraordinary human-being capable of miraculous acts. God normally chooses the simple among us for His work, so that all credit goes to him.

 
What is a truly beautiful mind? Answer: The Mind of Christ

 

• God grants real wisdom as we learn from Him and apply what we learn.
• Are you not enthused to know the mind of God? His Spirit understands God’s wisdom and shares it with Christians who will seek it.
• More information means needing to be careful about identifying accurate information.
• God’s Spirit has the ability to take us beyond information to truth and application.

 
 

Paul had founded the church at the bustling seaport city of Corinth and then later wrote this letter to the Corinthian believers. They consisted of Greeks, Romans, and Jews, coming from all social classes. The church was troubled in that the people were quite gifted. Yet they were also immature and unspiritual.

• Leadership problems created divisions within the church.
• Immoral practices happened among some of the believers.
• One group flaunted their spiritual gifts.
• Another group stressed strict keeping of dietary laws.
• Some believers were abusing the Lord’s Supper, while others were promoting false teachings about the resurrection.

In writing the letter to address some of these problems, Paul chose to talk about how the Holy Spirit could provide the wisdom the people needed to understand Scripture and to live the Christian life. Paul’s timeless advice shows us the key to the wisdom we need for living today.



The Holy Spirit can give us wisdom to understand Scripture and to live the Christian life – let’s see how. 

 
I. ACCESS GOD’S WISDOM – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-8

Paul’s Proclamation

2 When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.

Spiritual Wisdom

6 However, we do speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.


Paul reminded the Corinthians that when he first preached in Corinth, he did not use eloquence but plain speech in presenting the cross of Christ in the power of the Spirit.


See how Paul described wisdom here; it’s human wisdom. (Vs 1-5)

• Paul contrasted human wisdom with God’s power and wisdom. Human wisdom can never be the basis of our faith.
• Consider whether you depend more on human wisdom or God’s wisdom. Ask for God’s wisdom in every area of life; then follow it. Otherwise it does no good.

How did Paul describe God’s wisdom? (Vs 6-8)

• God’s wisdom is amazing, freeing, without agenda, and truly for our good. Believers have access to this wisdom through the Holy Spirit living in us.
• What habits have you developed for learning about and listening to God? Ask other believers how they hear and follow God? Add that habit.

How did Paul describe the “wisdom of this age” in verse 6? Where do you see “rulers of this age” (v. 7) in our culture?

• Rulers of this age are “coming to nothing.” Many people – even Christians – can put too much stock in the words and lives of politicians, celebrities, athletes, but those only matters if they align with God’s wisdom.
• Affirm that the “mystery” of spiritual maturity may seem like foolishness to those who don’t have the Spirit in their lives. But those who rely on the power of the Spirit can reap present and eternal benefits from the wisdom of God.

Is human wisdom bad?

• No, God has used it to accomplish wonderful things in science, mathematics, relationships, and health. We need godly wisdom to know how to apply the wisdom and knowledge we gain.

So, what should we do with the wisdom that we have?

• God’s wisdom leads to mature Christians. God’s wisdom is the truth that was once unknown but now revealed by God.
• I will filter all information through the Bible and seek God’s perspective and guidance. I will apply God’s wisdom in using knowledge.

What was a truly beautiful mind? (The Mind of Christ) God’s Spirit reveals the mind of Christ to believers – let’s read.



II. SEE WHAT GOD REVEALS – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9-11

9 But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind—God prepared this for those who love Him. 10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.


God’s wisdom: Although godly wisdom is a mystery, the Spirit revealed it to mature believers.



Write “Wisdom Wanted” on the board and compile a list of places in which we need wisdom today. (finances, heath decisions, family relationships, work, at church)

• We all need God’s wisdom. List some specific areas in your life where you need that wisdom now. Write that privately on your hand out now.

When we’re tempted to engage in behavior that is risky or wrong, how is it that the Holy Spirit guides us in the choices to make? When we see opportunities to make right choices, how is it that the Holy Spirit guides us?

• How many times have we taken that action even after God shows us what to do.
• What habits will keep us from walking off cliffs?
• What habits will make sure we hear and heed God’s wisdom?

In our own strength we cannot fathom the mind of God – so what key role does the Spirit play?

• Paul used language from Isaiah 52:15 and 64:4 here to help readers understand the vast separation between God’s wisdom and us. We prepare ourselves to grasp God’s wisdom through prayer and Bible study.
• Listen and do what God says. Christians cannot conceive of the wonder of what God has prepared for them.

Have you ever felt like you could read the mind of your spouse or a good friend? How did your relationship get to that point?

• When people spend time together, they come to understand each other. They can predict reactions and even know what the other person will say. The intimacy of the relationship produces a deep understanding of each other. Even then communication is necessary to validate what’s in the other’s mind.

What illustration did Paul use to compare and contrast worldly wisdom with God’s wisdom?

• People can hide thoughts and feelings from others. They can put on a happy face to hide behind. Likewise, those outside God’s family cannot understand His ways – unless He reveals His mind through the Spirit.

How can we seek God’s wisdom and what will the Holy Spirit do when we seek?

• I can seek God’s wisdom through prayer, Bible study, wise Christians, and obeying Him day by day. The Spirit who wrote the inspired Scripture illumines those who read and study God’s Word.

What should I do when I struggle to do what I know is wise and good? Our lesson says that those without the Spirit cannot fathom the things of God, but those who live in the Spirit will discern spiritual things.   




III. DISCERN THE TRUTH – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12-16

12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the Lord’s mind,
that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.


Notice the contrasts between how believers and unbelievers respond to God’s wisdom. (Vs 12-15)

• When we respond to God’s calling to relate to Him, we get to understand, obey, watch, and rejoice as God Himself works in our spirits.
• The natural man lives without the Spirit, does not understand the Spirit, and considers the things of the Spirit to be foolishness.
• Read a chapter from Proverbs each day. What wisdom do you see? Live?

What is the confidence building promise we find in verse 16?

• The Spirit reveals the deep things of God.
• The Spirit teaches us spiritual words and truths.
• The Spirit gives discernment and reveals the mind of Christ.
• Take time for a check-up. Are you applying human wisdom in your life’s choices or are you applying God’s wisdom? Are you willing to make changes where needed?

How often do you have a performance review at work? What are some other ways you are evaluated?

• Most employers evaluate workers at least once a year. Other forms of evaluations would be: driver’s test, eye exams, physical exams, and questions from our adult kids.
• These evaluations are generally for our good and the good of others. We need to know where we stand so we can make necessary improvements.
• We should pause and give thanks to God for evaluating and guiding us into deeper loving and richer living.

What are we called to do with the wisdom we receive through the Spirit?

• Highlight the illustration – cartoon – to ask why this approach is tempting but foolish.
• Emphasize again that believers depend on the Spirit to understand God’s direction. Failing to follow them makes the wisdom useless.
• Wisdom helps us know what’s of God and what is not of God. Then we can choose where to participate and what to run from.
• Human knowledge is not bad, but it is insufficient.

How can we develop a beautiful mind “of Christ”?

• Through the power of the Holy Spirit we receive God’s Wisdom. The Mind of Christ.
• To develop a beautiful mind of Christ is to – live wisely.

Paul preached the good news in a way that glorified Christ without calling attention to himself. The Spirit enabled him to preach with power. The Spirit produces spiritually mature believers, who understand the revealed wisdom of God. The Spirit reveals the deep things of God and provides discernment into the mind of Christ.


The Spirit helps you live as a mature Christian by enabling you to communicate the good news in a way people will see Christ, by providing understanding of God’s revelation, and by guiding you to exercise godly discernment into the mind of Christ.



Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 and Hebrews 5:11-6:3 as well as the Bible passage for this lesson, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16.



"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall given to him." (James 1.5)



We also know the Holy Ghost is our teacher, comforter, the one that leads and guides, helps us pray as we ought, and unlocks the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.



Wisdom is the ability to apply and use the Word of God to accomplish God’s will in your life. It’s what you need when nothing else seems to work. Wisdom includes prudence, discretion, right decisions, soundness, stability and common sense.


In the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we note some truths concerning the mind of Christ:

1) The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man (verses 5-6).

2) The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed (verse 7).

3) The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God (verses 10-12).

4) The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit (verse 14).

5) The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters (verse 15).


In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ (John 1:12; 1 John 5:12). After salvation, the believer lives a life under God’s influence. The Holy Spirit indwells and enlightens the believer, infusing him with wisdom—the mind of Christ. The believer bears a responsibility to yield to the Spirit’s leading (Ephesians 4:30) and to allow the Spirit to transform and renew his mind (Romans 12:1-2).

Prayer of Commitment

Holy Spirit, help me to live as a mature follower of the Lord Jesus. Amen 

Be in prayer this week as we continue in our study of the Holy Spirit and how He helps us live out our salvation each day. 

Hope to see you on Sunday - guess what, we're moving! I'll tell you about it on Sunday...

In His Love, 

David & Susan