3 Understanding God

Intro and Background

Paul in Corinth – speaking in the synagogue, moved next door to the home of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Stayed 1 ½ years teaching, preaching, and starting the church.

In this letter he is answering questions from the believers in Corinth, and correcting a few things he had heard were happening as the culture influenced the church.

Purpose of the Letter

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1:10 Key to letter: Appeal by the authority of Jesus for unity in heart, mindset, and purpose.

Example: Polarization around teachers and leaders.

1 Corinthians 1:17 NIV

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

v.17 Purpose of teachers is not to follow them, but to all follow Jesus together. = did not teach in a way that would detract from the message of Jesus and the cross.

Point of the Message

1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1:18 Key to chapter 1: that message is foolish to those who do not yet believe, but power and life to those who say yes to Jesus.

1:20-2:5 Paul expands on the idea that the message of the cross is foolish to those who think they are wise and strong, but is true power and wisdom for those who receive and live the message.

Not about being wise and powerful, God is more wise and more powerful in this weak moment on the cross than man’s most wise and strong moment.

God calls the lowest, weakest, least wise. Those who think they are wise and powerful miss God’s calling. It doesn’t make sense to them. The cross is senseless to the world, but power and wisdom to those who answer God’s call to relationship through Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV

2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

2:1-5 Paul returns to this theme, or wraps it up to say he taught simply the message of Jesus and the cross through the power of the Holy Spirit so they would increase faith in God alone.

2:6-16 even though Paul started with the Corinthians to believe the simple message of the cross and did not bring deep wisdom, but for those who are mature he brings the deeper spiritual wisdom of God.

v.8 If the rulers had truly understood God and Scripture and His purposes, they would have known who Jesus really is and would not have crucified Him.

Why didn’t they know?

How can we truly understand God?

Perception by the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:10 NIV

10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

By the Spirit of God.

Who can know what is in a person’s mind (or their mindset/attitude) except the spirit of that person.

Same with God – His Spirit alone.

1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV

12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

We have received the Spirit Who is from God so that we may understand what God has given us.

1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV

16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

But we have the mind(set) of Christ. His attitude.

Where does Jesus Christ get His mindset? Same. God’s Spirit in Him.

Conclusion

How can we the believers, the body, the church be united in mindset and purpose? V.10

Humble acceptance of God’s message of power and wisdom – Christ and the cross.

Growing in faith and following – increasing in understanding through the Holy Spirit transforming us to be more like Christ. As we understand the mindset of Christ and live out that mindset.

Chapter 3 Paul comes back to the division and begins to address it on the foundation of being united in the mindset and purpose of Christ.

For next week, read Chapter 3 several times, make some notes on what God’s Spirit says to you and how it fits with what you’ve learned so far.

Big Idea: Through God’s Spirit we gain the mindset of Christ.

What About You?

Do you have the mindset of Jesus Christ?

Do you have God’s Spirit in you speaking to your spirit and giving you understanding?

Would you like to?