God's Church: We Have The Mind of Christ
This is the third sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Mind of Christ’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.
Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church · The Rev'd Adam Lowe
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Show Notes
Sermon & Small Group Resources
This is the third sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Mind of Christ’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.
DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this Week
BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived” —
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 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. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 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.
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECT: How can we keep the cross central to all that we do?
WARM-UP
What do you think is the most common pieces of wisdom that our culture offers?
Where were many in the church in Corinth seeking their wisdom from? How can we sometimes be tempted to do the same?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 - The True Nature of Wisdom
What and who are not the source of true wisdom? Who are rulers of this age that Paul describes?
What is the ultimate trajectory of a worldly type of wisdom (devoid of God)? How can you see this as true - perhaps considering examples from your frontline?
What is the content of the ‘message of wisdom’ which Paul speaks about here?
In what way was this message hidden but is now revealed? How does this contrast with the secret knowledge that some of the Corinthians longed for?
How is it evident that the rulers of Paul’s age did not understand the wisdom of the cross?
What is the trajectory of God’s wisdom compared to the wisdom of the world?
What has God prepared for those who love him? How should this good news spur us on amidst our daily lives across the whole spectrum of frontlines?
How can we encourage and remind one another of the promise of the glory that God has prepared?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 - Received in the Power of God’s Spirit
Who were the Apostles? How was the Holy Spirit particularly at work in the lives of the Apostles?
How is the Holy Spirit at work in us in order to bring about an understanding of the cross?
How does the Holy Spirit make a way for phenomenal intimacy between every believer and God?
As you seek to show and share the Good News, how is the Holy Spirit involved? How should we be greatly encouraged that it is ultimately the work of God’s Spirit that brings about conversion?
How are you dependent on the Holy Spirit in seeking to follow Jesus on your frontline?
APPLY: How can you seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom this week on one of your frontlines?
PRAYER
Gracious Lord, thank you for the gift of your Spirit! Please help us to understand the Gospel, live responsively to your Spirit, and participate in the proclamation of your Son. Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
WITH CHILDREN
Grow as Families
Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.
Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray
High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook