Slides: The Mind of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

⁶ 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.

⁷ No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

⁸ None of the rulers of this age under-stood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

⁹ However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— ¹⁰ but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

¹² We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

¹⁴ The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

¹⁵ The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:

¹⁶ “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

 

The ultimate mind

Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3)

Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God… we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 1:30; 2:16)

Jesus the genius

No one ever spoke the way this man does. (John 7:46)

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Matt 22:46)

They were unable to trap him... And astonished by his answer, they became silent. (Luke 20:26)

Son speaks Father’s mind

I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it… So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. (John 12:49-50)

The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:10)

Spirit speaks Son’s mind

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth… He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16:12-14)

Jesus’ wisdom in us

The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say… I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. (Luke 12:12; 21:15)

They could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen was speaking. (Acts 6:10)

Stunning secrets

The Spirit shows us God’s mind.

God’s way of salvation is something nobody guessed: Christ crucified.

God’s blessings in salvation are marvels nobody could imagine: new creation, eternal intimacy with God, reigning forever: Christ arisen.

Natural dead heads

No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. … The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Ignorant judges

… not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing… None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory… The spiritual man … is not subject to any man’s judgment.

The Mind of Christ

God has revealed it to us by his Spirit… no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God… We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us… We have the mind of Christ.

The Mind of the Spirit

Those in accord with the Spirit mind the things of the Spirit… The mind of the Spirit is life and peace… Those led by the Spirit of God are sons of God… The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children… The Spirit himself intercedes for us… He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit. (Romans 8)

The Mind of Christ
nous (νοῦς), phronema (φρόνημα)

• Intellect: thoughts, knowledge, wisdom
• Identity: position, stance, convictions
• Worldview: mindset, viewpoint, focus
• Attitude: outlook, feelings, interests
• Awareness: sense, insight, recognition
• Evaluation: discernment, test, sifting

Baby minds

Babies have real but immature minds:

• Focused on their own wants
• Unable to talk or understand others

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly [carnal, fleshly]—mere infants in Christ… For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? (1 Cor 3:1-3)

Be sensitive to Spirit
Christians can’t lose the Spirit, but we can ignore him and stifle his influence.

Don’t you know that God’s Spirit lives in you? … Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you? (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19)

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. (Eph 4:30)

Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thess 5:19)

The Ultimate Mind

• Jesus knows the Father’s mind.
• The Spirit knows Jesus’ mind.
• The Spirit knows God’s mind.
• We have the mind of the Spirit.
• We have the mind of Christ.

Christ in me

• Jesus thinks his thoughts in me.
• Jesus speaks his words through me.
• Jesus unleashes his power in me.
• When Jesus’ Spirit lives in me, Jesus thinks and speaks and acts in me and through me. I think his thoughts, speak his words, and do his deeds.
  

The Mind of Christ

• Guided
• Word-shaped
• Maturing
• Heavenly
• Renewed
• Agreeing
• Discerning
• Focused
• One
• Peaceful

Guided mind

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

It is written in the Prophets: “They will all be taught by God.” Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (John 6:45)

Word-shaped mind

I will pour out my Spirit on all people. (Joel 2:28)

I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:27)

I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33)

Abide in me, and I in you… If you abide in me, and my words abide in you… (John 15:4,7)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16)

God’s Word abides in you. (1 John 2:14)

Maturing mind

• The mind of Christ in believers may range from babyish to mature. Grow up so you can digest solid food.
• Christians can’t lose the Spirit, but we can ignore him and stifle his influence. Count on him and pay attention.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings… Not that I have already …been made perfect [mature], but I press on… All of us who are mature should think this. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. (Philippians 3:10-15)

Heavenly mind

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Mind the things above, not the things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Renewed mind

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Agreeing mind
The mind of Christ agrees with God and by faith counts on divine truth.

Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? (Galatians 3:2)

Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

 

Discerning mind

The same person may have thoughts from God and from Satan.

• “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
• “Get behind me, Satan! … you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:17, 23)

Christ in you… in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge… See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Col 1:27-2:8)

 
Focused Mind

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

One mind

… complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind… Have this mind in yourselves, which is also in Christ Jesus… I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 2:2, 5; 4:2)

Peaceful mind

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)

 

Total Fitness

• Spiritual
• Physical
• Financial
• Intellectual
• Emotional
• Relational
• Vocational

The Mind of Christ

• Guided
• Word-shaped
• Maturing
• Heavenly
• Renewed
• Agreeing
• Discerning
• Focused
• One
• Peaceful