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Sunday 03/27/25
Title: Steering the mind towards Spiritual truths
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Steering the mind towards Spiritual truths
A couple of weeks ago we stepped away from our learning about the renewing of the mind to address Palm Sunday and Easter. Though we did weave some of the renewing of the mind into those teachings, we didn’t really advance in our understanding of it.
So this week we are going to begin by re-reading the passage we left off with in 1 Corinthians 2
1 Cor. 2:2-16, [Weymouth]
“(1) And as for myself, brethren, when I came to you, it was not with surpassing power of eloquence or earthly wisdom that I came, announcing to you that which God had commanded me to bear witness For I determined to be utterly ignorant, when among you, of everything except of Jesus Christ, and of Him as having been crucified.
(3) And so far as I myself was concerned, I came to you in conscious feebleness and in fear and in deep anxiety.”
[trómos which can mean trembling from terror expressed through timidity, but in this passage it takes on the meaning of profound reverence]
“(4) And my language and the Message that I proclaimed were not adorned with persuasive words of earthly wisdom, but depended upon truths which the Spirit taught and mightily carried home; (5) so that your trust might rest not on the wisdom of man but on the power of God.”
Notice the role the Holy Spirit plays in taking logos (the written word) and converting it to rhema (God’s word spoken to us).
Notice too that in order for Paul to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit and the resource He provides he had to make a conscious decision to not rely upon his own mental reasonings or ability.
In the same way as we put to death the deeds of the body by the power of the Spirit, so we are able to minister by the power of the Spirit, rather than relying upon our own faculties – and the difference in BOTH instances is LIFE.
“(6) Yet when we are among mature believers we do speak words of wisdom; a wisdom not belonging, however, to the present age nor to the leaders of the present age who are soon to pass away. (7) But in dealing with truths hitherto kept secret we speak of God’s wisdom–that hidden wisdom which, before the world began, God pre-destined, so that it should result in glory to us;
(8) a wisdom which not one of the leaders of the present age possesses, for if they had possessed it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. (9) But–to use the words of Scripture–we speak of
THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN NOR EAR HEARD, and which have never entered the heart of man:
ALL THAT GOD HAS IN READINESS FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM.
(10) For us, however, God has drawn aside the veil through the teaching of the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, including the depths of the divine nature.”
Paul addresses this from another angle in 2 Corinthains 3 when he tells them that for the Jews, a veil still lays over their eyes (understanding) in the reading of the Old Testament because the veil is only taken away in Christ. Then he says,
“Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
But we all, with unveiled face behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into that same glory – from one level of glory to another – even as by the working of the Spirit of the Lord.”– 2 Cor. 3:16-18
Continuing on in 1 Corinthians 2…
“(11) For, among human beings, who knows a man’s inner thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him?
In the same way, also, only God’s Spirit is acquainted with God’s inner thoughts. (12) But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who comes forth from God, that we may know the blessings that have been so freely given to us by God.
(13) Of these we speak–not in language which man’s wisdom teaches us, but in that which the Spirit teaches–adapting, as we do, spiritual words to spiritual truths.
(14) The unspiritual (or carnal or flesh-ruled) man rejects the things of the Spirit of God, and cannot attain to the knowledge of them, because they are spiritually judged.
(15) But the spiritual man judges of everything, although he is himself judged by no one. (16) For WHO HAS PENETRATED THE MIND OF THE LORD, AND WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But *we* have the mind of Christ.”
This introduces or reinforces the role the Spirit plays in this renewing of the mind.
2 Timothy 1:7, “(7) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Now for the rest of our time this morning we are going to simply read with some commentary from me, a few other passages which press home the important role the mind plays in our Christian walk. I will also slowly introduce the importance of being deliberate regarding our stewardship over the grace gifts God has given to each one in the body – with focus of course upon our assembly in particular.
Colossians 3:1-17, [Weymouth]
“(1) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
(2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
(5) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:”
Now how did Romans 8 tell us to do this? By what power? By the Spirit we put to death the deed of the BODY. (It’s the body’s deeds or works NOT that of our reborn human spirit)
“fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (6) Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (7) in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
(8) But now you yourselves are to put off all these:
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
(9) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with HIS DEEDS, (10) and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him Who created him, (11) where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
(12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
(14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
(16) LET the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Php. 3:1-21, [Weymouth]
“(1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.
For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. (2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
(3) For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,”
By default this is saying that instead our only confidence comes from the Spirit.
“(4) though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: (5) circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; (6) concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(7) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
(8) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (9) and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; (10) that I may KNOW Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, (11) if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
“(12) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
(13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
(15) Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will REVEAL even this to you.”
How or by what means is He going to reveal this to you? By the Spirit!
“(16) Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
(17) Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. (18) For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:”
This is the same thing James tells us regarding those who desire to be friendly with the world. He says, “they make themselves the enemies of God.”…and James was addressing Christians. We know this from the introduction and closing of his letter, but also because he called them adultresses. You cannot commit adultery against someone you are not married to!
“(19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. (20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
1 Peter 4:1-19, [Weymouth]
“(1) Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (2) that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
Remember this is what Paul said in Romans 12 about the renewing of the mind,
“(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Rom. 12:1-2
Continue in 1 Peter 4…
“(3) For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
(4) In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. (5) They will give an account to Him Who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
(6) For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
(7) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (8) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS.”
(9) Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
(10) As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
(11) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(12) Beloved, do not thinkit strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
(14) If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
(15) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. (16) Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
(17) For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
(18) Now “IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?” (19) Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
Blessings!
Tri
