Series: The Mind of God
Message: Thinking God’s Thoughts
Preacher: Mark Johnson

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 34:11-16.

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 - As you read in the New International Version, note 1-3 insights that arise.

Reflect: “…(I)n these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power,” (Hebrews 1:2,3 ESV).  “’For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’  But we have the mind of Christ,” (1 Cor. 2:16).

Christ was the living impersonation of God, and “We behold in him the image of the invisible God…. Through Christ we may comprehend something of him who is glorious in holiness,” (Signs of the Times, Jan. 20, 1890).  “But we have the mind of Christ.”  What does this mean?  How do we behold the glory of God the Father by having “the mind of Christ”?

In the life of Christ, we see many interesting relationships, but some of the closest were with His Father and with His disciples.  In His relationship with His Father we see Jesus as a student.  With His disciples, He was the teacher.

The teacher-student relationship is a rather unique one, and can be a very wonderful thing.  In a very real sense, the teacher shares his or her mind with the student, and the student learns to think the thoughts of the teacher after them.  This can be wonderful, or this can be terrible.  It all depends.  The best teachers not only share their thoughts and knowledge with their students, they teach their students how to grow beyond the teacher’s level of knowledge and to learn how to think for themselves.

God continually chided His children for just memorizing His teachings and not having the change of heart that His teachings call them to. He told them he despised their offerings and hated listening to them sing hymns, because they did it with the wrong motives.  He wanted their friendship, not their servitude.   

Recalibrate: 

1. What are my motives for worshiping God?
2. Have I just learned what the Bible teaches, or do I have an understanding of what God was thinking when He inspired its writers?

Respond: Pray for a pure heart. 

Research: How has God’s role in our lives changed as He has moved from Creator to Master to Father to Brother to Friend?