These were my notes from our 6/10/2012 church meeting.
Leader: Philip Weatherford
Assignment
Let's consider 1 Cor. 2:2, and see what applications we can make from it. "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
My Notes
In context, Paul is contrasting the wisdom of GOD from the wisdom of the world. Jesus and His gospel are stumbling blocks to many people, because they are unwilling to accept it. But to the called—to the Christian—Jesus is the power of GOD unto salvation.
Paul notes that, as a result, not many people who are considered wise by worldly standards are Christians. They stumble over the gospel of Jesus and reject Him. Instead, GOD chooses the weak and unwise (in the eyes of men) to shame those who view themselves as wise.
Thus, Paul states that when he was with the Corinthians, he didn't use powerful and flowery speech, but allowed the power of the Holy Spirit to confirm his message. He wasn't striving to impress anyone. He's not looking to gain all this worldly wisdom, but instead, he only wanted to know Jesus and His death for us.
Applications for Us
- Knowing Jesus is to be my top priority.
- Jesus' crucifixion for me is to be my favorite subject to hear and talk about.
- Education is good, but isn't what life is all about. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies (1 Cor. 8:1).
- We talk about what matters most to us. If this is true, what matters most to me?
- Christianity isn't a popularity contest. If we're seeking popularity we're going to lose Jesus in the process.
