1. The Amazing World of God’s Mind 1 Corinthians 2

2. The Amazing World of God’s Mind 1Cor 2:1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Refers to “Jesus Christ crucified” (vs.2) not to miracles (cf 1:23,24) Refers to “Jesus Christ crucified” (vs. 2) not to miracles (cf 1:23,24)

3. 1 Corinthians 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;

4. 1 Corinthians 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 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

5. Before the Creation of Man… A Rebellion Erupted Ez.28 –The Highest Angelic Being –“Heart Filled with violence… Corrupted by the beauty of his splendor…” –1/3 Angels (Rev.12:4) Why follow God? God says he’s loving, but how do we know that’s true? Maybe we were created to be God’s slaves? How convenient that “what’s best for us” always turns out to be glorifying to God! It all depends on what kind of character God has

6. Gen.3:15; musterion

7. Gen.3:15; 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 musterion

8. Gen.3:15; 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7 musterion For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace…From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this

9. Gen.3:15; 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2 musterion “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity…. He will be great To the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace”

10. Gen.3:15; 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2 Psalm 22 musterion “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? … “But I am a worm, and not a man, A reproach of men, and despised by the people. All who see me sneer at me… saying, ‘Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him…’ “…I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. “…They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

11. Gen.3:15; 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2 Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; musterion “He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief… He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him

12. Gen.3:15; 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2 Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; musterion King Messiah: Will come and take over Will reign as king Will vanquish foes Is. 9:6ff

13. Gen.3:15; 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2 Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; musterion King Messiah: Will come and take over Will reign as king Will vanquish foes Is. 9:6ff The “Servant of the Lord”: Will come and suffer Will pay for sin Will die badly Is. 53

14. Confusion! musterion : Confusion! People were confused…People were confused… “But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. The multitude therefore answered Him, ‘We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever…’” John 12:33-34

15. People Thought: John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. musterion God Thought:

16. Confusion! musterion : Confusion! People were confused…People were confused… The Disciples Were Confused!The Disciples Were Confused! Mark 8:31-33 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter plainly… And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him…

17. Confusion! musterion : Confusion! People were confused…People were confused… The Disciples Were Confused!The Disciples Were Confused! SATAN was confused!SATAN was confused! Satan then entered into [Judas]. Therefore Jesus said* to him, “What you do, do quickly.” John 13:27 John 12:31-32 "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out. [32] "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."

18. Confusion! musterion : Confusion! People were confused…People were confused… The Disciples Were Confused!The Disciples Were Confused! SATAN was confused!SATAN was confused! They did not know there were two comings!!They did not know there were two comings!! 1 Cor. 2:7-8 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; [8] the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 2 Cor. 4:4 the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving…

19. Confusion! musterion : Confusion! People were confused…People were confused… The Disciples Were Confused!The Disciples Were Confused! SATAN was confused!SATAN was confused! They did not know there were two comings!!They did not know there were two comings!! Satan expected a “ruler of this world” like himself…Satan expected a “ruler of this world” like himself… Until…Until… Ps.22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? …They pierced my hands and my feet... …They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

20. musterion The Victory of the Cross! A Public Refutation of the Slander!A Public Refutation of the Slander! Col. 2:13-15 he canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [15] When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

21. musterion The Victory of the Cross! A Public Refutation of the Slander!A Public Refutation of the Slander! God Answers with His Love!God Answers with His Love! “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

22. musterion The Victory of the Cross! A Public Refutation of the Slander!A Public Refutation of the Slander! God Answers with His Love!God Answers with His Love! While a Universe of Beings WatchWhile a Universe of Beings Watch Eph.3:9 …the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

23. musterion The Victory of the Cross! A Public Refutation of the Slander!A Public Refutation of the Slander! God Answers with His Love!God Answers with His Love! While a Universe of Beings WatchWhile a Universe of Beings Watch And now you’re watching…And now you’re watching… 1 Cor. 2:9 But just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

24. musterion YOU’RE a Part of It! A Public Refutation of the Slander!A Public Refutation of the Slander! God Answers with His Love!God Answers with His Love! While a Universe of Beings WatchWhile a Universe of Beings Watch And now you’re watching…And now you’re watching… YOU HAVE SIGNIFICANCE!YOU HAVE SIGNIFICANCE! 1 Cor. 2:9 "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” “This Good News has been announced to you…It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” 1Pet.1:13

25. musterion YOU’RE a Part of It! “It is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. It is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. “It is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. It is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” - Winston Churchill 1 Cor. 2:9 But just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”