Q & A:
Why do I always get summoned [for jury duty] but other people don’t?
Selection is random. If you have already responded to a summons or have already served in the past 12 months, contact your local jury office and explain that you have been summoned twice in 12 months. It is important to contact the court to resolve the problem.
My first pet peeve here is that they did not answer the question. They said “not true, but here’s some other information having nothing to do with the randomness you are addressing,” which has nothing to do with randomness but everything to do with the “12 month rule”
My second is, IT’S NOT RANDOM. In theory the pool of potential jurors is all registered voters. I know factually that in the last 18 years my wife has been called once. I, however, have been called about 8 times AND served on 2 juries and almost a third. I know co-workers of 18+ years that have NEVER been called – who are registered voters in my county.
It is not random! If it were random, over 2 decades wouldn’t everyone’s “number” have come up even once. There are LAWS of probabilities. Hmmmm…. if the court would just run a analysis of the randomness of their selection (vs. assuming) they might find a very interesting fact.
I wonder if they understand that computers DO NOT generate truly random numbers (and consequently selections) unless there are specific algorithms written to create “apparent” randomness. I wonder if they know that simply rebooting a computer will reset it’s random number sequence. You heard me “random number sequence.” Without special algorithms a computer can DUPLICATE the exact sequence of “random” numbers.
It is my belief that once every three years my counties court system reboots it’s computers and then the sequence of selections repeats itself. I think I will keep a log of all names of people in my jury pool and watch them “randomly” show up with me the next time I am selected.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy jury duty even if it could be pretty difficult to replace my income with $15/day. I also consider it a serious responsibility. I just hate non-answers to legitimate questions.
I guess that’s the law.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
“The Source of Spiritual Wisdom”
Date: 18-Jul-10
Required Resources: Whiteboard, “The Romans Road” (handouts), NET version
Introduction
Review:
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Book Outline (to date)
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
1. The manifestation of the problem (v1:10-17)
The question of: “Which group is most spiritual?” leads to emptying the cross of Christ of its power
a. Quarrelling (v10-12)
b. Christ’s body divided (v13-17)
2. The gospel contradicts human wisdom (v1:18-2:5)
These contests of “super-spirituality” are a contradiction to the gospel
a. God’s wisdom (v18-25)
b. Who you were (v26-31)
c. Who I (Paul) was (v2:1-5)
Ü 3. God’s wisdom is through the spirit (v2:6-16)
This gospel is revealed through the Spirit
a. God’s “secret” wisdom (v6-8)
b. The Spirit expresses spiritual truths (v9-16)
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Homework review:
- Complete page 6 in your study booklets (read 1 Cor 2:6-16)
- A few weeks ago we talked about the essentials of the Christian faith. Write down the Gospel you would share with someone to lead them to Christ so we can discuss in class
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The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Corinthians
2:6-16
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This passage deals with the fact that God is a “speaking” God (cf. Deut 4:33-36) who has chosen to disclose His heart & mind through His servants.
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v6-8
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God’s “secret” wisdom
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6
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Wisdom is not the perishable wisdom of man which exists for a day & is gone
Mature = Perfect(KJV) = complete = teleios(grk) = can refer to a person who has full membership in a group
¿: Is Paul saying only the mature can understand the message? [in this context he is referring to the saved – allowing for differences in Christian maturity.]
“Wisdom of this age” = not a particular time but all of human history
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7
Read in NET
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“mystery” (KJV/NASB/NET) = A mystery is a NT truth not previously revealed but now made known
The word translated mystery is derived from a word meaning “to shut the mouth” (cf. Matt 11:25)
The mystery of the Gospel includes: 1) Jews & Gentiles made 1 in Christ 2) Jesus will come and take His people home to Himself 3) Not all believers will die, but ALL will be changed
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8
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“rulers of this age” may refer to earthly or spiritual => but definitely has earthly meaning since it was earthly powers who crucified the Lord.
The trinity represented (read in KJV):
Crucified the “Lord of glory” (1 Cor 2:8)
“father of glory” (Eph 1:17)
“spirit of glory” (1 Pet 4:14
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v9-16
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The Spirit expresses spiritual truths
These verses deal with the process by which God makes Himself known. Revelation(v10-11), Inspiration(v12-13) and Illumination(v14-16) are described in v9-16
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Revelation
9
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Cf Isa 64:4 – No one has comprehension of the things of God except God. If men do see these things it is divinely appointed. These CANNOT be perceived via the senses except God made it known.
Note: Eye, Ear and MIND (or heart in other xlations), even combined, are not sufficient to recognize spiritual truths.
God “prepared [it] for those who love him.”
¿: In the context, what is Paul speaking of? [The things awaiting for us in heaven or the truth of the Gospel?]
Those who receive the doctrine of Christ as Divine, and, having been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, have looked well into it, see not only the plain history of Christ, and him crucified, but the deep and admirable designs of Divine wisdom therein. (Matthew Henry)
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10
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God reveals it via His Spirit
¿: Who is the “us”? [apostles] Remember context is “When I came to you brothers…(cf2:1)” and “We do…speak (cf 2:6)”
Ü ¿: What is Paul trying to say here? [God revealed to the apostles, who were then inspired (god-breathed) as they conveyed the message]
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Whiteboard
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¿: What is the message? [Gospel]
Ü ¿: Articulate the gospel?
Ü One way to share the Gospel? [Romans Road handout]
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11
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The Bible is not only God’s Word but God’s words
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Inspiration
12
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“We” again refers to the apostles
The Spirit gives understanding to what is revealed
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13
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Having described the process of revelation by which the writers and apostles received God’s truth, Paul goes on to describe the process of inspiration.
Paul makes a clear statement for verbal inspiration. The VERY words of the Spirit. (cf 2 Tim 3:16)
¿: What do you think of this in view of the fact that the styles differ between Paul, Luke and Matthew? Each reflects an individual style.
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Illumination
14
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We have learned that the Scriptures are divine in their writing, but now we see that they can only be understood with the assistance of the Spirit.
Often we are looking/seeking God’s will.
Should I share the gospel? How much are they ready for?, etc.
¿: How can we know if God is working in someone’s life? [aware of spiritual truth – only God can reveal that]
Trying to teach an unregenerate heart things of God is like trying “to catch sunlight with a fishhook.” We look for God’s working (as defined above) to know what to share.
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15
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Even the unlearned can study and understand the deep truths of God – when the PH. D. cannot comprehend the most simplistic spiritual truth!
“makes judgments” = scrutinize
It does not mean we can know or understand everything, that we don’t need teachers or that study is not hard work, it does mean, though, that without the Spirit there is no understanding.
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16
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Our eyes are open to God’s wisdom
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Summary
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v9-12 = revelation of previously unknown truths
v13 = inspiration in transmitting these truths to others
v14-16 = illumination of the truths by the Spirit
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
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Communicating the gospel means two things:
1) growing in our understanding of things of God
2) communicating the personal truths God has taught us as individuals
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Homework:
