15 iHe is the image of jthe invisible God, kthe firstborn of all creation. 16 For by6 him all things were created, lin heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether mthrones or ndominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created othrough him and for him. 17 And phe is before all things, and in him all things qhold together. 18 And rhe is the head of the body, the church. He is sthe beginning, tthe firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For uin him all the vfullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and wthrough him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, xmaking peace yby the blood of his cross. (Text from the ESV, biblia.com)

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by Pat Marvenko Smith

In an Old Testament Theology Seminar I was asked to come up with a “central theme” for the Old Testament, that could carry over into the New Testament. It’s what Biblical Theologians call a center, or a mitte. In thinking about that I looked at Deuteronomy 26. The first 11 verses function as a sort of summary of the exodus event, a summary which would be read in Passover celebrations later (and today). It seems to me that this statement is like something that NT theologians identify as a kerygma, a central summary gospel, which the rest of the NT expands upon. In our case in Deuteronomy 26, the Old Testament’s gospel (that is what Christian interpreters call the Exodus tongue in cheek) is presented in summary form. What I find greatly interesting is that verses 17-20 end the section with a sort of call to live for God. It says,

17 Today you have obtained the LORD’s agreement: to be your God; and for you to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, and to obey him. 18 Today the LORD has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised you, and to keep his commandments; 19 for him to set you high above all nations that he has made, in praise and in fame and in honor; and for you to be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.

This seems much like a NT call to follow Christ. It’s followed by a promissory statement that if one does so, they will inherit eternal life. Of course the terms are different, using Old Testament imagery which is later (2nd temple era) re-interpreted as the NT presents. I find it significant that when Christ is asked what the most important commandment is, what he says lines up with Dt 26:17 (not exactly, he’s quoting the shema). Those who follow God become the holy ones, which in the NT gets translated as saints.

When we studied this in our small group, we talked about how this story describes on a corporate level, something similar to what happens in the NT picture of Christ. I think this is because the Hebrew way of viewing history is that it is cyclical (some would call it typological). Israel went through a struggle, cried out to God, who saved them. Later, God saved them (and us gentiles) in Christ. It was something on a grander scale. One reason I think I’m on track here is that in Deuteronomy, God is called “I AM”, the Hebrew YHWH. John’s Gospel presents Christ in this manner, becoming the passover lamb, who takes away the sin of the world, and makes it possible for God to tabernacle with humanity, and restore humanity to the intended state of eternity with God (in our death).

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1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Vv1-2

What do you think the “secret things of God” is referring to? I think the gospel.

How do we prove faithful with the special knowledge of God’s word?

This was not a mystery religion where secret knowledge got you into God’s kingdom, but instead a community of action.

Vv3-5

these verses speak of judging others, and ourselves…

Are you all-knowing, all-hearing, all-seeing? Then you, like me, probably aren’t the perfect judge.

What is God’s standard of judgment? If perfection, Is it based on what you did, or what you thought?

Does having a clear conscience mean that God considers you right with him?

Does that worry you? How do you prepare for that day of judgment?

What does this mean about how we look at other people? Should we criticize others? Can we do it in love?

Vv6-7

Paul brings up the two groups, which are pledging allegiance to himself or Apollos…

Who gives people abilities?

Where do gifts in life ultimately come from?

How can we guard against boasting in ourselves?

I’ll say it, I’m arrogant at times… how do I guard against that/ or ask for forgiveness?

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FULL REVIEW HERE

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before text…

Can you name someone who has been a spiritual influence in your life? Why is that?

READ TEXT

¹Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. ²I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. ³You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? ⁴For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?

⁵What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. ⁷So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ⁹For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. ¹¹For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

¹⁶Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? ¹⁷If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

¹⁸Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. ¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”^[a]; ²⁰and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”^{[b] 21}So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, ²²whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas^[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

What is the basis for the divisions in the church? Why are they gathering around these people?

In vv5-9, Why does Paul say that dividing over leaders is wrong, or silly? How many teams are there in Christianity?

10-17
Are leaders responsible for the way they lead?
How so?
What is the “Day” that is referred to in v13?
How might someone “destroy God’s temple?”

18-23
How does the idea of Jesus death, and miraculous resurrection – let alone our belief that he is God; how does that appear to those who are “wise” in the 21st century?

Application
So then, what do spiritual divisions around leaders look like in the 21st century?
How do we avoid them or that situation?

We’ve talked about all who have a relationship with Christ being on the same team – how would we know when someone isn’t on that team? What’s the most basic dividing line for who’s in or out?

All of us have kids, or will have kids in a few months. So, we are all going to be spiritual leaders to them – at least in part. How do we prepare for that?

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1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (New International Version)

¹When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^{[a] 2}For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. ⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Have you ever heard someone who was a great speaker but not very convincing? Has someone ever won you over to their opinion with a great speech?

Paul chose to use wise speech at other times, such as his speech at the Areopagus. Why do you think Paul chose not do do this??

Have you ever felt dumb explaining something to someone? Did you feel like you were convincing them?

Have you ever been convinced about something because a person persuaded you, and then changed your mind later? Do you think this has anything to do with Paul’s choice?

Have you ever felt the Spirit of God tell you something or confirm an idea? Can you really explain that process? Are you likely to be persuaded otherwise later?

Comments appreciated. The context I had in mind (and used this in) was a small group bible study (4-15 people).

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I would certainly recommend this to anyone who has the time to read through the 650+ pages of information!

FULL REVIEW HERE

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