TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 2: 6-16
READING: ISAIAH 40: 1-18
SUBJ: That it is the Holy Spirit that ultimately reveals and enables the comprehension of the things of God in men and by such we are put in touch with things this world may not and cannot know.
AIM: That we may be delivered from the tendency to try to process spiritual things through worldly concepts.
INTR: The first five verses of this chapter are well-known and often quoted as well they should be.
1. Not only are the Corinthians reminded of the deeply spiritual nature of Paul's ministry among them, but also, we are reminded of the same things and the purpose of God therein.
2. As is the manner of scripture often, the positive thing is declared (things revealed by the Spirit) and the impossibility of the opposite is stated (For what man knoweth?).
3. Thus, it behooves us to pursue spiritual things in a spiritual manner such as prayerfully and with a sense of dependence on the Lord in all we do.
THESIS: The Lord needs none to instruct Him and will not seek such counsel. He has chosen to involve His people in working out those things that pertain to Him, His will and His glorious purpose.
I. The wisdom of God in a mystery (vv. 6-10)
1. The wisdom spoken by the Apostle has no relationship to the world and its way of doing things and from this we must be separated.
2. The fact of Gospel mysteries is alluded to in various places and we could easily be dissuaded from pursuing things to wonderful for us:
1) That it is hidden (clearly understood in the context)
2) That is ordained before the world and shall surely end in glory.
3) Evidenced by the fact that none of the worldly wise (princes of this world) sensed.
3. The most indisputable evidence of human ignorance and depravity.
4. No doubt the prophet alluded to this: For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Isaiah 64:4
1) Not to be construed as wait and be surprised; rather it does not occur to the natural man.
2) It is, however, that which begins to be revealed and continues to unfold to those who come to love the Lord.
5. Thus, we are made to see that our understanding does not rest in human wisdom but in the knowledge and fellowship with the Lord.
II. The contrast exposed (vv. 11-14)
1. The line is distinctly drawn between that fallen nature of man and its limitations while the things of God must be spiritually revealed.
2. We have been given (Paul certainly speaks of himself) the Spirit which is of God
1) We would understand a new nature which is responsive to the Holy Spirit
2) But, we would likewise understand that it is He who enables knowledge of things given us of God.
3. Specifically, not the spirit of the world and specifically not the words of the wisdom of men.
4. The distinction is mutually received in that men perceive the things of God as foolish and furthermore he is totally lacking in that which is required to communicate with God. Ye must be born again!
III. The mind of Christ (vv. 15-16)
1. True spirituality includes discernment as to the makeup and worth of people and things encountered and yet is not subject to being understood.
2. 13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Isaiah 40:13-14
3. While we may not know the mind of the Lord nor are prone to instruct Him, we are of the same mind we have through Spiritual discernment and the Word His mind - we are submissive to His will as it is revealed to us.
