Wisdom From The Spirit

†CALL TO WORSHIP based on Romans 12:1

Minister: Sons and daughters of the living God, why are you together on this Lord’s Day?

Congregation: By the mercies of God, we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. This is our spiritual worship.

†PRAYER OF ADORATION AND INVOCATION

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. You are the Lord: the Creator, sustainer, and ruler of all things. You are our Lord, the God who gave his own Son for our salvation; who has called us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. Come, O God, inhabit the praises of your people. Send the Spirit that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth. Receive our worship, as you receive our prayer.

†OPENING HYMN OF PRAISE #216 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

BEFORE CONFESSION

“Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.” (Psalm 19:12–13, ESV)

Let us acknowledge our transgressions —

†CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN

Congregation: Father in heaven, we thank you for the freedom you have given us through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. But we confess today that we often live like slaves.

Instead of living like you delight in us, we avoid you in shame and guilt.

Instead of receiving your favor as a gift, we try to earn it with our efforts.

Instead of pursuing your purposes, we cling to our own agendas.

Forgive us. Embrace us. Cleanse us. Heal us.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

“ The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145:13–14, ESV)

CONTINUAL READING OF SCRIPTURE Romans 14:1-23

Steven Hoffer, Elder

THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND OUR GIFTS

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

†PSALM OF PREPARATION #119N “Your Word Sheds Light Upon My Path”

ILLUMINATION

Your word, O God, is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as to division of soul and spirit. Break us down with thy word so that by abandoning ourselves we might find Christ.

SERMON 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 Wisdom From The Spirit Pastor Austin Prince

Text:

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 ESV

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

AFTER SCRIPTURE

The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, even much fine gold.

Introduction:

Two types of people we discussed last week: Those who see the cross as foolishness and those who see it as the wisdom and power of God.

Paul is still focused on the message of the cross.

It’s not just that Christ was crucified on the cross, but also that Christians have been crucified there as well. The gospel is the death of our sin and our pride along with our Savior. Not only is the cross alien (weak and foolish) to the world, but we are as well. The flesh leans on its own understanding but ultimately cannot see, but the Spirit pours contempt on all of the pride of the flesh, bringing true wisdom in Christ. That’s what this section is about.

The way that Paul speaks in this section is primarily in terms of contrasts.

We will look at three of them

Those Who Receive Wisdom and Those Who Don’t

We Have The Spirit of God, Not of Spirit of This World

Natural vs. The Spiritual Person

Contrast #1 — Those Who Receive Wisdom and Those Who Don’t

1 Corinthians 2:6–10 ESV

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Summary of points:

We do impart wisdom, but not a wisdom of this age:

‌Hidden wisdom:

Before the ages…

It is for our glory --

Had the rulers known, they would Not Have Crucified The Lord of Glory

What No Eye Has Seen...

Wisdom for the mature: Paul is saying that the gospel that we preach truly is wisdom, but not wisdom of this age or its rulers — there is a reason that they cannot see it. In a sense, they are not mature (their souls) enough to see the glory of it.

Acts 4:13 (ESV) — 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

It’s as if God has limited the capacity of man’s view - as if he can only raise his head and vision but so far, the wisdom of the cross being above his ability to see. Even the wisest of our world can still only see so high, but still well below the wisdom of God. It is God who comes to us to reveal Himself, but He comes into view for us by looking down, something man didn’t expect to seem lowly, insignificant, and foolish.

Who are the ‘rulers of this age’? He probably had in view those like the Pharisees and even Pilate, since he later refers to those who crucified Christ, but he also likely means that anyone aspiring to rule and power in the flesh, those who boast in the flesh, cut themselves off from God’s wisdom. God has chosen the weak to shame the strong (I Co. 1:27)… And in chapter 4, Paul even sarcastically jokes with the Corinthians saying, “Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.” (1 Corinthians 4:8–9, ESV)

Would that you did reign, because then there wouldn’t be so much persecution and hardship, but the gospel is not a means to more pride and ease. Remember, Christ crucified is a stench to the nose of the prideful, and that’s what we preach. It’s where

Hidden wisdom… This brings up another dimension that we must mention here. That is, our blindness is not merely intellectual, but moral.

This blindness is the blindness of the flesh - the Spiritual man can see.

‌John 5:42–44 “42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”

‌

Before the ages…

This is not plan B. Not something new because God has messed up or is trying again. It all has always been leading to this.

Advent came - Jesus, the wisdom of God, has come and been revealed.

It is for our glory --

To know God’s wisdom in Christ is a glorious gift.

Ephesians 2:1–5 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”

Would Not Have Crucified The Lord of Glory

If the Pharisees wanted to truly preserve their power and status they wouldn’t have crucified Christ.

If Pilate wanted to truly wash his hands in innocence, or if he wished to hold his authority, he wouldn’t have crucified Jesus.

A Haman situation is happening here. A Joseph situation is happening here. What they meant for evil God meant for good.

What No Eye Has Seen...

This verse is commonly interpreted as a perspective on waiting for heaven, but it’s actually about being able to see God’s grace now to those who love Him.

What does this say about God’s disposition towards those who have not believed?

Illustrate this with the prodigal son - how did the father anticipate blessing his son?

We should give thanks to the Son for the cross, and we should give thanks to the Spirit for helping us see its significance.

Summary: Who can see and who can’t? This wisdom comes by grace alone, the Spirit bearing the fruit of love, joy, patience, etc., causing us to “see” the savior. We see Him as we love Him. We “taste” by the Spirit and “see” that He is good.

Contrast #2 — We Have The Spirit of God, Not of Spirit of This World

1 Corinthians 2:11–13 ESV

11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God...

Matthew 16:17 “17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

Who understands you most intimately? Is it not your own spirit that knows you, your past, your thoughts, your intentions?

As a man’s spirit knows the man, we have been given the “depths of God” - the Spirit who knows Him most intimately. What does the Spirit testify about? God’s fickleness or harshness or coldness? No, the Spirit cries out “Abba, Father!”. We see his wisdom and glory.

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom....

When Jesus spoke, it wasn’t in lofty language and concept that was high, complex and confusing, it was in language and imagery that was simple but in the wisdom of the Spirit. For example: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:43–44, ESV)

From the world’s vantage point:

You have every right to hold a grudge and withhold forgiveness for wrongs recieved, but Christ teaches us to forgive as we have been forgiven

You should seek for power and influence, but Christ teaches us that the meek are blessed

You should save and fortify and hoard, but Christ teaches us that it is better to give than to receive

That expediency and self-preservation is ultimate — that we can end the marriage, terminate the pregnancy, cheat in business, lie for advantage, lust for power, and indulge in sensuality, but God teaches us a different wisdom of holiness and humility and life and truth and beauty and resurrection.

“They will want to use plain, clear, forceful, truthful, frank, compassionate, compelling, cross-centered speech -- “spiritual” language that is appropriate to the spiritual message they are bearing. For they recognize that the Spirit of God who has opened their eyes to embrace the cross has also taught them to proclaim “Christ crucified” in a way that conforms with the humbling immensity of the message” Carson, The Cross and Christian Ministry, 56

We have the Spirit of God, not of this world. And we must live and speak and impart the wisdom of God

Contrast #3 — Natural vs. The Spiritual Person

1 Corinthians 2:14–16 ESV

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Some of you Corinthians are acting fleshly and not spiritually. Your flesh is not wise and cannot discern the things of the Spirit -- Stop it.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (Galatians 2:20–21, ESV)

“I was blind, but now I see” (John 9:25)

“The Christian has lived in both worlds and can speak of both from experience, from observation, and from a genuine grasp of the Word of God. But the person without the Spirit cannot properly assess what goes on in the spiritual realm--any more than a person who is color-blind is qualified to make nice distinctions in the dramatic hues of a sunset or a rainbow, any more than a person born deaf is qualified to comment on the harmony of Beethoven's Fifth or on the voice and technique of Pavarotti.” Carson, The Cross and Christian Ministry, 59

It’s not just that Christ is crucified on the cross, but it is also a Christian, who has been crucified

““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 15:18–21, ESV)

The importance of testimony

Application/Conclusion

The culpability of the lost, the unspiritual person, is not because they can’t understand by the intellect but that they won’t submit by the heart.

Christians seek out and savor the wisdom of God, hidden for ages, given to those who love God for glory and joy.

Revisit v. 9 — for those who love Him, what do we now see and hear and feel? We relish the cross and the glory and wisdom of God.

The assurance of our faith: the vitality of The Spirit at work in us.

†HYMN OF RESPONSE #226

“O the Deep, Unbounded Riches”

†THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Minister: Lift up your hearts!

Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Congregation: It is right for us to give thanks and praise!

Confession of Faith

The Nicene Creed p. 852

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

This table is for those who belong to Christ through repentance, faith, baptism, and continuing union with his Church. You who do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God and walking in his holy ways: draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to almighty God.

Prayer

Congregation: We do not presume to come to this thy holy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table: but you are the Lord, who is always able to have mercy.

Grant us therefore, by thy grace, so to eat the flesh of thy dear son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his most sacred Body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The Words of Institution 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Distribution of the Elements

Sharing of the Lord’s Supper

†OUR RESPONSE #567 “Doxology”

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

†BENEDICTION: GOD’S BLESSING FOR HIS PEOPLE

The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.