New Beginnings Pt 2

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 & My Resignation

This time of year we say Merry Christmas and Happy … (what?)

New Year – a new beginning, new resolutions to help us be new or better at something.

On Christmas Eve we looked at The Manger as not the end of the story — it is the beginning of every new story God wants to write.  Jesus doesn’t just step into human history; He enters human hearts. Christmas is not simply a celebration of a birth but an invitation to a new beginning -

When heaven stepped into our world, new beginnings became possible.  Christmas is God’s declaration that new beginnings are possible.

A New Beginning of Hope — Light has come for those weary of darkness.

A New Beginning of Peace — God steps into our chaos with calming presence.

A New Beginning of Transformation — Encountering Jesus redirects and reshapes our lives.

As we walk this faith walk we walk as a follower or more – as a disciple of Christ

As we begin let us pray!

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 – And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 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. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 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”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 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. 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. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 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. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

What does this passage have to do with New Beginnings?

In verses 1-5 Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that when he first came to them, he did not rely on lofty speech, polished arguments, or impressive rhetoric. Instead, he resolved to know only “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Paul’s weakness, fear, and trembling were not failures—they were the setting for God’s power to be revealed.

Think of a cracked clay jar holding a precious treasure. The value isn’t in the container but in what it carries. Paul’s weakness made it clear that the transforming power came from God, not from him.

1. And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. – This was my first pastorate and when I started – I know it was rough, the first couple of months could even be said painful (Nate lol).  But I grew in wisdom and understanding and as the Holy Spirit grew and matured me – His message, His story was easier to tell

2. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified – My goal to fulfill God’s commands Love God with all my heart soul mind and strength and Love Others as Christ loved us – the hospital visits school outreach and town outreach was all birthed out of loving others

3. (3-5)And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God – I asked the Holy Spirit every week for me to just be the microphone and Him be the speaker so it wasn’t my words but His Words – even while writing and researching sermons – hopefully they are better now than December of 2020.

In verses 6-10 Paul makes a clear distinction between worldly wisdom and divine wisdom. God’s wisdom is not shaped by the values of this age or its rulers. It is eternal, hidden, and revealed only by God. The cross—foolishness to the world—was actually the centerpiece of God’s plan for glory.

Imagine trying to understand a symphony by listening to only one instrument. Without hearing the whole composition, the beauty is missed. Worldly wisdom hears only fragments, but God’s wisdom reveals the full redemptive story.

4. (7-10) But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 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”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God– I have called to expository preaching – teaching verse by verse and helping all of us apply God’s word to our lives, today – the hidden wisdom of God’s word – Not individual standalone topical messages – and not what Joe thinks – but what God is saying to us and how we can be different, changed when we apply the Word of God to our daily lives.  God reveals this application and understanding through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  God’s wisdom often contradicts worldly logic—but it always accomplishes eternal purposes. I believe I have only taught God’s Word, God’s wisdom each and every week as the Holy Spirit has guided and directed the sermon and the series’.

Verses 11-16 Paul explains that spiritual truth is spiritually discerned. The Holy Spirit reveals the depths of God, enabling believers to understand what has been freely given to them in Christ. While the natural person cannot grasp these truths, the spiritual person—indwelt by the Spirit—has access to “the mind of Christ.”

Trying to understand spiritual truth without the Spirit is like trying to appreciate color while colorblind. The issue isn’t intelligence—it’s perception. The Spirit opens our eyes to see what was always there.

5. 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. 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. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 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. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Only The Holy Spirit knows and comprehends the thoughts of God so we need to seek Him and listen to Him if we want to know God’s Will and God’s Plan

My Life’s mantra has been and will always be – God’s Word, God’s Will, God’s Way – I operate under this banner in all that I do.

Seeking His Will and doing it His Way

We are spiritual beings and are called to have the mind of Christ – be spiritually discerning

How does all of this tie into New Beginnings – we are at a crossroads and we all have a new beginning, me the church and each of you.

I say all of this to conclude my final sermon as your pastor of FBC Vona

I have been asked to step down as I have been told I am no longer a good match with this church as I did apply to also lead a church in Flagler – not that I was wanting to leave here but I felt led that I could preach, teach and lead 2 congregations both here and Flagler but that and has led to me as a good fit – I do not want to bring this to a church vote and possibly cause a church split as that would break my heart and undermine all that the Holy Spirit has done through me.

I will never regret coming here – I have grown as a man, son, husband, father and friend and have made some lifelong friends here.  I pray that as much as I have grown spiritually that many of you have as well and will continue to grow in your faith relationship serving and loving the Lord with all your heart soul mind and strength.

We have been given permission to remain in the parsonage until at least May or I find another church to pastor so we will be in the community and would love to continue our friendship if that is any of your desires as well.

God never intended His people to live by borrowed wisdom or human strength. He invites us into a deeper way of living—one shaped by the cross, illuminated by the Spirit, and grounded in Christ’s mind and heart.

The Christian life is not about being impressive—it’s about being dependent. Not about knowing everything—but about knowing Christ. Not about mastering truth—but about being shaped by it.

When the Spirit leads, wisdom deepens. When Christ reigns, understanding grows. And when faith rests in God’s power, lives are transformed.

“But we have the mind of Christ.”

Continue to be in the Word – Continue to seek God’s Will for your life each and every day – Continue to Seek to do God’s Will God’s Way – remember that as a believer, follower and disciple of Christ you are His Hands and His feet in this lost and hurting world.

Let us Pray!