1 Cor 2 - “Spiritual Clarity”

Mention

Warners moving - to thank them and prayers for them

Children’s Chapel for Daycare next door - please pray for this new ministry

Intro

Opening Statement - Have you ever thought you saw something a certain way, but you later came to understand it…and when you did, your original perspective was incorrect?

Opening Illustration -

I used to have 20/20 vision. My favorite part of my yearly eye exam was hearing them say how great my eyesight was. And then…one day

I went in for my yearly exam. And as I was leaving they said, you’re glasses will be here in about a week?

Glasses??

Oh, don’t worry, they’re only “readers.”

READERS??

Well you’re at that age, where…

A week later I returned to pickup my glasses.

Got to my truck and put them on. Looked into my rearview mirror

I saw stuff on my face I never saw before…

It turned out that my original perspective was wrong.

I needed new lenses to see things clearly.

Opening Background -

Corinth had a lot in common with Athens of that day, promoting intelligence and oratory excellence.

I picture Corinth as a great place for “TED talks”

And the church had began to adopt these worldly methods themselves.

Many teachers would come in and sweep the Corinthians off their feet…but although it tickled their ears, there was no real substance.

Without real substance, there is nothing to worth saying.

And when you get that “real substance,” the gospel really comes alive.

You’re perspective changes…

Relevance to CCB - I remember when I first heard expository (verse-by-verse) preaching and I thought, “this is stupid.”

But after a few weeks I considered it. And after a year or so, I could never go back…because my perspective changed.

If we’re not hear for spiritual substance, than what are we here for?

We want substance, which are like glasses.

That when you wear, you gain “Spiritual Clarity.”

Message

Let’s Pray

Read along (vv. 1-5) How Paul Preached in Corinth

(v. 1) And I - connected to (1 Cor 1:26-31) - “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise”

What Paul did NOT do - I did not come with excellence of speech or of (worldly) wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God

Paul was not using a “sales pitch” to get them to accept the gospel.

2 Cor 2:17 - “Unlike so man, we do not peddle the word of God…”

Paul didn’t use any “worldly wisdom” (man’s methods) to promote the gospel.

Be wary when the preacher sounds more like a “salesman.”

What Paul DID do - I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

We covered last week in depth why this message is repulsive to the world, so it’s “foolish” to think that it would “work.”

Yet the “Christ Crucified” ministry in Corinth was very successful with many converts and a vibrant church plant.

(v. 3) Paul “brought nothing to the table” to strengthen or sweeten the message of Christ. He only brought weakness, fear, and much trembling.

He may have arrived in Corinth with shaky confidence after a rocky ministry in Athens. He may be speaking of his physical infirmity (maybe his thorn in the flesh). Or simply that he was weak in appearance and in speech.

But he was only weak in a worldly sense.

2 Corinthians 10:10 NKJV

“For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”

Paul knew that many carnal christians had misjudged him.

(v. 4) And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Pauls approach in Corinth wasn’t his wit, his humor, or his craft of persuasion like the teachers of his day (and our day).

Paul wouldn’t take any personal credit in God’s.

He gave all credit to God.

A certain church had a beautiful stained-glass window just behind the pulpit. It depicted Jesus Christ on the cross. One Sunday there was a guest minister who was much smaller than the regular pastor. A little girl listened to the guest for a time, then turned to her mother and asked, “Where is the man who usually stands there so we can’t see Jesus?”

Too many preachers of the Word so magnify themselves and their gifts that they fail to reveal the glory of Jesus Christ. Paul gloried in the cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14) and made it the center of his message. (Wiersbe)

This method that Paul used, was on purpose!!

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I cringe when I hear a Christian giving their Christian resume to another, as to convince them of how great a Christian they are. “Trust me, and I’ll show you the way!” — That’s a red flag.

The mature Christian will highlight the transforming power of Christ in their life, which you can only describe by showing your weakness, met by His strength.

A “great Christian” who’s only had “successes” has nothing valuable to share about the transformational power of Christ, because they haven’t been transformed.

Paul’s “transformational” message was “just” Christ Crucified — which includes His burial and Resurrection…

Paul got out of the way so people can see Jesus.

Christ Crucified (understanding salvation) is the “milk” for a young Christian.

It’s were you gotta start.

But you can’t can’t stay there.

Read along (vv. 6 - 10a) The Receiver

(v. 6) Who Receives Spiritual Wisdom? We speak wisdom among those who are mature — This is referring to Christians who have engaged in a deeper (fully developed) walk with the Lord…

Mature Christians have progressed from the “milk” (understanding salvation) to the “meat” (growing in many other relevant doctrines)

God only unveils His wisdom (these deeper truths) to believers who seek to grow in Him.

These deep truths will ALSO not be revealed through the wisdom of this age - through man’s methods.

We don’t need (and we don’t WANT!!) to “soup up” God’s wisdom by putting a “special spin” on it to “help Him out.”

People with a special degree, cheap gimmicks to attract the crowds, or a worship team who can really whip people up into an emotional frenzy…

We just simply teach the Bible simply.

Week in. Week out. That’s our plan.

Precept upon precept, line upon line; here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10)

God will not unveil His wisdom through the rulers of this age - secular authority figures

The top religious experts, the political masterminds, the great business leaders, sports, Hollywood, or music stars.

He uses common people (refer to last week)

(v. 7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (mysterion) - this word is used to mean more like what we would call a “secret.” Who knows your secret? ONLY those who you tell.

the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory - This “mystery” of God’s wisdom was “hidden in plain sight” throughout the O.T.

There are hundreds of Messianic Prophecies in the O.T.

(v. 8) Which none of the rulers of this age knew - political/civil/popular leaders - it went over their heads…they instead build their own “Towers of Babel,” trying to reach God in their own efforts, trying to make a name for themselves…

They tried to “make their own way”

But, the ONLY way to God is through Jesus Christ

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory -

If they understood Jesus as the only way to God, they would have never crucified Him

In the irony of all ironies, the cross had to happen, but if we realized that we’re killing the best thing that ever happened to us…we would rethink it.

And the rulers of this age are still Crucifying the Lord of glory.

Some with political motives (socialism/marxism), and our national religion of secular humanism

Some with the religion of modern psychology (“lets get you feeling good about yourself”)

Some “churches” that teach “Health/wealth gospel,” or social justice gospel, etc.

Buy “my thing,” and “don’t make too much of Jesus…”

(v. 9) This quote from Isaiah 64:4 refers to what we gain by salvation (we tend to quote it referring to heaven, but it’s so much greater than that)

This is referring to the enormity of spiritual blessings we receive in salvation.

In worldly terms, (if you’re a car guy) the believer has been given a 3,000 car garage full of every car you’ve ever wanted.

All you gotta do is go out there and start taking them for a spin!

There are over 3,000 promises in the Bible…check them out. Take them for a spin.

If you don’t, they’re just gathering dust.

(v. 10a) But God has revealed them (the mysteries, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him) to us through His Spirit -

Access to God’s wisdom ONLY comes by way of His [Holy] Spirit.

Man must be “born-again” (indwelled) by the Spirit to discern spiritual things.

Man’s wisdom can NOT help.

To prove it, Jesus uses Nicodemus, one of the most brilliant religious minds in Israel, came to Jesus at night to ask Him some questions.

John 3:3–5 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (flesh) and the Spirit (God), he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

You’re spirit must be re-vitalized by the Holy Spirit…and then you become Truly Alive!

Once you are “born again,” the Spirit will teach you all things (John 14:26) you need to know.

The Spirit will use The Word of God. Both are 100% aligned.

If you want “Spiritual Clarity,” then you need the Holy Spirit.

Read along (vv. 10b - 13) The Holy Spirit’s Perspective

(10b) For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God - It is impossible for you to hide ANYTHING from God…even your private thoughts. He knows all. (Heb 4:12 - The Word of God is a discerner of our thoughts)

(v. 11) what man knows the things of a (another) man except the spirit of the man which is in him (except for the man himself).

We cannot read the mind of another human.

More so — no man one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God -

Only God knows what God is thinking.

(v. 12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely (grace) given to us by God (cf. v. 9)

When you are “born again by the Spirit” you have been given access to the wisdom/the mind of God!!!

You can then begin to understand God’s purpose and your subservient purpose.

The Spirit restored Paul’s “Spiritual Vision”

Acts 9:18 NKJV

Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

This is the “typical” Christian testimony/transformation

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found Was blind, but now I see

(v. 13) These things (God’s wisdom) we also speak not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The Spirit teaches — Through the (inspired) Word of God.

If it’s “From the Spirit of God,” it WILL line up with the Bible.

The Spirit will transform the willing Baby Christian from the milk of God’s Word, to the meat, as they seek God in His Word.

“ALL Scripture (all doctrine) is profitable” (2 Tim 3:16)

The Christian should seek sound doctrine (the deep things of God)

There is much to learn that will only reinforce your faith and empower you to serve God in greater ways!!

The Holy Spirit brings clarity. Let the Holy Spirit work in you.

Read along (vv. 14 - 16) “Your Choices — You can be blind or you can see”

(v. 14) The natural man - is referring to a person without the Holy Spirit living in him (AKA a non-believer - 1 Cor 15:42-46)

(v. 14) The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolish to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“Like a deaf critic of Bach” (BKC).

The unbeliever - thinks the Christian is an idiot, dumb, senseless…

But they are like how I was before I got my first pair of glasses.

“I have 20/20 vision, and thats all there is to it…” I thought I was good.

(v. 15) But he who is spiritual (one who is born-again) judges all things - you have been given “spiritual” discernment…

(v. 15b) yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

Think of it this way. We can understand unbelievers; they can’t understand us. We understand them because we were once just like them. They can’t understand us because they have never seen the light. A man who was blind and now sees can truly say, “I know what it’s like to be blind,” but the man who has always been blind can never say, “I know what it’s like to see.” …

The saved know why the lost do what they do.

The lost have no clue about why the saved do what they do. (Precept Austin)

(v. 16) For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ - the Christian knows the mind of the Lord.

Philippians 2:5 NKJV

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

Paul points to “how to gain clarity,” but Jesus is the actual eye-doctor.

Closing - Jesus came to bring Spiritual Clarity to those who were seeking the Truth

Luke 4:18 ““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

Then…He did it.

Matthew 9:27–30 “When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened.

Mark 8:22–25 “Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”

John 9:1–7 “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.”

And there are several other accounts.

Jesus did physically heal the blind, but it pointed to a greater healing, which was to give Spiritual Sight…Spiritual Clarity.

The Spiritual is your “real” permanent existence, and the Physical (this tent) is “temporary.”

Closing Application - Jesus WANTS you to be able to have SPIRITUAL CLARITY!!

The believer can receive this by reading THE BIBLE daily.

Join our Bible in a year plan.

And PRAY the Holy Spirit gives you Clarity!

If you’re not a believer, you’re BLIND…and CHRIST CRUCIFIED is where you need to start.

God came down to this earth, took on the form of a man, and took your sins to a cross of crucifixion, and paid your death penalty on behalf of you.

After His death, He went into the belly of the earth and “set the captives free” (Eph 4:8), then rose again to new life on the third day.

Being the first of those risen from the dead.

Proving to us all, that death itself has been defeated.

I hope you’re NOT content with this 80-90 yrs on this earth knowing that certain death is coming…

This is now the way it’s supposed to be.

There is a better way…it’s to accept the work of Jesus Christ, into your life.

I’m gonna pray FOR you and if you want to receive Jesus, come right up after we pray.

I want to pray WITH you…and would love to introduce you to Jesus Christ.

Urge to Action -

Let’s Pray

Benediction