Wisdom from the Spirit

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6–16

Opening Prayer

Introduction

Summarize vss. 1-5

First Division

I. God’s wisdom is not compatible with the world’s wisdom for if it was, all would believe (6-9)

Explanation

1 Corinthians 2:6 ESV

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.

Who are “the mature”?

“The mature” are those who are already followers of Jesus and are now growing

Who is we?

Based on the preceding context, I believe “we” refers to Apostles and elders. Basically those who teach or “impart wisdom”

What is the nature of this wisdom? Answer in vs 7

It is not “ worldly wisdom” as we saw in vss. 20 and 26 of chapter 1

1 Corinthians 2:7 ESV

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

What do you think of when you think of the word “secret”?...

That is not so much what is being discussed hear.

It’s not that this is knowledge that we don’t share.

opposite...

It’s the Gospel! “which God decreed before the ages”

It’s “Christ crucified!”

1 Corinthians 2:8 ESV

None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

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”—

Illustration

Argumentation

Application

Second Division

II. God’s wisdom is given by the Spirit to those for whom it has been prepared (10-13)

Explanation

1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:12 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Illustration

Argumentation

Application

Third Division

III. Practice spiritual discernment to cultivate the mind of Christ in you. (14-16)

Explanation

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:15 ESV

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Illustration

Argumentation

Application

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 ESV

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

Reiteration

Invitation