SECRET WISDOM

1 Corinthians 2:6–9 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”—

MERAMEC CAVES

During the Civil War, saltpeter mining was revived in the cavern and Union troops used it as a munitions powder mill from 1862 to 1864. However, when William Quantrill and his irregular band of Confederates discovered it, they destroyed the plant.

In 1874, Jesse James, along with the James-Younger gang robbed the Little Rock Express on its way from St. Louis, Missouri to Little Rock, Arkansas at a small town called Gads Hill. Pursued by a posse, the gang escaped 75 miles northeast to the cave.

1-THE MATURE BELIEVER.

Philippians 3:14–15 ESV

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

1 Corinthians 2:6 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.

PHIL. 3:1

James 3:14–15 ESV

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

James 2:14–15 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,

JAMES 3:14

JAMES

James 3:16–17 ESV

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

JAMES

James 3:18 ESV

18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

2-THE SECRET WISDOM.

1 Corinthians 2:7 ESV

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

1 Corinthians 2:1 ESV

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:1

1 CORINTHIANS

A-ADAM

1 Corinthians 15:45 ESV

45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:

B-MOSES AND THE SERPENT.

Numbers 21:6 ESV

6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.

NUMBERS 21:

Numbers 21:9 ESV

9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

NUMBERS21

John 3:14–16 ESV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

3-THE PLANS OF GOD.

1 Corinthians 2:8–9 ESV

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”—

1 CORINTHIANS

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:13 ESV

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.