We Need The Spirit - 2:13-16

When Daryl spoke on vv. 6-9 he mentioned the problem the Corinthian’s had of blending man’s wisdom and philosophy with the things of God. With Scripture.

The concept of human wisdom versus the wisdom of God was introduced in ch. 1.

God, in His infinite wisdom, sent Jesus to suffer and die for the sins of the world.

We looked at that in detail last week.

The concept of a suffering Messiah and a dying Savior seem foolish to the wisdom of man.

To those of us who believe it is the power of God.

Paul says in chapter 2 verse 4 that he didn’t speak in human wisdom but in the Spirit and with power.

Paul then describes the difference between human wisdom and the wisdom of God.

It isn’t that we preach foolishness, it’s that what we preach seems foolish to those who do not believe.

Jesus and all that He is and has done, seems foolish to those who do not have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within them.

That is why we hear people call Jesus a great man and a good teacher, yet they do not believe.

The things of God are revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.

The point of v. 11 is that the only way we can know the things of God is through the person and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

V. 12 declares that we are given the Holy Spirit so that we can understand the things we have been given by God.

Here’s why all of that is important.

The purpose of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is to teach us about God.

That is why we have the Holy Spirit.

The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into truth.

The truth that He reveals to us then transforms our lives.

There are many blessings we receive from the Holy Spirit.

Today we will focus on the two blessings revealed in these verses.

The description of these blessings will convince us that we need the Spirit.

We must commit to living with dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Blessing #1…

1. The Spirit Gives Ability vv. 13-14

Have you ever been asked a question about something, and the topic in question is something you know nothing about?

What do you do?

The right thing to do, is admit your ignorance and allow someone else to answer.

To my shame, that is not always the route I have taken.

There have been many times in my life where I will give an answer on the spot that makes sense to me and sounds good, but it is totally made up.

One of the problems with doing things like that is we end up remaining in ignorance.

Admitting our ignorance and allowing others to inform us gives the ability to correctly speak about topic next time.

Apart from the Holy Spirit there are many things we will not know.

There are many abilities we will not have.

Paul gives us two here.

The call for us as Christian’s is to submit to the Holy Spirit and live in the ability he gives.

Ability #1. The Holy Spirit gives…

a. The ability to speak v. 13

READ v. 13

1 Corinthians 2:13 NKJV

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

What things are we speaking?

v. 1 - the testimony of God.

v. 2 - Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

v. 7 - the wisdom of God.

v. 10 - the deep things of God.

v. 11 - the things freely given to us by God.

These are the things we speak. And we speak them in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Why?

Because the wisdom of man can teach us nothing of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ!

This is what we are to be speaking!

The mystery of God.

What is the mystery of God? In Ephesians Paul says it is Jews and Gentiles in one body in Christ.

Basically, the mystery is the gospel.

That we, as selfish, self-serving, sinners, can be reconciled to God and given unity in Christ is not something human wisdom can comprehend!

This takes us back to verse 9.

Some of the things that God has prepared for us are revealed in His Word.

These are the things we speak of.

But. This verse reveals something very important.

The ability to speak is only given as we are taught by the Spirit.

As we read through this chapter we find references to wisdom and mystery and how the Spirit of God is the only one who can understand these things.

Now we find that we are taught by the Holy Spirit.

The mystery of the gospel and the hidden wisdom of God are taught to us by the Holy Spirit.

Being taught by the Spirit requires submission to Him.

We can only be submissive to the Spirit if we are not quenching Him or grieving Him.

What am I talking about?

Go with me to Ephesians 4:25-32.

Ephesians 4:25-32

Ephesians 4:25–32 NKJV

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

In this passage Paul lays out what it means to grieve the Holy Spirit.

We grieve the Holy Spirit when we live in unrepentant sin.

Anger, theft, corrupt speech, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and malice.

These attitudes and actions grieve the Holy Spirit.

Instead we are called to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

We grieve the Holy Spirit when we live in sin.

Now look at 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

This word quench means to extinguish, suppress, or stifle.

We quench the Spirit when we refuse to heed His promptings or listen to His voice.

These two passages teach us something very important.

The action of the Holy Spirit in our lives is determined by our obedience.

The final phrase in this verse is actually very diversely translated.

There is a big debate about what Paul us trying to say.

The word “comparing” is the Greek word συγκρίνω (synkrinō) and it means compare; combine; explain. To give an interpretation or explanation to.

Comparing – συγκρίνω (synkrinō)

When we look at the context, “explain” seems to be the better translation here.

Paul is talking about explaining the gospel message and the mystery of the body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

To do that we must use spiritual words and examples.

We speak as we are taught by the Holy Spirit.

As we explain Scripture we do so using words, phrases, and ideas given by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to speak.

Apart from dependence on the Holy Spirit we cannot share the gospel.

That’s the bottom line.

We need the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say.

We need the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to speak!

In order to be taught by the Holy Spirit we must be living in submission to Him.

This requires that we confess our sin and listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives the ability to speak. That’s ability #1.

Ability #2. The Holy Spirit gives…

b. The ability to receive v. 14

READ v. 14

1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The term “natural man” is used here to refer to someone who is not a believer, someone outside the body of Christ, someone who is not a Christ-follower.

This is made clear in Jude 19 where this word is translated “sensual” and it is made clear they are not believers.

Jude 19

Jude 19 NKJV

19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

According to Romans 8:9 someone who does not have the Spirit does not belong to Christ.

The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.

He does not accept them or believe them.

Instead of accepting the things of God, the natural man views them as foolishness.

This is the same word we encountered in chapter 1.

The preaching of the Cross is foolishness to those who don’t believe.

The things of God are foolishness.

Paul takes it a step further.

The natural man cannot even know the things of the Spirit of God. He cannot understand them.

What exactly is Paul saying?

The natural man does not accept the things of God because he cannot understand the things of God.

This makes sense when we understand that the ability to evaluate Spiritual issues is a product of the Spirit.

That’s what the end of the verse is talking about.

To understand the things of the Spirit of God you must have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Those who are not believers do not have the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they cannot understand spiritual things.

Those who are apart from Christ are spiritually dead.

What do we do with this information?

Three admonitions.

Admonition #1.

Stop expecting unsaved people to understand spiritual things.

As Christians we get bent out of shape when a politician takes verses out of context. We get up in arms when they misrepresent Christ.

Beloved, they don’t know Him! Stop being surprised when sinners sin!

That brings us to admonition #2.

Stop expecting unsaved people to live like spiritual people.

We want to see our culture change, amen? The primary way to accomplish that is not through better laws or regulations.

The way to transform our culture is to bring People to Jesus!

We don’t want a cultural reformation, we want a spiritual revival!

For that to happen lost people need to know they are lost!

Don’t be surprised or offended when a lost person acts like it.

Instead, demonstrate the goodness of God that leads people to repentance.

This brings us to admonition #3.

Start sharing the gospel and lead people to Christ.

If you are unsure how to do that.

Go on our website and listen to the Sunday School series we did on Personal Evangelism.

Let me just give you a really quick thought.

The best tool you have to advance the gospel is your own salvation testimony.

This verse is intended to be a contrast. We, as spiritual people, are able to receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Look back up at v. 10.

We are to be learning the deep things of God through the Holy Spirit.

Go with me to Hebrews 5:12-6:2.

Hebrews 5:12-6:2

Hebrews 5:12–6:2 NKJV

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

As we grow and mature in Christ we are to move past the basics.

What are the basics? Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection, eternal judgment.

The author of Hebrews lists these as the basics.

What’s he saying?

The mature believer understands that salvation is not by works it’s by faith.

The mature believer understands that we are baptized by water as a public confession of faith, we are baptized by the Spirit at the moment of salvation placing us into the body of Christ.

The mature believer knows that all who die will be resurrected, some to eternal life, some to eternal judgement.

That’s the basics!

Move past that. What is past that?

In context, the High priestly ministry of Jesus, the reason for his death, burial, and resurrection.

Basically, the rest of Hebrews.

What is interesting is where the author of Hebrews ends.

He ends with practical Christian living.

The Holy Spirit gives us that ability to receive the things of God.

Once we have received them, we put them into practice.

Here’s the lesson.

What we know and believe must drive us to proper behavior.

Let’s put it another way.

Because of what I know to be true about Jesus, I live for Jesus.

That is what it means to receive the things of the Spirit of God.

To the child of God these things are not foolishness, they are guidelines to live by.

The Holy Spirit gives ability.

He gives the ability to speak the things of God and the ability to accept them.

That is 1 blessing we are given by the Holy Spirit.

Blessing #2…

2. The Spirit Gives Maturity vv. 15-16

Our children became homeschoolers this year.

One of the fun things with homeschooling is getting to be more a part of what they are learning.

This leads to some very interesting discussions, sometimes those are educational, sometimes they are just their dad being weird.

Anyway, let me tell you about an educational conversation.

The other day we were discussing words that have the same sound but different meanings.

Things like ant and aunt. Or hi and high. Or ate and eight.

These are difficult words to master when you are young.

As we grow older, mature, and learn, we are able to tell the difference between these things.

Maturity enhances our ability to communicate and to learn.

The Holy Spirit works in our lives to mature us.

In the final two verses of chapter 2, Paul describes two results of the maturity the Holy Spirit gives.

Result #1…

a. The mature discern v. 15

The contrast we were given in v. 14 ended with the word “discerned.”

As we grow in Christ, we grow in our discernment.

READ v. 15

1 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV

15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

This word “judges” is the same word translated “discerned” in v. 14.

The person who is spiritual refers to someone who has the Holy Spirit. Someone who is a believer.

The believer in Jesus Christ exercises discernment in all things.

Judges is the Greek word ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō) meaning examine; judge; question. To evaluate. To form a critical opinion of something (either positive or negative) by examination or scrutiny.

Judges – ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō)

The ability to discern all things comes with time and maturity.

Let’s look again at Hebrews 5:14.

We already read this verse and we will probably read it again next week, but it is very powerful in this discussion.

Hebrews 5:14

Hebrews 5:14 NKJV

14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

There are several things here.

First. Discernment comes with maturity.

Those who are of full age.

Second. Discernment must be practiced.

By reason of use.

Third. Discernment is exercised on good and evil.

That’s the end of the verse.

I wish that I could tell you how discernment is supernaturally given the moment we believe.

I wish that was how it worked.

But it’s not.

Discernment is a hard won discipline.

Discernment comes when we study the Word of God and compare the words, actions, and attitudes of ourselves and others to the standard revealed in Scripture.

We are not always going to get it right.

However, we are commanded to try.

I want to emphasize that the discernment called for is not just exercised when there is disagreement.

The call here is to be discerning in all things.

This means we discern when there is agreement and when there is not.

The is a step beyond being able to discern. This is expressing discernment as a necessity.

Plug: Sunday School starts again next week. Critical Thinking: The practice of Biblical discernment.

This isn’t optional for the child of God!

As we exercise discernment through the wisdom granted by the Holy Spirit, we are a puzzle to others.

The end of this verse is actually more clearly translated in the NIV.

1 Corinthians 2:15 NIV

15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

Those who only have human wisdom with which to judge are puzzled by the discernment of believers.

How we live our lives is a mystery to them.

Thomas constable puts it this way.

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible 3. The Spirit’s ministry of revealing God’s wisdom 2:6–16

The profane person cannot understand holiness, but the holy person can understand the depths of evil. Even carnal fellow believers cannot fully understand the spiritual person.

We need the Holy Spirit because He brings maturity.

As we grow in Christ we are discerning.

A discerning child of God lives a life of holiness.

That life of holiness is what makes us so difficult to understand.

Darkness cannot understand light (John 1:5).

The Spirit grows us, He brings maturity and the result of that maturity is the ability to discern.

Result #2…

b. The mature understand v. 16

READ v. 16

1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV

16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

The firs part of this verse is a reference to Isaiah 40:13.

Paul quotes this to emphasize how the thinking of the child of God is transformed.

We are “judged by no one” because we have the mind of Christ.

It is impossible for those who have not come to Christ to know the mind of the Lord.

We can know the mind of the Lord because we have the mind of Christ.

How do we have the mind of Christ?

Look back up at vv. 9-12

We have the Holy Spirit who teaches us the things of God.

Go with me to John 16:5-15.

John 16:5-15

John 16:5–15 NKJV

5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

One of the roles filled by the Holy Spirit in our lives is guiding us into all truth.

Now, this is not like the matrix or some Sci-fi movie where the truth is automatically downloaded into our brains.

In John 17:17 as Jesus is praying for us this is what He says.

John 17:17

John 17:17 NKJV

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

His Word is truth.

We have the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit helping us to understand the Word of God.

This must be coupled with hard work and study.

That is what Paul emphasized to Timothy. 2 Timothy 2:15.

2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Now we come full circle.

Understanding the Word of God is important.

However, if we do not put it into practice, our understanding is useless.

This is where Romans 12:2 comes in.

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 NKJV

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Psalm 119:9 and Ephesians 5:26 both teach us that we are cleansed by the Word of God.

It is Scripture that renews our minds.

Let me recap.

We know the mind of the Lord because we have the mind of Christ.

We have the mind of Christ because God the Holy Spirit lives within us.

Through the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit we can understand Scripture and be transformed by its truth.

This demands that we be actively taking in the Word of God through reading, studying, memorizing, and learning the Word of God.

This is how our lives are transformed.

Through submission to the Holy Spirit the mature believer understands and obeys the Word of God.

We are transformed only as we understand and obey Scripture.

We have no excuse.

The Holy Spirit lives within us.

He helps us understand Scripture.

We must not stop with understanding.

We must put the truth of God’s Word into practice and be transformed.

Conclusion

If we attempt to live the Christian life apart from the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, we will fail.

Just like I can’t paint this wall without paint; we cannot live for Christ apart from the Spirit.

Today we contemplated a statement and a question.

The Holy Spirit is everything in the Christian life.

How am I depending on the Spirit every day?

Now it is time for some practical application, after which we will take some time to make a commitment for the week.

Maybe you are here this morning and you know the Holy Spirit is important.

You know He is important but you are struggling with just how to depend on Him.

I think that part of this struggle comes from a failure to think correctly about the Holy Spirit.

Let’s try and correct our thinking for a minute here.

This is an external battery. It is used to charge a cell phone when the battery is getting low and you need to make it through the rest of the day.

That is how we often view the Holy Spirit. As something to get us through those times when we just don’t quite have enough strength.

That is the wrong way to think.

This is a charger for my cell phone.

When this is plugged into my phone and the wall I have unlimited power.

That is the Holy Spirit.

He is not something we tap into when we feel like we are running low on strength.

He is our strength!

He is our power supply!

If we only turn to Him when we are running on empty, we will never experience the joy of having our cup overflow!

So, how do we depend on Him?

Personal: Get into the Word. Spend time in prayer. That sounds simple, right? It’s not. Now, we have tried to take away your excuses. We have a Bible reading plan in the bulletin, we also have a prayer guide. We also have a podcast Monday through Saturday that features a Bible reading. Get into the Word. Spend time in prayer. Start small. 10 minutes of each.

Friendships: What is the guiding factor in the friends you have? Common interests? Shared hobbies? Similar life stage? Those are all good things. But. Have you asked God what kinds of people He wants you to be friends with? Just a hint. If we want to be like Jesus, He was a friend of tax collectors, sinners, and prostitutes. He didn’t have anything in common with them. They had no shared hobbies. Their life stage couldn’t have been more different. Jesus was friends with them for one simple reason. He loved them and wanted to see them experience transformation. Spend time asking God to guide your friendships.

Parenting: Do I parent in the Spirit, or in the heat of the moment? When I open my mouth to speak to my family, are my words Spirit-filled or frustration-fueled? Folks I didn’t do so hot with this one this week. So, my commitment this week is to pray in my head before I open my mouth to my children.

Marriage: Why are you married? Because you need two incomes? Because divorce is a no no? Because of the kids? OR. Because Christ brought you together? Because marriage is ordained by God? Because even if your spouse is not a believer God is using marriage to change you and your children? Study marriage in Scripture and ask the Spirit to show you what changes you need to make to have a marriage that points people to Jesus.

COMMITMENT: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Four exhortations as we close.

Learn from the Spirit.

That means we must be in the Word.

Live in the Spirit.

That means we must obey the Word.

Exercise discernment.

That means we must view life through the Word.

Be transformed.

That means we must always keep growing.

PRAY

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