Spiritual Power in the Church

Spiritual Wisdom

1 Corinthians 2:1–11 NKJV

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 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. However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

I. Spiritual wisdom in believers for the purpose of knowing Jesus Christ

A. Paul Preached Christ is all we need

B. Not Human Wisdom but spiritual Power - Life lived in the Spirit not eloquence in speech

2 Corinthians 10:10 NKJV

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

C. Critics are non-believers - the church of Galatia rec’d Paul differently

Galatians 4:14 NKJV

And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Preachers must not fake spiritual fervor or rhetorical exaggeration - nor use a lofty voice, big words, but be faithful bearer of the message

What is the message of the gospel?

Power of Truth in the message.

see Phil 2:1-12

Philippians 2:1–12 CSB

If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

II. The World is ignoring the gospel of Christ.

A. Our testimony to proclaim Him

see Isa. 45:23

Isaiah 45:23 NKJV

I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

B. Life well lived how we express our faith in Christ.

Jesus Christ must become visible to the world around us.

III. God has revealed Himself to us.

vs 10 For understanding the things of God that has been freely given to us.