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Uncovering The Unimaginable Series
Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jun 3, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: I Corinthians, Chapter 2 I am indebted to Dwight Davis and his message entitled "Is that you God?" located on Sermon Central for some illustrations and ideas. Paul quotes Isaiah 64:4 in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV) "But as it is written in the Scriptures: ’N
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Uncovering the Unimaginable
I Corinthians, Chapter 2
Paul quotes Isaiah 64:4 in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV) "But as it is written in the Scriptures: ’No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’” God reveals through Jesus the wisdom of the ages – and it is good news for us.
The pattern we’ll follow in our Study of 1 Corinthians
Look Back
Quick Scan
Drill Down
Take it Home
Look Back
Chapter 1: The Radiant King – The Power of the Cross
Quick Scan: 1 Corinthians 2 (NIV)
The Message of Christ’s Death
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when I came to you, I did not come preaching God’s secret with fancy words or a show of human wisdom. 2 I decided that while I was with you I would forget about everything except Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NCV)
There was a decided problem between some in the Corinthian Church and Paul. It had to do with spiritual pride and reliance on personal wisdom. Paul is making his point very clear. It’s not about us – it is about Jesus and the cross. That was the emphasis of chapter 1 and it continues into chapter 2.
God’s Wisdom
6 However, I speak a wisdom to those who are mature. But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world, who are losing their power. 7 I speak God’s secret wisdom, which he has kept hidden. Before the world began, God planned this wisdom for our glory.
1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (NCV)
Paul wants to have us understand the real wisdom of the spiritually mature. It is not of this world and it has been secret – in times past – now revealed through Jesus
Uncovering the Unimaginable
9 But as it is written in the Scriptures: “No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” Isaiah 64:4
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV)
This wisdom is beyond human comprehension and imagination. It is like trying to explain the color blue or red to a man blind from birth. Without a frame of reference or way of understanding it cannot be even imagined.
So how shall those who are spiritually blind be able to see what God has revealed? It will happen only through and with God’s help!
Listen to the 12th & 13th verses of 1 Corinthians 2.
The Spirit of God’s Work in us
12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but we received the Spirit that is from God so that we can know all that God has given us. 13 And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom but with words taught us by the Spirit. And so we explain spiritual truths to spiritual people.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NCV)
It takes a spiritual connection with God to understand spiritual things. If you want to understand color you had better have the eyes to see it. And then if you want to appreciate art you really need someone to open your eyes.
How? Let’s drill down into the text and see what Paul says about becoming a real mature spiritually wise man or woman of God.
Drill Down: How is the wisdom of God uncovered?
9 But as it is written in the Scriptures: “No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (Isaiah 64:4)
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV)
How is the wisdom of God uncovered?
It is not uncovered with the eyes
No one has ever seen
It is not uncovered with the ears
No one has ever heard
It is not uncovered with the mind
No one has ever imagined
Have you seen the billboards up around town about God. Actually they are up all over the country. One said; “Why don’t you ever call?...........God” The other one I really liked; it said; “Don’t make me come down there...God” Unfortunately, many, many people have no relationship with God beyond these billboards. When they hurt and hunger for something deeper – a connection – with the spiritual side of life all they have is a billboard.
Spiritual things are not revealed in the physical realm of what you see, hear, or even what you think about. The Philosophies of man is not enough to reach out and try to touch God. It takes God reaching out and touching us – spiritually. Let’s read the next few verses to see How God connects with us through his spirit.