God’s Secret Revealed
1 Corinthians 2:6–16
INTRODUCTION
Illustration: The congregation’s new minister was asked to teach a boy’s Sunday School class in the absence of the regular teacher. He decided to find out how much they knew about the bible. After asking a few simple questions like, “Who made the earth, sun and stars?” he asked them, “Who knocked down the walls of Jericho?” All the boys acknowledged their ignorance. None of them could tell him who knocked down the walls of Jericho. At the church’s next business meeting, the preacher expressed his dismay at the young boy’s lack of bible knowledge, “Not one of them knows who knocked down the walls of Jericho.” The group was oddly silent until finally one man spoke up. “Preacher, this appears to be bothering you quite a lot. But, I’ve known these boys since they were all born and they’re all good boys. If they said they don’t know, then I believe them. Let’s just take some money out of the repair fund, fix the walls, and forget about it.”
Illustration taken from Jonathan McLeod @ sermoncentral.com
This is a funny story that sadly reflects a prevailing lack of knowledge concerning God’s word.
In our text (1 Cor. 2) we see, depending on which version you are reading, the word “mystery” or “secret;” everyone loves a mystery and even better than a mystery is a good secret. It has been said that if you have information which needs to get out quick then tell it to someone “in secret.”
In 1 Cor. 2:6–16 Paul’s message is God’s wisdom, which for ages past had been a secret/mystery is now revealed to man.
MAIN BODY
I. God’s Secret Wisdom 1 Cor. 2:6–10
A. The greatest wisdom known to man.
1. It is not a wisdom from man.
2. In this message lies Salvation. Romans 1:16–17
B. God’s Wisdom was a secret meant to be told.
1. Before the foundations of the earth were laid and before man ever sinned; God had a plan for our future glory.
2. Ephesians 1:4–14
C. The excellence of God’s wisdom. 1 Cor. 2:9–10
II. God’s Wisdom revealed by the Spirit. 1 Cor. 2:11–13
A. God’s wisdom was revealed for a reason.
1. It was revealed to be understood. (vs. 12)
2. It points us to God’s grace.
B. There is unity in God’s revealed word.
1. The Apostles and inspired men were all taught the same thing. i.e. “This is what we speak. (vs. 13)
2. Spiritual truths in Spiritual words. 2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:19–20
III. God’s wisdom was revealed for man’s benefit. 1 Cor. 2:14–16
A. Man is incapable of saving himself.
1. God had to reveal himself to man.
2. 2 Cor. 4:4–6
B. We may fail according to the standards of men but we are not judged by men.
C. God’s revealed secret is “The Mind of Christ.”
Mitchell Skelton, Minister–Midway church of Christ
http://www.thelordsway.com/midway
