GOD’S MESSAGE TO US
1 Corinthians 2:6-13
INTRODUCTION: As we have previously discussed, the Apostle Paul is concerned about one thing and one thing only – the gospel of Christ portrayed out in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This pervasive biblical truth is central to Christianity. Without the divine intervention of God in the death of Christ, and His resurrection, man would be destitute spiritually, and following Christ would be little more than a glorified Boy Scout Troop. So here in these verses, Paul seeks to explain what it is that he follows. The message of the cross is a wise, hidden, spiritual, and received message.
I GOD’S MESSAGE IS A WISE MESSAGE – 2:6
A God’s message is reserved for those who seek to be mature before God
1 Mature means to be finished or complete
a Do be complete in God is to be saved
b Jesus said all that was needed to be saved was to believe in Him
c The apostles told the jailer that all he needed to do to be saved was to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
2 To reject salvation is a kin to going around spiritually half-baked and half-cocked
a A half-baked cake looks good till you cut into it
b A half-cocked gun looks dangerous until you try to fire it
B God’s message is foolish only to those who refuse to believe
1 The response of the worlds wisdom is to reject the gospel
2 The response of the worlds leaders is to reject the gospel
GOD’S WISDOM IN NOT OF THIS AGE, SO “THIS AGE” THINKING WILL NOT ACCEPT GOD’S WISDOM.
C God’s caution is that we do not value the wisdom of the world over the wisdom of God
1 Now there will always be times when the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world are at odds
a More as the end approaches
2 There will be times when God’s wisdom and man’s wisdom agree
a That is because man is agreeing with God, not God agreeing with man
3 Are greatest concern here is to know when they are at odds, and to choose God’s wisdom over man’s wisdom
a Not often easy
b Not often prudent
c Not always visible
II GOD’S MESSAGE IS A HIDDEN MESSAGE – 2:7-9
A God’s wisdom is known through God’s revelation
1 God has revealed Himself in creation
2 God has revealed Himself in the Bible
3 God has most visibly revealed Himself in Jesus
Hebrews 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
B Salvation was for our glory
1 Was God’s destiny for us
2 Was God’s pre-time plan
C God’s Message and Jesus
1 God’s method of salvation was hidden from man
2 Man’s sin is what prevented him from approaching God
3 At the death of Christ a very significant thing happened:
Mark 15:38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
a The veil – symbolic of God’s separation from man was removed
b The path was open to God
1) Through the work of Christ
c Interesting that Jewish tradition states that they veil was repaired and sacrifices continued until the temple was destroyed in 70AD
4 God’s message in the finished work of Christ was two-fold
a Christ had the power over sin and death
b Christ was able to offer us that same power
John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
1 Cor. 15:54-57 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
55"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
D God’s message yet to come
1 Have no concept of what awaits us as children of God
2 Have not – nor will ever see anything close to what God has prepared for us
3 Have not – nor will ever hear about anything close to what God has prepared for us
4 Have not – nor will ever think up anything close to what God has prepared for us.
WHAT GOD HAS FOR US EXCEEDS OUR SENSES, AND ABILITY TO COMPREHEND
III GOD’S MESSAGE IS A SPIRITUAL MESSAGE – 2:10-13
A God’s message is revealed by the Holy Spirit
1 Revelation is necessary because God’s message cannot be conceived
2 It is difficult to know the thoughts of another, so how can we hope to know the thoughts of God!
3 We cannot penetrate the spiritual world without help and preparation
a Preparation in the sense that we are seeking God
b Help in the sense that God is revealing Himself to us
4 The Holy Spirit is necessary if we are to see all that God has given us.
John 3:3-6 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!"
5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
a Entrance into the kingdom of God is by rebirth
b Knowing the existence of the kingdom of God is by the Holy Spirit
c Being born again involves a work of the Spirit of God in and on our lives
B God’s Message is communicated by the Holy Spirit
1 When something is revealed we become aware of its existence
2 When something is communicated to us, we become aware of its relevance
a God’s message is not only good to know it is also good for today
1) Truth is truth
2) Truth never changes
C God’s message is caught by the Holy Spirit
1 When something is revealed we become aware of its existence
2 When something is communicated to us, we become aware of its relevance
3 When something is caught by us, we become aware of its affect on us
a What happens when you “catch” the flu?
1) You get sick
2) You run a fever
3) You spend considerable time “laid up”
4) In short you become aware of its affect on you
b When something is caught the goal of teaching has been accomplished
1) God is not interested in our awareness of His existence
2) God is not interested in our awareness of His relevance
3) God is interested in His continued affect on us
Simply put – It is the mature believer, the believer who seeks God, who can actually take advantage of message God has for them. Paul was concerned for both the church at Corinth and the church at Pemberton. Paul does not want either church to miss what God has for us, both revealed and yet to come, because we were not positioned to receive it.
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