THE WISDOM OF GOD CONTEXT A CHURCH DIVIDED BY CARNAL THINKING 1COR 1:10-17 FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE GOSPEL WAS NOT INTENDED TO ELEVATE MEN BEHAVED IN THE CHURCH ACCORDING TO CARNAL REASONING Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 1 Corinthians 2:12

THE WISDOM OF GOD CONTEXT “NOT MANY WISE” ACCEPTED THE GOSPEL 1COR 1:26-29 PAUL DID NOT APPEAL TO HUMAN WISDOM IN THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL 1COR 2:1-5 APPEALED TO WISDOM FROM A DIFFERENT SOURCE 1COR 2:6 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 1 Corinthians 2:12

A WISDOM PROVEN SUPERIOR THE WISDOM OF GOD A WISDOM PROVEN SUPERIOR at the cross 1COR 2:7-9 by its ETERNAL nature 1COR 2:7 by itS Divine source 1COR 2:7 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 1 Corinthians 2:12

THE WISDOM OF GOD CONTEXT THIS WISDOM IS NO LONGER HIDDEN REVEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT 1COR 210-11 REVEALED THROUGH THE APOSTLES 1COR 2:12-13 “COMBINING SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS WITH SPIRITUAL WORDS” Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 1 Corinthians 2:12

THIS WISDOM NOT INTENDED TO: THE WISDOM OF GOD THIS WISDOM NOT INTENDED TO: ELEVATE THE INDIVIDUAL 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified…4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:2–5

THIS WISDOM NOT INTENDED TO: THE WISDOM OF GOD THIS WISDOM NOT INTENDED TO: ELEVATE THE INDIVIDUAL EVOLVE WITH CULTURAL THOUGHT 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1 Corinthians 1:19–20

THIS WISDOM NOT INTENDED TO: THE WISDOM OF GOD THIS WISDOM NOT INTENDED TO: ELEVATE THE INDIVIDUAL EVOLVE WITH CULTURAL THOUGHT PROVIDE A FLEXIBLE MORAL ETHIC 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:2–3

THROUGH THIS WIDSOM WE CAN: THE WISDOM OF GOD THROUGH THIS WIDSOM WE CAN: HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR FAITH 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NASB95)

THROUGH THIS WIDSOM WE CAN: THE WISDOM OF GOD THROUGH THIS WIDSOM WE CAN: HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR FAITH APPEAL TO GOD FOR GUIDANCE 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 1 Corinthians 2:12–13

THROUGH THIS WIDSOM WE CAN: THE WISDOM OF GOD THROUGH THIS WIDSOM WE CAN: HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR FAITH APPEAL TO GOD FOR GUIDANCE HAVE THE TOOLS WE NEED FOR GODLY DECISION MAKING 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

APPLICATION “CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP” SPIRIT OF THE WORLD We want a better experience We want to have a more enjoyable fellowship with one another Our culture has shifted and notions of “roles” are simply outdated SPIRIT OF GOD Scripture reveals a clear pattern of acceptable and necessary activities Scripture reveals a pattern for the manner in which these things are to be done

APPLICATION ALCOHOL SPIRIT OF THE WORLD SPIRIT OF GOD Set Scripture against Scripture Appeal to Culture Limit the scope of Scripture SPIRIT OF GOD Reason demands we do not set scripture against scripture The truth is not found in ambiguous definitions The only positive authority for the use of alcohol is “for your stomach’s sake”

APPLICATION MODESTY SPIRIT OF THE WORLD SPIRIT OF GOD Ignore any teaching that contradicts my desires Refuse to accept responsibility Quibbles about “lines” SPIRIT OF GOD Responsibility not to be a stumbling block Scriptural connection between nakedness and shame from the garden to the cross The need to maintain their righteousness