2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. THE WISDOM OF GOD
CONTEXT
THIS WISDOM IS NO LONGER HIDDEN
REVEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT 1COR
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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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”

14. 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