But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. - John 14:26
Good morning. Welcome to Calvary Baptist Church. I am so grateful you’ve come to worship the Lord with us today. The upcoming message is the 4th in our new sermon series, “The Messed Up Church: Paul’s Letters to Corinth”.
In the opening chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the issue of division within the church - a concern that had been reported to him. This fracturing of the congregation seems to have been caused, in part, by a misunderstanding of water baptism and a misplaced trust in worldly wisdom. Some of the members were even boasting in and about themselves.
As we move into chapter 2, Paul continues discussing this problem. Using himself as an example, he begins to talk about how the Corinthian believers should reject conventional wisdom and start leaning on the Holy Spirit. Our message is titled, “Rely on the Spirit”.
I. IT WASN’T ME (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Paul asked the Corinthian Christians to remember what he was like a few years before when he’d first arrived in their city. At that time, their church did not exist. Paul had spent 18 months there preaching (Acts 18), yet he was not a highly skilled orator or a spiritual scholar. Rather, he simply and passionately declared the message of Christ’s crucifixion - that’s it, nothing else. He was nervous and anxious just like everyone else, and wasn’t particularly persuasive or wise. Yet, in spite of Paul’s ineptness, the Spirit of God moved powerfully in Corinth, several people were saved, and the church was established. Their faith had not been birthed by the words of a polished, well-spoken preacher, but rather by the power of God.
Beloved, we as a church need to get back to the purity and simplicity of the cross. We need to preach Christ and Him crucified as the central and repeated theme of our messages. We don’t need clever gimmicks, dazzling theatrics, and/or elaborate special effects to enhance our presentations. There is no way to manufacture a genuine stirring of the Holy Spirit. Instead of trying to mimic it with emotion, we should focus on plainly and directly preaching the gospel, coupled with sincere, sustained prayer. Perhaps then we would see the Spirit move mightily.
II. THEY DIDN’T GET IT (1 Corinthians 2:6-9)
Paul explained that those who were mature (that is, those who were saved) recognized and understood the wisdom of God manifest within his preaching, but the lost masses and their secular rulers missed it. God’s wisdom is a mystery, hidden since time began from those who lack the faith to see it. Had the authorities who crucified Jesus known the wisdom of God, they wouldn't have executed Him. Yet, as the Old Testament prophet stated, the unbelieving world can’t perceive the marvelous wonders that God has prepared for His children (Isaiah 64:4).
Until a sinner surrenders to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and responds to the Lord’s calling by faith, they will never understand the wisdom of God or know His salvation. The rulers of this world just don’t get it, and their leadership reflects their corruption. This is why it is so important that we as Christians pray for our leaders (and all lost people for that matter), because despite our best efforts, only God can truly change their hearts (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
III. IT’S THE SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 2:10-13)
Paul continued by stating that the Holy Spirit had revealed all of the LORD’s aforementioned wonders to both he and his fellow missionaries (and, by extension, to all who believe). The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Just as the human spirit knows a man’s thoughts, so also the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God. Therefore, when a born again believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the thoughts and wisdom of God become readily accessible to them. Paul and his colleagues didn’t speak from human wisdom, but rather from things taught and revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit interprets the spiritual mysteries of God so that Christians can understand and proclaim them.
This passage clearly describes the existence of 2 spirits. The natural spirit, which is present in every person, is tainted by sin. Notice that it doesn’t depart when a person accepts Christ. Rather, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within the life of the believer alongside their human spirit. Thus, a Christian is indwelt by both. The question then becomes… will they listen to and trust in the Holy Spirit or will they lean upon their own human spirit?
IV. WE HAVE IT (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)
Paul concludes that a natural man, who operates by his own spirit, does not accept the things of the Holy Spirit. In fact, he views them as foolishness. An unsaved person cannot genuinely grasp the truths of God apart from the Holy Spirit, while the saved person can. This disparity leaves worldly skeptics and critics in no position to rightly cast judgment against Christians. While no person is able to fully comprehend the mind of the LORD or give Him instruction (Isaiah 40:13), born again believers do have the mind of Christ. In short, the Holy Spirit enables them to comprehend God’s purposes and His redemptive plan for creation.
Following Paul’s example, Christians are called to rely on the Holy Spirit and to adopt the mind of Christ. We should forsake worldly wisdom and the inclinations of our own fallen nature, and instead lean upon and be led by the Spirit of God. The most certain way to do this is by reading and obeying the Bible, the living Word of God, which was and is inspired by the Holy Spirit. As we do so, the Spirit will guide and direct us.
CONCLUSION
We as Baptists are often hesitant to talk about the Holy Spirit. Most of us are pretty conservative in our religious beliefs and practices. We know that the Holy Spirit has the power to heal and work mighty miracles. We know that when the Spirit moves hearts are changed, lives are transformed, and souls are saved. We have seen and experienced these things personally and hear reports of them often. Yet, we have also seen countless false teachers, hucksters, and charlatans make outrageous claims supposedly given to them by the Holy Spirit that proved to be patently false. We’ve seen “spiritual healers” who scam the vulnerable and desperate to fund their lavish lifestyles. We’ve watched as “prophetic revelations” are pulled off of social media to trick the naive. These, and many other acts falsely attributed to the Holy Spirit, make us leery.
Beloved, it is not the fundamental role of the Holy Spirit to validate Jesus or His would-be prophets through the working of miracles or the giving of new revelation. The empty grave proves who Jesus is and those who preach repentance of sin and salvation in Christ are His true messengers. The Bible is God’s complete revelation to man, and we are expressly warned not to add to it.
No analogy is perfect, but some can be helpful for a simpleton like me. I sometimes think of the Holy Spirit as an antennae. He allows me to tune into, hear, and understand the voice of God. Without the Spirit, I would not be able to do any of these things. Beyond that, the Holy Spirit allows me to commune with God. Not only does the LORD speak to me, but I can speak to Him through the Spirit. Of course the Holy Spirit does much more than just this - such as affecting and securing my salvation for example - but, at a basic level, the Holy Spirit enables me to have fellowship with the LORD. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of this privilege and rely on Him?
Good morning. Welcome to Calvary Baptist Church. I am so grateful you’ve come to worship the Lord with us today. The upcoming message is the 4th in our new sermon series, “The Messed Up Church: Paul’s Letters to Corinth”.
In the opening chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the issue of division within the church - a concern that had been reported to him. This fracturing of the congregation seems to have been caused, in part, by a misunderstanding of water baptism and a misplaced trust in worldly wisdom. Some of the members were even boasting in and about themselves.
As we move into chapter 2, Paul continues discussing this problem. Using himself as an example, he begins to talk about how the Corinthian believers should reject conventional wisdom and start leaning on the Holy Spirit. Our message is titled, “Rely on the Spirit”.
I. IT WASN’T ME (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Paul asked the Corinthian Christians to remember what he was like a few years before when he’d first arrived in their city. At that time, their church did not exist. Paul had spent 18 months there preaching (Acts 18), yet he was not a highly skilled orator or a spiritual scholar. Rather, he simply and passionately declared the message of Christ’s crucifixion - that’s it, nothing else. He was nervous and anxious just like everyone else, and wasn’t particularly persuasive or wise. Yet, in spite of Paul’s ineptness, the Spirit of God moved powerfully in Corinth, several people were saved, and the church was established. Their faith had not been birthed by the words of a polished, well-spoken preacher, but rather by the power of God.
Beloved, we as a church need to get back to the purity and simplicity of the cross. We need to preach Christ and Him crucified as the central and repeated theme of our messages. We don’t need clever gimmicks, dazzling theatrics, and/or elaborate special effects to enhance our presentations. There is no way to manufacture a genuine stirring of the Holy Spirit. Instead of trying to mimic it with emotion, we should focus on plainly and directly preaching the gospel, coupled with sincere, sustained prayer. Perhaps then we would see the Spirit move mightily.
II. THEY DIDN’T GET IT (1 Corinthians 2:6-9)
Paul explained that those who were mature (that is, those who were saved) recognized and understood the wisdom of God manifest within his preaching, but the lost masses and their secular rulers missed it. God’s wisdom is a mystery, hidden since time began from those who lack the faith to see it. Had the authorities who crucified Jesus known the wisdom of God, they wouldn't have executed Him. Yet, as the Old Testament prophet stated, the unbelieving world can’t perceive the marvelous wonders that God has prepared for His children (Isaiah 64:4).
Until a sinner surrenders to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and responds to the Lord’s calling by faith, they will never understand the wisdom of God or know His salvation. The rulers of this world just don’t get it, and their leadership reflects their corruption. This is why it is so important that we as Christians pray for our leaders (and all lost people for that matter), because despite our best efforts, only God can truly change their hearts (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
III. IT’S THE SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 2:10-13)
Paul continued by stating that the Holy Spirit had revealed all of the LORD’s aforementioned wonders to both he and his fellow missionaries (and, by extension, to all who believe). The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Just as the human spirit knows a man’s thoughts, so also the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God. Therefore, when a born again believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the thoughts and wisdom of God become readily accessible to them. Paul and his colleagues didn’t speak from human wisdom, but rather from things taught and revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit interprets the spiritual mysteries of God so that Christians can understand and proclaim them.
This passage clearly describes the existence of 2 spirits. The natural spirit, which is present in every person, is tainted by sin. Notice that it doesn’t depart when a person accepts Christ. Rather, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within the life of the believer alongside their human spirit. Thus, a Christian is indwelt by both. The question then becomes… will they listen to and trust in the Holy Spirit or will they lean upon their own human spirit?
IV. WE HAVE IT (1 Corinthians 2:14-16)
Paul concludes that a natural man, who operates by his own spirit, does not accept the things of the Holy Spirit. In fact, he views them as foolishness. An unsaved person cannot genuinely grasp the truths of God apart from the Holy Spirit, while the saved person can. This disparity leaves worldly skeptics and critics in no position to rightly cast judgment against Christians. While no person is able to fully comprehend the mind of the LORD or give Him instruction (Isaiah 40:13), born again believers do have the mind of Christ. In short, the Holy Spirit enables them to comprehend God’s purposes and His redemptive plan for creation.
Following Paul’s example, Christians are called to rely on the Holy Spirit and to adopt the mind of Christ. We should forsake worldly wisdom and the inclinations of our own fallen nature, and instead lean upon and be led by the Spirit of God. The most certain way to do this is by reading and obeying the Bible, the living Word of God, which was and is inspired by the Holy Spirit. As we do so, the Spirit will guide and direct us.
CONCLUSION
We as Baptists are often hesitant to talk about the Holy Spirit. Most of us are pretty conservative in our religious beliefs and practices. We know that the Holy Spirit has the power to heal and work mighty miracles. We know that when the Spirit moves hearts are changed, lives are transformed, and souls are saved. We have seen and experienced these things personally and hear reports of them often. Yet, we have also seen countless false teachers, hucksters, and charlatans make outrageous claims supposedly given to them by the Holy Spirit that proved to be patently false. We’ve seen “spiritual healers” who scam the vulnerable and desperate to fund their lavish lifestyles. We’ve watched as “prophetic revelations” are pulled off of social media to trick the naive. These, and many other acts falsely attributed to the Holy Spirit, make us leery.
Beloved, it is not the fundamental role of the Holy Spirit to validate Jesus or His would-be prophets through the working of miracles or the giving of new revelation. The empty grave proves who Jesus is and those who preach repentance of sin and salvation in Christ are His true messengers. The Bible is God’s complete revelation to man, and we are expressly warned not to add to it.
No analogy is perfect, but some can be helpful for a simpleton like me. I sometimes think of the Holy Spirit as an antennae. He allows me to tune into, hear, and understand the voice of God. Without the Spirit, I would not be able to do any of these things. Beyond that, the Holy Spirit allows me to commune with God. Not only does the LORD speak to me, but I can speak to Him through the Spirit. Of course the Holy Spirit does much more than just this - such as affecting and securing my salvation for example - but, at a basic level, the Holy Spirit enables me to have fellowship with the LORD. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of this privilege and rely on Him?