For or From
Notes
Transcript
Intro: One of the agonising aspects for young orchardist is waiting for the right time to get fruit. Many of the fruits we love come from trees or plants that are many years old. By pressuring a plant to give fruit too early you hurt both the plant and the future yields.
There is a spiritual equivalent in today’s passage. Wisdom is the fruit of proper thinking over time. It is the, God empowered skill to put knowledge into action. Both skill and knowledge take time.
We have been looking at wisdom for several weeks. It will continue to come up throughout the study of 1 Corinthians, but we will wrap up the basics of understanding wisdom today.
Theme: Again, Wisdom is the fruit of proper (Christlike) thinking over time.
Making a distinction
Making a distinction
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
We start today’s passage with the word “however or yet or howbeit”
A shift/change is afoot
A shift/change is afoot
We often see change as a hard thing, a negative thing, or something to be resisted. I get that.
The truth is - change happens! When appropriate we embrace it.
Since way back in 1.7 Paul has seemed to be talking negatively about wisdom.
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Now, 19 verses later, the Apostle brings back balance. Truth be known, he does value Biblical wisdom in his teaching.
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
My title today is For or From. Is wisdom for our salvation or from an established salvation? Among the Greeks, and still among the worlds philosophers, is “wisdom for”. The “wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed.” Paul had made a strong case that the world’s wisdom, philosophies, and rhetoric will never bring us to God.
While they may think they understand what is best, because it is void of a proper understanding of God and how He works it is not any good.
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
However, wisdom is not worthless!
Christian wisdom is different.
Christian wisdom is different.
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
God is the originator of the wisdom that matters.
What it is not:
What it is not:
A. This wisdom is not Gnosticism, or a new level of consciousness kept only for the “in crowd” that can’t be talked about except in hushed tones and in secret meetings. Cults seek that kind of wisdom.
In contrast, Christianity is open. Our doors are open. We don’t hide what we believe, nor do you have to become a member to find out what we believe.
Christian wisdom is not debate, or rhetorical prowess. We have covered this already. The Apostle Paul is not interested in that.
B. This is not another get rich scheme. No one should ever become a Christian to get…..Anything material! In PNG the tribal peoples sometimes say they want to convert to Christianity because someone falsely told them that they will get all the same stuff missionaries have, or they will get to ride in airplanes, or their crops will do better. The same can be found in the Prosperity Gospel churches around our country and around the world. Christian wisdom is not being smart enough to get heaps!
Wisdom is part of the work of the Holy Spirit.
Wisdom is part of the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit makes God known.
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
The Spirit helps us understand. v11b
English Standard Version Chapter 2
no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV)
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
English Standard Version Chapter 2
taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
Jesus taught this to His disciples during His last night with them.
1 & 2 Corinthians The Spirit Gives Wisdom / 2:1–16
“But I will send you the Counselor—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me… . It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment… . When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me. All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me.” (John 15:26; 16:7–8, 13–15 NLT)
Christian wisdom has benefits
Christian wisdom has benefits
We have a future prepared for us by the one who knows all things!
9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
His plans are always best! His supply is always what we need.
We can understanding our blessings!
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father…” We are blessed, and the Holy Spirit helps us see the blessings and understand the blessings and live in/with the blessings.
With Christian wisdom we can escape Judgment
15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
We all need this verse. Judge yourself! Be spiritually discerning! None of us are sinless, but all Christians have escaped God’s judgment. Others may feel like they have the right to judge. Accusers will say people have been hurt, lives have been destroyed. But if they are unbelievers - like mentioned in the verse before this - it really does not matter in view of eternity.
We can know, and apply, how our Saviour thinks.
16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
This is quoted from one of 2 places in the Old testament, and it can also be found in the book of Romans.
“We have” Present Active Indicative, first person plural. not we will get, but we, because of our salvation, now have the opportunity to use…God’s wisdom
Conclusion: Christian wisdom is the fruit of proper thinking over time. This does not happen apart from Salvation.
Conclusion: Christian wisdom is the fruit of proper thinking over time. This does not happen apart from Salvation.
It has one source - God. It impacts our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. And it definitely comes with benefits.
You can not understand the rest of this book if you do not understand that the world thinks differently than Christlike Christian think.
Q1 Could you explain the differences in the two kinds of wisdom to a non Christian?
Q2 Can you identify the ways we know we are living in the Holy Spirits wisdom rather than the world’s wisdom?