Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Spirit of God is a wondrous Gift from God

a) He is our Seal

b) He is our Guarantee

c) He is our Helper

2. Sadly, the Corinthian Church became befuddled in its understanding about the Holy Spirit

a) The Church members were at odds with each other

b) The Church was in danger of suffering a schism

c) The Apostle Paul had to address some very basic tenets concerning the doctrine of the Holy Spirit

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE CORINTHIANS

1. They were enamoured of the wisdom of men  (1 Corinthians 2:5)

2. They sought the wisdom of that age  (1 Corinthians 2:6)

3. They were inclined towards the natural man  (1 Corinthians 2:14)

4. Thus, the teachings of the Apostle Paul

a) Were questioned

b) Were rejected

THE GOSPEL THAT PAUL PROCLAIMED

1. He rejected the:

a) Showy so-called “excellence of speech/ wisdom”

b) The “persuasive words of human wisdom:

2. His focus was on:

a) The Testimony of God

b) The Cross of the Lord Jesus and His crucifixion

c) In demonstration of the Spirit and of power

d) Faith that is built on the power of God

THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT

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.

10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

1. There are deep things that God has prepared to give to those who love Him

a) They are not discerned by the eyes

b) Nor by the ears

c) Nor by the heart of man

2. God reveals these deep things through the Spirit of God

a) The Spirit searches and knows the deep things of God

b) It takes the Spirit of God to reveal these deep truths

TWO CONTRASTING SPIRITS

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

1. The spirit of the world is different from the Spirit of God

a) The spirit of the world has the following features

i) Man’s wisdom

ii) Thoughts of the natural man

iii) They are diametrically opposite to that of the Spirit of God

iv) The natural man will reject what is truly of the Spirit

b) The Spirit of God has distinct features too

i) He compares spiritual with spiritual

ii) Spiritual things can only be spiritually discerned

iii) He reveals and helps us have the mind of Christ

THE PROBLEMS THAT HINDER

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

1. The problem of carnality

2. The problem of shallowness

3. These problems had manifested themselves and they affected the Church deeply

CONCLUSION

1. Be challenged to seek deeper growth

a) In knowledge and wisdom

b) In stature and spiritual power

2. Be certain to seek the Spirit’s help

a) To learn

b) To discern

3. The need of the hour is to have Spirit-filled people