Spiritual Understanding
1st Corinthians 2:13-16 - Victory Fellowship
July 11, 2021 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. Some things that may seem wise – in truth probably are not.
i. Have you ever been told “you ought to know better?” or “you’re old enough to know better?”
ii. How about – “Be yourself. Just do what comes naturally.”
b. Taken at face value these may seem like wise pieces of advice, but when we consider human nature and the condition of the human soul apart from God – we don’t really know better.
II. RELATING THE TEXT
a. Paul is pointing out that true wisdom does not come from human observance, human philosophy, or human intelligence.
b. True wisdom is divinely revealed.
c. Paul’s point is that there is a human wisdom and a wisdom from God revealed by the Holy Spirit.
d. Human wisdom thinks Godly wisdom is foolish and they don’t understand it.
e. Paul illustrates by describing 3 types of people:
i. Spiritual people (saved – rely on the Spirit)
ii. Natural, or unspiritual, people (unsaved)
iii. Carnal, or worldly, people (saved but rely more on worldly passion and wisdom)
f. For Paul, the carnal Christians in Corinth are babes in Christ. They haven’t matured in their spirituality. They are acting out of worldly wisdom rather than acting with spiritual wisdom.
i. They still allow their sinful nature to control their behavior
ii. They quarrel and are jealous of each other
iii. They follow human personalities rather than the Holy Spirit.
III. Application
a. The culture in Corinth favored worldly wisdom and attitudes and opinion over Spiritual wisdom.
b. Unfortunately that attitude prevailed in the church as well. Not unlike our world today.
c. Are you a spirit-filled mature Christian who relies on and favors God’s wisdom?
d. Are you a natural person? One who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
i. If so you need to begin that relationship today.
e. Are you what Paul described as a carnal Christian? Do you believe in Jesus but still follow the wisdom and ways of the world?
i. If so, it’s time to grow up out of your infant ways and have the mind of Christ.
IV. Conclusion
a. Seek out the Spirit. We need God’s Holy Spirit to guide us.
PRAYER
SONG: Spirit
1st Corinthians 2:13-16 NLT
13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.