The Illumination of the Holy Spirit Jason K. Boothe

Transcription

1 The Illumination of the Holy Spirit Jason K. Boothe I Corinthians 2: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. Introduction Many in Charismatic Christian circles write and speak volumes concerning the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit, referring mainly to awesome signs and wonders, tongues, and prophecy. Through print media and cable television, Charismatic evangelicals declare to the world that a grand spiritual revival in underway, primarily due to signs and wonders and other Charismatic displays. But all one needs to do is observe this wicked and adulterous generation with an open eye to see that the hearts of men are waxing worse and worse. While scores of sincere, yet mistaken, Charismatic believers proclaim apostolic signs and wonders from their churches, the world sees the show for what it is, and the world keeps on turning, untouched, unchanged. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Illumination, dispelling the darkness of sin with the Light of Life that is Christ Jesus. Throughout the New Testament, God promises to bring salvation His children, not through demonstrative signs or wonders, but through the anointed preaching of the Gospel. 1Corinthians 1:21 declares, For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Additionally, the scriptures declare in Romans 10:14, How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear

2 without a preacher? Truly, no one can come to Christ, except through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. This is made more than abundantly clear in John 6:44, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. In our opening passage of Scripture we read the words of Paul to the Corinthians concerning the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit. Paul refuses to rest the success of the preached Word on the foundation of mere human understanding and wisdom, for such is vanity and unprofitable. The Apostle encourages the Corinthians to proclaim Christ in the power of His resurrection while relying on the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the spiritually dead sinner. Exegetical Outline 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. A. Excellency of speech or of wisdom... Paul is referring to the polished oratory skills of the Greek philosophers. It is clear that many Greek scholars were heralded more due to delivery style than to the content of their speeches. 1. Paul knew that the message of Christ was truth, no matter who declared it, whether by king or pauper, philosopher or illiterate. The power of the message is not in its human delivery, but in the illuminating power of the Spirit of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. A. For I determined... The Greek word for determined here is krino, and means resolved, or resolute. Paul is absolutely resolute in only proclaiming the Gospel in the power of Christ s resurrection. B. Adam Clarke says of this passage: Satisfied that the Gospel of God could alone make you wise unto salvation, I determined to cultivate no other knowledge, and to teach nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified, as the foundation of all true wisdom, piety, and happiness. No other doctrine shall I proclaim among you. C. Not to know any thing among you... - The Greek word for know is eido, which in this context means to share or tell. Paul is resolved to spend his time on nothing but the telling of the Gospel message. D. Jesus Christ, and him crucified. - Paul would not take up a social programs policy. He would not become an advocate or politician. He was set on the preacher s task of declaring Christ. This is the Christian s greatest duty.

3 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: A. In weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling - Paul was not the ideal classic Greek orator, his stature Chrysostom says, was low, his body crooked, and his head bald. The Apostle Paul suffered from some type of physical ailment, and is attested further by Gal 4:13-14, Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus. 1. In fear and in much trembling - Paul was always aware of his stance as an Apostle to the Gentiles. He was careful to put down the desires of his flesh for the sake of the family of God. 1Corinthians 9:27 declares, But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. A. Demonstration of the Spirit and power... - Not fleshly displays or overly emotional outbursts that would be more characteristic of heathen worship, but in the results the Holy Spirit rendered through Paul s preaching. B. The power of the Spirit is in bringing dead sinners to the Cross! Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. C. That your faith should...stand - True faith will stand, not in emotionalism, or the worldly wisdom, but in the power of God. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God by which we stand! 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. A. The wisdom of this world...comes to nought - It is evident from God s

4 Word that human wisdom and philosophical trends come and go with the seasons, coming to no real profit. B. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery - The preaching of the Gospel is likened unto the unveiling of a mystery. The preacher proclaims the Gospel while the Spirit provides illumination. C. Which God ordained before the world unto our glory - Plainly stated, the Gospel was ordained (set apart) before the world for the express purpose of saving God s children (His chosen ones). Rest in the reality that God has a plan and purpose for you! D. Which none of the princes of this world knew... The mystery of the Gospel was hidden until the appointed time. E. for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. - even given all of mankind s supposed philosophical knowledge, their ignorance of the true knowledge of God would lead humanity to crucify the savior. It is interesting that God used our sinful murder of Christ in his overall plan for redemption. You meant it for evil, but God for good. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. A. This scripture is constantly quoted to bring comfort to the hurting during times of terminal illness and the death of a loved one. However, its original intent was to declare the total depravity of mankind. 1. Eye hath not seen - Simply put, humanity was blind to the plan of God. 2. Nor ear heard - humanity was deaf to the praising multitude that is creation itself. 3. neither have entered into the heart of man - Man s heart, without the Spirit, is a deep dark place. B. To the Christian this is a text of blessed hope and peace through Christ. I was blind, but now I see! 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. A. But God...revealed [them] unto us by His Spirit - The Spirit convicts and

5 convinces. Consider the words of Christ in John16:8, And when he (The Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: B. That we might know the things... - The Spirit illuminates the preaching of the Gospel so that we can see clearly the infinite price paid for the souls of Christ s church. C. that are freely given to us of God... - The Gospel is not only the most powerful spiritual force in the universe toward man, it is also full of grace and forever free to those who will believe its message. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. Conclusion A. the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God - It is clear from Scripture that people can not and never will make a decision or choose Jesus based on some human plea alone. It takes the power of the Illuminating Holy Spirit to come and take the dead sinner s heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh. B. He that is spiritual judgeth (discerns) all things - God s children know Him. Christ declares in John 10:27 that, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: C. yet he himself is judged (discerned) of no man - Carnal men can not understand the motivations of Christians. In their fallen state, they will always see the Gospel as an enemy or simply as foolishness. 1Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; D. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? - Given that men are everywhere blinded and dead, who can know God s will and way? E. But we have the mind of Christ. - The illuminating power of the Holy Spirit allows us to be born again, thereby giving us the authority as children of God to know his will and way. The faith of Christians does not stand in the wisdom of man. It is authenticated by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Albert Barnes said of this very passage, Every Christian has evidence in his own

6 heart, in his experience, and in the transformation of his character, that none but God could have made the change on his soul. His hopes, his joys, his peace, his sanctification, his love of prayer, of the Bible, of Christians, of God, and of Christ, are all such as nothing could have produced but the mighty power of God. All these bear marks of their high origin. They are the work of God on the soul. And as the Christian is fully conscious that these are not the native feelings, of his heart - that if left to himself he would never have had them; so he has the fullest demonstration that they are to be traced to a divine source. This day, praise God for the Light of Life that was poured out on your soul, removing the darkness of sin, and setting on you the seal of the Holy Spirit. Praise be to the Sovereign God Forever! -Amen.