1 Corinthians 2:1-16, “Christ Crucified and True Wisdom”

Intro: In 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to realize that the message of Christ crucified is the heart of all true wisdom and the ability to understand and respond to it is a gift that only God can give.

Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

1. (v.1-5) EVERYTHING FLOWS FROM THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED.

A). Fear and trembling, not lofty speech.

• Contrast that with the cult of personality culture we live in.
• Preaching should be marked by humility, gravity and seriousness.

B). Preaching the Gospel to yourself daily

• The Great Exchange: Christ takes our sin and gives us his righteousness.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Titus 2:11-12

C). How all doctrine should flow out of the Gospel, otherwise it is mere morality.

• John 5:37-39 

2. (v.6-13) GOD GIVES THE SPIRIT AS A GIFT.

A). The Spirit regenerates us—opens our hearts and applies the work of Christ.

• John 3:8
• Titus 3:4-7

B). Seeing and Responding to the work of Christ is true wisdom.

• 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

      C). The Spirit helps us understand the things freely given to us by God.

• “Now suppose both death and hell were utterly defeated. Suppose the fight was fixed. Suppose God took you on a crystal ball trip into your future and you saw with indubitable certainty that despite everything—your sin, your smallness, your stupidity—you could have free for the asking your whole crazy heart’s deepest desire: heaven, eternal joy. Would you not return fearless and singing? What can earth do to you if you are guaranteed heaven? To fear the worst earthly loss would be like a millionaire fearing the lost of a penny—less, a scratch on a penny.” –Peter Kreeft 

3. (v.14-16) WE ARE BY NATURE NOT ABLE TO KNOW GOD.

• The doctrine of total inability cuts against human self-sufficiency with the seemingly bitter but actually glorious news that we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is God’s work, not ours.

Conclusion: Why is this such good news?

1. Christian: He freely gives you all!

2. Not yet a Christian: Your inability is great news because that means you don’t have to trust in yourself for right standing with God. Jesus did the work you cannot do.

The best preaching is, “We preach Christ crucified.” The best living is, “We are crucified with Christ.” The best man is a crucified man. The more we live beholding our Lord’s unutterable griefs, and understanding how he has fully put away our sin, the more holiness shall we produce. The more we dwell where the cries of Calvary can be heard, where we can view heaven, and earth, and hell, all moved by his wondrous passion—the more noble will our lives become. Nothing puts life into men like a dying Savior. Get close to Christ, and carry the remembrance of him about you from day to day, and you will do right royal deeds. Come, let us slay sin, for Christ was slain. Come, let us bury all our pride, for Christ was buried. Come, let us rise to newness of life, for Christ has risen. Let us be united with our crucified Lord in his one great object—let us live and die with him, and then every action of our lives will be very beautiful. –Charles Spurgeon