The Things Which God Hath Prepared 1 Cor. 2: 9-14 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
The things which God hath prepared
1 Cor.2:9-14
I have always read this verse and thought it to pertain to the things in heaven, and who of us can begin to comprehend what God has prepared.
Gates of pearl, every gate was of one pearl
Streets of Pure Gold, as it were transparent glass
Mansions
Foundations of all manner of precious stones
Walls of Jasper
A glorified Body
No more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.
No more night there, no need of the sun
The Glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
All this is true, but look at the next verse,
[1 Corinthians 2:10]
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Paul tells us that God has already revealed them to us by the Holy Spirit.
Possible problems:
1. Since the Holy Spirit is perfect, I may have hampered his work
2. Maybe the things in verse 9 are different than what I thought
Verse 11- there is a spirit of a man (standard equipment at birth), and a Spirit of God (received at the time of your spiritual birth), working in us. [Rom.8:16]
Verse 12 – we have received the Spirit of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (the things of verse 9) Not an intellectual knowledge of but actually take part in those things.
Verse 13 – The Holy Ghost teaches us these things, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, not with any worldly wisdom. (all spiritual work)
Verse 14 – [1 Corinthians 2:14] 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.
We all clearly understand that an unsaved person cannot understand spiritual things, because they are spiritually discerned. But, just because you are saved doesn’t mean you can spiritually discern everything [1Cor.3:1-3], we all can hamper the work of the Spirit of God.
We have two problems here:
#1 How do we hamper the work of the Spirit of God?
The six-step progression: (Usually caused by our own filthy spirit of a man) [2Cor.7:1]
[Proverbs 25:28] He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
[Galatians 5:16-17] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
1. Ephesians 4:30-32 – Grieve (afflict, wound the feelings, to make sorrowful)
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
2. Hebrews 10:29 – Despise (scorn, abhor) Verse 26 – sin willfully – no conviction
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
3. Acts 5:3 – Lie (deceive, not being truthful) self-justification
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4. Isaiah 63:10 – Vex (to irritate, make angry) – Rebellion
10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
5. Acts 7:51 – Resist (stand against, strive against) – after chastisement/ hardened
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Quench (extinguish, to quiet)
19 Quench not the Spirit.
#2 So, What are the things of verse 9? The things of the Spirit of God?
Love
First marriage of mine was 23 years. I was saved, no church, Bible, and plenty of hampering of the Holy Spirit. I really loved my wife, still do today. I have now been married near 15 years. Having a relationship with God, and a marriage based on the word, I did not understand the magnitude and depth of the love that I now have.
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.
I had no knowledge of what God had prepared for me!
Joy
When I report to the folks in this church that 3 men received the lord as their savior on the ships on a given Tuesday. There is usually an abundance of smiles, amen’s, and a real joy because of their salvation. I myself have rarely led anyone to the Lord without tears of joy rolling down my face. The more the Lord allows, the more I want!
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.
I had no knowledge of what God had prepared for me.
Peace
I have tried to maintain a prayer life that is consistent over the years. Just the other day, after a discipleship class that I had taught, I was very encouraged to push the envelope a little. I had the absolute best time of fellowship with God, my own sweet hour of prayer!
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.
I had no knowledge of what God had prepared for me.
Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance. The fruit of the Spirit.
Going to a men’s fellowship this week, just a bunch of men that love Jesus. I have no knowledge of what God has prepared for me!
Upcoming Bible Conference, I have no knowledge of what God has prepared for me!
Conclusion:
I have no idea of what God has prepared for you, and you don’t either. Don’t hamper the work of the Spirit of God, He desires to have you know the things which God hath prepared for you!
If you are not saved,
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.