The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Work Of The Holy Spirit

(1 Corinthians 2:10-15)

Introduction:

In this 2nd chapter of 1 Corinthians, we have considered in verses 1-5 “The Way Of The Servant”

We have considered in verses 6-9 “The Wisdom Of The Sovereign”

Now from verses 10-13, let’s consider “The Work Of The Spirit”

As I have meditated on the work of the Holy Spirit for the past couple of weeks, the prayer chorus by the Presbyterian preacher Rev. Dr. Daniel Iverson has been on my mind. Iverson wrote…

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, move among us all.

Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love.

Humble, caring, selfless, sharing.

Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love.

That the Holy Spirit is a person is proved by—

1. The Mention of Him along with Other Members of the Trinity.

Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14.

3. The Ascription to Him of Emotion and Volition.

1 Cor. 12:11; Eph. 4:30.

4. The Ascription to Him of Personal Acts.

He teaches.

Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:13

(4) He leads and guides.

John 16:13; Rom. 8:14

(5) He intercedes.

Rom. 8:26

III. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. His Work in General.

(1) He was the agent of God in creation.

Gen. 1: 2.

(2) He inspired the Scripture writers.

2 Pet. 1:21

(3) He is, in general, the agent of God in all God’s works.

Job 33:4; Ps. 104:29,30; Isa. 40:7; Luke 1:35; Acts 10:38.

B. He convinces them of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

John 16:8-11

I. Let’s Notice The Spirit And His References In This Scriptural Text

A. He Is Referred To In Terms Of His Revelationvs. 10

(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.

revealed – Greek 601. apokalupto, to take off the cover, i.e. disclose.

B. He Is Referred To In Terms Of His Relationshipvs. 11

(1 Corinthians 2:11) 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.

I cannot know what is going on within your personality, but your human spirit within you knows. Neither can I know “the deep things of God” unless somehow I can enter into God’s personality. I cannot do that—but by His Spirit, God has entered into my personality. Through the Holy Spirit, each believer becomes a sharer of the very life of God. The Holy Spirit knows “the deep things of God” and reveals them to us. First Corinthians 2:10 makes it clear that “the deep things of God” is another description of “the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). God wants us to know today all the blessings of His grace that He has planned for us. (Warren Wiersbe)

C. He Is Referred To In Terms Of His Residencyvs. 12

(1 Corinthians 2:12) 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.

received – Greek 2983. lambano, lam-ban'-o; a prol. form of a prim. verb, which is used only as an alt. in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, lit. and fig. [prop. obj. or act., to get hold of; whereas G1209 is rather subj. or pass., to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove]):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).

II. Let’s Notice The Spirit And His Revelation Of Spiritual Things

Between verse 9 and verse 15, the word “things” is mentioned 10 times.

(1 Corinthians 2:9-15) 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.

I want to use Jesus’ question and say, “What things?”

(Luke 24:18-19) And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? {19} And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

(John 15:26) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

(John 16:8-14) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: {9} Of sin, because they believe not on me; {10} Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; {11} Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. {12} I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. {13} Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. {14} He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

In the New Testament sense, spiritual things are just the things of God. (Alexander Whyte from The Biblical Illustrator)

A. These Are Prepared Thingsvs. 9things which God hath prepared

(Luke 2:25-32) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. {26} And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. {27} And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, {28} Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, {29} Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: {30} For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, {31} Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; {32} A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

prepared – Greek 2090. hetoimazo, het-oy-mad'-zo; from G2092; to prepare:--prepare, provide, make ready.

1. The Formed Things He Prepares In Us

(1 Corinthians 1:30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2. The Fruitful Things He Prepares Through Us

(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness (usefulness or moral excellence), goodness, faith (conviction), {23} Meekness (gentleness), temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.

B. These Are Profound Thingsvs. 10

(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.

1. These Things Are Profound Because Of Their Magnitudeall things

2. These Things Are Profound Because Of Their Mysterythe deep things

deep – Greek 899. bathos, meaning profundity, i.e. (by implication) extent; (figuratively) mystery.

C. These Are Presented Thingsvs. 12freely given

(1 Corinthians 2:12) 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.

1. God Has Presented These Things Because He Wants Us To Perceive These Things

that we might know

know – Greek 1492. eido, i'-do; a prim. verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equiv. G3700 and G3708; prop. to see (lit. or fig.); by impl. (in the perf. only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.

(Proverbs 23:7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

2. God Has Presented These Things Because He Wants Us To Possess These Things

freely given – Greek 5483. charizomai, khar-id'-zom- ahee; mid. from G5485; to grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue:--deliver, (frankly) forgive, (freely) give, grant.

(Romans 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

III. Let’s Notice The Spirit And His Role Of Supernatural Teaching

Other verses reveal that the Holy Spirit is a Teacher.

(Luke 12:12) For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

(John 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

A. The Study Involved In His Teaching

(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.

searcheth – Greek 2045. ereunao, (through the idea of inquiry); to seek, i.e. (fig.) to investigate.

B. The Strategy Involved In His Teaching

(1 Corinthians 2:13) 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.

Alan Cairns said this means comparing spiritual things with spiritual people.

C. The Students Involved In His Teaching

1. Notice The Absent Studentsvs. 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.

foolishness – Greek 3472. moria, mo-ree'-ah; from G3474; silliness, i.e. absurdity.

2. Notice The Appreciative Studentsvs. 15

Again Cairns indicated … (1 Corinthians 2:15) But he that is spiritual judgeth (appreciates) all things, yet he himself is judged (appreciated) of no man.

Conclusion:

5079. Savior, Fill Me

Savior, fill me with Thy Spirit

As I seek and wait and pray,

Bend and break me, blessed Master—

Make me wholly Thine today.

Lord, I bow in full surrender,

Yielding all I have to Thee:

Come and fill me with Thy Spirit—

Sanctify Thyself in me.

I would tarry in Thy presence

’Til endued with power and love:

I would know the mighty fullness

Of Thy Spirit from above.

Will He come in all His fullness

As I now obey Thy call?

Yes, oh, yes, for Thou has promised,

If I come confessing all.

—Oswald J. Smith