The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
\nFebruary 12, 2017
\nI Corinthians 2:6-13<\/p>\n
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.\u00a0 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.\u00a0 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.\u00a0 However, as it is written:\u00a0 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”\u2014but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.\u00a0 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.\u00a0 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?\u00a0 In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.\u00a0 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.\u00a0 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.\u00a0 (NIV1984)<\/p>\n
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/p>\n
If you have ever been in my study here at church you may have noticed that I have just a couple of books in my own personal library.\u00a0 The vast majority of those books can be found in the personal library of most WELS\/ELS pastors.\u00a0 They are books which help me in my work as a pastor.\u00a0 There is a small handful of books, however, that are very special to me on a personal level.\u00a0 For example, this is a book that was handed out in 1927 by a company called C.J. Smith & Company of St. Paul, MN.\u00a0 It includes a 1928 calendar, postal rates, population figures for major U.S. cities and pages where you can keep track of addresses, telephone numbers and business expenses.\u00a0 What makes this book so special to me?\u00a0 It\u2019s special to me because it was originally given to my Grandpa\u2014 probably in 1927.\u00a0 This book is simply titled \u201cChurch Hymnal.\u201d\u00a0 It was copywrited in 1913 by Northwestern Publishing House and may be one of the first English hymnals used by the Wisconsin Synod.\u00a0 Why is this book so special to me?\u00a0 It\u2019s special to me because inside the back cover my Grandma wrote her name and the place where she was born and raised\u2014 Theresa Albrecht, Spring Valley, WI.\u00a0 This book was produced by the United States government.\u00a0 It is titled \u201cSong and Service book for Ship and Field.\u201d\u00a0 It contains worship services, hymns and prayers for soldiers and sailors.\u00a0 Why is this book special to me?\u00a0 It\u2019s special to me because it belonged to my Dad.<\/p>\n
While I am thankful for all the books I have in my library and while I consider this small handful of books to be among the most special books I have, there is one book that far surpasses all other books on the face of this earth.\u00a0 It is, of course, the <\/strong>Book\u2014 the Bible.\u00a0 As we continue our sermon series on a study of God\u2019s will this morning, let\u2019s see how this portion of Paul\u2019s letter to the Corinthians reveals:\u00a0 God\u2019s Will for His Word\u2014 Treasure It!<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 There are two truths we want to focus on this morning.\u00a0 First, let\u2019s see that we are to treasure God\u2019s Word because it is the only<\/strong> source of true lasting wisdom.\u00a0 Then let\u2019s see that we are to treasure God\u2019s Word\u2014 because it is <\/strong>God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n God\u2019s will for His Word is that we treasure it because it is the only <\/strong>source of true lasting wisdom.\u00a0 Wisdom.\u00a0 Wisdom is a subject that the Holy Spirit led Paul write about a number of times in his letter to God\u2019s people living in the city of Corinth.\u00a0 In fact, just two Sundays ago we heard God remind His pastors\u2014 including me\u2014 that the goal of what we preach and teach is to make sure that your faith does not <\/strong>\u00a0rest on \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom, but on God\u2019s power.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n While the faith of God\u2019s people does not and cannot rest on \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> look at what Paul says to us in the opening words of our text.\u00a0 He writes, \u201cWe do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The Greek word which is translated here as \u201cmature\u201d<\/em> centers on the picture of someone who has \u201creached their goal.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 In this context I understand this word to refer to someone whose faith does indeed rest on \u201cGod\u2019s power.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 When we know that our faith is the result of \u201cGod\u2019s power\u201d<\/em> working in our hearts through His holy Word and Sacraments, when we know that our faith is strengthened and nourished and protected through \u201cGod\u2019s power\u201d<\/em> working in His Word and Sacrament then <\/strong>we are \u201cmature\u201d<\/em> enough to recognize and to understand the distinction that Paul draws between \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> and \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at how clearly that distinction is described here in our text.\u00a0 We\u2019ll begin with Paul\u2019s description of \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 He writes, \u201cWe do, however speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.\u00a0 No, we speak of God\u2019s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.\u00a0 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n When I look at this description of \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> I think of three words:\u00a0 Incomplete, Inconsistent and Inexcusable!\u00a0 Since \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is the \u201cwisdom of this age\u201d<\/em> it is automatically incomplete.\u00a0 Why is it incomplete?\u00a0 It is incomplete because the \u201cwisdom of this age\u201d<\/em> must of necessity be based upon what we can see with our eyes, touch with our hands and comprehend with our limited, finite, sinful minds.\u00a0 One glance up into the heavens reveals just how incomplete \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is!<\/p>\n Since the source of \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is \u201cthe rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing,\u201d<\/em> \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is also inconsistent.\u00a0 The way in which the world defined \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> in the year 1017 is vastly different from the way in which the world defines \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> in the year 2017.\u00a0 And if the good Lord allows this world to continue another 1,000 years people living in the year 3017 will shake their heads at how the world defined \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> in our day and age.\u00a0 Yes, my friends, \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is always going to be inconsistent because it is always going to change from one age to another, perhaps even from one generation to another.<\/p>\n And finally, \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is inexcusable\u2014 especially from God\u2019s perspective.\u00a0 An example of this is brought out here in our text when Paul says, \u201cThey\u2026 crucified the Lord of glory.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 From a purely human perspective why was Jesus of Nazareth nailed to a cross?\u00a0 You may recall that after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead the religious leaders of God\u2019s people became afraid that Jesus would lead the people in a rebellion against Rome which would most certainly result in a crushing response by the mighty Roman legions.\u00a0 Caiaphas, the high priest, then stood up and said to the religious leaders, \u201cYou know nothing at all!\u00a0 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish\u201d<\/em> (John 11:49, 50).\u00a0 The other religious leaders accepted the \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> of Caiaphas\u2019 words and immediately started devising a plot to take Jesus\u2019 life.\u00a0 When Pontius Pilate could not convince the angry crowd in Jerusalem that Jesus had done nothing to deserve death, his \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> led him to conclude that it was better to crucify one innocent Rabbi than risk a revolt by the people.\u00a0 Modern-day examples of the fact that \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is inexcusable from God\u2019s perspective can be seen in how so many people have swallowed the philosophy of evolution hook, line and sinker; how so many people have made possessions and pleasure their own personal idols; and how the prevailing \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> of our society today is that instead of \u201cjudging\u201d anyone for anything we need to be \u201ctolerant\u201d enough so that everyone is free to live their life however they so choose to live it\u2014 except if you want to live your life according to what God says in His Word.\u00a0 That the world will not tolerate.\u00a0 Yes, my friends, from God\u2019s perspective \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is indeed inexcusable.<\/p>\n While \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is Incomplete, Inconsistent and Inexcusable, \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is Remarkable, Reliable and Revealed!\u00a0 I see this reality proclaimed here in our text when Paul says, \u201c\u2026for if they had they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.\u00a0 However, as it is written:\u00a0 \u2018No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him\u2019 \u2014 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n While the crucifixion of Jesus Christ reveals to us that \u201cmen\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is indeed inexcusable, at the very same time the crucifixion of Jesus Christ proclaims to us that \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is remarkable!\u00a0 Think about it, my friends.\u00a0 The \u201cLord of glory\u201d<\/em> was willing to be nailed to a cross\u2014 for sinners like us!\u00a0 Since we are completely helpless to save ourselves \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> led Him to secure our salvation for us in the only way that would work, the only way that was acceptable to Him:\u00a0 He graciously sent His own Son to die in our place so that He could pay the debt of sin that we owe to Him!\u00a0 (Pointing to the cross)\u00a0 If that is not remarkable, my friends, I don\u2019t know what is!<\/p>\n Since \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is indeed \u201cGod\u2019s<\/strong> wisdom\u201d<\/em> it is absolutely and automatically reliable.\u00a0 As Paul brings out here in our text, we can\u2019t even begin to imagine what \u201cGod has prepared for those who love him.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Whether it is the home that Jesus is preparing for us in heaven or the inheritance that our heavenly Father has waiting for us or the perfection that will one day be ours, we can be confident that since all of this is the result of \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> it is just as reliable as the Lord God Himself!<\/p>\n And finally, since \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is a \u201csecret wisdom,\u201d<\/em> since \u201cGod\u2019s wisdom\u201d<\/em> is a \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> that goes back to \u201cbefore time began,\u201d<\/em> God\u2019s \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> is a \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> that had to be revealed to us.\u00a0 Praise God that He graciously chose to reveal His \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> to us right here\u2014 on the pages of Holy Scripture.\u00a0 If God had not revealed His \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> to us, we would never have been able to discover it on our own.\u00a0 If God had not revealed His \u201cwisdom\u201d<\/em> to us the message of the cross would have remained \u201cfoolishness\u201d<\/em> to us and the Truth of the Bible would have remained a \u201cmystery\u201d<\/em> to us.<\/p>\n That thought leads us into the second major truth that we need to emphasize from this text.\u00a0 God\u2019s will for His Word is that we treasure it\u2014 because it is <\/strong>God\u2019s Word!\u00a0 I find it profoundly sad that so many Christians today and so many churches today \u201cpick and choose\u201d what parts of the Bible they are willing to believe and what parts of the Bible they choose to either dismiss as being unimportant or deny as being true.\u00a0 Why do I find this profoundly sad?\u00a0 Because God himself tells us that the Holy Scriptures \u201c\u2026are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus\u201d<\/em> and He says, \u201cAll Scripture is God-breathed\u201d<\/em> (2 Timothy 3:15, 16).\u00a0 Jesus Himself prays to His heavenly Father concerning us, \u201cSanctify them by the truth; your word is truth\u201d<\/em> (John 17:17).\u00a0 Here in our text Paul very clearly reveals to us that the Holy Spirit did not simply give the human writers of the Bible a \u201cgeneral idea\u201d or a \u201cbroad outline\u201d of what to write and then send them off to \u201cfill in the details\u201d all on their own.\u00a0 Nor did He allow them to record their own \u201copinions\u201d and pass it off as God\u2019s Word.\u00a0 Look at verse thirteen of our text.\u00a0 Paul writes, \u201cThis is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words<\/strong> taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words<\/strong>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n This is what is called Verbal Inspiration.\u00a0 Verbal Inspiration teaches us that every single word of the Bible was given to the human writers by God the Holy Spirit so that what we find in the Bible is exactly what God wants us to have.\u00a0 Verbal Inspiration is what enables us to proclaim<\/strong> what God\u2019s Word says and prevents us from interpreting <\/strong>what we want God\u2019s Word to say.\u00a0 Verbal Inspiration is the basis for God\u2019s command, \u201cDo not add to what I have given to you and do not subtract from it!\u201d\u00a0 (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Revelation 22:18 & 19)\u00a0 When we treasure God\u2019s Word because it is <\/strong>God\u2019s Word then we rejoice in knowing that through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism we were \u201cborn again\u201d\u2014 <\/em>even if we were baptized as a tiny little child!\u00a0 <\/em>God Himself washed us clean of all of our sins and dressed us in a white robe of perfect righteousness.\u00a0 God Himself created the gift of saving faith in our heart and adopted us to be His own dearly beloved son.\u00a0 When we treasure God\u2019s Word because it is <\/strong>God\u2019s Word then we rejoice in knowing that in the Sacrament of Holy Communion we receive the true body and the true blood of our Lord and Savior in, with and under the bread and the wine as God\u2019s visible tangible guarantee to us that all of our sins are <\/strong>completely forgiven.\u00a0 When we treasure God\u2019s Word because it is <\/strong>God\u2019s Word then we rejoice in knowing that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.\u00a0 Then we rejoice in knowing why the day that the Son of God died on a cross is called \u201cGood\u201d Friday.\u00a0 Then we rejoice in knowing that Jesus physically rose from the dead on Easter Sunday just as He promised He would.\u00a0 Then we rejoice in knowing that through faith in what Jesus has done for <\/strong>us we are indeed strangers here on this earth and that heaven is our Home!\u00a0 Praise God, my friends that because of His power and because of His grace we have that simple, humble, child-like faith that enables us to treasure God\u2019s Word because it is <\/strong>God\u2019s Word!<\/p>\n While I am indeed thankful for all of the books I have in my library and while I do consider this small handful of books to be among the most special books I have, there is one book that will always far surpass all other books on the face of this earth.\u00a0 It is, of course, the <\/strong>Book\u2014 the Bible.\u00a0 My prayer this morning is that all of us will remember that God\u2019s will for His Word is that we do indeed treasure it.\u00a0 Treasure God\u2019s Word because it is the only <\/strong>source of true lasting wisdom.\u00a0 Treasure God\u2019s Word because it is <\/strong>God\u2019s Word!<\/p>\n To God be the glory!<\/p>\n Amen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany February 12, 2017 I Corinthians 2:6-13 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.\u00a0 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our 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