Holy Spirit - Our Revealer — Phil Beach Jr.

The Cross, Divine Wisdom, and the Holy Spirit

1st Corinthians chapter 2. Let's begin in 1st Corinthians chapter 1. 1st Corinthians chapter 1 beginning in verse number 18. Now let's Let's just have a word of prayer. 1st Corinthians chapter 1 beginning in verse 18.

Let's ask the Lord to open our eyes this morning to this absolutely incredible passage of scripture that we're going to read. Beloved. I suppose the burden of my heart this morning and I'm trusting that it's the burden of the Lord's heart.

I'm trusting that the burden of the Lord's heart this morning is this. To enlighten us and enable us to comprehend that it is God's will. It I said it is God's will for you as an individual of your heart.

Purifying the Heart from Competing Spiritual Desires

Purified. Listen now from diversity of desire. Diversity of desire meaning many desires and I want to. I want to simply limit that to religious desires. We're not even going to get into the secular. Thinking the desire to want to go skiing.

The desire to want to get new furniture. The desire to want to possibly buy a new home. We won't even touch that we'll let that go this morning. Let's just limit our desires to spiritual aspirations. Spiritual cravings.

It is the will of God this morning. That our hearts would be purified From diversity of desire for many different desires and that we would come into listen carefully come into the singleness of pursuing God himself.

A .W. Tozer wrote a book The pursuit of God. The Apostle Paul said one thing I do. King David said One thing have I desired. Jesus said one thing is necessary. Referring to Mary's desire to want to sit at the feet of Jesus and draw from him.

There is an interesting uniqueness in the scriptures of singleness of desire and It is my desire this morning that God will spark this revelation into your soul and into your spirit and captivate your mind by it and therefore change us so that our hearts can become single in our spiritual pursuit.

And in 1st Corinthians chapter 1 beginning in verse 18. We're going to read the heart of God this morning. Regarding his will for you, and I and as we get into chapter 2 will begin to discover the Wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit as Friend and Revealer

He wants to come and be your friend beloved. He wants he wants you to get to know him and You can get to know him. He will change your life. Children included. Children included. You might not be an adult.

You might be a youngster. You might be a Seven. This isn't just for adults. This is for you. Did you know that Jesus? told his disciples that they Shouldn't tell little children not to come to Jesus. Did you know that?

That Jesus has his eye on the children this morning to sure this is for everybody. The big children, right? Us and the little children. Let's begin reading in verse number 18. What an incredible drawing this morning by the Holy Spirit.

All I am so thankful. I don't know beloved. I can't think of anything more exciting than to have an eternal God through the person of the Holy Spirit. Come into the midst of his people and start drawing us unto himself.

I mean what other thing can be more thrilling. Please name something anybody go ahead. You have liberty to yell it out. What can be more exciting than that I? Mean think of the greatest preacher if he was standing behind this pulpit.

He can't even touch Eternal God coming in the person of the Holy Spirit. Singing the Spirit and the bride say come oh Wow. Jesus stole the show this morning. Didn't he. It's what I like Verse 18. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.

But unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written. I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise. Where is the scribe?

Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world. 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.

For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified. Unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Basically so far beloved the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul is telling us this. That God has chosen to provide salvation his way that is through the person of Jesus Christ. But now let me tell you that the message of the cross is Foolishness to the one who is determined to find it his way.

See the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them who are perishing but to we who are saved it is the power of God That brings salvation. So in the very beginning here Paul is setting the precedent.

God does things his way and men must submit themselves to his authority. It can't be the other way around. There's no other way. Now this principle doesn't stop once we become Christians. Once we become Christians God still has a way and If we want to continue to live in the blessing and closeness and intimacy of Christ our Savior we must continually remind ourselves and be reminded by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that God's way is the only way that works and therefore humbly ask God Lord reveal thy way and Calls me to submit unto it God's way.

Verse number 25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh Not many mighty not many noble are called.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world To confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things Which are mighty and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God hath chosen Yea, and the things which are not to bring to naught things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence.

Now here we find again Paul is setting divine order beloved God's way is seeking out the humble. The abased the weak God's way is seeking out the heart that will acknowledge Its need and then we'll look to God to the person of Jesus Christ as the answer to that need.

Rebellion, Humility, and Submission to God's Authority

You see May I suggest this morning beloved without sounding radical without intending to sound radical. That the greatest problem in Christendom today Is the spirit of Rebellion against God. It is a spirit of rebellion that demands its own way and In demanding its own way listen, it does not submit itself to God's Way.

There is a way beloved and this way is revealed to the seeking heart and This is what we so need this morning. Verse number 29 that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are you in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and redemption that according as it is written he that gloryeth let him glory in the Lord.

Apostolic Preaching in the Power of the Spirit

And I brethren the same thought now don't let the chapter division throw you off. It's the same thought of the Holy Spirit. And I brethren when I came to you came not with excellency of speech. Or of wisdom declaring unto you the testimony of God.

For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in meekness and in fear and in much trembling. And My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom.

But in demonstration of the spirit and of power. Did you ever wonder what Paul meant when he said my words were not with the enticing words of men's wisdom, but with? Demonstration of spirit and in power.

What's Paul talking about? What what in the world occurred at Paul's meetings? When he was the preacher if he makes this statement that his words were not with enticing Words of men's wisdom. Do you ever think about that?

Listen verse. For my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom. But in demonstration of the spirit, what kind of demonstration do you think? Occurred by the spirit and by the power of God.

Interesting thought huh, do you think perhaps Paul was an elegant speaker? Tickling. The hearing of those who listened do you think men marveled at pause? He spoke and said my what a fine speaker that man is I?

Doubt it. What happened when the man called Paul stood up and Opened his mouth and began to speak the Word of God he says it right here a demonstration of spirit and power occurred. What kind of Demonstration could that mean.

It wasn't a fleshly? Demonstration it wasn't one that tickled the ears and caused men in the flesh to say wow this is really interesting. No, may I suggest that according to the Word of God the demonstration of the spirit and power produced a Flow from Christ into the hearts of those present.

That either brought men and women closer to Jesus Christ Causing them to be filled more and more with the very presence of Christ number two or brought great conviction upon them or number three Brought them to the crisis where they decided that's not what they want.

Repentance Revival or riot. Three results of Paul's preaching and teaching. Now we could find Confirmation to that in 1st Corinthians chapter 14. 1st Corinthians chapter 14 beginning in verse number 23.

1st Corinthians chapter 14 beginning with verse number 23. We're trying to set the setting here this morning in order to understand why it's God's desire for us to know the Holy Spirit. Verse number 23.

1st Corinthians 14 if Therefore the whole church be come together in one place and all speak with tongues and there come in those that are unlearned or unbelievers. Will they not say they are mad? Now verse 24, but if all prophesy now, let me explain to you what that word means to prophesy is to proclaim.

Now Paul's saying here, but if all prophesy or in other words if all proclaim and speak the heart of God. This is what will occur and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned. He is convinced of all he is judged of all.

Now in what way is he judged? Verse number 25. And thus are the listen the secrets of his heart made manifest and So falling down on his face. He will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth.

Okay, beloved now see. This is this is how we let scripture interpret scripture now what now now therefore going back to 1st Corinthians. What could Paul have met when he said listen when I come and preach.

I Don't get involved in saying nice things that just sort of make you feel good in the flesh. But he said when I come something occurs the demonstration of power and of spirit results now what that means in 1st Corinthians 14 is when when Paul preaches and when the church matures and grows because this listen this is not God's will just for a Preacher this is God's will for the body as we preached Wednesday night that we all come to the unity of faith that we all come to the knowledge of the Son of God to the fullness of the stature of Christ.

See. But the idea here is God wants us so in tune with listen so in tune with the head Through the Holy Spirit that when we testify and when we share. We are so in tune with God that we are speaking and revealing the very thoughts and hearts of men and women Round us so that God can minister to them now.

That's scriptural. Now here's here's here's. Here's the icing on the cake. How can this ever occur unless? Men and women come in contact with the Holy Spirit and start walking with him and Fellowship.

Listen the day of sermonizing and preaching sermons is over now. I did not say the day of preaching the word is over. Don't misunderstand me or misquote me. I didn't say The day of preaching is over. But the idea of preaching sermons and finding interesting things to entertain God's people it is over.

It is over. God is calling out of people and they're coming from everywhere the four corners of the earth. They are being brought under the headship of Jesus Christ. They are coming in Relationship with the Holy Spirit.

They are growing in the knowledge and grace of God. They are being filled with the love of God. They have problems their struggles but the Savior is Manifesting his preeminence in the midst and he is shepherding his flock.

What will the results be? The results will be a reoccurring of apostolic preaching and fellowship where God was sanctified in the midst of the assembly and men and women were drinking from him and the hearts and secrets and thoughts of the body were being revealed through testimony and through preaching and God was as a result bringing his people to a place of closer and closer communion with him.

The Holy Spirit's Revelation in Christian Fellowship

There's the divine pattern in the Word of God. Listen now anything that deviates from this central theme. It's getting us off target. And it's so easy To get off target. It's so easy To get off on that field.

Now I don't know about you beloved. But doesn't your heart burn within to think of such a thought? Where God is so sanctified in his people that when we come together there is a holy anticipation. That far supersedes anything and this is the anticipation.

What is God this morning? Now listen that not only occurs when we come together. What about when you go over someone's house and fellowship? And you start fellowship with people whose hearts have been stirred and changed so that they share the same burden.

Let me tell you you go to fellowship and enjoy yourself. But that's not the central theme. The central theme is let's get together and see what God's gonna do. Beloved did you know that in such a place you can have such faith in God.

The world can't understand it. Did you know that when people can get to the stature where they are drinking from the head? And he is the one in control you can come to church with a need and not tell anybody and God will meet it.

You don't have to lose same boy. Nobody smiled at me and said hi. Well the preacher didn't lay his hands on me. Beloved when God is sanctified in the assembly Jesus takes the responsibility to meet your need and he'll do it.

I By the grace of God and Committed to stand on the Word of God and see with my eyes the manifestation of Apostolic Biblical Christianity come forth in the body of Christ today and I believe that it's beginning to happen and it's happening and it will and Many others are beginning to sense it with a little bit of teaching a little bit of waiting on the Lord and A little bit more God's love to cover our faults.

Come on now. Stop getting mad at somebody because they cross you. Let's grow up. Peter said love covers a multitude of sins. So somebody lets you down. Don't don't forsake God in the church. You've let somebody down before haven't you?

Let's let's join in God's love and let's ride this thing out below it and See what God can do in our midst. Oh Boy a few days ago. I said my What a joy it would see what a joy it would be for Paul to come walking through the doors a few weeks ago.

We had Jesus coming walking through now. We got Paul. Maybe next week. We'll be imagining Elijah. Oh my. Someone someone said to me. Oh my. I wonder if he would be harsh and mean. Of course not. He wouldn't be harsh and mean.

Sure is harsh and mean when he comes before an Ahab and a Jezebel, but not before the church. You know the way Elijah was he was a broken man. Broken before God who wept with the little woman who had dinner with her.

Who sat down and talked to her about Jehovah God? That's who he was. He wasn't some weird character that walked around. I repent. We got this image of men of God and women of God as some of some calloused hard Legalistic people that look at you with eyes of fire.

I'm gonna get you. God's gonna get you come on. That's not the way Jesus is Paul. What was Paul like. Oh? When Paul came he was so humble they couldn't believe that it was him writing the letters when he left because they were so harsh.

They said this can't be Paul when he came with us. He was so meek and so soft and so gentle and he hugged everyone. And I never heard a harsh word come out of his mouth. And he was always there to help somebody and he wept and he prayed and he any any preach with tears.

How can this be. Paul had to defend himself and say let me tell you it's me. You just haven't seen the side. Because I wanted to come to you in meekness and the meekness of Christ. These men of God were broken before God.

Why. Because they knew the Holy Spirit. This is exciting isn't it. Anyone else excited? I am so excited. I want to know Jesus. I want to know the Holy Spirit. Verse number 5 chapter 2 1st Corinthians.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God beloved. When your faith is taken from the wisdom of men and You stop putting your faith in sermons and preachers and teachings and you start putting it in the power of God the knowledge of God Who is near unto you something happens?

Your faith gets rooted and grounded and you get stable in God. Now listen to this verse number 6. How do we speak wisdom among them that are perfect. Now the word perfect there is complete. The Greek word means complete meaning a mature Individual yet not the wisdom of this world nor the princess of this world that come to naught.

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. Even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew. For had they known it. They would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written I have not seen nor you heard neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Now verse number 10 many times Christians quote verse number 9.

We're going to make a comment about verses 6 and 7 in a minute, but we oftentimes quote number 9 I have not seen here have not heard neither has it ever entered into the heart of man those things which God has prepared For them which love him granted.

That's true, but read on what's verse 10 say. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit. Now listen for the spirit searcheth all things. Yay the deep things of God beloved the only way that you and Your spirit can know not intellectually but Intuitively the only way that you can know of God is if the Holy Spirit himself Imparts the recognition and knowledge of God into your spirit.

This is why it's so important to know the Holy Spirit. Because he alone can reveal and search out the things within God's heart and make them known to you. What a precious life giver he is now. Versus 6 and 7 Paul here is saying listen.

I just got done talking about this great salvation and how God hath chosen the foolish things of the world. God has chosen the things that are not in order to confound. The things that are Paul saying now I'm speaking of wisdom.

I'm speaking of glorious things redemption salvation Forgiveness of sins, but Paul says I'm speaking among those who are mature in other words spiritually enlightened. Because the people of this world don't appreciate the good things of salvation do they they don't appreciate the good things of the cross.

The Cross as the Hub of Faith

My glory is in the cross, but to the world that's foolishness. But that's strength. That's power. Now Paul listen now Paul walked the Corinthians through he walked him through the preaching of the cross.

He showed him that must be the central hub of their faith. He also showed him that the cross doesn't appeal to the wisdom of this world and he's saying be careful Corinthians. Don't get off chasing things that don't center around the cross around the person of Jesus.

Because when you cling to them you become an enemy of the cross so he's walking them through all these things showing them the hubcap of their faith and now he's beginning to introduce them to the Holy Spirit because once a believer comes to the cross through the leading of the Holy Spirit and finds the Savior and forgiveness then the Holy Spirit immediately comes under the Direct and personal influence of the Holy Spirit.

Now if you're a Christian this morning Born again, you know your sins are forgiven. God's heart for you is to become ever acquainted with the Holy Spirit because only by him can you know the Father and the Son and Only by him.

Can you understand the Bible? Verse number 10, but God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things. Ye the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man? Except the spirit of man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man.

But the Spirit of God now beloved listen carefully. Do you know the thoughts of the one sitting next to you who does? Outside of God who knows his thoughts. That person Tom knows what he's thinking. Helen doesn't sometimes she does.

Okay, this is what the Holy Spirit is saying. Listen. Only the Spirit of God knows what God is thinking. Just like only your human spirit knows what you're thinking. So Paul is showing the need here to get acquainted with the Holy Spirit.

Boy, what a perfect what a perfect teaching to give the Corinthians because weren't the Corinthians in a pretty bad shape. See they were they weren't acquainted with the Holy Spirit. They were so caught up in themselves.

There was divisions and strides and jealousies and discord and hatreds and Paul said you're walking like near man. Sure, you're redeemed. But you're not getting acquainted with the Holy Spirit because if you were you wouldn't be doing these things.

So this is why Paul's bringing them back to the cross and bringing them back to the person of the Holy Spirit. Now verse number 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.

Now beloved listen the spirit of this world will inspire you to do worldly things. Now don't misunderstand me when I say worldly things. You have to you have to understand what God means when he says worldly things.

But we see we haven't received the spirit of this world. So Paul is saying in in in short here don't act. Like men who do not have the Holy Spirit. Because you do have the Holy Spirit so get acquainted with the Holy Spirit.

You don't listen you don't need to find out what's going on in, California. You know Christians have their own Mecca. You know what Mecca is. You know the place where the Prophet? Muhammad you know and those involved in that religion they want to go there.

We don't have a Mecca. There's not some place that we need to go. Jesus himself said listen the time is coming when men aren't going to go to Samaria or Jerusalem to worship God. It's not a geographical place.

Beloved. So many times we feel like we're missing out with God if we're not here. But beloved God is a spirit, and if you are a Christian the Holy Spirit is with you and The more you desire to know God the more that Holy Spirit will be released in you and come forth in you and the more You'll know God.

Now we have not received verse 12 the spirit of the world. But the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. 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.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him. Neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. Now the natural man would be that mind that mind.

That is not under the influence of the Holy Spirit. You say well, how in the world do you get your mind under the influence of the Holy Spirit? We'll find that out. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.

They are foolishness to him. Neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things. Yet he himself is judged of no man now that means he's not convicted.

By any man as doing wrong see. He's not charged with liable Charge by any man. Why. Because he's under the influence of God, and he's doing what's pleasing to God. For who hath known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him, but we Christ.

So you see here beloved what the Holy Spirit is doing. What Paul's burden was for the church in Corinth Jesus the centrality of the cross. Understanding God's way versus man's way. And then somehow by the energy of God Paul was wanting to create within the hearts of these people a desire to know and Understand and become acquainted with the Holy Spirit.

Knowing that that was the only hope for the Corinthians to go on in their salvation the Holy Spirit initiated their salvation and The Holy Spirit himself can perfect it. Now I'm going to make this statement.

Natural, Carnal, and Spiritual-Minded Christianity

And you think about it and pray about it and search the scriptures the natural man the carnal mind. A Lot of people talk about natural mind in the carnal minded Christian. And there's a lot of debates as to what they mean and how not to be carnal.

And how not to be natural and how to be spiritual. Let me give you a very simple definition of Natural minded Christianity verse. Spiritual minded Christianity verses number 10 through 12. Verses 10 through 12.

But God hath Revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God. 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.

For we have not received for we have we have received not the spirit of the world. But the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are. Listen Freely now listen here. It is very simple the carnal mind.

Or the natural mind is simply a mind that is not receiving from God Period whereas a spiritual mind is in the place where it is fertile and Open to receive freely From God the one is a mind whose posture is open to receive from God in order to have Understanding given by God whereas the carnal mind and the natural mind is oftentimes in pursuit of God.

But doesn't understand God because it's not my spirit trying to find God. But it's God's spirit revealing God to me. See remember what Paul said who knows the things of God save the spirit listen. My spirit and my mind can't figure God out.

He's hidden to me. The natural mind receiveth not see my initiative. My desire to know God doesn't bring me into a knowledge of him. No it listen it is the posture of being humbled before God. And then the spirit of revelation the spirit of God coming to me and revealing God, then I say ah Yes, Lord, but that wasn't because I looked for God.

But God saw in my heart awaiting and a faith and arrest and he came to me. Have you see the difference? It's very simple very profound, but very important. The carnal natural mind is oftentimes in pursuit of God, but doesn't know God and cannot know God.

But that listen, but the heart That's filled with the presence of God the mind who stayed upon God resting waiting Doing and walking in the light that it has that mind is the fertile spiritual mind. Where God can come when he wants and reveal himself unto that soul.

So the spiritual mind is the mind Prepared and waiting for the Holy Spirit to reveal God and the natural mind is everything, but that Everything but that means it could be religious it could be steeped in heavy reading and diligent study.

But it's not getting a thing how many have ever been in that realm. Of course we have and how many have found it to be totally fruitless. Doesn't work does it see it's not what we get. It's what God gives and You say well, then who does he give to he just got done telling us who he gives to he gives to the lowly the humble the abased.

The ones who lower themselves the ones who respond to God and Lower themselves. God comes to and reveals himself. This is why your Christian life will turn in listen. It will turn into one of Expectant waiting on God because God brings you to the place where you're quiet before him.

You're walking in humility and in that place you realize it's not you Grabbing a hold of God as much as it is God coming to you. But that doesn't free you from responsibility. Your Responsibility is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in his dealing in your life and As you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, then it's God who comes to you.

He grasps you he grabs you. You know when Paul said he was caught away Into the third heaven well that world there means an actual Grabbing a firm grabbing and catching that's what God does to us. That's what he wants to do.

He wants to grab our hearts and our minds and reveal himself to us. But what does he do he waits to see what we're doing with his daily dealing? What we're doing with it. This is why Peter said as a being in children obey the Holy Spirit.

He says repent repent. If he says go tell that person you're sorry tell him you're sorry. The quickest way for the Holy Spirit to stop coming to you and give you fresh revelation is In your daily life if you keep pushing off the Lord leave me alone leave me alone.

I don't want to repent. I don't want to go tell that person. I was wrong. Holy Spirit's gonna stop sooner or later Giving you revelation of God until you get things, right? So the spiritual mind is The mind that is prepared that is ready that is waiting and listen.

That is right before God the carnal natural mind is everything but that so therefore once you've done everything that you know to do and You've learned. Remember how our grandmothers used to say now you mind your mother.

You mind her. I would always wonder what do you mean mind her? My grandmother would always tell me that my father's mother you mind your parents and You know our Father in heaven is saying at any given second when it's God's time.

Your heart will suddenly be flooded with a light from heaven regarding some glorious thing about Jesus. And you'll shout hallelujah all the way. This is why Jesus said if you love me You'll keep my commandments, and then I and my father will come and reveal ourself to you.

There's not a great revelation of Christ in the hearts of God's people today. Here's why because There is not a conscious desire to mind the Holy Spirit. Now he keeps us. That's just about all he does is keep us and we're hurled into the realm of natural Carnal Christianity where there's no food so We surely can go on.

Returning to the Holy Spirit and God's Revelation

But it's getting late. I know The God's Word is good how many have had a desire stirred within you to want to know the Holy Spirit in a greater way and be delivered from Diversity of action and and concentrate on the person of Jesus communion with him and God opening up his word.

I Trust this is what has happened Amen. Well praise the Lord. Does anyone have Anything they want to say praise the Lord.