We live in a data-saturated world with the latest information at our fingertips, but how much of this data contains wisdom? Teaching from 1 Corinthians, Alistair Begg notes that the wisdom of this age is transient, but the wisdom of God is secret and eternal, only understood when the Spirit of God reveals it. We must present the Gospel clearly and correctly and pray for the work of the Spirit in the unbeliever’s heart and mind.
Wisdom from the Spirit
6Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.4
14The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Series: Firm Foundation, Volume 1
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 1
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In volume one of this series, we meet a prideful, divided church whose people had divorced belief from behavior, preferring self-promotion over service. In contrast to such spiritual darkness, Paul taught that the light of God’s wisdom, faithfulness, and power exposes hypocrisy, reminding us that the Church’s only firm foundation is in the finished work of Christ.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 2
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In volume two of this series, we consider 1 Corinthians 5-6, in which Paul confronts sexual immorality and lawsuits within the church. Exploring the biblical meaning of Christian freedom, Alistair Begg reminds us that once we become believers, we are not merely patched up versions of our pre-converted selves. Instead, we are brand new creations and should live in light of our redeemed nature.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 3
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth but by the time he wrote his first letter, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of very practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In Volume Three we examine God’s plan for marriage and singleness, Christian contentment and what it means to have freedom in Christ, and the rights and responsibilities of pastors and churches. We’re reminded that adaptability and discipline are necessary as we strive to reach others and run the race of life. In all, we must remain focused on eternity and compelled by the love of Christ.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 4
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
It’s said that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. In 1 Corinthians 10–11, Paul warned the church that they were flirting with the same issues that had tragic consequences for their ancestors. These messages review Paul’s warnings and ground rules for Christian freedom, biblical headship, and communion. In all things, love and God’s glory must take precedence over selfish indulgence.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 5
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In volume five of this series, we examine spiritual gifts: What are they? What purpose do they serve? Are some better than others? In Corinth, misguided answers to these questions produced discrimination and pride rather than unity in purpose and spirit. Paul, however, taught that when we use our gifts and fulfill our roles, the Church can most effectively reflect Christ to the world.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 6
The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians may be one of the most beloved and most widely recognized portions of Scripture, but it also may be one of the most misapplied. When it is taken in isolation, this chapter becomes vulnerable to all kinds of interpretations, many of which are incomplete or misleading. In the first part of this volume of Firm Foundation, Alistair Begg connects Paul’s description of love to the immediate concern that the apostle had for the church in Corinth. By doing so, he gives us a richer and more faithful understanding of what Christian love should be like. In the second half of this series, we see that the God of love is also the God of order.
Paul continues his challenge to the Corinthian church in chapter 14 by giving them specific instructions on how to conduct themselves in worship. Since the function and focus of the church has not changed since the writing of this letter, Paul’s words on love and the gifts of the Spirit remain equally applicable to us today.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 7
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
What does the Bible have to say about life after death? What will happen to our bodies? Do believers go immediately to be with Christ? In volume seven of this series, we turn to Paul’s teaching on Christ’s death and resurrection to discover the significance of these events for the Christian. Because Jesus conquered death, we no longer need to fear it.
Other messages in: Firm Foundation, Volume 8
Paul helped to establish the church in Corinth, but by the time he wrote his first letter to them, the church had already wandered from its foundation. Novel ideas were favored over solid biblical teaching, resulting in confusion, division, and spiritual infancy. Desiring that the church might be presented mature in Christ, Paul addressed a number of practical elements of faith. Noting striking resemblances between the Corinthian church and the Church today, Alistair Begg walks us through the warnings and exhortations of 1 Corinthians.
In closing his letter to the Corinthians, Paul taught that the reality of Christ’s resurrection has a direct impact upon ordinary life. Some consider the study of doctrine a “Sunday-only” activity, but Paul’s final words challenge such a mindset. In volume eight of Firm Foundation, we learn that if our faith is to be believable, our behavior must reflect our beliefs.
