305 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 2 - Part 1 - Book 26 - For We are Labourers Together with God

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 2 * PART 1 * BOOK 26 FOR WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD I would like to back up a couple of verses and remind you again that throughout this early part of I Corinthians, Paul is constantly bringing up the word "Wisdom." And it's usually in a comparison of man's wisdom, and God's wisdom. The world's heavy thinkers, and the think tanks, and all we read about, compared to the Word of God, they're nothing but babble. I Corinthians 2:6,7a Paul says that he didn't come to you with the wisdom of this world, but the simple Gospel of the Cross. So Paul tells us that he didn't come with the wisdom of this world: I Corinthians 2:7a "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (or Secret),..." So back here in Deuteronomy we see that very word `secret' as being a part and parcel of God dealing with not only Israel, but the whole human race. Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed (and are no longer a secret) belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." God has seen fit to keep things secret until such time in His Sovereign Grace He saw fit to release it, and reveal it. Which of course is this whole Pauline doctrine, it had been kept secret until revealed to Paul. The Old Testament knew nothing of what we call, "The Gospel of the Grace of God." So Paul uses the words over and over, "Behold I show you a secret or a mystery." Now back to I Corinthians Chapter 2, and this is exactly what Paul is referring to. That the wisdom that God had now given to this apostle, the revelations that have now been given to this man had been kept secret. I Corinthians 2:7a "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (Paul had the privilege of having all these secrets revealed to him by the risen Lord.), even the hidden wisdom..." Well what do you suppose is a Hebrew word for hidden? Olam. And so way back there in Genesis we already realize that God in His Sovereignty does keep things hidden from human understanding until it's His time to reveal it. And remember Paul is constantly referring to this fact, that these things revealed to him were indeed hidden in the mind of God. "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:" So was God surprised when Israel rejected the Messiah? Was God surprised when Rome crucified Him? Oh no, this was all in a predetermined Sovereign plan of the ages that through this man Paul, God would reveal these hidden wisdoms. Now continuing on in verse 7. I Corinthians 2:7b "...even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our (my) glory:" Now turn with me to Galatians Chapter 1 so that we know what Paul is talking about. Galatians 1:11,12 Now verse 12: "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it (by man, so how did he get it?), but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Now stop and think, where was Jesus Christ when He revealed these things to the Apostle Paul? Galatians 1:13a Now continuing on with verse 13: Galatians 1:13b Now verse 14: Galatians 1:14 "And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the (Word of God? Paul was no different, he was steeped in the traditions of the fathers. Galatians 1:15a It was God who formed him in the womb, it was God Who brought him to birth. Galatians 1:15b Now you all know Paul's background as the persecutor, as the one who hated Jesus of Nazareth with a passion, and yet God saw fit to save that man, not because he deserved it, or because he had earned it, but rather because of "Grace." Now verse 16, and what was God's purpose? Paul was commissioned back there in Acts Chapter 9 to preach to the Gentiles, and never forget this. Now finishing the verse. Paul had the Son revealed in him to preach to Gentiles, and : Galatians 1:17 God took him to Arabia, and I think it was Mount Sinai. Just as surely as God took Moses up there to give him the Law for Israel, I believe He took Paul up there to reveal the doctrines of Grace. Now then this wisdom had been revealed to this man, how that Christ was the Son of God, He was the Messiah, the King of Israel, but His own people rejected Him, and crucified Him. I Corinthians 2:8a "Which (this wisdom) none of the princes of this world knew:..." No, they did not know Him as the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel. Now verse 9: So now after comparing the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God he says: I Corinthians 2:9 #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible