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Sermon #5785

The Deep Things of God

A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

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Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV KJV
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, …

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Sermon Description

In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones explains three things about modern humanity that are worth noting. First, amidst all their problems, though baffled, the modern person will listen to any counsel but the Bible. Second, people today are hero worshippers, but have no interest in the greatest hero, Jesus Christ. Third, humanity is interested in great events, yet passes by the cross unconcerned by its magnitude. Through careful exegesis of a portion of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, Dr. Lloyd-Jones exposes that before people are converted to God’s fold, humanity’s primary issue is that he approaches the world wrongly. He thinks that by observation, science, and philosophy that he can answer the questions of life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then reveals the splendor of the truth of God. God gives us the mind of Christ upon conversion and the Spirit that searches for the deep things of God. It is with this mind that we can become spiritually discerning, since it is given to us by the creator and inventor of these truths. The natural man does not understand the things of God and the world's eyes are darkened to these truths but if Christ is embraced, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, Christians must prepare to become “fools for Christ's sake.”

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul is dealing with one theme in 1 Corinthians 2 - the contrast between God's wisdom and human wisdom.
  2. Human wisdom is based on man's ability, experimentation, and reason. The scientific method observes facts, forms theories, tests theories, and makes discoveries.
  3. God's wisdom is based on revelation from the Spirit. It is not discovered but given by God. Spiritual things can only be understood through the Spirit.
  4. The subject matter of human wisdom is the natural, physical world. The subject matter of God's wisdom is God Himself - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This makes human wisdom incompetent to understand spiritual things.
  5. The gospel is the wisdom of God in a mystery - Christ crucified. This is foolishness to human wisdom but the power of God to those being saved.
  6. We should thank God that salvation does not depend on human wisdom or ability. If it did, few would be saved. But as the power of God, the gospel can save all who believe.
  7. Men reject the gospel because they rely on their own wisdom and understanding. They see the gospel as an insult to their intelligence. But human wisdom comes to nothing, while the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
  8. To receive the gospel, we must stoop down in humility and drink of the living water - Christ Himself. We must become fools to become wise.

Sermon Q&A

What is the Key Difference Between God's Wisdom and Human Wisdom According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on 1 Corinthians 2, the key difference between God's wisdom and human wisdom is that God's wisdom comes through divine revelation, while human wisdom relies on human observation, experimentation, and reasoning. God's wisdom cannot be discovered through scientific methods or philosophical inquiry.

Why Do Modern People Often Reject the Gospel Despite Their Intelligence?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that modern people reject the gospel because:

  1. They approach it with the wrong methodology - using scientific and philosophical reasoning
  2. The natural man "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him"
  3. Intellectual pride prevents them from "stooping down" in humility to receive God's truth
  4. They refuse to admit their spiritual helplessness and need for revelation

What Are the Three Contradictions Dr. Lloyd-Jones Points Out About Modern Man?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three contradictions about modern man:

  1. Despite being perplexed by world problems, modern man refuses to consider the only solution found in the Bible
  2. Though eager to worship heroes and celebrities, modern man shows little interest in Jesus Christ, the greatest personality the world has ever known
  3. While fascinated by remarkable events, modern man passes by with contempt the greatest event in history - the death of the Son of God on the cross

How Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Describe the Subject Matter of the Gospel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the subject matter of the gospel as:

  1. The testimony of God - the blessed Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
  2. Jesus Christ and Him crucified - the mystery of Christ being both God and man
  3. The atoning sacrifice - "God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself"
  4. The "deep things of God" - mysteries that human wisdom cannot comprehend
  5. God's plan of redemption ordained "before the world unto our glory"

Why Should We Be Thankful That the Gospel Is Beyond Human Wisdom?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues we should be thankful that the gospel transcends human wisdom because:

  1. If salvation depended on human wisdom and understanding, only a few exceptional intellectuals would be saved
  2. God's method makes salvation accessible to everyone, regardless of education or intellectual capacity
  3. It operates by God's power, not human ability, giving hope to all people
  4. It allows the gospel to be preached everywhere, even to those who cannot read or follow complex arguments
  5. It demonstrates God's mercy and love rather than human achievement

Itinerant Preaching

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.