Pt 9 Revealed By God
The Gospel Revealed By God Alone
24/11/24
1 Cor 2:9-11
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
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.
A passage often considered by Christians as particularly related to the wonders of heaven. While certainly true, in its context refers more specifically to the wonder of eternal life through the gospel REVEALED TO US BY HIS SPIRIT (v10).
The passage confirms what has already gone before us in 1 Corinthians, that the revelation of God through the Gospel can only be a work of God. The natural man cannot conceive of it through wisdom, and it is certain that no eye has seen nor ear heard nor entered into the heart of man that which God has prepared for them who love him.
Through the entirety of chapter two of 1 Corinthians, yet beginning midway through chapter 1, we see that the Gospel is revealed ONLY through the power and means which God has ordained.
We saw that it was through THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING (1:21-30)
That we ought to GLORY IN THE LORD and not man (v 30)
That we are to PREACH CHRIST ALONE (2:1-5)
That it is a HIDDEN WISDOM (2:6-8)
And as we shall see today, it can be REVEALED BY NO OTHER MEANS BY GOD ALONE.
We shall see that there is;
The General Ignorance of All
1 Cor 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
The Particular Benefit of Some
1 Cor 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
The Revelation of the Spirit Of God
1 Cor 2:10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The Gospel Revealed by God Alone
1 Cor 2:11
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.
The General Ignorance of All
1 Cor 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
So many have been the considerations of matters after this life concludes, whether it be the multitude of postulations that have come from pagan beleif systems, many of which still prevail to this very day, through to the thought that man simply ceases to exist after they die, all testify to the truth of this passage that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him“.
Set aside the last phrase for a moment as we will speak to this in the next point, but what we see here in its context is the consideration of matters yet future and prepared for by God.
That “Eye that not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man” further logically testifies that it is not speaking of anything related to this life.
If the passage was referring to this life, it could not be rejecting the witness of the eyes the ears nor the testimony of the heart. Clearly this represents matters eternal, matters of a dimension that is not witness nor testified to by any man living now or in history past, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Man, in general has NO way of knowing how it is to gain that eternal bliss that the Bible presents through the revelation of God.
You can read all you like of the ancient spiritual books that had been written, you can study the ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs that testify how they believed one can NAVIGATE the realm of the dead to find safe keeping, but the truth of eternal life Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But by the gospel of Christ.
There is therefore a GENERAL IGNORANCE OF ALL people considering details of matters AFTER DEATH, and most particularly related to how man gains access to heaven.
The context of the passage before us is not much related to the details concerning the glory of heaven, though this is also true, but how it is accessed.
1 Corinthians 2:7–8
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
There are three Additional PREDOMINANT reasons why Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Three reasons to testify as to why there is a GENERAL IGNORANCE OF ALL respecting matters of eternal hope.
We have already seen that the world by its own wisdom cannot know God and we don’t need to postulate this nor question it, the Bible makes it perfectly plain in the passages we have already read.
1 Corinthians 1:21
21 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.
AND we had understood already that man cannot attain to this wisdom UNTIL there is a fear of God FIRST in their hearts;
Psalm 111:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Proverbs 1:7
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
But there are three other reasons why there is a GENERAL IGNORANCE OF ALL concerning a future hope.
- A REJECTION OF WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN OF GOD. Rom 1:18-23
- A REJECTION OF THE LIGHT THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN THEM John 3:19-21
- A REJECTION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WAYS Job 21:14-15 (See also Exodus 5:2)
The truth of God is REVEALED BY GOD ALONE
The Particular Benefit of Some
1 Cor 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But for those who love God, God has revealed the wonderful knowledge of everlasting life through that glorious gospel of Christ.
That which is REVEALED BY GOD, is for THE PARTICULAR BENEFIT OF SOME.
Those who had feared God, God has revealed to them the truth of their state and shown to them the wisdom of the Gospel.
The Bible presents to us individuals who were not of the people of the Jews but feared God nonetheless.
Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament there were gentiles who believed in and feared the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
From the Sidonian widow who housed Elijah during the three and a half year famine in 1 Kings 17, to Naaman the Captain of the Host of Syria, a Leper healed by God when he came to Elisha in 2 Kings 5.
We could talk of Abimelech the King of Gerar who feared God when he innocently took Sarah the wife of Abraham in Genesis 20, or the entirety of the Ninevites who repented at the preaching Jonah.
These feared God and so God revealed to them the good way, a way that Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man
Turn to Acts 10
Acts 10:1–8
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Now Peter experienced a vision from the Lord as God prepared his heart to receive those servants who were sent to him. Three men then came to his door to make request of Peter to come to their master. The next day they departed and came to him in Caesarea.
Peter enters the house and asks for what reason he was sent for, and we come to the reply from Cornelius;
Acts 10:30–35
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Beloved, the Gospel is available for the particular benefit if SOME.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Those who are seen in the scriptures as “Fearing God” are one example presented to us of the humble state of the heart to receive the things of God.
You and I will never know the state of the hearts of these people. While they may be so incredibly hardened against God, our call is to love them and to share the truth of Christ to them.
Note Peter’s own words;
Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Look at Paul’s words three chapters later in Acts 13 and see how he introduces the Gospel when he came to the Synagogue. While it was unlawful for gentiles to enter the Temple of God, it was not unlawful for them to enter Synagogues.
Here Paul addresses two types of people;
Acts 13:15–16
15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. 16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
The things which God hath prepared, he has prepared ONLY for them that love him.
They are for the particular benefit of some! And yet it is ONLY REVEALED BY GOD.
THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL IS REVEALED BY GOD ALONE!
The Revelation of ONE
1 Cor 2:10
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
While it remains true that Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. It is also true that God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:
We cant understand the manner of the Spirit of God and how he works in the hearts of man. We can only know the result.
Verse 10 concludes by saying, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
There is a limitation to our knowledge on matters respecting the work of the Spirit of God in the lives of people. This is a vital lesson for us to learn.
We cannot KNOW with any degree of certainty what is going on in the heart of any individual BEFORE they come to Christ.
They may seem so hateful to the Lord that it even offends us, but how do we not know that the Spirit of God has been doing a work in the hearts of these people for years and, in seeing the Lord witnessed through your life in such a blessed way, they enact one final act of rebellion before finally turning to God?
The truth is WE DON’T KNOW. for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Let’s establish this doctrine for a moment. Turn to John 3 and lets see how Jesus deals with the matter as he speaks to Nicodemus.
John 3:1–8
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
It’s that last verse there before the response of Nicodemus. Verse 8, Jesus is affirming what we have just read in 1 Cor 2:10. the Spirit searcheth all things, ….
The wind, which blows in whichever direction it blows, that we can sense but cant tell from where it came or where it is going, is given as a description to the work of the Spirit of God in a man to draw them to Christ.
And therefore Jesus affirms so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
What brought Nicodemus to Christ? He was a Pharisee but did not come to Christ openly, but at night. Nevertheless, he did come. What moved him that did not move any of the other Pharisees?
What moved YOU when you came to Christ?
In the eyes of others, would they have thought it likely that you would become a Christian?
Have people ever asked you that question?
The testimony of us all is a testimony of the Spirit of God working in our lives, using every and all manners of life experiences and situations to bring us to God.
Beloved, God had revealed that which he hath prepared for them that love him…by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God“.
There are people in School when we were young that may have been voted “least likely to succeed“.
Would you have been one who long ago may have been considered, “least likely” to believe”?
A few weeks ago two individuals who were devout atheists believed the Gospel that was preached in a church on the other side of Melbourne. HOW DID THIS MIRACLE HAPPEN?
As we see the day approaching and as the madness of the world is truly making itself evident, MANY people are turning to Christ. WHY?
Because the Spirit of God is using the circumstances of life around them to draw them to himself.
Jesus said;
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44
Our role is to pray for the lost that they may turn to Christ, TO INTERCEDE FOR THEM, and to preach the gospel to them.
NEVERTHELESS, THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL IS REVEALED BY GOD ALONE.
The Gospel Revealed by God Alone
1 Cor 2:11
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
There is a simple truth in this verse that is logically coherent and that is that no person alive can possibly know you better than you know yourself. Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
It is that same Spirit of God that we receive when we a saved by him, we see this in the next verse;
1 Corinthians 2:12–13
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. 13 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.
The overall point of our passage and of this message today is that God ALONE REVEALS THE GOSPEL.
God alone reveals himself to this world that the world may know him.
They will not attend to it through their own wisdom, try as they might, they can never do so and every attempt they undertake becomes an attempt of vanity. They puff up themselves in their attempt to bring understanding to who God is.
In the Ancient World there was a realisation of God but also that God was incomprehensible unless he would reveal himself.
G.A. Henty, in his Novel titled The Cat of Bubastes noted that the preists of the ancient Egyptians all knew that God was ONE God, but they could not comprehend him and nor could they think they people could comprehend him.
So rather than teach the people of the incomprehensible character of God to which they were ignorant, the broke him down into his atributes and taught each atribute as a separate God.
- The God of the Nile
- The God of Fertility
- The God of Livestock
- The Sun God. etc
This is the reason Moses asked God at the Burning bush;
Exodus 3:13–14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
After 400 years in Egypt, Moses knew that the people could not know him by any other way. So God gave them the only name by which they may know that he is the everlasting, never created, always existing and very present God of all.
It was in the plagues of Egypt that the great I AM showed his people who he is.
- The Plague of Blood was against the gods Hapi and Osiris, the Egyptian gods of the Nile.
- The plague of Frogs was against Heqet, the Egyptian god of fertility.
- The plague of death on the animals was against Apis, the god of livestock.
- The plague of darkness was against Ra, the sun god.
There are four ways the Bible teaches that God reveals himself to mankind.
- His Creation (Psalm 19:1-6) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
- 2 His Revelation (Psalm 19:7-11)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
3 Miracle’s (Ezek 38:16,
16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
It is on the very near horizon ahead of us today that ‘Gog’, also known as the regions of Russia including Ukraine and Georgia, together with a coalition of nations that will include Turkey, (Tubal or Tubalcain), Iran (Persia), and the entirity of the Muslin world (Magog), will come against Israel in the latter days like a cloud to wipe them from the map. But God intervenes via a miracle.
Ezek 39:6
6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
- Prophecy (Jn 14:29, Jn 13:19, Isa 46:9-11)
John 14:29
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
John 13:19
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
Isaiah 46:9–11
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
And so too God ALONE REVEALS THE GOSPEL to the heart of mankind that he may save him or that he may be rightly condemned.
God desires the free will love of his creation, those who hate him and rebel against him he will have no part of but will cast them to hell created for the rebellious devil and his angels.
But to them who love him,
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Maranatha.
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