1 Corinthians 2:11-12 For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man… I. THE CURSE OF THE CHURCH. The spirit of the world. This worldly spirit had wrought terrible mischief at Corinth. It is — 1. The evil element that surrounds the Church. 2. The insinuating guile that ensnares it. 3. The espionage that betrays it; like Delilah, it ensnares with flattery and song, deprives of the secret all strength, and delights in the discovered weakness. II. THE CURE OF THE CHURCH. The Spirit which is of God. 1. It is found in a Divine gift. The Holy Spirit that enlightens, regenerates, sanctifies, comforts, and strengthens, is received as a supernatural deposit by every one who repents of sin, believes in Christ, and practises holiness. 2. This is the royal amulet of the Church. It protects the Church with the "love of the Spirit." It conducts the Church by "the Spirit of truth." It commends the Church by the Spirit of purity. 3. It is the infinite resource of the Church; obtained by the intercession of Christ it is to "abide with us for ever." III. THE CROWN OF THE CHURCH. The highest point of Church life — "that we might know the things," &c. (J. Odell.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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