Pastor Nate Brosher
Mar 5, 2026
1Corinthians 2:1-5 NLT - 1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
1. Information that impresses vs Revelation that transforms
Eisegesis - Reading one’s own meaning into the text.
Exegesis - critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT - 11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Hebrews 13:7-9 NLT - 7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow the example of their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them.
Paul is not anti-intellectual. He is anti-dependence on human intellect as the foundation of faith.
1 Corinthians 2:2-4 NLT - 2 For I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Resting in God begins when we stop needing to understand everything through earthly categories before we will trust Him.
Hebrews 11:6 NLT - 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Faith/Pistis - Trust and confidence in God.
1Corinthians 2:7-9 NLT - 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God--his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."
2. The Mystery of God.
Mystery - mystērion - Hidden thing, secret now revealed by God.
1Corinthians 1:18 NLT - 18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
Philippians 1:20-24 NLT - 20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So, I really don't know which is better. 23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
“To Live is Christ”
“To Die is Gain”
1Corinthians 2:9-12 NLT - 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit. 12 And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.
1John 2:16-17 NLT - 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Fatherbut are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Lust of the Flesh
Lust of the Eyes
Pride of Life
Isaiah 40:13 NLT - 13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
Romans 11:33-34 NLT - 33 Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! 34 For who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?