It's Time to Grow Up


1 Corinthians 2:1 - 3:3
(Program 2018, Airing on 5.3.09)

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. The problem in many churches is spiritual immaturity.
    2. 1 Corinthians 2:1 – 3:3 speaks of three categories of persons:
      1. Natural  (1 Corinthians 2:14)
      2. Carnal  (1 Corinthians 2:15)
      3. Spiritual  (1 Corinthians 3:1)
  2. WITH THE NATURAL MAN, GROWTH IS IMPOSSIBLE
    1. How the Bible describes the natural man:
      1. Ephesians 2:3
      2. Jude 19
    2. The natural man has no spiritual activation.
    3. The natural man has no spiritual appreciation.  (1 Corinthians 2:14)
      1. 1 Corinthians 1:18
    4. The natural man has no spiritual appropriation.  (1 Corinthians 2:14)
      1. John 8:47
      2. John 3:3
      3. The natural man has worldly wisdom, rather than spiritual wisdom.  (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
        1. Worldly wisdom is dangerous.  (1 Corinthians 1:20, 2:6-10)
        2. Worldly wisdom is deceptive.  (1 Corinthians 1:20, 2:6-10)
          1. Our human, intellectual minds will never be able to understand the mysteries of God.  (1 Corinthians 2:9)
            1. Not by natural observation – “eye hath not seen”
            2. Not by natural information – “ear hath not heard”
            3. Not by natural inspiration – “nor has it entered into the heart of man”
        3. Worldly wisdom is demonic.  (1 Corinthians 2:8)
  3. WITH THE CARNAL MAN, GROWTH IS IMPAIRED
    1. Retarded development  (1 Corinthians 3:1)
      1. The carnal man has had the opportunity and the ability to grow, but for whatever reason has chosen not to.
    2. Restricted diet  (1 Corinthians 3:2)
      1. There are three stages in the Christian life:
        1. When you are fed.
        2. When you’re able to feed yourself.
        3. When you feed others.  (Hebrews 5:12)
    3. Repeated divisions  (1 Corinthians 3:3)
  4. WITH THE SPIRITUAL MAN, GROWTH IS EMPOWERED  (1 Corinthians 2:11-12)
    1. The spiritual man lives by the Spirit.  (Romans 8:9)
    2. The spiritual man learns from the Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
      1. John 3:27
      2. Psalm 119:18
      3. Deuteronomy 29:29
      4. 2 Timothy 2:15
      5. 1 Corinthians 1:26-28
    3. The spiritual man is liberated through the Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 2:15)

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