First Corinthians 2 Part 7 The Holy Spirit Uses Comparisons And Contrasts To Teach Us.
1 Corinthians 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.
Our Father has prepared marvelous and glorious truths for His children to learn. He has removed the obstacles that prevent us from receiving these wonderful things by sending His own Spirit to live in us.
His Spirit is the author of the Bible and He is also our teacher, instructor and guide as we read and study scripture.
It is noteworthy that Paul tells us these wonderful things are reserved for those who love God.
God's prophets and angels want to look into what He has for us.
1 Peter 1:10-12 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11) Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Peter tells us that the great salvation enjoyed by each Christian is something that the Old Testament prophets desired to more fully understand.
1 Peter 1:10-12 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11) Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Peter tells us that the great salvation enjoyed by each Christian is something that the Old Testament prophets desired to more fully understand.
The mighty angels in heaven want to look into the things that the Father has prepared for us to receive.
The wonderful things are reserved for those who love God.
Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27) To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
The mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ was kept hidden by the Father until His Son completed all the redemptive work Christ came to earth to do.
The wonderful things are reserved for those who love God.
Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27) To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
The mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ was kept hidden by the Father until His Son completed all the redemptive work Christ came to earth to do.
Since the moment that Jesus returned to the Father, the gospel has been preached. The lid has been taken off this hidden mystery so that the whole world can know the good news.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Paul wrote to young Pastor Timothy about the glorious mystery of the gospel that is now fully revealed. Even when Paul was still alive he could say that there is no controversy about these truths.
Gospel preaching was revealing the truth about sin, condemnation, hell and the grave and how God conquered them through the saving work of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 33:8-12 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9) For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. 10) The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11) The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
The Psalmist reflects on the vastness of God's glorious being. He speaks and things are done. He spoke the world into existence and this is evidence of the power of His Word.
This is the same Word of His power that saves repentant sinners who put their trust in Jesus Christ.
God commands something and it stands fast and what He commands cannot be undone or thwarted in any way.
His counsel and decrees are eternal and He makes the foolish plans of men and devils to come to nothing.
God's Spirit uses comparisons and contrasts to teach us about Christ.
The word "teacheth" refers to the didactic teaching method. Didactic teaching asserts the role of a teacher as that of an expert, with the students receiving benefit of the teacher's knowledge and experience.
It is our responsibility to listen, heed and apply what we are taught.
The Holy Spirit is the perfect expert in all the things of God and when He teaches, we must listen and apply what we learn in making our choices.
The Spirit of God teaches the willing heart about the deep things of God.
How does the Spirit teach? We already learned that the Bible is a book of progressive revelation.
He will help us build truth upon truth, line upon line, here a little and there a little as we read through the Bible and study it from cover to cover.
The word translated “comparing” means that after He searches out the deep things of God, He joins or fits various truths together perfectly for our understanding.
He literally compares one thing with another so that we can see similarities and differences. He does this by comparing Old Testament and New Testament revelation together.
We will compare the first Adam and the second Adam to illustrate how the Holy Spirit uses comparisons and contrasts to teach vital truths.
John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
One final point about Spirit led comparisons and contrasts. All the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit is designed for this specific goal. He will glorify Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Any pastor, teacher, evangelist who is not exalting the Lord Jesus Christ while teaching and preaching, should not be listened to.
1. Both Adams had a miraculous birth.
Adam was formed of the soil of the earth and God gave him life.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
God created Adam as a full and mature person. Adam was formed from organic compounds contained in the soil of the earth.
God breathed life into Adam and he "became a living soul." Having a soul that was able to commune with God made Adam distinct from the animals.
The first Adam was created by mixing humble dirt with the breath of God!
Jesus' birth was by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:26-35 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke recorded Mary's visit from the angel Gabriel who told her that she was going to bear the Messiah, the Seed of the woman, the Savior of mankind, Jesus Christ.
Gabriel told Mary that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and implant that holy seed in her womb. This truth means that Jesus is the Son of God and God is His Father.
The name "Jesus" means Jehovah saves.
Jesus was miraculously born of a virgin by the power of God.
Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew's gospel make the connection and comparison of Christ's birth with the prophet Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7.
Matthew tells us twice that the child in Mary's womb is of the Holy Ghost. His name will be called "Emmanuel" which means "God with us."
The second Adam is God manifest in the flesh, the promised seed of the woman who was born of a virgin.
2. Both Adams exercised their free will whether to obey or disobey God.
The first Adam knew what God commanded but did not obey.
1 Timothy 2:13-14 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
The first Adam was given a simple directive from God. He was to keep the garden of Eden and he was not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Paul tells us that Adam was not deceived by the serpent. Eve was deceived and she enticed her husband to join her in eating the forbidden fruit.
The first Adam knew better but chose to sin by disobeying God.
The second Adam came to please His Father by always doing His will.
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
The first Adam's disobedience caused all humanity to be spiritually dead in trespasses and sins.
Everyone is born with a sin nature and will sin. Everyone will die because of the disease of sin in our bodies.
Everyone will go to one of two places when they die: Heaven if you are born again, or Hell if you die in your sins.
Jesus Christ, the second Adam perfectly obeyed His Father's will in all things. He perfectly satisfied all the righteous requirements of God's holy law.
Jesus did that which the first Adam did not do. Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father's will so that He could be our sinless substitute, the perfect Lamb of God.
3. Both Adams were tempted by Satan.
The first Adam failed when he was tempted.
Genesis 3:4-6 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
The first Adam failed his moral test and plunged humanity into the misery of sin.
Christ the second Adam triumphed when he was tempted.
Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2) And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5) Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7) Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8) Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11) Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness before He was directly tempted by Satan.
The first temptation appealed to Jesus's hunger after a long fast. Yet, Jesus immediately turned away the temptation by citing the Word of God.
Jesus said "It is written that man should not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
The second temptation appealed to Jesus' power as the Son of God. Satan tempted Christ to jump off a high place at the temple in order to prove that the angels of God would catch Him before He hit the rocks below.
Jesus again responded with "It is written that thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy God."
The last temptation was to bow down and worship Satan in exchange for being ruler over all kingdoms.
Christ commanded for Satan to "Get thee hence" which are strong words of dismissal. Then, Jesus cited one more scripture as He sent the Devil away.
4. Both Adams left an inheritance for all humanity.
The first Adam's inheritance is sin, death and the grave.
Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13) (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Sin entered the world when Adam chose to eat the forbidden fruit. Thus, the wages of sin are death and all people will die because of his sin.
There have been many wicked, vile people during the course of human history, but no one's sin has approached the magnitude of Adam's sin.
The second Adam's inheritance is remission of sins, eternal life and a home in heaven.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Both Adam's had opposite origins.
The first Adam had a natural, earthy origin.
1 Corinthians 15:45-49 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46) Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47) The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48) As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
When we are born again, we also bear the image or imprint of Jesus Christ. This is imperfectly stamped on us now, but we are awaiting the imprint of His perfect image upon us.
The first Adam sinned and brought death upon all humanity
The second Adam is sinless and brings eternal life to all who believe the gospel.
The first Adam’s guilt brought condemnation upon all humanity.
The second Adam’s innocence removes all condemnation to all who believe.
The first Adam brought a curse but the 2nd Adam brought a blessing.
The first Adam brought bondage of sin but the second Adam brought liberty from sin.
Which Adam are you in today?
I hope and pray that you have been born again and are in Christ, the second Adam.
Bob
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