Today’s selected reading continues in the first New Testament epistle of the apostle Paul which was written unto the Corinthian saints. More specifically, today’s passage is found in the second and third chapters of this book. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

 

            “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 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. Now we have received, nor 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. 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 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:6-16).

 

            “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).

 

            “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planet any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planeth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: yet are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:5-15).

 

            “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:16-23).

 

            When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul continuing a powerful declaration concerning the contrast between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the living God. Moreover upon reading the words which are found here you will witness and behold the apostle Paul contrasting the strength of God versus the strength of man. As you begin reading with and from the first and opening verse of this passage of Scripture you will notice the apostle Paul emphatically declaring unto the Corinthians that his coming unto them came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom as he declared unto them the testimony of the God. Pause for a moment and consider just how absolutely incredible those words truly are when you truly think about them for the words which the apostle Paul declared seem to contradict and go against absolutely everything we believe in our modern culture and society. If you turn on Christian television and programming and even if you enter into many churches scattered across and throughout this nation you will find that many pulpits are completely and utterly littered with excellency of speech and wisdom. Time and time again you will find many pulpits in this nation have men (and even women) standing behind them preaching not from a place of power but rather from a place of smooth and excellent speech and of wisdom. What’s more is that not only will you find men and women standing behind many of the pulpits of our churches with excellency of speech and wisdom but you will find the entirely and altogether absent the divine power of the living God upon and within them.

 

            I have to admit the more I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with a strong contrast between the words the apostle Paul declared and the reality of many of the churches within our nation, culture and society. Nowadays there are many who believe that in order to stand behind a pulpit in a church the most important things are charisma, eloquent speech, personality and wisdom. With this being said I would dare say there are countless men and women who are standing in and with the wisdom of men rather than the wisdom of God. If you take the time to read the words which are found in the opening chapter of this epistle you will find the apostle Paul strongly comparing and contrasting the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God. Moreover you will find the apostle Paul contrasting the strength this world seems to believe it possesses and gravitates toward and the strength of the living God. In all reality it is truly intriguing when considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for the apostle Paul directly points to the tremendous truth of his coming unto the Corinthian saints as well as his preaching and how it did not come with excellency of speech or with eloquent words, nor with any wisdom which he himself perceived to possess in the natural and physical sense.

 

            The more I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the awesome and powerful truth concerning the apostle Paul coming unto the Corinthian congregation and how he did not come unto them with what the world would put stock and credit in. The world would place a great deal of emphasis on excellency of speech and wisdom and even in many of our churches today there would be those who focus a great deal of time, effort and energy on those who exhibit a tremendous of charisma and personality—and not only charisma and personality but also upon eloquent words and excellency of speech. It is truly awesome and powerful when reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within them the apostle Paul calls and draws the attention of his readers and his audience to remember his coming unto them. When reading the words found in this particular section of the epistle the apostle Paul calls upon the Corinthians to remember and recall his time which was spent among them and how he did not come unto them with excellency of speech, nor with eloquent words nor with the wisdom of the world. Instead that which the apostle Paul speaks unto the Corinthian saints is how he determined not to know anything among them save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Not only this but if you read the words which the apostle Paul wrote in this passage of Scripture you will find him declaring unto them how he was with them in weakness, in fear, and in trembling. Moreover the apostle Paul would also declare how his speech and his preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

 

            I am absolutely and completely convinced we must needs recognize and understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the apostle Paul’s coming unto the Corinthian saints. If you turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in the eighteenth chapter of the New Testament book of Acts you will find the apostle Paul coming to the city of Corinth after departing from Athens in what is today and what was then the nation of Greece. It is in the eighteenth chapter of this New Testament book we find the apostle Paul reasoning in the synagogue of the Jews and the Greeks. Upon the arrival of Silas and Timothy the apostle Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Ultimately we find and read the Jews opposing themselves and blaspheming in the presence of Paul, and so much so that the apostle Paul shook of his raiment and declared unto them that their blood be upon their own heads for he was clean. It was at this juncture the apostle Paul purposed and determined to go unto the Gentiles only and would no longer preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus unto and among the Jews. Oh although there would be Jews who would undoubtedly still listen to the words which the apostle Paul would preach there were a great number of unbelieving Jews who would vehemently oppose and resist the word and gospel of the Lord Jesus. What’s more is that as you come to the ninth and tenth verses of this chapter you will find the Lord Jesus appearing unto the apostle Paul and instructing him to not be afraid and speak and hold not his peace for He was with him. The Lord Jesus would also declare unto the apostle Paul that no man would set upon him to hurt him for He had much people in the city of Corinth.

 

            The more I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the powerful truth that is found within the words which are found in the previous chapter. If you turn your attention to the first and opening chapter of this epistle and begin reading with and from the seventeenth verse of the chapter you will find the apostle Paul directly contrasting the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God—and not merely contrasting the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God but even the foolishness of the living God. The apostle Paul believed that even the foolishness of God was wiser than the wisdom of the world and that the weakness of God was much stronger and more powerful than the strength of this world and the strength of man. I am absolutely convinced that if you wish to truly understand the words which are found in the second chapter of this epistle you must turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in the previous chapter beginning with the seventeenth verse. It is in this particular portion of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul boldly and emphatically declaring unto the Corinthian saints the powerful contrast which existed between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God—and not only the contrast between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God but also the strength of this world and the strength that is found in the living God. With this in mind I invite you to consider if you will the following words which are found in the first chapter beginning with the seventeenth verse:

 

            “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 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. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingbloock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:17-31).

            The words which we find here in this passage of Scripture are incredibly powerful and astonishing when you take the time to truly consider them for the apostle writes and declares unto the Corinthian congregation that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel. What’s more is the apostle Paul not only declared that Christ sent him to preach but he also declared how Christ sent him to preach the gospel without and apart from wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be of none effect. Oh if there is one thing we must needs recognize when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture it’s that the preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ cannot and must not be with wise and persuasive words and speech. The apostle Paul recognized and understood how Christ had sent him to preach the gospel and how that gospel was not to be preached with wise and eloquent words according to man’s wisdom. What we must needs recognize and acknowledge when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture is that not only did the apostle Paul believe that he was sent to preach the gospel without and apart from the wisdom of men but he was also sent to preach the gospel without and apart from the wisdom of this world. It is absolutely necessary we pay close attention to this for there would be those who think and believe within their hearts that the gospel of the Lord Jesus must needs be preached with and from a place of eloquent words, smooth speech and behind a mask of personality and charisma. There are and there have been those among who would think and believe that the gospel of the Lord Jesus is such that ought to be preached with and from a place of charisma and personality and that such realities are what draw men unto the Lord Jesus. Oh there is not a doubt in my mind that such a line of thinking and belief is completely and utterly false and is not rooted in truth or reality. To help illustrate this all the more I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the third chapter of the New Testament gospel of John as well as the tenth chapter of the New Testament epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome:

 

            “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. 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? 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 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. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended dup to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:3-21).

 

            “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man beleiveth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world” (Romans 10:4-18).

 

            The words which we find here in these passages of Scripture are absolutely incredible when you take the time to consider them for when speaking unto Nicodemus Jesus emphatically declared that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wildeness that all who looked upon it and had been bitten by serpents would be healed so also must the Son of man be lifted up. Of course we know and understand that the Son of man would indeed be lifted up and suspended between earth and heaven as He would be lifted up and hung upon the cross. Just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent according to the commandment of the living God so also would the Son of man be lifted up upon the cross that all who looked upon Him—and not only looked upon Him but also believed upon Him should be saved. What’s more is that when writing unto the saints which were at Rome the apostle Paul declared that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Not only this but the apostle Paul would declare that all who called on the name of the Lord would indeed be saved. This would immediately be followed by a series of questions the apostle Paul ask the saints which were at Rome beginning with the question of how men shall call on Him in whom they have not believed. The apostle Paul would follow this question up by asking how men would believe in him of whom they had not heard and how would they hear without a preacher. The final question the apostle Paul would ask them is how shall they preach except they be sent. Oh the underlying truth that surrounds the words which are written in the tenth chapter of the epistle written unto the saints of Rome is the preaching of the word and gospel of the Lord Jesus being the means whereby men would hear and believe—and not only hear and believe but also upon believing would call upon the name of the Lord.

 

            In the first and opening chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth we find him declaring of Christ that He had not sent him to baptize but to preach the gospel. Moreover the apostle Paul declared that Christ sent him to preach the gospel without and apart from wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s the tremendous temptation to place our trust and confidence in the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of men—particularly and especially when hearing the preaching of the gospel. What’s more is that as I read the words written and recorded in the first and opening chapter of this epistle I can’t help but encounter the apostle Paul choosing to highlight and underscore that which he had been sent to preach—namely, the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must needs recognize and understand that which the apostle Paul wrote in this particular passage of Scripture for the apostle Paul was sent for one reason and one reason alone—namely, to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the very heart and center of this gospel was the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ which is what Jesus Himself spoke of when speaking unto Nicodemus. It was Jesus Himself who declared that just as Moses erected and lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness so also must He be lifted up that He might draw all men unto Him. The Lord Jesus would also declare that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus would also declare that God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

            What we must needs recognize when reading the words which are found in the first chapter of this epistle is the strong contrast that exists between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of heaven. There is absolutely no denying the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the first chapter of this epistle and how he sought to deliberately and intentionally contrast the wisdom of this world which men place their trust in and the wisdom of the living God. When the apostle Paul preached the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and when the apostle Paul preached the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ he did so without and apart from charisma and personality in the sight and presence of the Corinthian saints. This is something which we must needs understand and acknowledge when reading the words found in this passage for when we think about the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ we must needs acknowledge that it cannot, it ought not, it must not and it should not come with the wisdom of this world nor even the strength of man. The preaching of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is such that might very well seem like complete and utter foolishness to those who don’t believe and yet for the apostle Paul it was the power of God unto salvation. In the first and opening chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome he would declare how he was not ashamed of the gospel of the Lord Jesus for it was the power of God unto salvation. The apostle Paul recognized and understood that the word and gospel of the Lord Jesus was the very heart and center of the power of God unto salvation for it was through the gospel men and women would encounter the cross—and not only the cross but also the person and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. For the apostle Paul the word and gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was the power of God unto salvation to those who believe for all who call upon the name of the Lord can and will be saved.

 

            As you read the words which are found in the opening verses of the second chapter you will find the apostle Paul referencing his coming unto the Corinthian saints and how when he came unto them he came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom as he declared unto them the testimony of God. The apostle Paul would immediately follow this by declaring how he determined to know any thing among them save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. For the apostle Paul the most important and critical message which ought to be preached was the word and gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and His being crucified. At the very heart and center of the word and gospel the apostle Paul preached was indeed the cross of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. This must be understood for when writing unto the saints which were at Rome the apostle Paul would declare that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and if we believe with our heart that God raised Him from the dead we can and will be saved. In order to believe the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead we must needs recognize and acknowledge that Jesus was first crucified according to the flesh. It is absolutely impossible to believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead without first acknowledging the fact that He was crucified according to the flesh. At the very heart of the word and gospel which the apostles preached in the days after the ascension of the Lord Jesus we find the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ as they preached Christ crucified and risen from the dead. As early as the day of Pentecost when the apostle Peter stood up in the midst of the city of Jerusalem we find the preaching of the gospel having at the very center of it the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ—and not only the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ but also Christ crucified and raised from death to life. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the second and third chapters of the New Testament book of Acts:

 

            “…And It shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus. Hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:21-37).

 

            “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yeah, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:12-26).

 

            There is a great need for us to recognize the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for the words which are present here call and draw our attention to the tremendous truth of the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus which would begin on the day of Pentecost. After the Holy Spirit was released upon the one-hundred and twenty who were in the upper room the apostle Peter would stand before all those who marvelled and wondered at the strange sight and spectacle of Galileans speaking with other tongues and preach unto them the fulfillment of the prophetic word of Joel. Moreover the apostle Peter would also preach Jesus of Nazareth—not only as both Lord and Christ but also as He who was crucified by wicked hands upon the cross. It would be on the day of Pentecost the apostle Peter would preach the first sermon concerning the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ and would preach of His suffering and of His death and crucifixion before He was raised from death to life by the power of the living God. That which the Lord Jesus had taught the disciples from the time He asked them at Caesarea Philippi who they said that He the Son of man was until the time He actually began suffering and was crucified at the hands of wicked man the apostles recognized and understood the Lord Jesus must suffer and be crucified. What’s more is that when Jesus taught His disciples that He must suffer and be crucified He also declared unto them that He must needs rise from death to life on the third day. Although He would suffer many things in the flesh and be scourged and mocked, and although He would be crucified He would be raised from death to life on the third day according to the power and Spirit of the living God.

 

            In the opening verses of the second chapter the apostle Paul wrote unto the Corinthian saints that when he came unto them he did not come with excellency of wisdom as he declared unto them the testimony of God. The apostle Paul would go on to declare how he determined to know nothing among them save Jesus Christ and him crucified. When the apostle Paul was present among the Corinthian saints he came with and unto them in weakness, in fear and in much trembling which might very well be why the Lord Jesus appeared unto Him and instructed him to not be afraid and to open his mouth and speak and hold nothing back. The Lord Jesus spoke unto the apostle Paul while He was present in the city of Corinth that He ought not fear those who were present before and around him in the city of Corinth for the Lord had much people in the city. When writing unto the Corinthian saints the apostle Paul declared unto them how he did not come unto them in strength of men but in weakness, in fear and in much trembling. The apostle Paul would immediately follow these words by declaring unto the Corinthians that his speech and his preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration and of the Spirit and of power. What’s more is the underlying reason and purpose for this was that their faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Oh it is absolutely necessary we recognize and understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for the apostle Paul had purposed when he came unto the Corinthian saints that when it comes to the preaching of the gospel it is never and must never be according to excellency of speech, nor of eloquent and persuasive words. When we speak of the preaching of the Gospel we must needs recognize that the testimony of God and of His Christ must not be rooted and grounded in the wisdom of men nor in the wisdom of this world but in the power of God and the demonstration of the Spirit.

 

            As you read the words which are found here in this passage of Scripture you encounter and come face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding the gospel of God being preached—not with eloquent words nor with excellency of speech with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Perhaps the single greatest question we must needs ask ourselves when we think about the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus among us in our midst is whether or not there is truly the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. If we are being honest with ourselves and with the living God we must needs acknowledge the fact that in many of our churches and pulpits there is more preaching centered upon and surrounded by the wisdom of men and even in the strength of man than upon the power of God. The apostle Paul emphatically declared unto the Corinthian saints that when he came unto them and preached the gospel there was nothing at all eloquent or enticing about him. In all reality I would dare say that if we are truly to understand the words which are found in the second chapter of the first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints we must needs consider the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and the portrait which was painted of Him by the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah. If you turn and direct your attention to the words which are found in the fifty-third chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah you will find an incredible portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was revealed unto Isaiah according to the word of the Lord. It is in the fifty-third chapter of this Old Testament prophetic book where we get a truly remarkable and astonishing picture of the Lord Jesus—and not only a powerful picture of Him but also of His appearance when He did in fact come in the flesh. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are written and recorded in this particular chapter beginning with the first and opening verse:

 

            “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form or comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:1-12).

 

            The words which are present in this passage of Scripture are entirely and altogether incredible when you take the time to consider them for through the prophet Isaiah we get a powerful picture of the Messiah and how when He came in the flesh He had no form or comeliness about Him. What’s more is when painting this portrait of the Messiah the prophet Isaiah would go on to declare that when men looked upon and beheld him there was no beauty about Him that men should desire Him. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this particular truth and how absolutely fascinating it is for when we think about the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus we must needs recognize and understand that it cannot and must not be centered upon charisma or personality of men. Moreover the word and gospel of the Lord Jesus cannot, must not and should not be about eloquent and persuasive speech from smooth and silver tongued preachers. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand when considering much of the preaching which is manifested in our generation today it’s that there are countless preachers who are given and who have been given a pulpit—not because of the demonstration of the Spirit and power but because of the charisma and personality such individuals possess. There are preachers standing behind pulpits in this generation today who preach from the word of God and yet that which they preach is nothing but eloquent words and excellency of speech. Tell me dear brother, tell me dear sister—what good is the preaching of the gospel if it is not meted and measured with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power? What good is the preaching of the gospel if it rests entirely and solely on the wisdom of men and even on the strength of men—both of which have proven to completely and utterly fail both men and God?

 

            The more I sit here and think about the words which the apostle Paul wrote in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the words which the prophet Jeremiah wrote and prophesied according to the word of the Lord. If you turn and direct your attention to the twenty-third chapter of the prophetic book of Jeremiah you will find the prophet speaking of and prophesying concerning the false prophets of his day who did not stand in the counsel of the living God and yet persisted and insisted on preaching and running with whatever word(s) they believed they received from the Lord. The words and language found in this particular chapter call and draw our attention to the absolutely incredible truth surrounding the preaching of the word and the proclaiming of the word of the Lord and how there are men and women who have neither stood in the counsel of the living God nor even have received of the Lord that which they give and present unto men. There is not a doubt in my mind that if we are to truly understand the words which are found in the first and second chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul we must needs consider the words which are found in the twenty-third chapter of the prophetic book of Jeremiah beginning with the ninth verse of the chapter:

 

            “Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord. Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: They shall be driven on, and fall therein: For I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord. And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. I have also seen in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: They commit adultery, and walk in lies: They strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, NO evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? Who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the Lord. I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? Saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? Saith the LORD; and like a. hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:9-32).

 

            I sit here today thinking about the prophetic word which Jeremiah spoke according to the word of the Lord and how his heart burned within him on account of the word of the Lord and the message which was being preached and proclaimed during his generation. If you read the words which are written and recorded in this passage of Scripture you will find Jeremiah declaring and proclaiming according to the word of the Lord that the Lord had not sent the prophets who were prophesying and yet they proceeded to run anyway. What’s more is the Lord would emphatically declare that He had not spoken to those who prophesied and yet they persisted and insisted on prophesying. The Lord would go on to declare through the prophet Jeremiah that if they had stood in His counsel and had caused His people to hear His word they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings. I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for the words which are contained therein call and draw our attention to the ultimate and underlying to the purpose of the preaching of the gospel for it was the same purpose that was found in the days of Jeremiah and the prophesying of the prophets. At the very heart and center of the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus and the cross of the Lord Jesus is the call to repentance in the sight of the living God. The true and ultimate plea and cry of the cross of Jesus Christ is a passionate plea to men to call upon the name of the Lord that they might be saved and to confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus. The preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ is to call men and women to repent of their sin and to turn from their wicked ways and by doing so would return unto the living God. In all reality this was the message of the forerunner and messenger of the Messiah as well as the Messiah Himself.

 

            If you turn and direct your attention to the four New Testament gospel narratives you will find that the preaching and underlying message which was proclaimed by both the Messiah and His messenger was indeed a call to repentance. What’s more is that not only did the Messiah and His messenger call men to repentance but they also called them to repentance because of the kingdom of heaven was at hand. It was John the Baptist who emphatically declared unto his hearers and audience that the kingdom of heaven was near and that the living and eternal God sought after fruits worthy and meet of repentance. When John the Baptist preached unto the crowds and masses which came from Jerusalem, from Judaea and from Galilee he not only called men and women to repent for the kingdom of heaven was at hand but he called men and women to bring forth fruit worthy of that repentance. John the Baptist declared how the axe was already laid to the root of the trees and any tree which did not bear and bring forth good fruit would be hewn down and cast into the fire. What makes this all the more astonishing and remarkable when you think about it is when you consider the fact that in the fifteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find the Lord Jesus speaking similar words. It would be while speaking unto His disciples on the night in which He was betrayed the Lord Jesus would declare unto his disciples that He was the vine and they were the branches. What’s more is the Lord Jesus also declared that it was the divine will of the Father that they bear and bring forth much fruit—the ultimate and underlying truth found in the parable of the seed and the sower and the good soil which produced fruit some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, some an hundred-fold.

 

            The more I think about and consider the words which are found in the New Testament the more I am brought face to face with the tremendous truth that both the Messiah and His messenger both called men to repent for the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Not only this but both the Messiah and His messenger would call men and women to bring forth fruit which was worthy of repentance. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for the very cry and plea that echoed from the souls, the spirits, the hearts and the mouths of the Messiah and His messenger was the very cry that is found at the heart of the preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely awesome and powerful truth surrounding the preaching of the gospel and how and why it cannot and must not center upon the wisdom and strength of men. The gospel—the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ—when it is preached will call and draw men unto the living God and will turn the hearts and minds of men back to the living and eternal God. The gospel of the Lord Jesus if it is truly the gospel ordained and appointed by the Lord Jesus Himself according to the Spirit will call men and women into a place of repentance where they turn their hearts and minds unto the Lord. The gospel of the Lord Jesus which must be preached is a powerful and passionate plea made unto men and women calling them to a life of holiness, purity and righteousness in the sight of the living God. The apostle Paul emphatically declared that when he came to Corinth he did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring unto them the testimony of God for he determined to know nothing among them save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. This is incredibly important to recognize for if you come to the fifth chapter of the second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will not only find similar language but you will also find the ultimate byproduct of the preaching of the gospel—namely, men and women becoming new creations in Christ Jesus. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the fifth chapter of the second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth and the necessity to become new creations in Jesus Christ:

 

            “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9-21).

 

            In the second epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints he makes it perfectly clear that he regards no man after the flesh despite knowing Christ after the flesh. Immediately following this the apostle Paul writes and speaks of any man who is in Christ is a new creation and that old things have passed away and all things have become new. In addition to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ—the gospel of the cross—calling men unto repentance and turning their hearts and minds unto the living God there is the ultimate work of transforming men and women into new creations and new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is as a direct result of this new creation in Christ that men and women experience the old things in their life passing away and all things becoming new. Oh it is truly astonishing and remarkable to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and read how the apostle Paul described old things—the carnal and sin nature within our members—passing away and all things being made new. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for if the preaching you are sitting under does not call you to turn your heart and your mind toward the living God and if it does not compel and propel you to be a new creation in Christ Jesus then I would seriously question the preaching you find yourself under. There is not a doubt in my mind that the true preaching of the gospel and the true preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ not only calls men to repentance and not only calls men to turn their hearts and their minds to the Lord but also calls them to bear and bring forth much fruit. Moreover the preaching of the gospel centers upon the cross of Jesus Christ for it is through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and through His cross we are able to become new creatures and new creations in Christ Jesus.

 

            As you continue reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will encounter the apostle Paul continuing to speak of the wisdom of God unto those who are perfect—a wisdom that is not of this world nor of the princes of this world which comes to naught. The apostle Paul spoke of the wisdom of God in a mystery—even the hidden wisdom—which God ordained before the world unto our glory. What makes this all the more intriguing when you think about and consider it is how the apostle Paul would go on to declare that had the princes of this world known the wisdom of God ordained from the foundation of the world they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that when the Lord Jesus was delivered over into the hands of sinners to be crucified there was something the princes and rulers of the world did not know—something that had they known they would not have crucified Him. What an incredibly powerful truth it is to think about and consider the fact that the Lord Jesus was indeed delivered into the hands of sinners by the rulers and princes of this world and yet when He was delivered up unto them there was something that was hidden and concealed from those who would put Him to death. What’s more is I would dare say there was something that was hidden from the rulers and principalities of this present age for had they themselves known the wisdom of God they would not have enticed men to put to death the Lord Jesus. Oh despite the fact the ancient Hebrew prophets prophesied and foretold of the suffering and sacrifice of the Messiah there appears to be a deep and pervasive lack of knowledge that was manifested in the spiritual and supernatural realm.

 

            The more I think about and consider the words which are found in the writings of the prophets as well as the gospels and writings of the New Testament authors the more I am brought face to face with the fact that even the devil himself was ignorant of the wisdom of God concerning Jesus the Christ. There is not a doubt in my mind that there was so much the enemy and adversary did not know surrounding the person of Jesus Christ—specifically as it pertained to crucifying and putting Him to death—for if the apostle Paul declared that if the princes of the world had known the wisdom of God aforetime they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. I would dare say that the enemy and adversary was completely and utterly shocked and perhaps even infuriated and terrified upon the death of the Lord Jesus when he was finally confronted with the true reality of His death and what was accomplished by and through it. How absolutely and utterly fascinating it is to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and consider how the apostle Paul declared concerning the princes and rulers of this world they were ignorant of the wisdom of God that was found in the death and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus for if they had known the wisdom of God they would not have killed and crucified Him. The underlying truth of the matter, however, is that the princes and rulers of the world did in fact put to death the Lord Jesus and as a direct result of His death atonement was made for mankind. Not only this but fellowship and right-standing with the living and eternal God was made available and accessible for those who believe in their heart the Lord Jesus was raised from death to life and confessed with their mouth the Lord Jesus. How absolutely wonderful and powerful it is to read the words the apostle Paul wrote in this epistle concerning the wisdom of the eternal and living God for it was by and through this wisdom the Lord Jesus would be crucified and His sacrifice would fulfill and accomplish that which the living God had purposed from the foundation of the world.

 

            In bringing this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw our attention to the clear and present distinction—not between the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of this world but rather between those who are spiritual and those are not. The apostle Paul clearly set forth a powerful contrast between those who were spiritual and even wrote unto the Corinthian saints that he could not speak to or address them as spiritual but as unto carnal—yea, even babes in Christ. The reason and purpose for this was because there was envying, and strife, and divisions among them. The apostle Paul clearly spoke of and declared concerning the Corinthians that he could not feed them with meat but only milk because they were not able to bear it. In all reality there was this pervasive immaturity and carnality that was found among the Corinthian saints for they had allowed themselves to be caught up and consumed with envying, strife and divisions among them. The apostle Paul clearly set forth a strong and powerful contrast between those who were spiritual—and not only those who were spiritual but those who were mature in the sight of the living God. Within this epistle there is a clarion call to step and enter into maturity in the sight of the living God—something which other New Testament writers and authors petitioned their readers and audience to pursue. As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call your attention to and leave you with the words which the apostle Paul wrote in the fourth chapter of the epistle written unto the Ephesian congregation as well as the words which the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews wrote in the fifth and sixth chapters of that epistle:

 

            “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:1-16).

 

            “…Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,  ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14).

 

            “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and pout him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:1-8).