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The Spirit Who Surprises, Part 2

Insight for Living / Chuck Swindoll
The Cross Radio
August 26, 2022 7:05 am

The Spirit Who Surprises, Part 2

Insight for Living / Chuck Swindoll

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August 26, 2022 7:05 am

Flying Closer to the Flame

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His first letter to the Corinthians that his best, which was not coming from his personal brilliance explained that his spiritual wisdom was the direct result of the Holy Spirit's power. So we interpret Paul's confession. Was it false humility, or was Paul giving us an essential one. How to draw wisdom from our spiritual helper God spirit today on Insight for living checks when doll assures us that the answer is definitely the latter.

So let's pick up the message that Chuck started on Thursdays program titled the spirit who surprises we come to a verse from a personal word.

My father's favorite verse in all the Bible to come to first review is 299 I flashback to times when he talked about this verse now I'm beginning to see what he loved it so you see the apostle when describing these things of God's wisdom hidden in the mystery of the past and beginning to be revealed to us in the passing of time. He turns back in his mind to Isaiah's words and sort of paraphrases them probably drawing them from the Septuagint, which was the Bible of Paul's day. Certainly the Old Testament. Paul's day and verse nine he says, just as it is written things, which has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love what you say he saying that you cannot sit down and surmise and figure out no matter how many earned degrees you have in your educational academic history. You cannot learn from man, you cannot learn from the books and you cannot learn from your own gray matter the depths of God's truths. You are dependent upon another. To know them.

Those truths must come from a member of the Godhead and the one appointed to that task is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who lives within every child of God lives there not to be dormant, but to be engaged in the active work of revealing God's wisdom which this earth cannot get from the books we cannot learn it from one another. That is from one another's academic accomplishments because they must come from God first in four to us God revealed them through the spirit. For the Spirit searches all thing even the bathhouse of God's got wet course spirit is God. God the father, God the son God the Holy Spirit the one who planned the one who implemented the one who empowered working together in the Godhead there is this enormous body of truth, the wisdom of God and it rests with in the heavenly places, and thanks to the Holy Spirit. It is deposited into our minds, minds, which do not have within themselves the ability to learn those things, so it must be placed there by the Holy Spirit is what Jane says if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and does not chide us for our frequent coming yet. This is God's hidden wisdom, not the spirit of God is able to search into the deepest parts of the wisdom of God, to lift from the wisdom of the truths that are needed in our lives today and he is able to bring them to our attention has not seen ear has not heard, neither has entered into the heart of a human being.

All of those things that God has for us. What a magnificently important work is going on and how seldom we even think so hold your place here and go back a book to the book of Romans chapter chapter 11 saying, very, much the same thing in sort of a crescendo at the end of this massive doctrinal statement of Romans 910 11 look at Romans 1133 down through 36. We spoke of the spirit of God going to the depths of God searching out these things to look over the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments and unfathomable his ways and then he quotes Isaiah who has known the mind of the Lord are, who became his God's counselor. The point is no one, and then Job, who has first given to God that it might be paid back to him again. No one we are the recipients not the givers we are the ones who need not the ones who provide when we learned that we are the ones who are not independent.

We are the ones who rely on not the ones who pour forth the Lord is the giver of truth and he is the one who was the source of this wisdom now. The point is verse 36 that we might remember that from him and through him and to him in return are all things to him therefore be the glory forever. Amen.

And he is referring of course to these these truths about the living God that are to us in many ways mysterious and deep, but essential for living the Christian life. Theology has been called through the centuries. The Queen of the sciences to all other truth valves. Only those who have a grasp of the wisdom and the magnificent profound unfathomable plan of God can fit truth into its proper place in whatever ever era in which he or she may live and that is why, to truly have an education in our forefathers knew that we've long since forgotten. Some have in our in our nation, our fathers, our forefathers knew that. That is why with the earliest schools of higher learning were founded they were founded for the purpose of establishing a literate ministry that the people might continue to keep the wisdom of God in focus with the needs of of human being.

I stood knee-deep in the snow in Boston years ago 1964 as I recall, and 1965 it was in the matter fact, some of the campus was being burned at the time because of the student to student unrest and I would gotta help out in any area could. I was ministering up there at the time and I remember standing by the cornerstone Harvard University. I don't know if you've ever read the cornerstone, but you owe it to yourself to see. I wish I had memorized it arc brought the card that I wrote on that dated wrote the words down, but the purpose of establishing the University Harvard University, named after John Harvard who died in his 30s and his is a library was bequeathed to that university to became the beginning of that place. This minister of the gospel and and it was established for the purpose of perpetuating a literate ministry that before our churches, and the people of our churches lie in the dust. They will have known the wisdom and the truths of God spoke to a Harvard graduate about it we can 1/2 ago and he said through the process of time to be interested to know that around 18 the 1800s. He said that a decision was made to change the whole symbol of the University so that we were no longer waiting upon God for his true.

Now it is a man's truth that is significant. We've drifted, we've eroded a long ways. Having come to the place where we no longer in our places of higher learning. Since the need for the wisdom of God back to Corinthians that he is referring to the depths of God. God's hidden wisdom. It is the work of the of the intimate spirit to revealed the deepest things of God. Again, don't be afraid of that.

Let it happen, let it take place in your mind now a part of the Spirit's work is revealing God's deep thoughts. Verses 11 and 12. So were carrying on is going to sound almost like a tongue twister.

It isn't that it makes sense.

As you ponder it. Listen to verse 11 for who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of man which is in him if I could look deeply into your eyes and study you for a few moments. Are you with me. I would still not be able to know what was on your mind.

I could not know what is in your mind what is in your spirit nor you me each one of us knows that in in himself. Who among men knows the thoughts of another person, except the spirit of the man which is in him. Even so, the thoughts of God. No one knows except the spirit of God. Get that part clear in your mind. First, within the personal God with him with within the mind of God, there is this vast, unfathomable treasure house of true wisdom is all known by the living God in the spirit of God being deity knows all of that wisdom within the Godhead. All of that mysterious, magnificent wisdom, that is just essential for living is portions of it essential for surviving the times in which we live, not God knows those things in verse verse 12. Now he says that we believers have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, why, why has he become resident within us that we might know the things freely given to us by God is that marvelous or what you at the moment of salvation were given the spirit of God you were identified with the body of Christ. You were made a part of the family and part of the package deal included the presence of the Holy Spirit within your being and he comes to live within you think of it having all of the wisdom of God and ready to reveal having search the deep things of God, ready to reveal those things to make them known when you need your facing an impasse. The spirit of God is there to assist you through the impasse you're going through grief and loss spirit of God is there to give you wisdom and insight in the midst of the grief in the loss. Your facing the unknown. The surprise factor is very real in the week ahead, the Spirit of God lives within you to assist you from being intimidated when facing the surprises of the immediate moment of this week. He lives within you to reveal to you to teach you to show you, and these are thoughts that are so beyond human thoughts to other individuals would wonder where the world did you get such thoughts.

I was reading this site in my study and I thought of Isaiah 55 you read it. My thoughts are not your thoughts, as the Lord, neither are your ways my ways, for as the heavens are high above the earth, so are my thoughts about your thoughts in my ways above your way hi, meaning profound deeper outside the dimension of our five senses. He has thoughts he has wisdom.

He has truth that is beyond our ability to conjure up to work up so we live our lives dependent upon our God to show us truth to live by when you go a step further. This may very well explain how you and I can have inner confidence and assurance in a certain matter that others may not have have you ever had that happen.

You have poured over something in prayer you have waited on God.

You have searched his crews in the book and you come to a settled conviction. This is what I want to do or this is what I ought not to do. Others don't agree with you others around you can't see the logic of, and it is as though you are bound in the spirit to carry that out because you know that is what God would have you do the work of the spirit will show you an example.

Acts chapter 20 verse 22. It happened among the leaders in the in Ephesus. As Paul was saying goodbye he has gotten the elders together to say farewell for the last time they are about to put their arms around him and he them. End of fall together in weeping and the sadness of their not seeing each other again, but he tells them before that 2022 of acts and now bound in spirit. I am on my way to Jerusalem.

Not knowing what will happen to be there way bound in spirit.

Don't miss those words.

It is as if I am captured in my mind by the spirit.

It should be a SI think it's the Holy Spirit, not his own personal spirit.

I think it is the work of the Holy Spirit. And I say that because the next verse I am going bound in the spirit to the city of Jerusalem, and I don't know what's in front of me except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me look at that. You ever see that before the Holy Spirit is testifying to Paul and what's he saying he is saying that in every city bonds and afflictions await me. You see, it is not the work of the spirit to always lead you in the place of comfort some time. It is the plan of God to lead you into a difficult place to serve him and to be his representative. All is an example. I'm going to Jerusalem and I know before I get there and that's exactly what happened you study the rest of acts you will see a man cast on God for survival, and he knew ahead of time. The spirit of God testified to him that bonds and afflictions awaited him. In verse 24 tells you why he could go. He says I do not consider my life of any account is dear to myself that's what you call having the long view of life.

If I were only looking at today. I'd be very protective of of myself, but I'm looking at life in light of eternity past and future. I don't consider my life is of any account is dear to myself in order that I might finish my course on the part of the plan, not the whole picture.

I want to finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God and now behold I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom will see my face no more. I'm on the way and I know what's ahead of me, because somehow in the revealing the searching the teaching ministry of the spirit. I have gotten this insight and their today. We may call it a premonition. Could it be that a premonition is more often than not, a movement of the Holy Spirit within us see it. So if he is so difficult to nail it down. It's hard to describe it in exact terms like nailing up poached egg to a tree. You just can't get it there.

Can't get the stick you, you, you want to I want to make it so clear but I can't.

You have to experience the revealing work of the spirit. He testifies to you. This is what I want you to do and you do it and it says you should live your life. That's why we walk by faith and not by sight care about these things. Verse 13 know the last part of this message you were receiving the teaching of God's profound insights having mentioned those things which are freely given to us of God, he says, verse 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit. Can I make this clear. We have truth of God, and in order to get it communicated.

We are limited to words.

Words you can see my thoughts to learn so much more to put those thoughts into words, but I do my best and you do your best.

When you teach and communicate with words and so it is the spirit of God who takes the things of God and apart from the human wisdom it's not human wisdom. It is divine wisdom, having taught us these truths by the spirit we combine spiritual thoughts with spiritual words and that becomes the direction God is leading us spiritual thoughts, mixed with spiritual words.

All of that coming from the spirit and you know what happens when that occurs last part of verse 16, we have the mind of Christ we have the very mind of Christ, meaning we can walk in the kind of obedience we can have that clear direction. We can have those firm convictions that even if they put us to the state we won't deny we will recant. We will turn back, we will have the mind of Christ. When we operate mixing spiritual thoughts with spiritual words that come from the spirit of God. This is not been a shallow and simple study. The next time I want to look at the anointing of the Spirit.

Next time we we get together. I want to talk about those words in first John two which to speak of the unction or the anointing of the Spirit ever heard anybody certainly in my circles address how this anointing of the Spirit impacts our life. Somehow we have learned in the process of these last few minutes that we have a helper one called alongside. In place of weakness.

He brings power in place of ignorance. He brings knowledge in place of human knowledge.

He brings divine wisdom in place of a superficial arrangement of things he brings the depths of God's plan and in place of good ideas he brings profound insights.

That's all the work of the intimate spirit and he continues to do that. Let me encourage you as a child of God, to seek the mind of the Lord's book is the major source really the only source of inspired truth and it is the major source of significant revelation and as you learn more of his word. You will discover more of his mind, and you will discover that you're able to live but we are on this earth. You're able to live on a plane that is above it, not that you're better than it but you see past it.

It is transcending wisdom that keeps you from being so riveted to the cares and the needs and the aches and pains of today. It will give you an enormous sense of relief as the spirit of God teaches these things to you about together, Lord God, I I want to thank you for enabling us to grasp what is so terribly important for life we want to thank you spirit of God for your ministry in and among us, especially within us, Lord, forgive us for operating as though we belong to ourselves and we really are or not integrated a dependence upon you when the contrary is true.

Lord, without you we are not even able to breathe our our hearts would not beat another time. Our spirits would be heavy, our emotions would be out of control. Our eyes would be blind to real living would miss the mark because we are by choice by birth and by nature sinful people. Thank you for choosing to live within us. Thank you for taking from the depths of yourself and revealing some of those things to us a meaningful. They are becoming to and we recommit ourselves to you and to living for your glory and the deer name of Jesus Christ. This is message number five in the 14 part series about the Holy Spirit Chuck Swindoll titled the study line closer to the flame to learn more about this ministry, we invite you to visit us online@insideworld.org with a few minutes remaining.

I want to remind you that insight for living offers a wide variety of Bible study tools so you can dig deeper on your own. For instance, shall be glad to learn that every sermon Chuck delivers in this series is paired with an in-depth searching the Scriptures study each one guide you through key verses from the corresponding message you can print it out or you can type your notes directly into the interactive document all the details are@insight.org/studies and then over the years. Chuck is become known for his winsome approach, a good sense of humor and the laughter that so easily erupts when you're around. And if you been unsatisfied with what's become a ho-hum existence. If your longing to break free from the legalism that describes your past, then you'll truly appreciate Chuck's deep dive into God's amazing grace. His book called the grace awakening has been a life changer for readers all across the world to purchase a copy right now.

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Call us if you're listening in the United States, call 800-772-8888 or you can go online to insight.you've heard him teach about the holy land using word pictures to make us feel like were actually strolling through the old city learning about Jerusalem is fascinating for sure but see the land of Israel with your own his his life changing. In fact, is absolutely magnificent. And now you can see Israel with Chuck Swindoll and the gracious hosts and experts assembled by Insight for living ministries. Join us on an unforgettable 12 day tour March 5 through the 16th 2023 at special sites along the way, I will teach from God's word will worship at the Mount of Beatitudes and share the Lord's table at the garden tomb. In fact will sale of the Sea of Galilee together and will visit places where Jesus walked and talked to learn more, call 1-888-447-0444. Just imagine walking along those sacred sites and seeing the Bible come to life for your very mark your calendar for March 5 through the 16th 2023 and make your reservation by calling 1-888-447-0444 or go to insight.org/events insight for living ministries toward Israel is paid for and made possible by only those who choose to attend by Bill Meyer inviting you to join us. When Chuck Swindoll study called flying closer to the flame continues on Monday here on insight for living. The preceding message, the spirit who surprises was copyrighted in 1992, 1993, 2003 and 2022 and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2022 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. all rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited