Temple Baptist Church - 7-9-2025
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Introduction:
A. In our text for tonight, we find the Apostle Paul warning of the danger of intellectualism.
1. The Person of the Deception. He introduces this section with the words “Let no man deceive himself.” I have often said that the most dangerous deception found in the Bible is self-deception, which Paul addresses in this passage.
2. The Position of the Deception. “If any man among you.” Paul is no longer speaking of the deceivers from the outside as he did in chapter 1:18-31. He now addresses one of the deadliest deceivers, one who operates within the local church.
3. The Problem of Deception. “Seemeth to be wise in this world.” Worldly wisdom, rather than biblical wisdom, is the problem found within the text.
4. This is just an extension of chapter 1 where Paul spoke of the wisdom of the world begin foolishness to God and the wisdom of God being foolish to the world.
B. Intellectualism can have more than one definition, as it can manifest itself both within and outside the local church. The term "intellectualism" is modern and is not found in the 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Therefore, I will define it using both contemporary and 1828 Webster's Dictionary perspectives.
1. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary – Intellectualism: devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits.
2. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines the Intellectualist: One who overrates the understanding.
C. Now, for a brief history of the problem. As Paul writes during the Apostolic Age (from the life of Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection) to about 100 A.D., intellectualism had already begun to take root within the local church.
D. As the Apostles began to complete their mission through martyrdom, a “void” in leadership emerged within the churches. These Apostles, who had been with Christ and were a formidable presence, leaving the scene, the churches needed to establish new leadership.
Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
E. Revelation, chapters 2-3, are prophetic of the Age of the Church. The Church at Ephesus was the Apostolic Church which left its first love. It was followed by the Church at Smyrna (Crushed), the persecuted Church.
F. As early as Revelation, chapter 2, the Lord writes to the Church of Smyrna, warning them of the “deeds of the Nicolaitans.” A thing which God hated! There is significant discussion regarding the origins of the Nicolaitans and the meaning of the term itself, so I want to interpret the word as it provides its own definition.
Nicolaitan is a compound word. “Nikao” – to conquer and laos – the people. “Victorious over the people.”
G. Within the third period of the Church age, the “deeds of the Nicolaitans” had developed into the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” It is often associated with the word “Gnosticism” meaning having a special knowledge. Gnosis – knowledge. Two things happened here:
1. The Deeds of the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans began to fill the void of leadership by dividing the clergy from the laity.
2. The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The deeds that God hated turned into doctrines, which God hated.
3. Intellectualism began to change biblical doctrine. Before you “throw rocks” at this preacher, just read what God said.
H. Local churches have “farmed out” their young preachers to parachurch institutions of learning that have caused a deviation from the Old Paths of the fathers. I believe, and know that it is biblical, that young men need to be taught by men that they know and have been assured of, not some college professor.
J. Intellectualism brings about:
1. Spiritual Deception. Verse 18. God NEVER wants His people either deceived or confused. Bible doctrine is always clear because it is Bible based!
2. Spiritual Classification. Verse 18. A fool in the eyes of the world but wise in the eyes of God! God’s people simply believe what God says.
3. Spiritual Craftiness. Subtility in trickery. “Yea, hath God said?” You old devil, you knew exactly what God had said! You just changed it slightly so that you could obtain a copyright and earn a little money! The word “Subtil” is used only three times in the Bible, with all three mentions being evil: The Serpent, Jonadab, and the harlot. God is about as “subtil” as an earthquake. He says what He means and means what He says.
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4. Spiritual Vanity! Verse 20. “The thoughts of the wise, that they are vain!” Intellectualism glorifies education and the educated man, not Christ! We live in days of “Rabbi, Rabbi.”
Matthew 23:1-8 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, (2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: (3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (4) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. (5) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, (6) And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, (7) And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (8) But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Conclusion: Paul, through the Holy Ghost, gave the Corinthian believers a stern warning concerning the deception of the wisdom of this world. I am not an enemy of education until education becomes an enemy of sound doctrine.
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