In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the church is not a physical building or institution, but rather a spiritual entity that can only be seen, heard, and understood through a deep love for God. The preacher highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in comprehending the mysteries of God and the true nature of the church. The sermon calls for a prayer for the Holy Spirit to reveal God's word and help believers overcome their limitations of understanding. The theme of the conference is Christ and the Church, and the preacher urges the audience to pursue a deeper understanding of the church according to God's heart before the imminent return of Christ.

Let's turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 2. Let's read from verse 1 to 13. I will read in Mandarin first and we will read in English later. And I, when I came to you brethren, came not in excellency of words or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God. For I did not judge well to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. And my word and my preaching, not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the theory and of power. That your faith may not stand in man's wisdom, but in God's power. For we seek wisdom among the perfect, but wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to naught. But we seek God's wisdom in a mystery, that hidden wisdom which God had predetermined before the ages for our glory. Which none of the princes of this age knew, for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But according as it is written, things which eyes have not seen, the ears have not heard, and which have not come into man's heart. Which God has prepared for them that love Him. For God has revealed to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searched all things, even the death of God. For who of men has known the things of a man, except the Spirit of the man which is in him? Sought also the things of God, no one except the Spirit of God. But we have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God. That we may know the things which have been freely given to us of God. Which also we speak, not in the words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit. Communicating spiritual things by spiritual means. Let's bow our head and pray. Our Lord, our God, we rest upon Your Word. We pray that Your Holy Spirit will make real of Your Word to us. So we may understand what is in Your heart through Your Word. Deliver us from old limitation of heart. Help us to come into the fullness of You. We confess unless Your Holy Spirit is doing His work. All the Word of man is in vain. So we look to You with one accord. We pray that tonight You will give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. So we may truly know You. We give all the glory to You. In Jesus' name. The theme of this conference is Christ, God and the Church. This is summed up in 1 Corinthians by the Apostle Paul. When Apostle Paul went to Corinth to preach the Gospel, he was determined in his heart that as he came to the midst of the Corinthians, he knew nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Because Christ and Him crucified is the center of the Gospel. We know Christ is the center of God's will. He is the center of all things. And the cross is the means by which God uses to attain that purpose. As a result, Jesus Christ and Him crucified must be preached to all the nations. Because this is the foundation of the Gospel. But Paul also says that we preach wisdom among the perfect. Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the foundation of the Gospel. After the foundation has been laid, Paul is going to build a superstructure upon that foundation. That's the reason he said among the perfect we speak also the wisdom. We know here the wisdom Paul mentioned is referred to the Church. Because the Church was built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. If there is no foundation, there is no structure. Jesus Christ and Him crucified must be preached to all nations. But the Church is not to preach to all the people. Because the people did not have the foundation. Paul did not preach the Church to all the people. Paul did not preach the wisdom even to those who were babies in Christ. He only speaks to the perfect. Because those who were babies in Christ cannot comprehend the teaching of the Church. They even consider it a folly. Because they do not have the power to discern. So when Paul was among the Corinthians, even though he said among the perfect we are also talking about wisdom, this wisdom is not worldly wisdom. Not the wisdom of the world. This wisdom is that which was hidden within the man. This was prepared by God for those who loved Him before the foundation of the world. Even though Paul said among the perfect we talk about this wisdom, but to the Corinthian believer he did not mention the name of wisdom of God, which is the Church. Because the Corinthian believer are babies in Christ. They cannot see the Church as the wisdom of God. They cannot appreciate the glorious wisdom of God. If you reveal the Church to those babies in Christ too early, while they still live in their flesh, they make something with their hands. What they made is not the Church according to God's purpose. It can be said that they will turn it into something that does not look like the Church. So Paul did not explicitly point out his faith in Corinth. He only explained this wisdom there. He only described that wisdom of God. He did not point out what exactly is this mystery. Of course we know the mystery Paul mentioned is referred to the Church. Who are among those who are perfect? It is not to mention about perfection. There is only one perfect who is nothing. Who is our Lord Jesus Christ. Other than Him there is no one perfect. The perfect in the Bible refer to the maturity. For those grown up. In other words, those who had the foundation laid. Those people who knew Christ and the cross. Because they knew Jesus Christ and Him is the divine. In their heart they had a foundation. Therefore they can comprehend the mystery of God's wisdom. That is why when Paul wrote the epistle to Ephesians. He can point out the mystery of this wisdom clearly. But he wrote in Corinth. He only described it in all aspects. But he did not point it out. Why is that? Because in Paul's heart this secret wisdom is a very precious thing. In other words, this is the most precious thing in Paul's heart. He longed to share this treasure, this revelation to the children of God. He longed to share this with the Corinthian believers. However the condition of the Corinthian believers restricted him from telling all this truth. So when we read about the first Corinthian chapter 2. In John the Perfect we talk about wisdom also. He is trying to tell of this wisdom. However he cannot tell this to the faith in Christ. Because it is in vain to tell them. If he tells them, it may cause a lot of difficulties. But his heart is so eager. Therefore he used eight descriptions to describe this wisdom. By using these descriptions, Paul can touch the hearts of the Corinthian believers. He hopes that through those descriptions, the hearts of the Corinthian believers may be moved. So that they will have a heart longing for God. So they can pursue spiritual things. So they can grow. So that they may receive the treasure. So we would like to look at those eight descriptions. Paul tells us among the perfect we talk about wisdom. We know in the first chapter Paul tells us. For example he tells us in verse 17. For Christ has not sent me to baptize, but to preach glad tidings, not in wisdom of the world, that the cross of Christ may not be made vain. For example in verse 19. I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and set aside the understanding of the understanding one. In verse 25. Because the foolishness of God is stronger than man. In chapter 2 he also said. In verse 4. And my word and my preaching, not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power. That your faith may not stand in man's wisdom, but in God's power. So how you see Paul in the first chapter mentioning about the wisdom of man and set them aside. He considers it stands in the way of God's word. It hinders the God's word. So he put aside this wisdom. On the other hand he also mentioned about the wisdom he will speak to the perfect. Therefore we see two different types of wisdom. One kind of wisdom is wisdom of man. Another type of wisdom is the wisdom of God. In Gen chapter 3. In Gen chapter 3 verse 15. Here he tells us that this type of wisdom is the wisdom of man. It is not from above. It is from the ground, from the clouds, from the devil. Here we see that the wisdom of man is not from above. Actually it belongs to the devil. This type of wisdom brought in striving and jealousy. This type of wisdom will create disorder and every evil thing. But thanks God. There is another type of wisdom described in verse 17. What is the wisdom from above? First is the pure. The pure is the simplicity. Then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, and questioning and thanks. So we can see this wisdom is totally different than man's wisdom. Then what is the wisdom of God? What is God? As we read the Bible we all know that. The church is the wisdom of God. The church is not the wisdom of man. In other words, using man's wisdom to secure a church is impossible. In man's mind there is no concept. In man's concept there is no church. Because this wisdom is from God. The church has really come out of the wisdom of God. It is totally irrelevant to man's wisdom. Let me illustrate it. We know in the Old Testament. In God's wisdom He gave the temple to Israel. God gave them a temple. Listen. The Jews were captive to Babylon. Because of the sin. So they were in Babylon. The temple was destroyed. When they were in Babylon. Because they were there as a slave. The idol worship. In Babylon. There is no way for them to make their way back to Jerusalem. As a result man's wisdom is gone. The religious concept is gone. Since we cannot go back to Jerusalem to worship God in the temple. Then what method can we adapt? So they invented a very genius method. In the middle we see that thing. That is the system of the church. At that time they invented the system of the church. If you have ten Jewish men. The so-called men of leisure. They have a little bit of free time. They can do some so-called religious work. So long as the so-called men of leisure have some time to do some religious activities. Then you can organize a synagogue. And you can do anything in the synagogue. You can read the Pentecost. You can read a prophetic book. You can sing songs. You can pray. In the synagogue you can teach so long as you have the words to exhort people. In such an atmosphere it is very easy to worship. They do not have to walk very far. If they have a certain issue. They can arrange another synagogue so long as they have another ten men. They can worship God according to their method. It is so convenient. God bless them. Today let us see among the Christendom. Something very similar to the synagogue. This is a product of men's wisdom. It is not God's wisdom. It can not be from the wisdom of God. Today in Christianity the men's wisdom has substituted the God's wisdom. Now the question is where is the God's Church? When we see many things in the church, are those from the wisdom of God? This is the mystery of God's wisdom. This is the wisdom hidden in God. What is the mystery? Mystery is not something you can... It is too mysterious to understand. The mystery is something hidden in God. Before God revealed that hidden treasure. Because God has not revealed it yet. So no one can know it. God has a secret. He knows how to keep a secret. You know in the Old Testament. Even though we can find many clues. But here God is trying very best to reveal that mystery. However, because you don't know. Until Christ came. God revealed this history to the apostles and the prophets. He used the apostles and the prophets in the New Testament to reveal this secret. So what is the secret he revealed? We know this is the Church. So you have to see the mystery of the Church in God. He used the apostles and the prophets to reveal it to us. And it is through the apostles and the prophets revealed it to us. When we talk about a Church. Do you think it is a secret? Is this a mystery God needs to reveal to us? If you don't think this way you cannot. Maybe think there is no mystery of God's Church. When you walk on the street you see some magnificent building. There is a cathedral ceiling. There is a sign of the cross. You say here is the Church. Is there any mystery there? Even the people say here is the Church. We didn't see any secret there. The Bible says the Church is the mystery of God. The revelation is absolute and necessary. Now we know what we know. The Church is the mystery of God. The third. This mystery is predetermined by God before the ages. This mystery is predetermined by God before the ages. If we want to know the Church. We cannot know it with the eyes of history. If we want to know the Church. We have to look at it with the eyes of history. Don't look at the Church with the eyes of today. Even if you look at the Church with the eyes of 2,000 years. You cannot see it correctly. Because the Church is not a product of history. Before the Church began to ask questions. Before the world's foundation. Before the world has been created. In God there is the Church. Church is before time. This is the Church. We often hear the people tell us. When you read the New Testament. When you read the Book of Acts. When you see the history of the apostolic era in the Acts. This is the Acts. From the Acts to now there is much time. Until AD 60. From that time until now. People say that within those 2,000 years. The Church is having its evolution. The Church in that period is in a bionic stage. And over those 2,000 years. The Church was developed in the stage of today. This is how we see the Church through the historical viewpoint. The Church in the period of F is just a small sample. Now today is a big huge tree. This is the improvement of the Church. This is how we see the Church. Thanks to the historical viewpoint. But this is it. If we really want to know the Church. We need to go before the time. We need to come to God. We need to get into God's mystery. Then you will never see the Church. The fourth point. He says that this is before death. It is predetermined before the ages. It is for our glory. Here he tells us. Which is the Church. God's wisdom. It is for our glory. Church gives us the glory. What is the glory? The glory is very difficult to describe. Glory is the pinnacle of everything. Glory is the fullness. God dwells in the glory. Not only dwells in the glory. Here we will see what the Church is. In God's wisdom. What He predetermines for us is glory. Today we are brushing our teeth. If I don't go to hell, I can go to heaven. In God's wisdom. God wants to do the work to the point that He will forgive our sins. We are satisfied. But He is not satisfied. So the goal that God set for us is glory. Not just for every Christian. For the whole Church is glory. All those knew by God His hope. So we may be conformed to the image of His Son. All called by Him. He justifies them. Whom He justifies. He makes them holy. You will see that He will lead many tongues into the glory one day. He will work in us of this glory. So we will be transformed from glory to glory. Conformed into the image of His beloved Son. This is the will of God. We know God's purpose is to cooperate. He wants to receive a glorious Church. He loves the Church. He gave Himself for that. He washed the Church. So He can present the Church as a glorious Church. No flaws. Dear brothers and sisters. You see here that God's purpose for the Church is glory. Glory is presented in the Church. God's own glory is presented in the Church. The Church we know today is it a glorious Church? Is the Church glorious or repulsive? The Church we glorify God or we put His name to shame. Where is God's Church? Fifth. Sins which I have not seen and ears have not heard and which have not come into man's heart which God has prepared for them that love Him. God prepared for those who love Him. God prepared for those who love Him. What? Sins which I have not seen and ears have not heard and which have not come into man's heart and which have not come into man's heart We know that God prepared for those who love Him. Isn't it the eyes can see? Isn't it ears can hear? Even our heart can understand. The Church is what the eyes cannot see and ears cannot hear. Only when you love Him you can see this and hear this Brother Narcissus if we not truly love God you cannot see the Church you cannot hear the Church and you cannot understand in your heart what you can see is not what you can hear is not what you can understand is not The qualification to know is to love God But God has revealed to us by His Spirit The mystery of God must be revealed by the Spirit Only God's Spirit can comprehend the death of God The Church is The Church is the mystery very deep in God The mystery must be revealed by the Holy Spirit Anything we can know without the Holy Spirit the revelation is not the Church We know the Holy Spirit has revealed everything in the Bible We know the Holy Spirit has revealed again what has been asked It's only the Word The letter is death So we require the Holy Spirit to reveal it again so that we may truly know the Church Anything that does not require revelation is not the Church Not mentioning the Church is so All the spiritual things are alike Everything is the revelation of the Holy Spirit We thank God that He willingly revealed His Son in us Seventh In verse 12 But we have received another Spirit of God as we may This is the pure grace Grace is something freely given to us Grace is what God's doing Grace is God finishing everything and freely giving it to us This is the grace Brother and sister Church is the pure grace All was accomplished by God The Lord Jesus said I will build my Church The gates of cities cannot prevail against us Abraham just looked to that city with a foundation That city was God's management If there is any need of a human to work we know Grace nor is the Church Eighth Thirteenth In verse 13 Could you also with speak not in words taught by human wisdom but in those taught by the Spirit Not only this wisdom needs to be revealed by the Holy Spirit To explain this mystery Paul prayed for the utterance so he can make known the mystery of God If we don't have the utterance we cannot explain the mystery of God Dear brother and sister We can see these eight All of those eight points describe those churches in God's mind If we view the Church we just described against what we see today Can we say the Church we see If it is not What is the Church Where can we find this Church How can we live the Church life Brother and sister God wants the Church For his son he needs a bride to prepare the body for his beloved son This is very precious in God's mind It's not something not having any importance But when we see the Church today Can we say the Church we see We need to be part of it But to solve the problem There is one theory among the Christians There are two churches according to this theory One church you can see There is another church invisible The visible church This is the easiest way to justify the Church The Church today we see is not like the Church God has imagined But we can comfort ourselves and we say There is this visible Church This justifies the visible Church This is it But when we read the Bible There is no two churches Two, there is something visible something invisible But there is only one Church Visible and invisible As far as the work of the Holy Spirit within us it is invisible Because the Holy Spirit is working As far as our testimony is concerned it is visible As far as the work of the Holy Spirit within His children is concerned it is going to reveal and testify Those visible is to testify the invisible So we can know that there is only one Church All the principles we see the universal nature of the Church There is only one Church However, we cannot see it Because we are too insignificant But we know where it is We see it Because in each locality there are believers They practice all the spiritual principles The reality of the brotherly love On one hand we cannot see the brotherly love Because we love all the brothers and the sisters We love Paul and we love Peter We lost the brotherly love But we can see your brother and sister serve the Lord together in each locality Then whether we love one another or not will be revealed I love the believers in Jerusalem This just shows there is no love So this invisible will be manifested through the visible It is not to say that there are two churches There is only one Church To manifest what God has in mind about the Church Until one day when we are all gathered together before the Lord Then there is no limitation of the space In Christ we all will practice the principles of the Lord We will practice every spiritual principle there Today I would like to lay the foundation today I hope that the brother and the sister go back to the Lord To find out whether we really know the Church Whether we truly know the Church Maybe what we know is not the Church Then we should search truly what the Church is If what you understand is unlimited You need God's grace to bring you out So he can carry you in the Church This is what we need to pursue before the Lord Because our Lord is coming soon He will come and offer to himself the glorious Church May God have mercy on us Let's bow our head Our Lord, our God We bow our head in worship Because you prepare for those who love you It's beyond what we can comprehend What you prepare is according to your glory It's compatible with your true nature Our Lord, we pray that you will open the eyes of our spiritual So we can discern what is from you and what is not So that we can live in the reality and not in vanity Lord, the day of your coming is approaching We cannot waste our time on this earth any longer We need to be walking in the circle We want to do things according to your heart So that we can hasten your coming Lord, do the work among your people Now just for us Lord, let the Lord do the work May your Holy Spirit do the work in our hearts Remove those doubts that you have Bring us into the very truth