Wisdom of God

Introduction

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Drinking the Cool-Aid?” Have you ever wondered, “Where does this come from?” In the 1955, Jim Jones founded the People’s Temple, which was initially a Christian congregation. Jones advocated for racial integration and social justice. He would quickly gain popularity for his progressive ideals and dynamic preaching style, and attracted a large group of followers.

However, as People’s Temple grew, so did Jones’s control over the members. He would begin to demonstrate an environment of fear and dependency. The group would soon become more and more isolated and secretive.

Around 1977, concerns of abuse and corruption within People’s Temple prompted investigation. Fearing exposure of the truth, Jim Jones relocated the group to Jonestown, Guyana (gai-aa-nuh).

What Jonestown would tragically be known for was the site of an infamous mass suicide and murder on November 18, 1978. Jim Jones had convinced his followers that the only option was lethal cool aid. This would be the site of the over 900 people perishing in what is now known as the Jonestown Massacre.

Now, you might ask yourself, how could these people be so easily influenced to the point of drinking poison? I believe the answer is summed up by this one story. Jim Jones was once holding up a Bible to his congregation, he is quoted as saying, “Too many people are looking at this and not me!” The “ministry”,if you want to call it that, of Jim Jones was built upon ability, charisma, and “superior eloquence or wisdom.” Jim Jones built the ministry on Jim Jones.

In this text, Paul reveals the genuine nature of the Human Heart, “follow what appeals to us.” Paul rebukes this idea over the span of 18 verses. We have spent the past three weeks unpacking the argument Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” The cross is foolish to the world. He begins with putting in their own context in 1 Corinthians 1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,” Then, we see the shift of cultural context, to a more personal tone, 1 Corinthians 1:27“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” He is calling out the natural tendency of people, “boasting and pride.” He ends with a quote from Jeremiah 9:23-24,

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:31 “so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”” Why can Paul say this great confidence? He knew the truth of 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 , He did not come to Corinth in Human Wisdom, but the Power of God. This brings us up to speed to our text, let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 ESV

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Transition

Today, we will analyze this passage from two different angles:

The Affect on Evangelism

The Affect on Salvation

There is a condition that affects us all so deeply, sin. This passages speaks to that very issue and not only confronts it, but gives us the remedy to overcome it.

1 Corinthians 2:1–2 ESV

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Affects on Evangelism (1-2)

Evangelism is one of those words that can have quite the affect on people. Evangelism is not just something encouraged for us to do, but in fact it is a clear command for the people of God in scripture through the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The question must be asked, “How does this passage speak to evangelism?”

Promotion (1-2)

Paul makes the observation concluding his defense with, 1 Corinthians 2:1

1 Corinthians 2:1 (ESV)

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

He did not come proclaiming the testimony of God with superior eloquence of wisdom. Meaning, Paul was not promoting himself. Brothers and sisters, we are always promoting something.

Think for a moment with me in your own life. How many of you have a favorite team you root for? Personally, I have chosen a life of misery and disappoint in being a Mississippi State fan. I blame my father for raising my in such a way. I do not know about you, but for us, a lot of time, energy, effort, and money have been invested into my fandom for Mississippi State. College sports is a 15.8 billion dollar a year industry. I remember growing up as a kid dreaming of what it would be like to root for teams like Alabama, Ohio State, or LSU. The reason was, they won! In 2021, for one night, I got to feel like what is what like to be a fan of one of these elite teams. We won the baseball National Championship. I remember, when the night was over thinking to myself, “This is it?” All of the investment, the time, money, and sacrifice I had made to travel to watch this team and in a matter of hours, I was resorting to this thought. What a crushing way to view the world.

I bring you to this thought for one reason, I am promoting all things Mississippi State. I am all in. When you see me, you know where my allegiance lies, and many times, you do not have to even ask me. I will voluntarily give away this information. How many of you are like that? You speak and promote the things that are important to you. So many times, we spend all of our resources to promote something that is fleeing. Sports is not alone in this category: you could be promoting politics, celebrates, or even family. TC made an interesting illustration about facebook last week. With the rise of social media in our culture it is so easy for us to promote our own agendas.

In the first two verses, Paul brings us to a fork in the road. He demonstrates how we can promote either ourselves 1 Corinthians 2:1 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.” Or, we promote the Lord, 1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Promoting ourselves (1)

There are very few things most humans agree on, however, but one of them is arrogant people.

John Piper writes in his book Providence, “On the one hand, human beings know all too well the experience of self-exaltation. We know it up close and personal. We have all done it. We all have a built-in reflex to love praise, and we enjoy it, at some level, being made much of. On the other hand it is an almost equally universal trait that we don’t like this about people, including ourselves (in our best moments anyway). We have a love-hate relationship with the desire for our own glory.

Why do we tend to dislike this quality within people? I think the root is we known it is within ourselves as well. Piper brings to light this love-hate relationship with pride and self-glorification. Let’s be honest, we want credit where credit is due. When a task is completed, we want recognition for a job done or a job well-done. We must remember when reading the Scriptures, we are dealing with real people and real situations. I can almost guarantee Paul has to fight the temptation down in his heart, “I have something to do with it!” Paul avoided “self-promotion.”

Brothers and sisters, let us not fall into the trap of relying on our personal pedigree. Looking to our own pedigree or performance for evangelism or spiritual acceptability manufactures idols. The reality is the Gospel does not need our help to demonstrate its power. There are too many people focused with all of these schemes and phrases and strategies to reach lost people. While plans and strategies are good, brothers and sisters, let us not forget what has the real saving power! The Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel advancing is not contingent upon us.

Let’s be honest, if anyone could have come with “eloquent speech or wisdom” it was Paul. Paul was a student of one of the most revered rabbis of his day; Gamaliel the Elder, Acts 22:3 ““I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” Gamaliel was a leading member of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Paul had the best education and could come with eloquent speech and wisdom. Quite honestly, it could have been in his flesh to want to do portray this: “I am the wisest and smartest. I am the greatest debater and scholar.”

Promoting the Lord (2)

Our focus brothers and sisters, should share the same sentiment as Paul, 1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” This is what we call “Christ-centered evangelism. We must come to a point to where we realize where the effectiveness comes from. Our lives and evangelism tactics should be centered on the finished work of the cross, nothing more and nothing less. In the end, it boils down to one thing: “Do you truly believe in the power of the Word or do you not?” What strategy are you relying on? Our personal pedigree is not ultimate.

Nikolaus Zinzendorf is quoted as saying, “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.”

What does this mean for us? Personal gain is not the end, but exalting the Lord Jesus Christ is worth it all. Do you want to be successful in evangelism? Promote the gospel, center your life, soul, and message around the finished work of Christ. Our lives are spent promoting. Who are you promoting?

Affects on the Soul (3-5)

What convinced you? This might seem like a facetious question. However, I want to bring you back to the place of your conversion. What was the room like? Who was speaking? What was the moment that you knew, “I need Christ”? Maybe, you were at a revival. Maybe, you were at a Youth conference. Maybe, you were at the sitting in your house and just felt like you had it click. Whatever it is, I want you to take an honest look at it. What convinced you? Paul shows the power of his “Strategy” Christ and Christ Crucified.”

With you in weakness; He is made strong (3)

There are a couple of ideas of what Paul could have meant in “weakness” and “fear.” First, it can be translated into, “I feel into a state of weakness.” Paul is likely writing concerning a physical ailment when presenting the gospel to the people in Corinth. It is the same term used in Galatians 4:13 “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,” Why would include this detail and what does this have to do with the affect on the soul? In our weakness, Christ is made strong. Even in physical sickness, the gospel was still propelled forward due to the centrality of Christ being preached. However, in your own life, know in the salvation process in your weakness, Christ in all of your shortcomings, saved you anyways.

We are not saved by persuasive language (4)

Think back to Jim Jones. The question was posed, “What would make people drink the cool-aid?” The reason was because, this guy had persuasive language. The conversions were no conversions at all, they were people influenced by passionate speech and carefully crafted words. This is the exact think Paul is trying to combat. If man can convince to be a believer; man can convince not to be a believer. This is what makes a false teacher so effective in building a platform and a following. Paul, who could have done the very same thing, preaches only Christ and “let’s the chips fall where they may.”

We are convinced by the Spirit of God (4 and 5)

Paul preached with the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power. Our conversion is reliant upon the Spirit of God. If it is contingent upon anything else, it is no conversion at all. Paul knew this fact and this is why he sees great success of the ministry. Christ and Christ crucified.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

-C.S. Lewis

I love this quote by Lewis because it beautifully puts this principle of convinced by the Spirit. It not only changes us, but Christ and Christ crucified shapes our lens and worldview. I see clearly because the Lord has transformed my life. This brothers and sisters— is a reason to boast.

Reconcile

How do we bring this argument to a close? I think it is to reconcile a couple of earlier points.

Promotion

We are always promoting. The way you live your life promotes the finished work of Christ, or promotes yourself. The wonderful thing about the Bible is that it brings you to clear decision point. The reason is, it will show you two clear paths. You are given the option, will you take the “off-ramp” or not. If you were to look at your life and be honest, what have you been promoting recently? Have you promoted the cross of Christ? Or, have you been on a witch hunt to steal glory that rightfully belongs to the Lord.

Our only hope is Christ

If you recall, I opened up with a statement: “Human nature is follow after what appeals to us.” This is true, we all follow what appeals to our heart. In the end, all other attempts to fill the void and satisfy are useless attempts until it is met with the all sufficient, powerful, sovereign, loving, compassionate, and kind Father. Who now only can, but wants to fulfill you. In the end, Paul is ultimately appealing and revealing our only hope in life for salvation, evangelism, and every single aspect is Christ. Christ is the end goal. I want to bring you to a fork in the road. Have come to the understanding, Christ and christ crucified is your only hope from eternal damnation?

If you recall, I opened up with a statement: “Human nature is follow after what appeals to us.” This is true, we all follow what appeals to our heart. In the end, all other attempts to fill the void and satisfy are useless attempts until it is met with the all sufficient, powerful, sovereign, loving, compassionate, and kind Father. Who now only can, but wants to fulfill you. In the end, Paul is ultimately appealing and revealing our only hope in life for salvation, evangelism, and every single aspect is Christ. Christ is the end goal. I want to bring you to a fork in the road. Have come to to the understanding, Christ and christ crucified is your only hope from eternal damnation?

“All thou needest to make thee blessed, supremely blessed, is ‘to be with Christ.’” -Charles Spurgeon

Why can Spurgeon say this? It is not because the blessing of life is carinal, easy, and carefree. In fact, I can tell that upon moving into relationship with Christ, you can expect the opposite. John 15:18

John 15:18 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

You are guaranteed a life of hardships, but in a beautiful exchange, Christ offers Himself to you. He is the blessing; He is enough. Trust him.