The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men
Notes
Transcript
Intro; In this election year it is amazing how so many of the politicians have all the answers to America’s problems. Yet so many have been in government for years and the same problems that were around when they got in are still the same problems we face today.
The self-centeredness of man is the reason behind this. Man in his wisdom thinks he can solve life’s problems, but all he really does is exacerbate them.
In this age of science and technology we are inundated with facts and theories, but starved for wisdom. And so called brilliant people continue to say dumb things and get paid for it.
Eric Hoffer wrote in The Passionate State of Mind, “The hardest thing to cope with is not selfishness or vanity or deceitfulness, but sheer stupidity.”
There were serious problems in the church at Corinth because some of the members were boasting of their knowledge but unaware of their ignorance. They were trying to mix the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God and that never works out right. They were proud of what they thought they knew, but paupers when it came to knowing God’s wisdom.
Tonight our paradox is “The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men”
Text; 1 Cor. 1:18-31
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
1. The Foolishness of the Cross; 18-21
1. The Foolishness of the Cross; 18-21
No one in their right mind would ever believe the way to save someone would be to die for them. If you die for someone how can you help them?
Yet, that was God’s plan, and it’s perfect!
There are many accounts in the Bible of the foolishness of mankind in rejecting the wisdom of God and depending on the “wisdom” of this world.
Eve disobeying the Lord and influencing her husband Adam to join her in eating the fruit of the forbidden tree (Gen. 3; 1 Tim. 2:14).
Foolish builders of the tower of Babel, who defied God and built a tower (Gen. 11:1–9). It failed because the people rebelled against God.
Jesus told a parable about a successful farmer who ended up a fool because he forgot that one day he would die and wasted his wealth building bigger barns for someone else (Luke 12:16-21)
Jesus also told about a man who built his house on the sand and lost everything, when he could have built on rock and saved everything (Matt. 7:24–27).
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
[21] Message Preached!
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
Knowledge is important to have, even knowledge of this world. The Bible does not condemn human knowledge because it is part of God’s marvelous creation. But any knowledge without the right use of it [wisdom], simply makes one a educated fool! People who live only by the world’s wisdom think that Christians are fools for believing the Bible and living by faith.
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
2. Foolishness of Mans Wisdom; 22-29
2. Foolishness of Mans Wisdom; 22-29
Man believes he’s got it all figured out. Since there has been so many achievements in science, especially dealing with medicine, man boasts that he fix and do anything without the help of God.
Paul reminds the high minded Christians at Corinth “that the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” [v.25]
The Corinthians were looking at things from the wrong perspective. They were busy trying to identify with the right people (see 1:11–12). But Paul reminds them that notoriety was never part of God’s criteria for saving and using people. He didn’t go searching for impressive people to save. Remember last week we said that “God would humble the exalted and exalt the humble!”
Many of the world’s so called “great” people [movie stars, politicians, philantraphists, TV preachers] feel that without them the world will not survive. If you aren’t somebody important you don’t matter. But Jesus says otherwise;
Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:5 (NKJV)
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
The gift of God was born in a manger not a palace
The gift of salvation was bore on a cross not through an armies revolution against Rome
The saving message of the Gospel was not entrusted to potentates and dignitaries, but to ordinary people like fisherman and tax collectors [vs. 27-29].
All that mans wisdom can accomplish will never give him what he really desires, “peace”! No man can have peace until he settles his SIN problem, and that can only be done through faith in Christ!
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
3. God’s Foolishness is True Wisdom; 30-31
3. God’s Foolishness is True Wisdom; 30-31
People who are still lost in their sins consider the message of the gospel foolishness and the people who believe that message are fools. But those who believe in Christ by faith are no fools, but wise in God!
Wisdom from God- fear of the Lord
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Righteousness- right and pleasing to God, without fault
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Sanctification- set apart in holiness, maturing in Christ
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
Redemption- bought from slavery, rescued
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Close;
1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David.
4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people.
5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the Lord your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
John 3:16 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God’s invitation to eternal life may seem foolish, but to those who believe, they are wise!
