The Wisdom of the Word of God

1 Corinthians 1:18–25 KJV 1900

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which 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.

Now, look, if you will, in verse 22.

People have always been seeking after God and wanting to know what God was like and who the true Messiah is and all of this, and so verse 22 explains it:

1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV 1900

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

Now, Paul is writing to the people at Corinth, and at Corinth there was a great contingent of Jews and Greeks that lived there in Corinth. And, the Jews—they had a particular idea of what God ought to be like and how the Messiah ought to reveal Himself; and so, they sought after a sign.

That is, the word sign means “a miracle of great power.”

They were always asking the Lord Jesus to give them a sign.

They were seeking for some great miracle because they had confidence in a Messiah who would come who would be strong and powerful and political, and He would just blow away His enemies, and He would set up the kingdom of God upon earth, and the Jews would reign supreme, and so forth. And so, they were waiting for this kind of a Messiah. They did not like the idea of a meek and mild and lowly Messiah like the Lord Jesus Christ was.

Now, Jesus rebuked them for seeking a sign.

John 4:48 (KJV 1900)

48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

Jesus had diagnosed them well. They were a group of people looking for signs and wonders.

And then, look in Luke 11:29

Luke 11:29 (KJV 1900)

29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

“And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign”—and by the way, when you ask God to prove Himself to you, when you ask God to perform a miracle, that you might understand Him, that you might believe in Him, you might think that is good, dear friend, but God called it evil—“This is an evil generation: [ye] seek a sign”—and then, He said—“and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.” (Luke 11:29)

What was the sign of Jonas? Well,

Matthew 12:40 (KJV 1900)

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

That is, the sign of Jonah is what? The Resurrection.

All right, and then again in Matthew 12:39

Matthew 12:39 (KJV 1900)

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Now, evil people seek after a sign, and there’s probably not anybody in this building who has not at one time or another asked God to prove Himself by doing some miracle. Isn’t that right?

“O God, if you’re real, do this. God, if you’re real, do that.” Isn’t that right? I mean, that’s human nature. Don’t make me feel all alone, folks. I’ve done it. I mean, nod your head, my goodness. Now, we’ve all done that.

We’ve said, “Now God, you show yourself to me. Work a sign. Prove yourself to me.” Now, that’s what the Jews were—the Jews were looking for a God who would demonstrate Himself that way with power.

Now, the Greeks were not that way. The Greeks were a little more sophisticated. The Greeks were a little more intellectual.

1 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV 1900)

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

Now, what the Greeks were looking for was something that they could do intellectual gymnastics with. The Messiah that the Greeks were looking for would be sort of a double Socrates. He would be some grand intellect who would help them to unpick all of the divine mysteries of life. That’s what they were looking for.

And so, they thought, “Well, if God speaks …”

The Jews said, “If God speaks, He’s going to speak through miracles.”

And, the Greeks said, “If God speaks, He’s going to speak through intellectualism and philosophy,” and they sought after wisdom.

But, here’s what God did. Here’s what … It’s almost as though the Apostle Paul could read their mind. And look, if you will, in verse 23: he says,

1 Corinthians 1:23 (KJV 1900)

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

“But”—that is, in contradiction and contradistinction to verse 22—

“But we preach Christ crucified”—

not Just Christ, but Christ crucified. It would have been one thing if he’d have preached Christ, but my goodness, to preach Christ crucified—“unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

Now, the word stumblingblock here means “scandal.” They were scandalized. “Why, you mean, we’re looking for a mighty, miracle-working, powerful Messiah and you’re preaching one who dies upon the cross? Why, that’s scandalous. That’s a stumbling block.

We could never ever accept a Messiah like that.

What power is there in dying upon a cross?”

And, the Greeks said, “Why, not only is it a stumbling block; it’s absolutely ludicrous! It’s foolish that here’s a Messiah. You mean God died upon a cross? A man, who is the Son of God, dying, writhing, upon a cross?

Do you mean to tell us that’s Gods answer to this world? That’s the way God speaks to this world? Absolutely absurdity. That is foolishness,” the Greek said.

But now, I want you to go on to those who have been saved. Notice what happens in verse 24:

1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV 1900)

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

“But unto them which are called”—that is, called by God, called out of this world—“both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24)

Now,

We Learn of God Through the Cross!

How is Christ crucified the power of God and the wisdom of God?

Remember now the Jews wanted power and the Greeks wanted wisdom. Paul says, “Okay, you want wisdom? You want power? I’ll tell you where power is. I’ll tell you where wisdom is. It is in Christ crucified.”

Well, how is Christ crucified the power of God?

The Power of God!

Friend, do you know that the greatest demonstration of power is not when God made these worlds and universes and everything?

The greatest demonstration of power—are you listening?—is the salvation of the soul. Now, you may not believe that. You may say, “Oh, that’s preacher talk.”

I will tell you, the greatest power on earth is the power that can save a soul, a poor lost sinner. That’s the reason the Apostle Paul said,

Romans 1:16 (KJV 1900)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Oh, what mighty miracle-working power! When God made these worlds, He made them. He created worlds with a word. That’s all—He just spoke. But, in order to save a soul, He had to hang His darling Son upon a tree, upon a cross.

Listen, there is no greater power than the power that can transform a life.

The Wisdom on God!

And, not only, you see, is the cross the power of God, but the cross is also the wisdom of God.

You see,

through the cross you’re going to know the heart of God.

Through the cross you’re going to know the mind of God.

Through the cross God is revealed.

How could we know that He’s a God of infinite love, and infinite mercy, and a God of grace, and a God who cares?

How could we know? We’ll never have to doubt the love of God, the mind of God, again when we see the cross. Oh, how God displays His mighty wisdom!

And listen,

1 Corinthians 2:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

Had the princes of this world known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. And, the Bible says,

1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV 1900)

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

What does that mean? It means that you guys who are the high intellectual uppity-ups, you intellectual top-waters, you PhDs and the rest of you, you don’t have a head start; you don’t have any head start.

1 Corinthians 1:21 (KJV 1900)

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

In the wisdom of God, a little child can know God. Now, that’s real wisdom—a wisdom that a child can know, wisdom that anybody can know. The common person can know it. It is revealed in the cross.

Now, what I’m trying to say to you: God speaks through the cross.

You will never understand the heart, the mind, the life of God, the power of God, or the wisdom of God until you understand the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:23–24 (KJV 1900)

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Mighty power in the salvation of a soul! Mighty wisdom is revealed in the cross!

God Saves Through the Cross!

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV 1900)

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Now, the world does not like the idea of salvation through the cross.

But, the world resents the gospel of a bloody cross. Did you know that? Did you know that when you preach that the cross is God’s way of salvation, that is an offense—that is a scandal—to some people? Again, I want to read to you what the Bible says

1 Corinthians 1:21–23 (KJV 1900)

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

Jesus Christ crucified is the only way to heaven. And, if there is some other way other than Jesus Christ crucified, I wouldn’t want to meet God in a dark alley because I wouldn’t trust that kind of a God—who’d let His Son die on a cross in agony and blood when there was some other way. I tell you, there is no other way, God is powerless to save apart from the cross. And, if you’re not saved by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus, you will not be saved. The Bible says

Hebrews 9:22 (KJV 1900)

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Go to many churches across the land, and you’ll never hear the bloody cross preached—that the Lord Jesus Christ gave His blood “a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45)

Matthew 20:28 (KJV 1900)

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 (KJV 1900)

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

But, “there is power, wonder-working power, in the precious blood of the Lamb.” (Lewis E. Jones)

God Sanctifies Through the Cross!

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV 1900)

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Now, I want you to learn something, and pay attention now.

Salvation is in three tenses: I have been saved; I am being saved, and I shall be saved. Now, that doesn’t mean that I’m not on my way to heaven right now when I tell you I’m being saved.

It doesn’t mean that there’s any chance that I could ever again be lost.

But, salvation is in three tenses. I have been saved. I’ve been saved from the penalty of sin.

I have been saved from the penalty of sin.

I am being saved from the power of sin.

See, I am now being saved from—He saves me daily from—the power of sin. So, that’s a process that is going on.

And, I shall be saved from the presence of sin. When the Rapture comes, I’ll be caught up to meet my Lord in the air. Never again, you know, there’s no sin going to enter into that place. So, salvation is a crisis that is followed by a process.

Do you know what sanctification is?

It’s just the process of where God makes us more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ because when you got saved, you were not automatically holy and perfect.

Oh, God did a miracle in your heart, but there had to be that—God had to work out what He’d worked in. And so, there needs to be a process, and we call that process sanctification.

The Bible speaks of those in verse 18 who are perishing, and it says,

1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV 1900

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

What it literally says is, “to those who are in the process of perishing.”

Did you know an unsaved man are in the process of being lost?

Do you know why I want to say that? Because some of you say, “Well, if this is lost, it ain’t so bad, not so bad.” Friend, devil’s not finished with you yet. You know, the Bible says,

James 1:15 (KJV 1900)

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

So listen, if you’re saved, God’s not finished with you yet.

And, if you’re lost, the devil is not finished with you yet.

There is a process.

You see, salvation is a crisis—we’ve been saved—and it is followed by a process; that is, sanctification. And, the cross is God’s way of salvation. The word of the cross is God’s way, also, of sanctification.

Now look, many of us know that being saved is a miracle, but we get the idea that the Christian life is something we have to do. And, you’ll never have victory in the Christian life until you understand that the Christian life is also a miracle.

You see, the Christian life is not hard; it’s impossible.

And, it commences with a miracle; that’s the new birth. It concludes with a miracle; that’s the Resurrection.

But, it commences with a miracle; it concludes with a miracle—but listen—it continues with a miracle.

Now, what you and I need to learn is this: that when God saved us, He didn’t abandon us. When a newborn baby gets born, that baby is not abandoned. You see, coming into the family is one thing, but now, how does God sanctify us?

How does the cross sanctify us?

What is the principle of the cross that sanctifies us?

What does sanctification mean again? It means that God is saving me from self and from sin and from Satan day by day. He’s making me more and more like the Lord Jesus. He’s making me more and more like the Lord Jesus.

How does the cross do that?

Well, do you want to know what the Lord Jesus said? Jesus said, “Take up [your] cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24 ; Mark 8:34 ; Mark 10:21)

Matthew 16:24 (KJV 1900)

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34 (KJV 1900)

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 10:21 (KJV 1900)

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

What is the cross for?

A cross is not for carrying. A cross is for dying on. Jesus was going to Calvary. When Jesus said, “Take up [your] cross, and follow me,” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21) what Jesus was saying is, “Come and die”—“Come and die.”

Your cross is something you take up. It is voluntary. Now, Jesus volunteered to die. Did you know that? “Oh,” you say, “no, they took Him against His will.” No, they didn’t. Do you think they could take the Son of God against His will?

John 10:18 KJV 1900

18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Right? Jesus willingly, voluntarily, took up His cross, and so must you willingly, voluntarily, take up your cross.

Do you want power?

Do you want wisdom?

1 Corinthians 1:25 (KJV 1900)

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

John 10:10 (KJV 1900)

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Mark 8:35 (KJV 1900)

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

The way to know God is know Jesus.

The way to understand Jesus is to know the Cross.