The Foolishness of Sin

Introduction:

· The ultimate insult, according to Jesus

WHAT IS A FOOL? WHO ARE THE FOOLS? HOW DOES GOD RESCUE FOOLS?

I) What Is A Fool?

A. A Fool MIGHT Be Wise in the World…

i. Putting the Psalm in its place:

1. David assesses the condition of his enemies and Isarel – and God concurs

2. The Opening line lays out David’s findings: “Fools everywhere!” (vs. 1)

ii. A fool is NOT unintelligent or unsuccessful:

1. Some assume a fool lacks intelligence, or skill in the world

2. In fact, “foolish” people might well be admired as successful in the world

3. EXAMPLE: Nabal a successful, wealthy farmer, but a NABAL (“fool”)

B. But A Fool Denies God In His Heart

i. The Practices of Fools:

1. A moral category: Deny God à your own moral compass “truth” to “My truth” (vs. 1b-c)

2. A mind category: stubbornly resist correction, other views (vs. 2b)

3. A social problem: oppress the poor, the way some eat lunch (vs. 4, 6)

ii. The heart of fools

1. Calvin: The heart isn’t your emotion, but your ability to do what is right

2. ILLUSTRATION: Foolishness is like having your car out of alignment

THE QUESTION IS – WHO FITS THE BILL?  WHO DO THESE WORDS APPLY TO?

II)  Who Are the Fools

A. Are “Fools” Limited to People who Don’t Believe in God? No way!

i. Fools do NOT Deny the existence of God

1. Here’s where we get comfortable: “I believe in God, so I’m no fool!”

2. In Israel’s day, there were NO atheists – everyone believed in God or gods

ii. Fools live as though there are no gods! (vv. 2, 4)

1. Outside Israel: Fools worshipped idols, which could be manipulated (

2. Inside Israel: Israel was a fool for not thanking or calling upon God  

B. We May Not Be Actual Fools, But we may be functional Fools!

i. We are foolish because we do not seek after God!

1. Our prayer life is inconsistent because we operate in our own strength

2. Our gratitude to God is limited when we take His provision for granted

ii. We are Foolish because we do not do good!

1. Foolish people never do good…so no foolish people? (vv. 1, 3)

2. Our “good” versus the infinite goodness of God

3. Paul: NO ONE does good, nor seek God (Rom. 3:9-11)

NOW, IN ONE SENSE, THIS IS MEANT TO OVERWHELM US WITH THE GRAVITY OF OUR PROBLEM. BUT THE PSALMIST ENDS ON A NOTE OF HOPE – SEEKING GOD’S MERCY.

III) How does God rescue Fools?

A. God Would Save His People from Zion

i. The Psalmist Longs for Salvation from Zion (vs. 7)

1. Zion vs. Jerusalem: about the meeting point between heaven and earth

2. QUOTE: “The temple [in Zion] was the downpayment on the incarnation”

ii. God delivers His people from Zion

1. Though we don’t seek God, God sent Jesus “to seek and save the Lost”

2. Jesus – the perfect wisdom of God is despised and rejected, and killed

B. God Saves His People Through Dependence on Him

i. Foolishness ends when we fear the Lord

1. The cross is proof of our utter helplessness

2. APPLICATION: To Be “saved: knowing your sin is so great that you’re unable to fix it on your own – and that you owe your very life to God

3. APPLICATION: To live in wisdom means that we practice increasing dependence on God in prayer,

ii. Salvation leads to worship

1. Sometimes the emphasis on “sin” leads some ot think that Christians – especially Reformed Christians – are too pessimistic (and maybe that’s true)

2. BUT, the goal is actually deeper love and worship

3. APPLICATION: do you delight, worship, God and thankfulness?

Transition:

Conclusion

asd