Being Foolish in a Wise World

This morning we are going to continue our exposition of the book of titled this sermon as being foolish in a wise world because in the word’s eyes Christianity is foolish. As Christians we need to understand that the world wants us to make us out a lunatics. As a kid when we didn’t have a comeback to an insult I often herd people resort to: Well your stupid—and so is your mom.

If people can make you feel stupid they can usually shut you up because for most people when we feel we cannot maintain a level of self respect we clam up and shut down.

Think about it:

What are the major ideas that attack Christianity:

7 literal days vs. 7 figurative days— how long did God take to make the world. Science wants you believe that the Earth is a million years old and when you begin to twist scripture to fit science Christianity looks foolish. More and more science is proving a young Earth theory or a literal 7 day theory, but unless you dig for this information you won’t find it. Why? Because it’s contrary to making Christians feel stupid.

Homosexuality—If I can get you to question Adam and Eve I wrecked the whole bible. The NT and love of God is based off of love and our idea of marriage. If we’re wrong our entire bible is disproved. And if you don’t accept this sin—you’re an intolerant hater. And if God is love and you’re a hater than God can’t be in you—again making you look foolish.

Romans 1:26–28 ESV

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Church you need to understand something: In the bible

God hates more than he loves—The list of sinful acts is much longer than the acts of a Righteous person. It’s why he sent his Son. To rid the world of sin—that which he hates. So we can accept him.

Truth: God loves all people, but all people don’t accept God’s love.

I want to open with

Romans 1:20-

Romans 1:20–22 ESV

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

First thing we need to understand is this: No one has an excuse to not know God. I don’t care if they are in the unchartered terrirory deep in the woods of Mumbi, or their from the Arm Pit State of New Jersey. For the word of god says ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made echoed the very name and existance of God. And

THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE!

So in this world when we are made to feel as though we are foolish and hate filled how do we ensure that we don’t negotiate biblical truths for Worldly wisdom?

You have to be the wisest fool

Romans 1:18 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Sin supresses truth.

You have to be the wisest fool

In the information age there is no excuse for biblical ignorance. If you don’t know why you believe what you believe you are bound to believe something else.

Matthew 24:24 ESV

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

There are going to be some of those whom you think are devote Christ followers who will turn on you. Sadly I watch it every day on facebook. I watched as someone posted something saying homosexuality is a sin and ministers began bashing this man for his intolerance. I was dumbfounded. People who are meant to lead people within our own denomination are exchanging truth for lies.

There used to be a day where you could believe in Christ and slide through the gates of heaven with very little knowledge, but today isn’t it. Church if we don’t know what we stand for we will fall for everything.

Also if we aren’t seeking Righteousness we will fail to honor God.

2) Vs 21 They did not honor Him as God.

The word honor literally means to acknowledge God’s authority. The first step Christians take into the world is when they begin to accept half biblical truths in their lives. The two I mentioned before are two big steps in losing your foothold.

I love the way the theologian and Author of the Fire bible foot notes puts it.

Such people often continue to allow shameful desires and sin in their lives while justifying their actions as common human weakness. In doing so people convince themselves that they are still following the Holy Spirit’s direction and that they are still spiritually saved. They blind themselves to the warning of God’s word.

When what you do Sunday looks nothing like your Monday; When you aren’t the same behind your own four walls as when you are in the four walls of the church; when what you watch on TV reflects more of the world than of God—you might be in danger of dishonoring God.

Romans 1:22 ESV

Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

When we begin to think ourselves exempt from the word of God we begin to walk a slippery slope of the disillusion.

The word wise being used here means—Pride or self exalting. When we begin seeking our own glory we begin to lift the creature over the creator.

Vs 21 they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts became darkened.

Literally translated their mind began to cloud the truth.

Romans 1:18 ESV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Their sin suppresses the truth or clouds their mind.

God’s word is often likened to light or being a lamp. But when we begin to accept things contrary to God’s word the light begins to weaken giving way to the cloud of darkness. Essentially exulting our knowledge as supreme over God’s knowledge.

But in this text which is literally labeled God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness lies the secret sauce to maintain righteousness in your life. In all these sentences of warning.

In middle of this mess lies three words

Or Give Thanks! Vs21

Gratitude puts everything in perspective. After Paul’s greeting the first thing he does is found in verse 8

Romans 1:8 ESV

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

Have wife play something joyful because we about to praise it out up in here. We’re about to dance the black churches to shame.

He didn’t sit back and state look at this big church I created. Look at all these followers I have won. Although I am a big proponent of giving credit where credit is due because we know Paul had to let himself be used of Christ what we need to understand is this:

Credit should always come from someone else and you should always be giving credit to God.

If you have a habit of patting yourself on the back cut your arm off because scripture says it’s better to get to heaven with a missing body part than go to hell fully intact.

Praise is Satan’s Kryptonite.

You feel pride welling up—sing praise and thanksgiving.

You feel angry sing praise.

You feel defeated sing praise.

You feel overjoyed all the more reason to sing praise.

PRAISE IS THE EQUIVILIANT OF A GOOD PAIR OF COWBOY BOOTS-----It’s right for every season in your life.

Doubt-Praise it out

Worry- Shout in praise

hardship-Praise harder.