Policy Manual-Spiritual Obedience or Practical Application
SERIES: THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUSINESS!
The Policy Manual: Spiritual Obedience or Practical Application
I Corinthians 1:18-2:5
1 The Gospel Is Foolish Because Its message concerns the a CRUCIFIED SAVIOR--1 Corinthians 1:18-25
} Two Kinds of People
} The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are PERISHING
} The message of the cross is the power of God to those who are BEING SAVED
} CONCLUSION: GOD destroys the wisdom of the wise to provide salvation for all who believe
} Three Kinds of Worldly Wisdom
} Wise men—wisdom that exalts self-achievement, success, excellence and boasting (pride in accomplishments)
} Scribes—wisdom that exalts working your way to heaven, finding your own way to God, boasting (pride in religious standing)
} Debaters—wisdom that is argumentative, arrogant, abrasive
} Two Types of Worldly Seekers
} Sign seekers—those who want experiential proof of God’s existence and message
} Wisdom seekers—those who want intellectual answers to all of their spiritual questions
} Conclusion
} Those highly acclaimed by the world as pundits, commentators, experts, and pop philosophers of the day are nothing in the light of God’s wisdom which they have concluded is “foolishness.”
} But Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God--1 Corinthians 1:24-25
2 The Gospel Is Foolish Because Its recipients are often the OUTCASTS OF SOCIETY--1 Corinthians 1:26-31
} Think of what you were when you were called…
} Not many of the elite (of noble birth)
} Not many who are influential (powerful)
} Not many who are wise (recognized or acclaimed) by human standards
} Not many shakers and movers among you
} Christ is Wisdom from God
} Our righteousness—we now have a right standing with God
} Our sanctification—we now are enabled to live a life pleasing to God
} Our redemption—we now are set free from the awful power sin had over us
} Conclusion
} The gospel removes all reasons for boasting in ourselves.
} The gospel causes us to boast in the Lord and what He has done for us.
3 The Gospel Is Foolish Because Its preachers do not use clever dialogue, but SIMPLE PROCLAMATION--1 Corinthians 2:1-5
} Conclusion
} Our preaching of the gospel seeks to ground your faith in the power of God, not the wisdom of men.--1 Corinthians 2:5
Our Purpose is to proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Policy Manual is His Word—The Holy Bible
