1 Corinthians 1,21-25
1 Corinthians 1:21-25
November 25, 2001
Intro: We saw a problem stated, in verses 12, that the church of
Corinth was over looking the message and looking to the
messenger. (Paul, Apollos, Peter, themselves).
A- In verses 17-18 we saw the potential of how this problem could effect the purpose of the church.
1- The wisdom of logos VS the logos of the cross.
a- The wisdom of man having no eternal effect on mankind.
b- The message of the cross being the power of God for salvation.
Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
B- In verse 20 we asked the question “what has the wisdom of man ever accomplished (eternally)??”
1- We then closed with wisdom’s banner
Acts 17:23, “for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
1- This same banner today is still applied:
a- To every unbelievers prayer (who are they praying to).
b- It’s over every dead church.
c- It hang on everyone who calls himself a Christian apart form a relationship with Christ.
l- So Paul continues to place the wisdom of man along side the
wisdom or God for our examination.
1 Corinthians 1:21, 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.
A- The world through wisdom can not experience God.
1- To know (experience) is always through God reaching out to man.
a- The problem man, in his wisdom, has always looked at it as he reaching to God.
- religion, works, our plans and schemes.
Turn to Numbers 15:37-41
B- What is really encompassed in this desire to know God is really the desire to experience what God has to offer.
1- Man has called it sangra-la, nirvana, paradise
a- Man attempts to use his wisdom to seek heaven on earth.
Philippians 3:20, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
2- 2 things that the citizen of this world continuously seeks after.
a- Personal peace, affluence
· - Personal peace
A- To be left alone and separated form the troubles of others.
1- World war 2 (Pearl Harbor)
2- Until 9/11 who cared about the Taliban
a- In the 70’s we went from front porches to back patios.
Frances Schaeffer: Personal peace means wanting to have my personal life pattern undisturbed in my lifetime, regardless of what the result will be in the lifetimes of others.
· - Affluence (personal wealth)
A- Peace alone is boredom, personal wealth will give us something to do.
1- This is success determined by an ever-higher level of material abundance.
a- Man grabbing for all the gusto, trying to find the real thing, trying to acquire all we can because we deserve it all.
· - But the wisdom of God says:
A- Personal peace and wealth are ok BUT what is your source.
1- The message of the cross says I’ll have the peace that surpasses understanding
Philippians 4:7, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2- The message of the cross says I’ll have affluence beyond my dreams.
Colossians 2:1-3, For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
WHAT IS MISSING IN THE WISDOM OF MAN “THE INABILITY TO KNOW GOD.”
1 Corinthians 1:21, 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.
A- So why would some one who is lost ever listen that that which he believes is moronic.
1- When he comes to the realization that he is a bigger moron.
l- The perfect illustration has been our society for the past 50
years.
A- This nation was founded by men who found peace and affluence because they made God the foundation.
1- FAST FORWARD TO THE 60’S
2- We were told that we needed to become better educated than our parents, get better jobs, buy bigger houses,
a- WHY, so your children can do the same.
- An endless circle that leads to despair.
3- My father telling me he only goes to church because of mom and us kids.
a- Wasn’t doing me any favors.
B- The 60’s was a generation that had no spiritual basis and the despair of an endless cycle of a future.
1- What was the result
a- Rebellion, immorality, DRUGs
- And their prophets
- Rock and roll bands, Allen Ginsberg, Timothy Leary.
Timothy Leary: “Drugs were the sacraments for the new religion.”
2- Through drugs we would find peace, understanding, and tranquility.
a- If enough people were on drugs all our problems would be solved.
- Man’s wisdom said: “through drugs you can find heaven”.
b- Woodstock: was said to be “The beginning of a new wonderful age”.
- Instead it was the end of a foolish dream.
- The people were right in their analysis (something is missing).
- But wrong in their solution.
Francis Schaeffer: The hippies of the 60’s, today seek after Peace and prosperity, drugs still remain but only in parallel to the older generation’s alcohol, Promiscuous sex in parallel to the older generation’s adultery. In other words, as the young people revolted against their parents, they came around in a big circle – and often ended an inch lower.
Ecclesiastes 1:16-18, I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.”17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
C- The foolishness of man’s wisdom is to change everything around him instead of himself.
1- The wisdom of God is for man to be changed and everything else won’t matter.
Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Read verses 22-24
A- Who are the fools (morons) THE JEWS and THE GREEKS.
1- Who are the “we” (see verses 12)
2- According to verse 24 who are those who are to be saved.
a- Those who once thought the message of the cross foolishness.
· - In the midst of the 60’s and amongst all the turmoil what else was
going on?, what exploded in the middle of all this wisdom of man.
A- The Jesus movement.
1- Where does the light shine the brightest??
1 Corinthians 1:25, Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
A- What is the foolishness of God
1- The cross
2- What is the weakness of God
a- Jesus dying of that cross.
b- Man in his wisdom throughout the ages has come up with nothing better.
Close Verses 26-31