The Wisdom of God's Foolishness

Pastor Don Carpenter

Evangelical Baptist Church

Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

1 Corinthians 1:18–31

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As we will see, one of the greatest problems that the Corinthian church has was its secular, rational, pragmatic, and egocentric worldview. Today we see Paul explaining why it is foolish within a local church to segregate behind certain personality types. This church is not run on the dynamic personality or education of its leadership, but rather by the power of God. God's ways seem foolish when viewed through finite human eyes.

God's foolish plan of salvation

1 Corinthians 1:18–19 KJV

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

- 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.

A. The cross is foolishness to those who are dying – vs 18

1. But rejecting its message is to reject your only hope

2. Sin brought condemnation

- He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

3. Too busy searching for "truth"

B. The cross is power to salvation – vs 18 (ppt)

1. To set free

2. To redeem

3. To give sight

4. To make alive

5. To adopt

6. To empower unto righteousness

C. God will not share credit for salvation – vs 19

- Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

1. Man's ideas destroyed

2. Man's faulty logic exposed

- Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

God's foolish plan of preaching

A. Stops man's efforts

1 Corinthians 1:20 KJV

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?

- 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?

1. Wise man = theologians

2. Scribe = law keepers

3. Disputer = skeptic/philosopher

B. God uses the foolishness of preaching

1 Corinthians 1:21–24 KJV

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. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1. Accepted by faith

2. Stumbles those who doubt

a. Jews require a sign

b. Gentiles require physical proof

3. We preach Christ – vs 23-24

a. Power of God to salvation

b. Wisdom of God to sanctification

C. God's foolishness is good enough for me!

1 Corinthians 1:25 KJV

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

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

1. Wiser than men

- 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

2. Stronger than man

God's Foolish Recruitment

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 KJV

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

A. Not many – vs 26

1. Wise = in spiritual teachings

2. Mighty = able

3. Noble = well-born

B. God's choice – vs 27-28

1. Foolish = dull/sluggish

2. Weak = feeble

4. Base = low birth, no reputation

C. God will not share His glory with depraved man! – vs 29-31

1. He did not share with the selfish angels

- 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

2. God gave us:

a. Wisdom

- Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

- Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

b. Righteousness

- For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

- 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

c. Sanctification

- But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

- 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

d. Redemption

- In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

3. So glorify God

- 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

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