God Has Chosen the Foolish Things

1 Corinthians 1:14–31 NKJV

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 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. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Star Syndrome In The Church

The Church was being divided into groups around their “heroes” or leaders

some were saying “I am with Paul”, others “I am with Peter”, etc.

Paul said this lead to divisions and contentions in the body of Christ

This is a phenomena that is rampant in the church today

Huge mega churches are built around personalities rather than doctrine and truth

So many people refer to their favorite teacher rather than consider the issues themselves

Denominations also often choose leaders based on personalities and charisma, rather than sound doctrine and faith

people flock after the next “best selling” author, or the one who is most entertaining.

The bible predicts and warns of the times when people follow teachers with itching ears

Paul rejected this Star Syndrome-

He said he was “thankful” he had not baptised them - He did not want the credit or applause

he didn’t need his face on the cover of a magazine or book

He reminds us that we area not here to be noticed, not for the show, not for the party, but to Preach the gospel

Preach The Word!

And “not with “wisdom of words” this would make the cross of no effect he said

if the focus is on the eloquence of the great preacher, is it on Christ?

If the reason you are saved is becasue you like the leader, are you really saved?

If I can win you with my personality, do you belong to Christ -

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 NKJV

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The Message of The Cross is Foolishness to Those Who Are Perishing

So many people - professing themselves wise, have become fools

it is not by accident that the unsaved think the cross is foolish -

I recall a man attempting to convince me to donate work to a church once - and how foolish I thought that was

The bible says that if they cannot see it, they have been blinded - by he god of this world

But to us who are saved -

Oh how much difference just a little faith can make -

to us who are saved this same foolish message is the wisdom of God and the Power of God

The beginning of wisdom -

The power to raise the dead

the power of an endless life

the wisdom of redemption from eternal damnation

what could be wiser or more powerful than that?

I recall contemplating this in my early Christian walk

Where Is The Wise?

Consider the question -

Who are some wise, or powerful men from history?

Alexander the Great

Albert Einstein

George Washington

John Rockefeller

Where are they today?

God said He would destroy the wisdom of the wise

He will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent -

And He has - for thousands of years now

He holds them in derision -

The Holy One of Israel is laughing them to scorn

The Jews Seek a Sign, The Greeks Wisdom

Two excuses people use to avoid the gospel

many ask for a sign — a divine miracle, angelic visit, or some supernatural phenomena

Others Seek “wisdom”, or scientific proof -

But when all this was evident - people still chose not to know God -

as we discussed last week - there is certainly no shortage of evidence for either category

if they need signs, just look to the bible and all the fulfilled prophecies, miracles, and signs throughout history

just look at the world today and what is yet being fulfilled

If they seek science, there is abundant and overwhelming evidence supporting the flood, the creation, the life and spirit of man

But since, with all this they chose not to know God, God Chose the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe

It Pleased God Through The Foolishness of The Message Preached To Save Those Who Believe

This was not an accident, but a choice of God

The just shall live by faith

a man is saved by faith

As we discussed - the fools has “said in his heart”

It is with the heart a man believes -

If you shall believe in your heart - in your Spirit -

We decide what we believe, by faith -

When We believe then we see both the signs and the science - both the power and the wisdom!

to “us who believe” - This message of Christ Crucified is the power of God and the Wisdom of God

The Foolishness of God Is Wiser Than Men. The Weakness Of God Is Stronger Than Men.

God is higher than man - in every measure -

He is altogether awesome in power and glory

He only asks us to believe.

Not many wise men — not many mighty are called

Self - gets in the way

God Has Chosen The Foolish Things Of The World

This also is no accident - It is God’s choice

that simple guy who grew in The Lord didn’t just get lucky — God Chose Him

People like:

Abraham

Moses

Could not be used in hi sown glory as Pharaoh's son in law

Could not be used in his own strength as the defender of Israel

But 40 years later, at 80- he was ready to start

David - the shepherd boy

Solomon

as a simple boy who did not know how to come in and go out - he found greatness

As a wised man filled with wealth and power he became a fool

and God raised up his adversaries and took the kingdom from his son as a result

God has chosen foolish things to confound the wise - it proves His greatness

he delights in showing Himself Wise- He takes the wise in their own craftiness

God Is all the wisdom you need

God has chosen the weak things to confound the mighty

He delights in showing His strength for you.

He does not need our power- only our faith and trust

David said - if the Lord is your source of strength, who shall you fear?

Base things, things which are despised, and things which are not

all of these has God chosen - top bring to not the things that are

so that no flesh shall glory in His Presence

Which Of These Are You Today?

Perhaps you are not feeling smart enough, or strong enough

its OK, God has chosen people like you

Maybe you feel low, or even hated,

God has chosen people like you.

Maybe, you are one of those things that are not,

in other words, you have never really felt like anything- or even had goals

God has chosen people just like you -

If you will just put your trust in Him - You can Glory in Him!!!

1 Corinthians 1:30–31 NKJV

30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”