sf137 - The Foolishness Of God - Part One (1 Corinthians 1 18-25)
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Introduction
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 continues to deal with the problem of divisions in the church.
In this section, Paul reveals that when we depend on human wisdom and ability we will experience divisions.
It is only the power and wisdom of God that can bring and insure unity in the church.
1A. The Inferiority of Human Wisdom
1B. The world of Paul’s day loved human wisdom
The Greeks believed that philosophy was all-important.
Ø They loved to debate philosophy
Many of the believers in Corinth carried their philosophical loyalties into the church
Ø They were saved but they wanted to hold on to their human wisdom.
Paul’s message was that as Christians they have no need for human wisdom.
Ø Where it was right it agreed with Scripture and was unnecessary
Ø Where it was wrong it disagreed with Scripture and was misleading.
2B. The world today loves human wisdom
Every one has an opinion, a philosophy.
God’s Word is the only source of true wisdom.
Whenever we elevate human wisdom, we undercut revelation.
Ø Man’s wisdom always elevates man and lowers God.
Ø Man loves complicated religions because they appeal to our ego.
Ø Man’s wisdom is designed to fulfill man’s will.
Becoming a Christian does not give us all the answers to everything.
Ø Science and technology can provide valuable answers to some of life’s problems.
Ø However, when it comes to answers to what life is about human wisdom cannot help us.
2A. The Superiority of God’s Wisdom
1B. The priority of God’s wisdom (1:18)
The wonder of the cross (1:18a)
Ø Foolishness (moria) the cross is moronic to those who rely on their own wisdom.
Ø The “message of the cross” includes the entire gospel message.
Ø The natural man cannot understand the cross. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
The way of the cross (1:18b)
Ø To those who are being saved the cross is the power of God.
2B. The permanence of God’s wisdom (1:19-20)
Human wisdom is unreliable (1:19)
Ø This is a quote from Isaiah 29:14 and is a reference to the Assyrians and their invasion of Judah. God proved the wisdom of man to be foolishness.
Jeremiah 8:9 The wise men are ashamed, They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD; So what wisdom do they have?
God’s wisdom is perfect. (James 3:17)
Human wisdom is temporary (1:20)
Ø Education has not solved our problems
Ø Where have all the great thinkers gotten us?
Human wisdom deals with the symptom not the cause.
Ø We tend to want to deal with the surface problem.
Ø That is all man knows to do.
3B. The power of God’s wisdom (1:21-25)
The failure of worldly wisdom (1:21)
Ø Worldly wisdom will try to change man’s environment, what man needs is a changed heart.
Ø Worldly wisdom asks man to do what he is unable to do.
Ø Worldly wisdom is the source of all religion.
Ø God does not expect men to come to Him through their own wisdom.
That is why He has given us the message!
The futility of worldly wisdom (1:22-23)
Ø Salvation is not found in miracles. (1:22a)
Matthew 12:39-40 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Ø Salvation is not found in knowledge. (1:22b)
Ø Salvation is found in Christ alone!
That is the only message we have and the only message we need.
The finality of Godly wisdom (1:24-25)
Ø Christ is all we need. (1:24)
Colossians 2:3 (Christ) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
Ø Christ is more than we need (1:25)
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
1A. The Inferiority of ___________________ Wisdom
1B. The world of Paul’s day loved human wisdom
The Greeks believed that philosophy was all-important.
Many of the believers in Corinth carried their philosophical loyalties into the church
Paul’s message was that as Christians they have ______________ need for human wisdom.
2B. The world today _____________ human wisdom
Every one has an opinion, a philosophy.
God’s Word is the _________ source of true wisdom.
Whenever we elevate human wisdom, we undercut revelation.
Becoming a Christian does not give us all the answers to everything.
2A. The Superiority of God’s Wisdom
1B. The _________________ of God’s wisdom (1:18)
The ___________________ of the cross (1:18a)
The ________________________ of the cross (1:18b; 1 Corinthians 2:14)
2B. The permanence of God’s wisdom (1:19-20)
Human wisdom is _____________ (1:19; Jeremiah 8:9)
God’s wisdom is __________________. (James 3:17)
Human wisdom is temporary (1:20)
Human wisdom deals with the symptom not the cause.
3B. The power of God’s wisdom (1:21-25)
The ____________________ of worldly wisdom (1:21)
The _________________ of worldly wisdom (1:22-23)
Ø Salvation is not found in miracles. (1:22a; Matthew 12:39-40)
Ø Salvation is not found in knowledge. (1:22b)
Ø Salvation is found in Christ alone!
The __________________ of Godly wisdom (1:24-25)
Ø Christ is all we need. (1:24)
Colossians 2:3 (Christ) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
Ø Christ is more than we need (1:25)
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,