sf154 - The Foolishness Of God - Part Two (1 Corinthians 1 26-2 5)

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

2B. The world today loves human wisdom

2A. The Superiority of God’s Wisdom

1B. The priority of God’s wisdom (1:18)

2B. The permanence of God’s wisdom (1:19-20)

3B. The power of God’s wisdom (1:21-25)

The Superiority of God’s Wisdom Continued…

Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

1A. The paradox of God’s wisdom (1:26-28)

1B. Whom God will use (1:26)

Calling here refers to salvation – the effectual call that results in redemption

God does not measure our usability by the world’s standards

Ø Not many savvy – wise

Ø Not many self-sufficient – mighty

Ø Not many sophisticated - noble

No one has ever or will ever go head-first into the Kingdom.

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”

2B. What God will use (1:27-28)

God uses those whom the world calls foolish

God uses those whom the world calls feeble

God uses those whom the world calls failures

Ø Base (agenes); without family or descent

Ø Despised (exoutheneo); contemptable

Ø Which are not (ta ma onta); nothings, insignificant

God reveals the greatness of His power by demonstrating that it is the world’s nobodies that are His somebodies!

2A. The purpose of God’s wisdom (1:29-31)

1B. To bring glory to God by saving sinners (1:29)

2B. To bring glory to God by equipping the saved to serve (1:30-31)

Believers receive God’s wisdom (1:30a)

Ø Men are not saved by their intelligence or human wisdom.

Ø This wisdom is instantaneous. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Ø This wisdom is progressive (Ephesians 1:17)

Ø This wisdom is future (Ephesians 1:18)

Believers receive God’s righteousness (1:30b)

Romans 4:5

2 Corinthians 5:21

Believers receive God’s sanctification (1:30c)

What is counted to us judicially becomes ours actually. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Believers receive God’s redemption (1:30d)

Ephesians 1:13-14

1 Peter 1:18-19

Believers rejoice in God’s Glory (1:31)

3A. The Presentation of God’s Wisdom (2:1-5)

1B. It is to be presented in simplicity (2:1)

It is not to be presented through human wisdom

Testimony (marturion); a witness

The only task of ministry is to manifest the truth of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

2B. It is to be presented in purity (2:2)

The message of Christ is not to be mixed with the wisdom of man.

We are to proclaim Christ and Christ alone! (Galatians 1:6-8)

3B. It is to be presented in humility (2:3)

Paul came in the “weakness” of the gospel, which is the power of God. (1:25, 27)

By “fear and in much trembling” Paul meant his overwhelming desire to share the gospel and his hope that it would take root in their lives. (1 Corinthians 9:16, 19)

4B. It is to be presented in power (2:4-5)

God’s Spirit is the source of our power. (2:4)

God’s power is the foundation of our faith. (2:5)

Application

“The power that is the Gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, otherwise men would be the converters of souls, nor does it lie in the preacher’s learning, otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach until our tongues rotted, till we would exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless the Holy Spirit be with the Word of God to give it the power to convert the soul.” Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 1:26-2:5

1A. The paradox of God’s wisdom (1:26-28)

1B. ______________________ God will use (1:26)

Calling here refers to _________ – the effectual call that results in redemption

God does not measure our usability by the world’s standards (Matthew 11:15)

2B. ___________________ God will use (1:27-28)

God uses those whom the world calls __________

God uses those whom the world calls feeble

God uses those whom the world calls __________

2A. The ______________ of God’s wisdom (1:29-31)

1B. To bring glory to God by _________________ sinners (1:29)

2B. To bring glory to God by equipping the saved to serve (1:30-31)

Believers receive God’s _______________ (1:30a)

Ø This wisdom is instantaneous. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Ø This wisdom is progressive (Ephesians 1:17)

Ø This wisdom is future (Ephesians 1:18)

Believers receive God’s _____________________ (1:30b; Romans 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Believers receive God’s sanctification (1:30c)

Ø What is counted to us judicially becomes ours actually. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Believers receive God’s redemption (1:30d; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

Believers ______________ in God’s Glory (1:31)

3A. The Presentation of God’s Wisdom (2:1-5)

1B. It is to be presented in _______________ (2:1)