The Cross of Christ…
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
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.
How can the speaking of words be the power of God?
To “preach” means to announce or proclaim some sort of news…
What is the “power of God”?
1 Corinthians 1:19-20 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 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?
Indeed. What has become of our philosophers, writers and our great debaters (apologists)?
Let’s consider here that Paul is writing to “the church of God which is at Corinth” (v.2). He is not arguing with unbelievers about salvation, but rather with the Church about how people are won to the Lord.
Considering the GREAT need for Salvation, how can Man justify himself before God?
-Our “wise” men (the intellectuals) have lived miserable, depressing
lives. Not only can’t they save themselves, but even their most
ardent fans are likewise trapped in sin and disgrace…
-Our greatest writers (Shakespeare, Dickens, Frost, etc…) can paint
with words our dreadful plights and fears. They can describe our
hopes and dreams, but CANNOT guide us to their fulfillment.
-Our “disputers” (lawyers, judges, legislators) cannot solve our
problems. Whatever laws, restrictions or guidelines they have come
up with only increases the wickedness in our land.
The problem is two-fold:
Fortunately, God himself is happy to help us out!
1 Corinthians 1:21 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.
Preaching what? The Cross!
How did men respond to God’s plan?
How did people respond to the cross and what it means?
In general, there are two types of people:
Jews – Those Israelis that seek God through the scriptures.
Greeks – Hellenists, non-Jews (this includes Atheists and Agnostics).
1 Corinthians 1:22
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
The Jews (and religious folk) want a demonstration of power to impress them or they will not follow Christ.
The Greeks (and scientist type folk) want answers that make sense to them or they will not follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:23-25 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which 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.
Have you noticed that Jesus is the foolishness of God?
Perhaps that shocks you…
-Jesus was called a bastard and a Samaritan by the Pharisees
(John8:41,48). They didn’t believe Mary (Jesus’ mother) when she
said she was made pregnant by the Holy Ghost.
-Jesus was born in a stable, not in a king’s house.
-Jesus didn’t seek financial wealth or political power; He let Judas
(whom Jesus knew was a thief) handle the money!
-Jesus was kicked out of the Synagogues and often lived out in the
brush.
-They thought Jesus was crazy and had a demon (John8:48).
Jesus is also the weakness of God…
-When Jesus was arrested, He could have stopped them, but only used
His power to get the disciples free (John18:3-8).
-When Jesus was accused before Pilate, He did not defend Himself
(Matt.27:11-14, John18:36).
-On the cross, He wouldn’t defend Himself (Luke23:35-37).
The point Paul is making here is that when God does NOTHING, He is still stronger and smarter than any of us!
-The devil, the government and the religious leaders all tried to destroy
our Savior. Their very hatred of Jesus gave Jesus total VICTORY!
1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Jesus Christ is the power of God!!
Now, if Jesus is truly the WISDOM of God, His decisions should be intriguing to see. Not only does He know all things and have all power; Jesus intends to give His power into the hands of those He calls!
What kind of people is our Lord looking for?
To be His preachers? To be His teachers?
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 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;
28 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:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
God is looking for the foolish, weak, base (disgusting), despised nobodies to carry out His plans!! (He apparently will use a few smart, strong, noble people in His service; but generally not.)
God’s reason for this is that He doesn’t like pride and self-esteem.
-If God does NOTHING, He will still accomplish His plans!
-When God uses silly, weak and simple people to carry out His work,
everyone will know that it is God who is wonderful.
-This is how God is confounding the enemies of His Christ!
-In this way, God will win the hearts of millions.
If you put your trust in Jesus, you cannot lose!
If you put your trust in Jesus, all your suffering will “work together for
good”.
Why is Jesus so exciting?
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Christ: our deliverer, our savior!
Wisdom: our reason, our cause.
Sanctification: His blood cleans us, His Spirit seals us, His works confirm us!
Redemption: Jesus has:
Paid every debt,
Completed every promise,
Fulfilled every hope,
Satisfied every obligation,
Answered every petition and prayer.
Why has Jesus gone to the cross for you?
1 Corinthians 1:31
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
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.
How can the speaking of words be the power of God?
To “preach” means to announce or proclaim some sort of news…
What is the “power of God”?
1 Corinthians 1:19-20 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 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?
Indeed. What has become of our philosophers, writers and our great debaters (apologists)?
Let’s consider here that Paul is writing to “the church of God which is at Corinth” (v.2). He is not arguing with unbelievers about salvation, but rather with the Church about how people are won to the Lord.
Considering the GREAT need for Salvation, how can Man justify himself before God?
-Our “wise” men (the intellectuals) have lived miserable, depressing
lives. Not only can’t they save themselves, but even their most
ardent fans are likewise trapped in sin and disgrace…
-Our greatest writers (Shakespeare, Dickens, Frost, etc…) can paint
with words our dreadful plights and fears. They can describe our
hopes and dreams, but CANNOT guide us to their fulfillment.
-Our “disputers” (lawyers, judges, legislators) cannot solve our
problems. Whatever laws, restrictions or guidelines they have come
up with only increases the wickedness in our land.
The problem is two-fold:
- God
knows exactly what we are capable of and expects us to do right.
- We
are like dirty rags; when we try to clean ourselves by ourselves, we appear to
improve, but only at the cost of soiling the cleaner areas. We think that everything is grey…
Fortunately, God himself is happy to help us out!
1 Corinthians 1:21 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.
Preaching what? The Cross!
How did men respond to God’s plan?
How did people respond to the cross and what it means?
In general, there are two types of people:
Jews – Those Israelis that seek God through the scriptures.
Greeks – Hellenists, non-Jews (this includes Atheists and Agnostics).
1 Corinthians 1:22
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
The Jews (and religious folk) want a demonstration of power to impress them or they will not follow Christ.
The Greeks (and scientist type folk) want answers that make sense to them or they will not follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:23-25 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which 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.
Have you noticed that Jesus is the foolishness of God?
Perhaps that shocks you…
-Jesus was called a bastard and a Samaritan by the Pharisees
(John8:41,48). They didn’t believe Mary (Jesus’ mother) when she
said she was made pregnant by the Holy Ghost.
-Jesus was born in a stable, not in a king’s house.
-Jesus didn’t seek financial wealth or political power; He let Judas
(whom Jesus knew was a thief) handle the money!
-Jesus was kicked out of the Synagogues and often lived out in the
brush.
-They thought Jesus was crazy and had a demon (John8:48).
Jesus is also the weakness of God…
-When Jesus was arrested, He could have stopped them, but only used
His power to get the disciples free (John18:3-8).
-When Jesus was accused before Pilate, He did not defend Himself
(Matt.27:11-14, John18:36).
-On the cross, He wouldn’t defend Himself (Luke23:35-37).
The point Paul is making here is that when God does NOTHING, He is still stronger and smarter than any of us!
-The devil, the government and the religious leaders all tried to destroy
our Savior. Their very hatred of Jesus gave Jesus total VICTORY!
1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Jesus Christ is the power of God!!
Now, if Jesus is truly the WISDOM of God, His decisions should be intriguing to see. Not only does He know all things and have all power; Jesus intends to give His power into the hands of those He calls!
What kind of people is our Lord looking for?
To be His preachers? To be His teachers?
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 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;
28 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:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
God is looking for the foolish, weak, base (disgusting), despised nobodies to carry out His plans!! (He apparently will use a few smart, strong, noble people in His service; but generally not.)
God’s reason for this is that He doesn’t like pride and self-esteem.
-If God does NOTHING, He will still accomplish His plans!
-When God uses silly, weak and simple people to carry out His work,
everyone will know that it is God who is wonderful.
-This is how God is confounding the enemies of His Christ!
-In this way, God will win the hearts of millions.
If you put your trust in Jesus, you cannot lose!
If you put your trust in Jesus, all your suffering will “work together for
good”.
Why is Jesus so exciting?
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Christ: our deliverer, our savior!
Wisdom: our reason, our cause.
Sanctification: His blood cleans us, His Spirit seals us, His works confirm us!
Redemption: Jesus has:
Paid every debt,
Completed every promise,
Fulfilled every hope,
Satisfied every obligation,
Answered every petition and prayer.
Why has Jesus gone to the cross for you?
1 Corinthians 1:31
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
