INTRODUCTION
1. Today we are faced with many issues over
which people disagree...
a. Moral issues related to what is good
or evil
b. Doctrinal issues related to what is
right or wrong
2. It is not uncommon to hear people appeal to
certain "authorities"...
a. Those considered experts in the areas of
science, philosophy, and
religion
b. Who share the results of their experiments,
research, or careful
thinking
3. Many place their faith in such "authorities"...
a. Especially in areas of morality and spiritual
truth
b. Is that a wise thing to do?
against "The Folly Of Trusting In Human
Wisdom". In this passage of
Scripture we learn that...]
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
1 Corinthians 1;18-24
“18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For 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. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
The Foolish to Shame the Wise
1 Corinthians 1:25-31
“25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But 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; 28And 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: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
I. GOD HAS MADE FOOLISH THE WISDOM OF THE
WISE
A. CONSIDER THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS...
1. I.e., the idea of a crucified Savior, dying
for the sins of the
world
2. To those who are perishing, it is foolishness
3. To those being saved, it is the power of God!
(1
Corinthians 1:18)
B. THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE MESSAGE IS BY
DESIGN...
1. God proclaimed that He would destroy the
wisdom of the wise
2. God has made foolish the wisdom of this world
3. Why?
Because the world in its own wisdom rejects God
a. We see that in the idolatry of Paul's day
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath
shewed it unto them. 20For 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: 21Because 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.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory
of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to
birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
b. We see it today in the theories of evolution,
humanism,
immorality
4. So God chose to save man through faith in a
message that seems
foolish
a. While the Jews were seeking signs, and the
Greeks sought
after wisdom
b. But for those who accept the call of the
message of Christ
crucified, there is both power and wisdom! –
c. For God's foolishness is wiser than man, His
weakness
stronger than man
C. THUS NOT MANY WISE, MIGHTY, NOBLE ARE
CALLED...
1. At Corinth, there were not many wise
(according to the flesh),
mighty, noble who had responded to the call of
the gospel
2. The same is true today: those receptive to the gospel are
usually not the wise, mighty, noble
3. Again, this is part of God's design to shame
the arrogant
wisdom and might of those who reject God
4. Otherwise, the wise and mighty would boast of
themselves in the
presence of God
[This should make us cautious about anything
based solely on the wisdom
or strength of man. Man in his wisdom and strength cannot begin
to
compare to the foolishness and weakness of
God! Thus...]
II. WE SHOULD BOAST IN THE LORD, NOT MAN
A. FOR IN A CRUCIFIED, RISEN SAVIOR...
1. There is to be found wisdom from God
“In whom are hid all the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge.”
2. There is both righteousness and sanctification
“And be found in him, not having
mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the
faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
3. There is redemption from sin
“In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace;”
B. THUS WE SHOULD GLORY IN THE LORD...
1. Just as it written in the Scriptures
“31That, according as it is
written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
2. Not in our own wisdom, might, or riches
“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the
wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his riches:”
3. But in understanding and knowing God, who
delights in
lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in
the earth
“But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith
the LORD.”
C. PAUL PROVIDES HIMSELF AS AN EXAMPLE...
1. He had plenty of reasons to boast in himself
“For ye have heard of my
conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I
persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14And profited in the Jews'
religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly
zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”
“Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he
might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of
Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the
law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”
2. Yet he counted such things as dung, in
comparison to the
excellence of knowing Christ and His salvation
“But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may
win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is
of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto
his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
3. Thus his boast was in the cross of Christ
“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.”
D. IN WHAT DO YOU BOAST...?
1. You may think yourself wise, strong, or
self-sufficient because
of your wealth
2. You may think others worthy to guide you in
matters of truth
and morality
3. But unless it is ultimately the Lord who
guides us, it is
folly!
**If you are still hungry for the Word of God, please visit the Full Gospel Holiness Church's Website
@
http://www.fghconline.com/
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