Date: 11-07-2020

Title: Foolish Wisdom

(S) cripture:
    1 Corinthians 1:17-31 (NASB) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. 18 For the word 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 THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the 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 consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

(O) bservation:
    Wisdom was something important to the people of Corinth. But the wisdom they sought was made foolish by God. They wanted a faith that made sense to them, but the power of the cross does not come from human wisdom. In fact, human wisdom empties the cross of its power. Even though it may not make sense to us, the power of the cross is rooted in the message of Christ crucified. It is not in miracles or wisdom but in the preaching of Christ crucified.

(A) pplication:
     Over the years I have read many “church growth” books and tried some of the programs. It seems that many are based on the best advertizing and marketing skills that can be offered. I was always suspicious of those that told me to identify a target group. I thought Jesus already that in the Great Commission. I wonder if we have not emptied the power of the cross by trying to make that message fit into our slick schemes. When I think of myself and when I was called, I fit what Paul described, unwise, non-influential and not of noble birth and yet God has chosen to use me. Why then would I turn to the wisdom of man to accomplish the things of God? This is not a call to be ignorant, but it is a reminder of just Who we are to listen to and follow. Today I choose to follow the Lord and the Word God has given to us. Whatever wisdom I need will be found there. Today I must remember that power comes from the cross, the resurrection and God’s Spirit living in me and not my worldly wisdom.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, I do not ever want to empty the cross of its power by substituting human wisdom for the gospel. Help me to get this right. Amen