1 Corinthians Session 2 |The Foolishness of the Cross 1:18-31 Big Ideas: 1. The Foolishness of the Message of the Cross 2. The Foolish and the Weak Shame the Wise 1 Corinthians 1:18 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. Foolish-ridiculous thought, absurd, scientifically unattainable. (its main references in Greek are to the intellectual life) What is the message of the cross, and why does Paul refer to it as foolish? ● The idea that one innocent man could die on behalf of the sins of the world and offer a substitutionary atonement for all mankind is foolish. ● The paradox of not just a king but a God who rules supreme, subjecting Himself to His creation, is foolish. ● The idea that a sinful and depraved man like me can find atonement for my sins by simply acknowledging them, turning from them to God, and subjecting myself to His Lordship is foolish. ● The idea that God would use the most unlikely candidates throughout history to accomplish His will is foolish. 1 Corinthians 1:19-25 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who 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. Romans 1:16-25 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Conform-to act in accordance or harmony [with something]; to comply; to act in accordance with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of society or a group; to be or become similar in form. Transform- is a change in form, appearance, nature, or character. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Matthew 5:3 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “poor in spirit” in this case is ptochos (toe-KAS). This word has a very specific meaning: one who is reduced to begging dependence, someone who is bankrupt. In other words, the essence of “poor in spirit” means that the Kingdom of Christ is for the repentant, spiritually bankrupt, dependent, and needy person. Material wealth has no bearing on this matter. Paul’s weakness is his strength 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Take Away: 1. Have I understood and accepted the message of the cross (the Gospel) and seen transformative fruit in my life? 2. Have I considered that Gods system of calling is opposite the worlds way? How can this cause me to change the way I approach my usefulness to God and His Kingdom? 2. What types of wisdom do I crave, listen to, pursue, and imitate? What fruit do I see coming from this? Who is the loudest/most influential voice in my life?