Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

In the classic movie Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus utters what much of the world thinks faith is: “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

In other words, faith is irrational, contrary to experience, logic, and knowledge, and is so even at the most common sense level.

Of course, the Bible knows of no “common sense” that is not sensible enough to recognize that God exists and can do anything.481

The problem in view of God’s word

Two Different Vantage Points V18-19

to perish (spiritually) v. — to be or become without spiritual life under the condemnation of God.

to be saved (state) v. — to be or become delivered or rescued from sin (and consequential judgment).

power n.

— possession of controlling influence; often understood as manifesting influence over reality in a supernatural manner.

finite wisdom (ability) n. — the ability to acquire and discern truth about natural and supernatural matters without the assistance or revelation of God; perhaps denoting wisdom of a manipulative character.

comprehension n. — an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result).

to invalidate v. — to take away the legal force of or render ineffective.

scholar ⇔ scribe n. — an expert interpreter and teacher of a body of writings; usually the Mosaic Law.

As he often did, Paul illustrated his point by an example of Israel who, following humanly wise counsel, formed an alliance with Egypt as a defense against Assyria, when in fact only the miraculous intervention of God was able to save them (cf.

Isa.

29:14; 2 Kings 18:17–19:37).

Paul here is comparing the vantage point of the world to that of God.

Trying to show them that the view of the world is finite.

God’s Actions Towards Worldly Wisdom V20-21

to make foolish v. — to cause to be marked by lack of good sense or judgment.

to know (experientially) v. — to know or have knowledge about (someone or something); normally as acquired through observation or the senses.

ridiculous thought n. — a wildly mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea.

God made a conscous decision to to use foolishness to save.

God knew that as man began a trek towards “truth” it was NOT ending up with God at the end of the path.

God’s Worst V Our Best V22-25

miracle ⇔ sign n. — a marvelous event manifesting a supernatural act of a divine agent; often with an emphasis on communicating a message.

offense n. — an offensive action that results in opposition.

du

A savior on the cross was hard to swallow for the Jews.

If knowledge is the application of wisdom then can’t Christ be seen as the wisdom of God? -Bro.

C.W. Stephens

1 cor 1 25

God shows that his foolishness is greater than our greatest wisdom.

God saw that man began to rely on himself, much like Adam and Eve.

That direction proved to be literally fatal before.

The trouble in view of our present world today

Two Different Vantage Points Today

What he said vs what we say

Same sex marriage is love

Patriotism is Christianity

Violence is OK when opposing views occurs

Traditionalism equates to a pure heart

God’s Actions Towards Worldly Wisdom

Things that have been believed

The earth is flat

Lightning does not strike the same place twice

You are born homosexual

The fix in biblical view

God’s Lowly Instruments V26-29

It is pretty funny that at this point of the letter Paul asks them to look around at themselves.

And what they are made up of.

to dishonor v. — to bring shame or dishonor upon or fail to respect.

lowborn adj.

— of humble birth or origins; especially in contrast to nobility.

to boast (exult) v. — to display or proclaim publicly (and ostentatiously) a satisfied contentment with one’s own or another’s achievements.

Proper Placement of Trust V30-31

1 cor 30

wisdom n. — the capacity for rational thought, inference or discrimination (and the application of it).

righteousness (state) n. — a status of legal rectitude that satisfies the moral requirements of God’s character.

sanctification n. — the act of becoming more personally dedicated to God; especially by becoming more distinct, devoted, or morally pure.

full redemption n. — a redemption most likely to a greater extent or degree.

The solution through the lens of the world.

God’s Lowly Instruments Today

I ask again that you look around!

God has used the lowly to change the world.

Not many of us have power yet we have played parts in saving the souls of someone from their eternal destination of damnation!

Secondly God has allowed you to overcome the odds when the world says that you should not!

From drug addiction, traumatic life experiences, jail/prison, unfaithful spouses, death of loved ones, etc.

Some of these things kill people who only rely on human wisdom but with God!

Third we stay in step with the will of God by realizing that it was not us!

Proper Placement of Trust Today

Christ has become everything for us!

We understand God through Christ

We know how to live life the RIGHT way through Christ

We have a purpose in life with Christ

And we are slave to NOTHING because of Christ

Secondly DO NOT HOLD IN YOUR BOASTING ABOUT THE LORD! LET IT OUT!

Suppress the urge to boast in your works and vehemently spew out praises for what God has done for you so that others too can see!

-Bro.

C.W. Stephens

Conclusion

At a circus a huge elephant was tied to an eighteen-inch stake.

Could he not easily have pulled it out of the ground and be free?

Sure!

But he had tried it when he was a baby and was unsuccessful.

The elephant had concluded that he could never pull it out of the ground.

So there he stood, a massive creature capable of lifting whole trees, yet held captive by a puny stake.

What small stake could faith release you from?459