The Gospel: The Power of God
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
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Emotion
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Language
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Social
Scripture Reading
Opening Prayer
Introduction
Advent
Coming
Anticipation
Why do we need a messiah?
Why do we need the cross?
Why do we need the Gospel?
Exposition 1 (10-17)
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Notice, Paul beings the passage with three exhortations:
Three Exhortations:
All must agree
Have no divisions
Be united in the same mind and judgment
Literally,
The New American Commentary: 1 Corinthians 1. An Appeal for Unity in Light of Corinthian Factions (1:10–17)
“that you speak the same thing and that you be joined together in the same mind and same outlook.”
Sometimes in this book, “Divisions” is social rather than doctrinal
Here it probably has to do with divided opinions about the nature of Jesus.
Pauls call for broad unity echo’s his consistent call for reconciliation. (Restoration of relationships)
Paul’s call of unity ultimately, as he is about to argue, revolves around agreement in the Gospel.
11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.
So, we don’t know much about who Chloe is but apparently she was well know amongst the Christians in Corinth
Her “people”
Do you have people?...
They told Paul that the church was dividing into parties
Not fun parties, think political parties
Paul lists 4
Paul himself,
Apollos
Cephas (Peter)
and Christ
Vs. 13 is key
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
The answer of these Rhetorical questions is clearly “NO”
...
vs.14-16, Paul is thankful that he did not personally baptize many in the church.
Why?
There is an implied answer and a stated answer which both ultimately teach the same thing
The implied answer: So nobody of the “party of Paul” could claim something special because they were baptized by the Apostle.
The stated answer?
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
I. Human wisdom empties the Gospel of its power (10-17)
I. Human wisdom empties the Gospel of its power (10-17)
Illustration 1
Coffee and caffine
Argumentation 1
Realize what Paul is arguing here. Paul was a Pharisee. He was educated. He had “worldly wisdom.” But using those things to try to argue people into believing the gospel would never work. Why?
Total depravity
Application 1
This should give you confidence to testify of the Gospel to your friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances.
It also eliminates the excuse that you don’t know enough
If you doubt or just don’t believe but are willing to think on the Gospel, realize
That if you insist on absolute proof, nothing will satisfy your search for answers
But if you willingly consider the prospect of believing based on faith rather than absolute proof, you may realize that what once looked foolish makes more and more sense.
Transition: Paul expands on this in the next portion of Scripture
Exposition 2 (18-25)
18 For the word of the cross is folly 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 discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where is the one who is wise? 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 did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
II. The cross is the power that saves the lost (18-25)
II. The cross is the power that saves the lost (18-25)
Illustration 2
Sometimes things are utter non-sense until they are not
Foreign language
Argumentation 2
Application 2
Exposition 3
III. The cross is the power that saves the found (18-25)
III. The cross is the power that saves the found (18-25)
Illustration 3
Going to Disney Land
Argumentation 3
Application 3
Conclusion
Tie into Advent
Prayer of Thanksgiving