1 Corinthians 1:18-31 | Wisdom Leads to Christ
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Our need for wisdom remains a constant throughout the entirety of the Scriptures. If wisdom is the practical application of our faith in the everyday circumstances of life then it is of upmost importance that we learn to filter our understanding through the lens of the gospel. In seeking wisdom we learn quickly that true wisdom is to be found in Christ.
The opening chapter of 1 Corinthians introduces us to an subtle problem within the church of Corinth and the believers that make it up. The Church of Corinth was a gifted church, that seemingly lacked nothing from all outward appearances. Yet internally there was an increasing division that centered on personalities, ministries, and gifts instead of the unity they had in Christ. In addressing the The ongoing conflict in the church, Paul revealed that there true problem was found in placing inordinate value upon the wrong things.
Central Focus: Paul explained to the Corinthians how the wisdom of God countered the reasoning of human wisdom. For God had chosen the message of the cross to be of greatest importance not the messenger.
Proposition: Believers should recognize that the wisdom of God often stands in conflict with the reasoning and philosophies of our present age. As people in the world but not of the world, how are we to think rightly about wisdom and folly? We’ll see through our study that the answer to this question often comes down to whether we are looking to Christ or someone or something else.
Transition: In our verse Paul reveals three truths concerning the wisdom of God and how it leads to Christ. 1. The wisdom of God...
Centers on the Gospel Message:
Centers on the Gospel Message:
Subtle Problem: Paul received news that the unity of the Corinthian church was being threatened by dissension that centered on personalities and not Jesus.
The Corinthians missed the point that the central emphasis of the church was to follow Jesus not personalities. The reasoning of human logic began to overshadow their thinking. They began to create factions based personalities, status, ministerial works, and teaching ability, yet the focus of the church is about none of those things.
The central focus of the church is the essential means that God has chosen to bring salvation to those who are perishing. Paul emphasized that when he preached it was not with persuasive discourse reflecting human wisdom nor was it towering examples of oratory skill.
In the previous paragraph, he expressed his thankfulness that he hadn't had a bigger role in many of the Corinthians lives (baptized), other than preaching the Gospel to them. For Paul’s sole focus was the proclamation of the gospel message which centers on the power of Jesus to save. Nothing he did or said was meant to detract from the proclamation of Jesus. Why?
Gospel is the Power of God unto salvation: “Wisdom in God is infinite and unerring, choosing always the best end and the best means of attaining it. [James Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology, 92.] In our context it refers to the Wisdom of God that is on display in the redemption of a fallen people through the death of Jesus. The proclamation of the cross is means we come face to face with wisdom. For here we encounter the application of God’s infinite knowledge of our greatest need and the actuality of His transforming power to save. For it reveals What God justice required (against our sin and rebellion), His grace has provided. (perfect obedience and righteousness). The gospel reveals the lengths that God will go to save those who have sinned against Him.
Missing the Point: The Corinthians were missing the point as they were focusing on leaders instead of Christ. Many churches through the years have risen and fallen because they were following a personality or focusing on misaligned philosophies instead of looking to Jesus.
Like the Corinthians we often boast in the wrong things, we long for the most visible gifts, and we often evaluate what’s truly important from a natural perspective instead of true wisdom.
We are easily wowed by charismatic personalities, spiritual gifting, or strong speaking ability. We tend to follow ministries that reflect our preference, mirror our philosophies, or reflect ideals we think are most important.
When we move away from the centrality of Jesus we abandon what is most important.
When we follow a personality we are replacing the only one who can provide life and hope.
When we miss the gospel, we are missing the sole means that God has chosen to redeem and transform lives.
Transition: The wisdom of God has placed a central emphasis on the gospel message, Therefore we quickly learn the wisdom of God...
Counters Human Reasoning:
Counters Human Reasoning:
Human Reasoning: The problem with the gospel is that it doesn’t reflect what we naturally think is the best possible answer to human need or hope. The world is full of ideas concerning the problems of our age and possible solutions to overcome them. In our country election cycle display radically different understanding of problems, where parties are vying for the heart and minds of people and the power to solve the crisis in the manner that they deem most suitable. We have become a nation that worship political ideals, sociological philosophies, and moral ambiguities - The only recourse to our problems is the right party being in power or the need for a gospel of cultural transformation. In an increasingly secular society the gospel seems foolish at best. Yet the problem lies in the fact that the Corinthian letter is written to believers - who’s thinking reflect more natural human reasoning than true wisdom.
Folly & Wisdom: Throughout our study in Proverbs we have been noticing the ongoing rivalry between folly and wisdom for the hearts of minds of people. Now, in a NT context we see that folly and wisdom are once again at odds concerning the redemptive purpose of God. For human reasoning in evaluating the cross of Jesus determines that it is a foolish hope for one to cling. The wisdom of God seems like folly at best.
“No [person], in his or her right mind or otherwise, would ever have dreamed up God’s scheme for redemption—through a crucified Messiah.... Gordon D. Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, NICNT, 68.
Upside-Down: Yet Through the cross God is accomplishing what he said he would do - turn human wisdom and understanding upside down. “For it is written I will destroy the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent” Through the message of the cross God has made foolish the wisdom and reasoning of this world. “All those who will live by their own wisdom will be left with nothing.” Bruce Barton, Life Application Commentary, pg. 31
Why? The very best of human reasoning and wisdom under the fall fails to recognize the majesty and greatness of God so God chose to act in a way that defies our wisdom, strength, or ability. It’s so far beyond what we are looking for or think that we stand in need of. In other words we don’t reach the conclusion that Jesus is our only hope of salvation through our own reasoning or understanding.
...The world has gathered together a treasure of wisdom, of wisdom, that is, concerning the things of this earthly life. But this wisdom of the world constitutes the world the less excusable, for it proves that mankind did not lack such gifts of God as mind and reason, rational and moral ability. The wisdom of man demonstrates that man because of the darkness of his mind and the hardening of his heart has not used the gifts which were given him aright.
The light shined in darkness, it is true but the darkness did not comprehend it. The Word was in the world, but the world did not know Him. In all its wisdom the world did not know God. Herman Bavinck, Our Reasonable Faith, 43–44
So God has chosen to reveal our need and hope in Jesus along through the foolishness of the gospel. In doing so He confounds our natural reasoning. Many stumble over the seeming simplicity and foolishness of it. We seemingly think “there must be something more to it, there has to be something that I must do...it cannot be that easy.”
Yet to those who look to the Jesus discover He is the power and wisdom of God. For in Christ we who were dead in our sin were raised to walk in the newness of His life. In Him our life is transformed completely - we are forgiven, we are given perfect righteousness , and reconciliation to the Father.
God’s in wisdom makes a way where we would never look for one and God in strength does what we could never do on our own.
Confirms His glory:
Confirms His glory:
Missing Perspective: What the Corinthians failed to recognize that God’s redemptive purpose remove all claims of human boasting - in themselves or anyone else. For it points to the glory of God alone.
True perspective: None are worthy based on who they are, their station in life, or their natural abilities. We are not mighty in the world eyes, we may not be of noble birth, we seem to be foolish choices, we maybe weak in ourselves, and we often seem bring very little to the table. But what we lack in ourselves, we find completely in Christ. He is our wisdom, our strength, our righteousness, our sanctification, for he is our redemption. So the only possible things that we may boast in is Christ and Christ alone.
Summary:
Summary:
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that wisdom of God often stands in conflict with the philosophies of our present age. Many will stumble and fall over the message of the Gospel because it is offering a hope that they don’t even realize they need. It’s an answer to a problem that they do not realize they have.
But for the believer the Gospel represents the pinnacle of God’s sovereign wisdom as He reveal’s the depths of our fallenness and provides the answer to our greatest need in Jesus. So for the believers the line between wisdom and folly comes down to whether we are looking to Christ or something else. To walk in true wisdom is to look to Christ continually as my life and hope. So Let us be careful not to mistakenly look to other people, philosophies, or preferences as a source of our confidence and strength.
Response:
Response:
Do you believe that Christ is enough and the Gospel is sufficient for the ministry that we have been called?
What is it that you are glorying in? Does it reflect true wisdom or does it more closely align with our own understanding.
Scripture Xref:
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:3–6, NKJV)
Beautiful Quote:
John Bunyan describes human wisdom as one of the greatest enemy of God “For...it casts the greatest contempt upon his Son’s undertakings in that it counts his crucifixion [as folly]; though it be one of the highest demonstrations of Divine wisdom.” John Bunyan, Come and Welcome, to Jesus Christ, vol. 1, 275.