Power in Wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 3:18-22 Strength-training Power in Wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 3:18-22

Key Thought: The strength of the church body is God’s people acting on God’s Wisdom that comes from God’s Word.

Creating a Proper Base of Power What are things designed to run on? What is best for the “machine” long term? What will get the best results?

1. Reject the World’s Wisdom Motivated by pleasure Motivated by money Motivated by opinion polls “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16

a. The World’s Wisdom is Ignorant 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. (1:21)

b. The World’s Wisdom is Impotent Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1:25) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. (3:19)

c. The World’s Wisdom is Irrelevant …“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” Therefore let no one boast in men. (3:20-21) 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? (1:20)

2. Receive the Word’s Wisdom The Word’s Wisdom is Insulting For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, (1:22,23)

b. The Word’s Wisdom is Inconceivable (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; (1:26,27)

b. The Word’s Wisdom is Inconceivable (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. (1:28,29)

c. The Word’s Wisdom is Impacting (21) Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: (22) whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. (23) And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Are We Wise? For Spiritual Growth? For Service? Avoiding Worldly Wisdom and Embracing Genuine Wisdom… For Eternal Life? For Spiritual Growth? For Service?