When human wisdom is applied to spiritual issues, dangers await and problems arise. This is what happened in the church of Corinth. Paul addressed the first problem in Corinth by inviting his readers to think about the nature of wisdom.

He pointed out that the wisdom of men did not bring them to a knowledge of God. The wisdom of God, Jesus Christ and the message of the Cross, on the other hand solved the problem of man’s alienation from God.

The Cross is a stumbling block to the Jews.

1. The Cross is a stumbling block to the Jews. The sign-seeking Jews were so accustomed to miracles that they became fascinated to the point of demanding them. The sign-seeking Jews were so accustomed to miracles that they became fascinated to the point of demanding them. The Jews were focused on signs that the kingdom will be restored to Israel. Even the disciples did. The Jews were focused on signs that the kingdom will be restored to Israel. Even the disciples did.

1. The Cross is a stumbling block to the Jews. The Jews looked for signs of Messianic strength, but Jesus’ signs point to weakness culminating in crucifixion. The Jews looked for signs of Messianic strength, but Jesus’ signs point to weakness culminating in crucifixion. The Jews, in their studies of the Scriptures, missed the signs stated about the Messiah (e.g., Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53). The Jews, in their studies of the Scriptures, missed the signs stated about the Messiah (e.g., Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53).

1. The Cross is a stumbling block to the Jews. The Jews did not like the fact that the cross was pointing to the deficiencies of the Mosaic Law and its binding nature. The Jews did not like the fact that the cross was pointing to the deficiencies of the Mosaic Law and its binding nature.

The Cross is foolishness to the Gentiles.

2. The Cross is foolishness to the Gentiles. The Gentiles believed in many gods (Acts 17:16-24). The message of the Cross was too exclusive for them. The Gentiles believed in many gods (Acts 17:16-24). The message of the Cross was too exclusive for them. The Cross runs contrary to the atheistic materialist Epicureans who pursued pleasure. The resurrection from the dead presupposes the vanity of the present life of materialism and pleasure. The Cross runs contrary to the atheistic materialist Epicureans who pursued pleasure. The resurrection from the dead presupposes the vanity of the present life of materialism and pleasure.

2. The Cross is foolishness to the Gentiles. The Cross was an affront to the Stoics who are pantheistic, fatalistic and proud of being unmoved by external circumstances and changes. To them, the “stoic” attitude is the perfection of virtue. The Cross was an affront to the Stoics who are pantheistic, fatalistic and proud of being unmoved by external circumstances and changes. To them, the “stoic” attitude is the perfection of virtue.

2. The Cross is foolishness to the Gentiles. To the Gentiles, the Cross disregards human input and disarms human efforts of reaching God. To the Gentiles, the Cross disregards human input and disarms human efforts of reaching God. The Cross corrects the errors that the Greeks held to be true. The Cross corrects the errors that the Greeks held to be true.

Errors Corrected in Acts 17:16-24 GOD IS THE CREATOR of everything (v. 24) and is not “like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill” (v. 29). GOD IS THE CREATOR of everything (v. 24) and is not “like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill” (v. 29). GOD IS UNSEEN SPIRIT so He cannot be designed to live in temples or be served as a material and physical being (vv ). GOD IS UNSEEN SPIRIT so He cannot be designed to live in temples or be served as a material and physical being (vv ).

Errors Corrected in Acts 17:16-24 GOD HAS A PLAN FOR HISTORY. Having been designed and created by God to be like him, mankind exists under God’s providential plan and has been programmed to have a vital relationship with God (vv ). This runs counter to the Stoical Fate and Epicurean Chance. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR HISTORY. Having been designed and created by God to be like him, mankind exists under God’s providential plan and has been programmed to have a vital relationship with God (vv ). This runs counter to the Stoical Fate and Epicurean Chance.

Errors Corrected in Acts 17:16-24 GOD DETESTS IDOLS AND IMAGES. Bowing before man-made images or idols is a sin of ignorance which God overlooked in the past but now He expects people to repent of such ignorance (vv ). GOD DETESTS IDOLS AND IMAGES. Bowing before man-made images or idols is a sin of ignorance which God overlooked in the past but now He expects people to repent of such ignorance (vv ). GOD HAS SET A DAY OF JUDGMENT on the basis of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (v. 31). GOD HAS SET A DAY OF JUDGMENT on the basis of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (v. 31).

The Cross is the power and wisdom of God to the Christians.

3. The Cross is the power and wisdom of God to the Christians. The cross of Christ Jesus “has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (v. 30). The cross of Christ Jesus “has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (v. 30).

Three Tenses of Salvation 1. We have been saved from the penalty of sin (righteousness). 2. We are being saved from the power of sin (sanctification). 3. We shall be saved from the presence of sin (redemption).