1 Corinthians “Church Purity in a Polluted Culture” Part Corinthians 1:18-2:5

Last Week… Priority of preaching the gospel and not making a name for himself Priority of preaching the gospel and not making a name for himself Corinthian Church split over leader icons, and lost focus on the cross of Christ Corinthian Church split over leader icons, and lost focus on the cross of Christ 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 2

How Could This Happen? Ancient Greeks were in love with philosophy, around which their culture was built Ancient Greeks were in love with philosophy, around which their culture was built At least 50 identifiable philosophical parties or movements with their own ideas At least 50 identifiable philosophical parties or movements with their own ideas – man’s origin – significance – Destiny – relationship to the gods 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 3

How Could This Happen? Corinthians carried much of their philosophical factionalism into the church Corinthians carried much of their philosophical factionalism into the church Philosophy (“love of wisdom”) with its views invented by man, was all-important Philosophy (“love of wisdom”) with its views invented by man, was all-important Paul uses stark contrasts to drive home the idea that no man-made philosophy could ever lead us to God Paul uses stark contrasts to drive home the idea that no man-made philosophy could ever lead us to God 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 4

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25)

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Cor 1:18-19 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 6

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” (1 Cor 1:20-21 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 7

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Cor 1:22-25 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 8

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Cor 1:18-19 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 9 Paul sets up a focal point and calls it the message of the cross, which means something different depending on your current eternal state. Those perishing = utter foolishness [moria] Those being saved = power [dunimas] of God

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Cor 1:18-19 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 10 Is being saved… Is perishing… FoolishnessFoolishness Power of God message of the cross

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Cor 1:18-19 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 11 Is perishing… FoolishnessFoolishness message of the cross “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands con- demned already be- cause he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:18 NIV)

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Cor 1:18-19 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 12 Is being saved… Power of God message of the cross “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—” (Eph 2:8 NIV) “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (Rom 6:22 ESV) “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Rom 8:17 ESV) “But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”” (Acts 15:11 ESV)

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” (1 Cor 1:18-19 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 13 Though the Jews had sought to know God through their own traditions and wisdom, God frustrated any attempt to do so… Isaiah 29:14

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” (1 Cor 1:20-21 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 14 know [ginosko] = not just the collection of facts [gnosis] about something, but a deep experiential knowledge reserved for intimate relationships.

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” (1 Cor 1:20-21 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 15 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” (Romans 10:14-15 ESV)

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Cor 1:22-25 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 16 Desire for proof most often is an evasion, or excuse for not believing! “If I prove to you that the New Testament is one of the most reliable pieces of literature in antiquity, will you believe?” The student retorted, “NO!” Josh then responded, “you don’t have a problem with your mind, but with you will.” – Evidence That Demands A Verdict

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Cor 1:22-25 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 17 “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 12:38-39 ESV) Jews = physical proof

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Cor 1:22-25 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 18 Greeks generally believed that all matter was evil and that anything spiritual was good. It was inconceivable to them that God would take on human flesh like a man. Greeks = intellectual proof

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Cor 1:22-25 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 19 calling [kletos], literally means, an “effectual appointment to be a saint”. “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48 ESV )

Worldly Wisdom Cannot Instruct Us (1:18-25) “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Cor 1:22-25 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 20 Ironically and tragically, the very part of God’s plan and work that seems most ridiculous and useless from man’s natural standpoint actually exhibits His greatest power and greatest wisdom.

Worldly Power Cannot Enable Us (1:26-31) 6/28/09EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians21

Worldly Power Cannot Enable Us (1:26-31) “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 22

Worldly Power Cannot Enable Us (1:26-31) “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 23 There were no shinning stars, or nothing outstanding about any of them/us. Why?

Worldly Power Cannot Enable Us (1:26-31) “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 24 God chooses the foolish, weak, and lowly, to cancel out all human effectiveness. ““Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 ESV)

Worldly Power Cannot Enable Us (1:26-31) “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 25 They/we now have become trophies of righteousness, holiness and redemption for God’s glory, pointing solely to Him for what He has accomplished!

Worldly Speech Cannot Save Us (2:1-5) 6/28/09EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians26

Worldly Speech Cannot Save Us (2:1- 5) “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 27

Worldly Speech Cannot Save Us (2:1- 5) “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 28 Testimony [marturion] = “a testimony or witness” - A witness can only testify to what he himself has seen, heard, or experienced. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,” (1 Tim 4:1-2 ESV) “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Tim 4:13 ESV)

Worldly Speech Cannot Save Us (2:1- 5) “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV) 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 29 Human words of wisdom no matter how persuasive or impressive, will rob the gospel of its power.

Summary 6/28/09EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians30

Summary 1.Do I understand that the preaching of the cross will be considered foolishness and offensive to those who are perishing? 2.Am I willing to present myself though weak and insignificant to God for His use, no matter what that may be so He is glorified? 3.Do I understand that it’s not my words, no matter how persuasive, that draw people to faith, but it is the power of God working in their hearts? 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 31 Note however, that God’s calling is effectual, in other words, those who are God’s elect will hear those same words as the power of God! Remember, God is glorified when He takes the glove of human frailty, and fills it with the hand of divine power! Understand that though we need to accurately testify of God’s saving power, it is He who works to change the heart!

Summary “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 6/28/09 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 32