Thesis: To stress the important place that the cross of Christ is to have in the hearts of His followers, and the results thereof.
Text: 1 Cor 1:18-31
Introduction,
It has been said “there are no perfect congregations” and as most know, the church at Corinth was probably a worse case scenario, it was full of problems, one of the biggest being that of divisions; it seems that many were placing an over-emphasis on baptism (which in itself is extremely important), yet they were basing their allegiance upon the men who baptized them instead of upon Christ Who died for them.
The same can in a sense be seen today; way too many are attempting to get individuals into the waters of baptism, many times before true repentance is brought forth, because they are concerned about their eternal status in view of humanity’s vaporous lives (and rightly so).
But we need to put our trust in God, instead of rushing people into that watery grave of baptism, we need to rush them to the cross of Christ, and we need to set them there, and keep them there, in all humility, and that is exactly what the inspired apostle is doing in the first part of this epistle, if they would take this teaching to heart it would cure any and all problems at this congregation.
Because those that have been baptized into Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27) unto the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and those that will be, both need to have this power of God working in their lives daily if they ever expect to inherit eternal life.
Therefore with this in mind, we will look at what many consider to be the “foolishness of God” which in fact is that very source that perpetuates the Christian into the eternal kingdom of God, “Christ, and Him crucified” the foolishness of God . . .
1) The “Preaching” (1 Cor 1:18-25)
2) The “Perspective” ( 1 Cor 1:26-28)
3) The “Purpose” (1 Cor 1:28-31)
I. THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD, THE “PREACHING” (1 Cor 1:18-25)
A. (v 18-19)
1Co 1:18 For the word (preaching, message) of the cross is (foolishness) folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will (bring to nothing) thwart."
There are basically 3 classifications of humanity, the unaccountable (according to God’s standards), the lost (those that are in the process of perishing) and the saved (those that are in the process of being saved through the gospel of Christ; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15).
The first group (the unaccountable), have nothing to do with the situation at hand, seeing that they cannot properly perceive that they are exercising their wills against God, nor are they in most cases properly able to access the grace of God unto salvation.
The second group (the lost, those separated from God for the cause of sin; Rom 3:23; those who are without God and without hope in and of the world; Eph 2:12), look at preaching in general, and especially of that of the cross, as something that is foolish, a waste of time, only something the weak minded would believe in, yearn for, follow after, imitate, it to them is nothing more than a unneeded crutch.
But to those that are being saved (those kept blameless before God by their belief in and their practice of that perfect law of liberty designed for imperfect mankind; Ja 1:25), to this group, the cross, this instrument of torture, and the King of kings hanging upon it, contains that love of God that pierces ever so deeply into the good and honest heart, that heart which produces spiritual fruit unto God (turn to Rom 5:5b-8).
Rom 5:5b because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (which we received upon learning about and belief in the gospel message; Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13)
Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
And this love is recognized by the person with a certain type of heart, that which is described as “the good ground” in (Luke 8:15), and it is reciprocated, is seen in (1 John 4:19).
1Jo 4:19 We love, because he first loved us.
And this love, in turn, manifests itself in obedience, Jesus says (John 14:15).
Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Even to the point of the giving up of one’s physical life if necessary (Rev 2:10b).
Rev 2:10b Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
But the point is that the Christian “must” die to self, for God and others, to put one’s own will to death, and live likened unto God, for God (look at 2 Cor 5:14-15).
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ controls (compels) us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
2Co 5:15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Those that have truly seen that greatest of love of God in the cross (Jn 15:13), and have humbled themselves unto loving obedience because of it, know exactly of what I speak. God lowered Himself, took on sinful flesh, and let His creatures who hated Him, kill Him, that they might love Him.
But to those in the world, and of the world, those blinded by the god of this world (Satan; 2 Cor 4:4) through their own unlawful desires, who are struggling day after day to accomplish “their” self made goals, instead of “God’s” goals for them, look at this whole scenario as foolishness.
As prophesied in Isaiah (Isa 29:14) . . .
Isa 29:14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden."
God’s wisdom, such as this, (the preaching/message of the cross) is so much higher than these supposedly self-made individuals (Isa 55:8-9), their wisdom and discernment is actually exposed as what it truly is, utter folly, and it is destroyed by the working of God, and His ways (Isa 29:14).
But those whose eyes have been opened by the Spirit of God (Jn 3:3), who see this wisdom, who submit to this wisdom, who look at themselves, and know where they stand, lost, without God and without hope, the poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) convicted by the Holy Spirit of their condition (Jn 16:8), this wisdom and discernment is laid open and bare before their own eyes and seen as it truly is, the wisdom of God, that wisdom from above (Ja 3:17).
B. (v 20)
1Co 1:20 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?
With the power of God plainly laid out for all to see, where is the wise of this world, and his plans that can compare to this, that can accomplish this?
What person, through his wisdom, without trickery, can actually make a person willingly give up their entire self, and desire to do it from the very depths of one’s being, there is none, but God.
C. (v 21)
1Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly (foolishness) of what we preach to save those who believe.
Chapter 1 in the epistle to the Romans teaches us that the former followers of God, rejected the truth about Him, and devised their own gods, and God basically gave them up to their own devices, but His plan of redemption was still rolling along, and in the fullness of time, would come forth (Gal 4:4), and be preached unto all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47), according to His will, His eternal purpose.
But we see a multitude of religions of men today, exercising their own wisdoms unto what they believe to be helpful for the growth of their bodies, instead of preaching the preaching that God bids (Jonah 3:2).
Bake sales, car washes, carnivals, concerts, bingo and other games of chance, sports centers, and a host of other man-made gimmicks. And sure, many of these bodies are large, these people were looking for the loaves (John 6:26), and they have found them, of such it is written (Phili 3:18-19)
Phi 3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Phi 3:19 whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
And why are they enemies of Christ’s cross? For they make it of none-effect, or we could say only partial-effect or little-effect, and other Christians see this and some may believe they can imitate such and be saved, but that just isn’t the case, for it is written (Ja 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Phili 3:20-21; Jn 6:26-27) . . .
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires (lusts) of the flesh and the desires (lusts) of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Php 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
Joh 6:27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
These “loaf seekers” are the same individuals that can be seen at the local casinos, or the bar, (seeing that they serve the best food in town), feeding their lusts instead of their souls, in their seeking of the things of the world they are actually casting stumbling blocks for their brethren to trip over, using what they think to be their freedoms in Christ as cloaks of maliciousness, serving self, instead of God, this is where man’s wisdom leads to, as spoken by the wise man (Pro 14:12).
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
Spiritual death, without God and hope for eternity, this is the perdition referred to by the inspired apostle (in Phili 3:19), let this not be our end.
The liberty we have in Christ was given to us to give up (1 Cor ch 8-10), if Christ had the mindset of many today, He would have called 10 thousand angels! Let us forsake the ways of the world and set forth the will of God for all to see (Rom 12:1-2; Mt 5:13-16).
Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual (service) worship.
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
D. (v 22-23)
1Co 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly (foolishness) to Gentiles,
Jews looked at signs and wonders as the end, not the means, and the Greeks were obsessed with long drawn out discussions about the meaning, and the origin of life. To these groups, an open, humble and obedient heart, based upon a slain king, with His followers being likewise metaphorically slain, did not sit well with them.
Today as we watch the move towards Pentecostalism grow within the church, the same thing is taking place, the promise of signs and wonders that confirm no new revelation (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3-4), the present day baptism in the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:4; Mt 28:19-20), which was only promised to those who received John’s baptism (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16), the speaking of tongues which are not foreign languages (Acts 2:1-11), none of which the bible teaches, are becoming the norm, not belief and adherence to the rightly divided word at any and all costs.
And in the other camp there are those who are obsessed with studying away the simple commands of the bible, in order to be like the denomi “nations” round about them, approved sodomy, lesbianism, adultery, fornication, abortion, money-loving and so forth, “surely if we can find 10 so called biblical scholars to agree with what we think, we cant be wrong, can we?” (Rom 3:4a).
Rom 3:4a . . . let God be found true, but every man a liar . . .
Now I am not stating that God cannot nor does not work among us today (Jn 5:17), what I am asserting is that the miracles of the 1st century were much more numerous (Acts 2:16-21) and open, for the obvious reason, confirming Jesus (Jn 3:2), and the New Covenant (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3-4), which has been once for all time delivered (Jude 1:3). [Discuss miraculous dispensations beginnings; Patriarchy; Law of Moses; Gospel of Christ]
E. (v 24)
1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
The true power of the gospel is not the miracles, nor the wisdom revealed therein, but Christ and Him crucified.
In contrast to the unbelieving Jews and Grecians, those that are called by the gospel (2 Thess 2:14), that call which originates from Heaven (Heb 3:1), these hear the preaching of the cross, and realize that it is “their” sinful ways that Christ had to suffer and die for, and are convicted into the shame and humility that is rightfully theirs, these are taken hold by the power of God in that message by His Spirit (Jn 16:8).
These will allow God to work out their salvation (Phili 1:12-13), struggling to cast off and continue to cast off their old persons into the deepest depths, again and again, when he attempts to resurface in their lives (look at Col 3:1-10; Eph 4:22-24) . . .
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Col 3:6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
Col 3:7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
Col 3:8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
Col 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
These will be diligent to know God’s will and strive to do it (Eph 5:17; Ja 1:22; Act 17:11).
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Jam 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Act 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
These will be transformed, renewed, day by day, back into the likeness of Him that created us (2 Cor 4:16), that image that we lost by loving and imitating the vain ways of a lost world.
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
These shall be supplied the entrance into the eternal kingdom (2 Pet 1:10-11), wherein dwells righteousness (2 Pet 3:13-14).
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2Pe 1:11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2Pe 3:13 But according to his promise we are (looking) waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2Pe 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you are (looking) waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
F. (v 25)
1Co 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Because the cross of Jesus Christ, not the concoctions of men, will enable one to get to heaven.
You can pray for Jesus to come in your heart till your blue in the face, and it won’t save you
You can say 5 million “hail Mary’s,” and you will still be in your sins.
You can believe you are showing love by “not” exercising church discipline, and the end result will be you will be without a lamp-stand, (Rev 2-3).
You can twist the scriptures concerning women’s roles, the Lord’s supper, various fornications, greed, and so on, to your own destruction (2 Pet 3:16).
But the scriptures are for the most part simple (2 Cor 11:3), understandable (Eph 3:4), and they are most assuredly authoritative (Mt 28:18; Col 3:17); and will be that standard which determines our eternal destiny, whether you believe it or not (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).
Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the so called “foolishness of God,” not the wisdom of men, manifested through the plain preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ, will cut deeply into a person’s heart, it can bring a person to their knees, and ultimately into heaven, the Lord said in reference to His crucifixion (John 12:32) . . .
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
This leaves no room for any gimmicks, what draws them, keeps them, “all” means “all”.
Therefore “preaching”/“teaching” about putting one’s self to death just like Christ put Himself to death according to the will of the Father, even though it is a very difficult undertaking, is what the gospel is all about, in this way we are to be imitators of Christ as was the apostle Paul (1 Cor 11:1), he wrote (Gal 2:20) . . .
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Christ in you is the hope of glory (Col 1:27), when we are dead, Christ is alive in us, we live as he lived (1 Jn 2:6), we speak as He spake, we teach as He taught, we die as He died.
This is how we follow Him, to heaven, He Himself said (Lk 9:23-24) . . .
Luk 9:23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luk 9:24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
When is this supposed to start taking place? At our baptism (look at Rom 6:3-11) . . .
Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Rom 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Rom 6:7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Rom 6:9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
Rom 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Are we dead to the world and its sinful ways and alive to God, or just fooling ourselves? Can we say what Paul says in Phili 1:21 . . .
Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Are we looking forward to our physical deaths? If not why not? Jesus became flesh to take away that bondage that the devil has on the living through the fear of death (turn to Heb 2:14-15) . . .
Heb 2:14 Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same (Jn 1:14); that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
We need to let Him do His job in our lives, He says (Jn 14:6) . . .
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
We need to whole-heartily embrace this Way, dead to self, alive to God. One eye on heaven, the other scanning for the snares of the devil, for we ought not be ignorant of his devices (2 Cor 2:11), imitating Christ (1 Cor 11:1), in all situations, always, unto That Day.
II. THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD, “THE PERSPECTIVE” (1 Cor 1:26-28)
A. (v 26)
1Co 1:26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
We are called by the gospel (2 Thess 2:14),
2Th 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
it is a call that originates from God in heaven through the gospel message, it is a heavenly calling (Heb 3:1),
Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
And we answer that called based upon our guilt, our shame, our humility, and our love, manifested through that cruel cross at Calvary, God’s foolishness. Look around you, what do you see?
The Obama’s aren’t here, nor the Trump’s, nor the Gates’, nor the queen of England, nor anyone of high worldly esteem, why?
Not because they “can’t” be, but because most “won’t” be, this is their choice (Rom 6:16; Rev 22:17), for true Christianity is that of humble servitude (Ja 4:10; Mt 23:12).
Jam 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
One who knows that all he does is just his duty, and is undeserving at best (look at Lk 17:10),
Luk 17:10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty (to do).'"
This is not a mindset that is in most who are at the tops of their fields, the rulers of nations, this type of thinking isn’t in harmony with “their” goals, “their” wills, “their” ways.
But those who are poor concerning the worldly things, those that are downtrodden as stepping stones of the lofty, these are the ones that “have” to possess faith, just to make it from one day to the next. In this manner they are the “chosen” of God, as affirmed by the inspired James (turn to Ja 2:5) . . .
Jas 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
This is why our Lord states in Lk 6:20 . . .
Luk 6:20b "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
The flip side of this is also true (Lk 6:24-25) . . .
Luk 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Luk 6:25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
Why is there woes pronounced against the rich? Why is it next to impossible for them to enter the kingdom (Mt 19:24)? Because most that are wealthy are in fact self-condemned by their God given situations, because they have been blessed by God, yet most don’t trust in God, but rather in their riches (which God gave them; Eph 4:6), they trust in their wealth to bail them out of trouble when it does arise, here is how God says the rich man can be faithful in the kingdom (turn to 1 Tim 6:17-19) . . .
1Ti 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty (high-minded), nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy (including the wealth of the rich).
1Ti 6:18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready (willing) to share,
1Ti 6:19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future (the time to come, i.e. laying up treasures in heaven; Mt 6:20), so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Therefore the rich man who can be saved is the rich man who lowers himself in view of others, who trusts in God, not money, who shares abundantly unto the glory of God, thereby laying up treasures in heaven (Mt 6:20), for we are to be free from the love of money (Heb 13:5), yet filled with the love of God (Mt 22:37).
B. (v 27)
1Co 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
This is speaking of the paradoxal (contrary to common thought) nature of the gospel, God chose things that the proud, the mighty, the intelligent of this world think of as foolish, that they might be convicted of their true state, be humbled, believe in and respond to the gospel, and be saved.
Consider this . . .
A bludgeoned, bloody, dead, risen, ascended, and unseen King that rules from heaven through His word (Eph 1:22-23; Heb 1:2; John 17:20-21) . . .
Dying to one’s desires, that they may get their desires (Col 3:3-4) . . .
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Giving, in order that one may get (Mt 6:19-20) . . .
Mat 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Restricting one’s self, by commands, to be set free (John 8:31-32) . . .
Joh 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Being immersed in water, to wash away sins, that can’t be seen (Acts 22:16) . . .
Act 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'
Humbling one’s self, in order to be exalted (Mt 23:12; Ja 4:10) . . .
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.
Making one’s self weak, in order to be strong (2 Cor 12:9-10) . . .
2Co 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
These are just the kinds of things that put to shame the accomplishments which many think to be self perpetuated, when in actuality, these accomplishments, and all things, are given to people by God (look at John 3:27; 19:11; 1 Cor 4:7; Ja 1:17),
Joh 3:27 John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
Joh 19:11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."
1Co 4:7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
These things, all things are given by God and for God, for His Glory (1 Cor 10:31; Col 1:16).
Col 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through (by) him and for him.
C. (v 28)
1Co 1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
These are the kinds of things that God chose, in order that His people would be able to see the true worth of the things that are eternal vs. the things that are temporal (2 Cor 4:18), that His people would be the type of people that they need to be, in order that they can serve God and others joyfully with their eyes constantly looking to heaven, in order that they may be ever getting closer to their treasure, not further from it with each passing day (turn to Mt 6:19-21).
Mat 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
For one day this creation will be gone, for it is not the ends (which many Jews and premillennialists believe), but rather the means, to inherit eternal life (look at 2 Pet 3:10-13).
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be (burnt up) exposed.
2Pe 3:11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 (looking) waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
2Pe 3:13 But according to his promise we are (looking) waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
With these things in view, is it any wonder that God would do things this way, His way, the Way.
Which manifests faith, hope, humility and love.
Enabling, assisting, those to change their “perspective” through these foolish things, through the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:5),
In order that they may desire that heavenly country (instead of an earthly one), which God has prepared for them who love Him (Rom 8:28), of whom He is not ashamed to be called their God (Heb 11:16).
III. THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD, THE “PURPOSE” (1 Cor 1:29-31)
A. (v 29)
1Co 1:29 so that no human being might boast (before) in the presence of God.
We need to remember that God is omni-present, He is everywhere, all the time (Pro 15:3) . . .
Pro 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Also remember God loves mankind (John 3:16a) . . .
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son . . .
Yet the haughty pride of man is on the top of the list of which God hates the most (look at Pro 6:16-17).
Pro 6:16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
Pro 6:17 haughty eyes . . .
“Haughty eyes” (a proud look) come from a prideful heart, it is referred to as the “pride of life” in 1 Jn 2:16, it is a heart that is not lowly and submissive, but rather aggressive and rebellious.
Yet the love of God does not want to condemn a person for this, but rather change him, and save him; through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son (turn to Rom 6:3-4).
Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
When we arise out of that watery grave of baptism, we are to be determined that our old man is crucified to the sins of the world, that they no longer have any hold on us, with the living hope of the resurrection ever before us, helping us along (Rom 6:5-6; 1 Pet 1:3; 1 Cor 15:23).
Rom 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Rom 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
But this won’t happen immediately, but rather day by day over time (2 Cor 4:16), this is referred to as the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:5).
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
B. (v 30)
1Co 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
We become children of God when we hear (Rom 10:17), believe into Christ (Jn 3:16), repent (Acts 2:38), confess Christ (Rom 10:9-10), and are baptized into Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27) . . .
In that position, “in Christ,” in the kingdom, in the church, in that one body, through God’s salvation plan, and continuing to walk in the glorious light of the gospel, we are enabled to spiritually see that Jesus and His teachings are the “wisdom” from God (which is foolishness to the world; Col 2:3) . . .
Col 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
And as time passes the paradoxal nature of the Way does not seem so contrary to the way we think, but actually becomes the way we think through the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
We also become the “righteousness” of God “in Christ” (2 Cor 5:21), as we live (walk) according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4), live (walk) in the light as God is in the light (1 Jn 1:7), in other words as we generally live a life according to the gospel we are given God’s righteousness.
It is not our own righteousness, but God’s perfection given to us, we are perfect, as God is perfect (Mt 5:48), this is how God views us, even though we are far from it.
By God, in Christ, through the gospel, we are also “sanctified”, set apart, holy unto God, “positionally” (Heb 10:10-14) . . .
Heb 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
Heb 10:13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
And we are to be “sanctified”, set apart, holy unto God “practically”, totally, this is not to be for an hour or two or a day or two a week, but entirely, in all aspects of our lives (1 Pet 1:15).
1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life. (GW)
And by God in Christ we are also “redeemed” which means, we are “purchased”, we are no longer our own, but God’s, Christ’s, and the Spirit’s (Tit 2:14) . . .
Tit 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
As it was intended from the beginning, in wonderful fellowship, being of one spirit (1 Cor 6:17) that which produces the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).
1Co 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
Which those of this world (because of their worldly approach to things, exercising their worldly wisdom) can’t have, nor understand, for it is reserved only for those “in Christ” (Phili 4:7).
Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
C. (v 31)
1Co 1:31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
And through the gospel “by God” “in Christ” “in the kingdom” “in the church” reunited with God, this is the location where the proper glorying takes place (Eph 3:21)
Eph 3:21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
Humanity does the boasting, God is the One that is boasted, He is lifted up, He is put on high, where He always has been, through everything that His children do (1 Cor 10:31; Ps 34:1-3).
1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Psa 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa 34:2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Psa 34:3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
a. This is actually our “purpose” in creation (turn to Isa 43:6-7) . . .
Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
This is the “purpose” behind the foolishness of God, that preaching which God bids (Jon 3:2; 2 Tim 4:2), that of the crucified Christ.
Mankind is saved from himself, his perspective is changed to that which is pleasing unto God, and therefore it is the proper perspective.
And in all this, God is being glorified, here on earth and on into eternity, as seen in (Rev 5:11-13), turn there.
Rev 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
Rev 5:12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
Rev 5:13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"
This is the end result, glorification of God eternally in “That Day” which never ends.
Yet like with any end, there is always a beginning, that power of God unto salvation, the message of the cross, the foolishness od God, the gospel of Jesus Christ; with its fact to believe, commands to obey, promises to receive, and warnings to heed.
And the most important facts are these (1 Cor 15:3b-4).
1Co 15:3b that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
1Co 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
And the commands are these . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, that seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief/faith is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And one is not to stop there, but rather continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life that is likened unto Christ’s, Whom we follow/imitate (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom (Mt 28:19-20)
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is the point where one is to be dead to the practice of sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to . . .
Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is, it means “separated”, “set-apart” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), being renewed day by day, walking not as the world walks, but as God directs, in every aspect of one’s life.
Putting off that old person, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of spiritual growth,
Engraving, implanting God’s word and will deeper and deeper into our hearts with each passing day.
As the good ground, determined to follow God’s instructions, that difficult Way (Mt 7:14), whatever the cost may be (Rev 2:10), knowing it is worth all this and more (Rom 8:18).