1Corinthians 1:26-2:5, “The Foolishness of Christ!”

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Transcript below:

December 8, 2013 – 1Corinthians 1:26-2:5,

“The Foolishness of Christ!”

Read 1Corinthians 1:26-29… Paul is clear concerning God’s sovereignty in salvation, and the unworthiness of all of us who come to Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
In verse 26, Paul tells his readers to remember, to “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 in verses 27-29 Paul writes, “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.”

The true greatness of God’s power is that He is the Creator, and He can make something out of nothing, i.e., in the beginning God spoke the world into existence. Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Paul proclaims that God can take the weak things, the foolish things, the things that are nothing, and make them strong, wise, and influential for His purpose.

Christ tells us that except for Himself, John the Baptizer is the greatest man who ever lived (Matthew 11:11a, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” John was filled with the Holy Spirit before birth (Luke 1:15), John was set apart for a marvelous work of God; he came to stir the hearts of the people (v. 16) so they would confess their sins and be brought to the Lord.

John announced the coming of the Savior, and he was there at the commissioning of Christ (at His baptism), when God spoke from heaven (Matthew 3:17), declaring Jesus to be His One and Only Son, whom He loved, and with whom He is well-pleased.
Jesus says that no one is greater than John, but He goes on to say (Matthew 11:11b), “the least in God’s Kingdom is greater than John.” Why does He say that?

You see, although God’s children (Christians) may be considered weak, lowly, and inconsequential, according to the world’s standards, they are empowered by God to serve honorably and victoriously (Ephesians 2:10), “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
John had no formal education, no wealth or popularity, yet God made him strong, wise, influential, and great – during his very short ministry of announcing the Messiah.

God’s children are equal in God’s eyes, for He shows no favoritism among those who profess Christ as Savior and Lord, having confessed and repented of their sins, trusting in God’s Son for salvation (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25).
Be assured that the weakest, most foolish, untrained, even despised Christian, who serves God from the heart, accomplishes more in one act of service to God, than all the wise, powerful, and influential people of the world who reject Christ, accomplish in their whole lives.
1Corinthians 1:30-31… Paul says, it is because of God that we 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” (cf. Jeremiah 9:23-24).
In Christ, we have been given God’s wisdom, righteousness, holiness [sanctification], and redemption:
Wisdom – The lowest IQ is raised to the highest level of intelligence by God’s power at salvation, for that person now receives God’s truth about life and godliness.

Psalm 14:1, The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (cf. 2Corinthians 5:17; 1Corinthians 2:14-16)).

James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Righteousness – Believers are made “right” with God, our sins forgiven, we gain relationship with God, as Paul writes (Philippians 3:8-9), “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord… …and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God by faith,” (2Corinthians 5:21), “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Holiness/Sanctification – God saves us and sets us apart as His very own, that we might seek to do that which pleases God and is according to His will. God’s Spirit lives in us to guide and empower us to bear fruit, as we are conformed into Christ’s image (Romans 8:11; 12:1; Galatians 5:16, 22-23; 2Corinthians 3:18).

Redemption – We are purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, becoming God’s possession (Ephesians 1:14; Hebrews 9:24-28; 1Peter 1:18-19).

No wonder Paul writes (v. 31), “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Read 1Corinthians 2:1-5… Paul came in weakness, fear and trembling? He was deeply and overwhelmingly fearful that they would reject the message of Christ.

God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption cannot be obtained through human intellect or human reasoning, therefore, Paul’s primary purpose was to boldly preach the Truth of God concerning Christ:
1Timothy 4:1-2, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” 13, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”

2Timothy 4:1-5, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Yes, the message of the Cross is foolishness to many, but it is also the power of God for salvation to all who repent of their sins and confess Christ as Lord.

Many preachers today preach what people want to hear, speaking to their felt needs and human desires; but Paul was determined to know and to teach the full revelation of God’s plan, purpose, and provision of Christ, as the once and for all sacrifice for all sin, satisfying God’s penalty by taking our punishment upon Himself. 1John 2:2, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Only God’s Spirit and Power can turn the foolishness of the message of Christ into salvation and eternal life. If you belong to Christ you are obligated to proclaim His message of love and hope and salvation; if you have not trusted in Christ, confessing your sins, do it now!