Hope: The Wisdom of the Cross 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (NIV) 18 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. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 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. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength Subject Question: In what three ways does the Apostle Paul teach that the message of the Cross is perplexing to the common world view held by non- believers? Compliment answer: It s a Perplexing Message, it s a Perplexing Method, and it s a Perplexing Mindset. Big Idea: The three ways that the Apostle Paul teaches that the message of the Cross is perplexing to the common world view held by unbelievers is found in the fact that it s a Perplexing Message, it s a Perplexing Method, and it s a Perplexing Mindset. Homiletical Idea: A Lenten Life- - Part V Purpose: I want the congregation to delight in the fact that because of the message of the Cross their lives have become deeply different from others. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit comes a paradigm shift from egocentricity to Christo- centricity. To live, to really live, is to live for Christ. And to die is gain. Introduction: Lent is a season of Hope. In our fifth Hope- filled message today, we look at the perplexing message of the Cross. Dying to live, seeing the unseen, and believing the unbelievable are the just a few ways in which the world is perceived and understood differently by believers and unbelievers in every generation. We ll explore these issues today. (A Christian life is right side up, not upside down)
EX. One last conversation. A. The Cross is a Perplexing Message. 18 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. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. 1. The message of salvation which Christians take for granted is intellectually challenging to unbelievers: 2. Christian s believe: a. God loves us b. Our sin separates us from God c. Jesus came to pay the price for the world s sins. d. One must receive Christ and accept what He has done on their behalf. e. The Bible is seen as His- Story and a text book for Christian living. f. To be born again is proof of God s existence. g. Having a relationship with Jesus is freeing. h. Jesus is the Way, The Truth and the Life. i. Jesus is the Son of God. j. To live without Jesus is foolish! 3. Unbelievers assume: a. God is unapproachable at best and nonexistent at worst. b. The problem is outward behavior, not inward transformation c. It s up to human beings to make things right. d. Life is comparative and death may or may not be the end. e. The Bible is not accurate historically and is simply a book of do s and don ts. f. To talk of being born again is a sign of mental weakness or illness. g. Having to obey God is bondage h. Jesus was a teacher, a prophet, and a good person. i. We are all children of God. j. To live for Jesus is foolish. 4. Christian Summary: God so loved them personally, that Jesus came and died for them and all the sins that they have or will commit. He has changed them for the better since they received Him as their savoir and someday, they ll be with him forever. Until then, their life purpose is to let Him shine through them and draw others to himself through their life and words. I believed them I was able to see that Jesus is real. A life of
service to Him is my greatest privilege and honor. I serve him because I love him. I love him because he first loved me. 5. Unbelievers Summary: God is probably a psychologically induced myth. All religions do more harm than good. They are all basically the same: a weak- minded attempt by weak- minded people to try to make sense of life itself. If God does exist, it s clear that he certainly isn t powerful, or worst, concerned. People want him to be loving, but if he is, then I certainly can t see how. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. What kind of justice is that? And Jesus, a good man, a fool probably and those who follow him simply need that pitiful crutch in their pitiful lives. If I get to heaven, if there is a heaven, it s because I did my best and certainly weren t as bad as most people that I know. 6. God s Summary: To the unbeliever God simply says, O foolish one: I did what you could not do for yourself. O foolish one; I sent my Son for You. O foolish one; my love is real my hope, my ways are right and my plans for you are best. O foolish one, you think that you have me figured out and you couldn t be more wrong. O foolish one, it s not my people who are foolish in my eyes, they walk in my wisdom, they have chosen what is best, and they have every right to believe that you are worthy to be ridiculed and mocked, but they know that I am not like that. To the Believer however, he also addressees being foolish; my beloved, do not be foolish enough to try to live totally sold out to me. My Cherished Daughter, don t be foolish with your possessions, they are mine to begin with. My Precious Son, don t be foolish in trying to live your life for me on Sunday and for yourself the rest of the week. Children, I paid a precious price for you. Honor me and serve me out of your love me for, and see if I will not open the very gates of heaven and pour out blessings upon you. B. Although the cross is foolishness to unbelievers, it is with a broken heart and a true sense of loss, God gives folks over to their own darkened understanding. His offer ever goes out, I forgive you for considering my message and my ways as foolish, yet my love endures forever. Come let us reason together C. (Contra) To you and me as believers God simply states, I know what people say about you and how they shun or ostracize you on account of me. Don t become cynical but continue to love the unlovable, live out your
faith and walk the walk. For I am always with you and will ever be at your side. D. To be able to believe the Message of the Cross is God s most precious gift. (A Christian life is right side up, not upside down) A. Message of the Cross is shared using a Perplexing Method. 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 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. B. The act of Preaching is kind of absurd in a way. Standing before people, kind of like a one person play. A combination of speech and gesture, laughter and tears, all seemingly for the entertainment for the audience. And as a preacher, let me say that you would be right in assuming such a notion With the exception of the audience. The Preacher really only has an audience of One. C. (Contra) The Preacher understands that he is simply there to be used, to be a vessel, to proclaim the Word of God certainly, but more than that, to watch, to pray, to intercede while the act is going on, for God to move in the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike. The foolish little man takes the foolish little message and much to the surprise of everyone, a Mighty God uses those words to draw people to himself, to convince people of Gods desire s, to convict the sinner and comfort the saint. And in the end, all the glory goes, not to the foolish little man, but the unseen God who for His glory has touched hearts and changed lives. 1. Example of The Preacher 2. This is the tradition that I follow, and is one way God presents His Word to People in every generation. 3. To tell you the truth, I m not the only preacher in the room. Your life my converted, beloved child of the living God preaches volumes to people far and near. Your countenance reflects the image of God, your speech convicts and comforts, your gestures draw others into the very presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 4. 4 Words: The Word Spoken at Creation, the Word that Became Flesh, the Word that is preserved, the Word that flows from the lips and lives of those who dare to see themselves as God s preachers to the needy and the lost. D. I m a Fool for Christ how about you?
(A Christian life is right side up, not upside down) A. Leading a Christian life means having A Perplexing Mindset 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength B. Some Perplexing Paradoxes: 1. WE MUST DIE TO LIVE (MT 16:24-26; ROM 6:3-4; GAL 2:20). 2. WE MUST MOURN TO BE HAPPY (MT 5:4). (James 4:7-9 NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. {8} Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double- minded. {9} Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 3. WE MUST SURRENDER TO BE VICTORIOUS (MT 19:16-22; ROM 12:1-2). 4. WE MUST HATE TO LOVE (1 JN 2:15-17). (Luke 14:26 NKJV) "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 5. WE MUST BE FOLLOWERS TO BE LEADERS (MT 4:19). (John 10:27 NKJV) "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 12:26 NKJV) "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (1 Pet 2:21 NKJV) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (1 Cor 11:1 NKJV) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 6. WE MUST BECOME POOR TO BECOME RICH (MT 5:3). (2 Cor 8:9 NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 7. WE MUST BECOME THE LEAST TO BECOME THE GREATEST (MT 20:25-28). (Luke 9:48 NKJV) and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great." 8. WE MUST BE SIGHTLESS TO SEE (2 COR 5:7). (Rom 8:24 NKJV) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 9. WE MUST WORK TO REST (MT 11:28FF; REV 14:13; EPH 2:10). 10. WE MUST BE HOMELESS TO HAVE A HOME (PHIL 3:20). (2 Cor 5:1-2 NKJV) For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, (Heb. 11:13-16 NKJV) C. (Contra) A few verses of encouragement: 1. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2. Matthew 5 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
3. 1 John 5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. D. Though the message of the Cross, the method presenting the message and the mindset of those who have come to believe in the cross, is indeed perplexing and oft misunderstood, keep in mind, A Christian life is right side up, not upside down