god chose “the foolishness of preaching” 1 cor 1:21 for after that in the wisdom of god the...

God Chose “The Foolishness of Preaching”God Chose “The Foolishness of Preaching”

1 Cor 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

KJV

1 Cor 1:18-25

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, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

1 Cor 1:18-25

22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Cor 1:18-25


19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?


1 Cor 1:18-25





Why Is Preaching Called “Foolishness”?

• Not the proclamation of it (KJV, ASV)Not the proclamation of it (KJV, ASV)

• The message that is preached (NKJV)The message that is preached (NKJV)

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (KJV)

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (NKJV)

Viewed as foolish / ridiculous to someViewed as foolish / ridiculous to some


19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?






I. I. Introduction Introduction (vv. 1-9)(vv. 1-9)

II. II. DivisionsDivisions (vv. 10-17) (vv. 10-17)

III. III. Wisdom of God -vs- Wisdom Wisdom of God -vs- Wisdom

of menof men (vv. 18-31) (vv. 18-31)

1 Cor. 11 Cor. 1

A. Gospel is foolishness to A. Gospel is foolishness to man, man, but to God it is the power but to God it is the power to to save (vv. 18-25). save (vv. 18-25).

B. The nature of those who B. The nature of those who accept accept the gospel the gospel (vv. 26-(vv. 26-31).31).

Who Views The Gospel AsWho Views The Gospel As““Foolish”?Foolish”?

• Those who are “perishing” (v. 18)Those who are “perishing” (v. 18)

• “ “The significance of the present tense in this The significance of the present tense in this verse is that it denotes continuous action or verse is that it denotes continuous action or linear action. Thus the usage describes the linear action. Thus the usage describes the wicked as in a way of life which is destroying wicked as in a way of life which is destroying them, here and now and, ultimately and finally, them, here and now and, ultimately and finally,

will lead to everlasting destruction. It is like will lead to everlasting destruction. It is like contracting a fatal disease that is in the contracting a fatal disease that is in the process process of ultimately destroying the body” of ultimately destroying the body” (Willis, 34)(Willis, 34)

1 Cor 1:18“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.”

ThoseAre Perishing

“Foolishness”

Those Being Saved

“Power of God”

More than “wisdom”More than Conviction

Power – To Save!

God Will Destroy The Wisdom of MenGod Will Destroy The Wisdom of Men

1 Cor 1:19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

• Quote from Isa. 29:14Quote from Isa. 29:14

• Context: “Wise” men told Judah that deliverance Context: “Wise” men told Judah that deliverance would come through political alliances.would come through political alliances.

Alliances caused nothing but trouble.Alliances caused nothing but trouble. Sennacherib invaded the land – siege on Jer.Sennacherib invaded the land – siege on Jer. God caused the siege to be lifted.God caused the siege to be lifted.

• Fled the presence of God (1 Cor. 1:20)Fled the presence of God (1 Cor. 1:20)

I. Why The Message is Thought FoolishI. Why The Message is Thought Foolish


A. A. Does not fit what thinksDoes not fit what thinks

1. Thought Messiah would not die 1. Thought Messiah would not die (John 12:33-34)(John 12:33-34)

2. Thought couldn’t be saved by crucified man 2. Thought couldn’t be saved by crucified man (1 Cor. (1 Cor. 1:18-25)1:18-25)

3. 3. Prov. 16:25Prov. 16:25 – way seems right – lead to death – way seems right – lead to death

4. Often run truth through human reasoning to 4. Often run truth through human reasoning to determine if they will accept it or notdetermine if they will accept it or not



B.B. Does not fit what been taughtDoes not fit what been taught

1. Base acceptance with what always heard1. Base acceptance with what always heard

2. 2. 2 Thess. 2:10-122 Thess. 2:10-12 – possible to be deceived – possible to be deceived

3. Could be taught wrong 3. Could be taught wrong (1 John 4:1-6)(1 John 4:1-6)



B.B. Does not fit what been taughtDoes not fit what been taught

C. C. UnpopularUnpopular (Matt. 7:13-14) (Matt. 7:13-14)

D. D. Too SimpleToo Simple (2 Kings 5:10-ff)(2 Kings 5:10-ff)

E. E. Don’t Like the ConsequencesDon’t Like the Consequences (Matt. 19:9-12) (Matt. 19:9-12)


II. The Message That is Thought FoolishII. The Message That is Thought Foolish

Examples Of MessagesExamples Of MessagesThat Seemed “Foolish”That Seemed “Foolish”

Dip 7 times in Jordan to cure leprosy Dip 7 times in Jordan to cure leprosy (2 Kings 5:10-14)(2 Kings 5:10-14)

March around a city 7 days and walls March around a city 7 days and walls fall down fall down (Josh. 6)(Josh. 6)

Look at a brass serpent and be Look at a brass serpent and be healed healed (Num. 21)(Num. 21)

Dip in pool and be cured of blindness Dip in pool and be cured of blindness (John 9)(John 9)


A. A. Salvation by crucified saviorSalvation by crucified savior (1 Cor. 15:1-4) (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

B. B. Baptism – “Water salvationBaptism – “Water salvation (Mark 16:16) (Mark 16:16)

C. C. Divorce & RemarriageDivorce & Remarriage (Matt. 19:4-9) (Matt. 19:4-9)

1. Divorce for only one cause (Matt. 19:9)1. Divorce for only one cause (Matt. 19:9)

2. Can’t remarry unless put away mate for fornication 2. Can’t remarry unless put away mate for fornication (Matt. 19:9)(Matt. 19:9)


A. A. Salvation by crucified saviorSalvation by crucified savior (1 Cor. 15:1-4) (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

B. B. Baptism – “Water salvationBaptism – “Water salvation (Mark 16:16) (Mark 16:16)

C. C. Divorce & RemarriageDivorce & Remarriage (Matt. 19:4-9) (Matt. 19:4-9)

D. D. Six Day Creation – Young EarthSix Day Creation – Young Earth (Gen. 1; (Gen. 1; Exo. Exo. 31)31)

E. E. One ChurchOne Church (Eph. 4:5) (Eph. 4:5)

F. F. Need AuthorityNeed Authority (Col. 3:17) (Col. 3:17)

G. G. Obey Civil LawObey Civil Law (Rom. 13:1-ff) (Rom. 13:1-ff)

H. H. Attendance ImportantAttendance Important (Heb. 10:25) (Heb. 10:25)

I. I. ModestyModesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10) (1 Tim. 2:9-10)



III. Our ReactionIII. Our Reaction


A. A. Lean that God’s message does not fit Lean that God’s message does not fit human reasoninghuman reasoning

1. Prov. 14:12; 16:251. Prov. 14:12; 16:25

2. Isa. 55:8-92. Isa. 55:8-9

3. Jer. 10:233. Jer. 10:23

B. B. Preach it anywayPreach it anyway (2 Tim. 4:1-5)(2 Tim. 4:1-5)

god chose “the foolishness of preaching” 1 cor 1:21 for after that in the wisdom of god the...

Documents