The “Backward” Wisdom of God

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

FOR EXAMPLE: Humanity’s solution is a crucified Messiah.

We become free by becoming slaves.

We receive by giving.

We become first by becoming last.

We find our lives by losing them.

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

God’s wisdom seems “backward” to us because our

thinking is so backward!

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8,9

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

“. . . (Uzziah) was greatly helped until he became powerful. But after Uzziah became powerful, (this) led to his downfall . . .”

2 Chronicles 26:15,16

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

“. . . Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms . . . shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword, whose weakness was turned to strength . . .”

Hebrews 11:32-34

The “Backward” Wisdom of God “26 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. 27 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. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

The “Backward” Wisdom of God “God has 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9,10

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

What is true power?

What is the relationship between power

& weakness?

Power and Weakness

WORLDLY WISDOM

GOD’S WISDOM

Power requires access to “natural” resources & is limited to the few

Power has no correlation to “natural” resources & is available to all who trust God

Power requires self-sufficiency

Power requires realizing your weakness

Power and Weakness

WORLDLY WISDOM

GOD’S WISDOM

Powerful people feature their strengths & hide their weaknesses

Powerful people are content with & boast about their weaknesses

God should alleviate our weaknesses so we can become more powerful

God allows all kinds of weaknesses so we can become more powerful

Power and Weakness

“It is always upon human weakness . . . not on human strength and confidence, that God chooses to build his kingdom; and he can (do this) not merely in spite of our ordinariness and helplessness and disqualifying infirmities, but precisely because of them. It is a thrilling discovery to make, and it can revolutionize our . . . outlook.” James S. Stewart, quoted in Oswald Sanders, Dynamic Spiritual Leadership (Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 1999), p. 204.

Power and Weakness THE LOGIC OF GOD’S WISDOM

Christ’s Power

Dependence on Christ

Realization of Our Weakness

Difficulties

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SALVATION

Forgiveness

Adoption

Eternal Life

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . .”

Romans 1:16

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SALVATION

The only thing that keeps us from

the power of salvation is our self-confidence.

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SALVATION

Are you ready to admit your weakness to Christ so he can give you the power of

salvation?

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:28,29

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

Commitment to Christ & Serving Others

Nourishment via God’s Word,

Prayer & Fellowship

Difficulties

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 2 Corinthians 12:7,8

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ‟s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ‟s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9,10

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

Common “thorns”

○DISTURBANCE

○DARKNESS

○DISAPPOINTMENT

○INEQUALITY

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

How are you responding to God’s

current “thorns?”

Let’s Pray!