REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF WISDOM

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today, we continue in our study of 1 Corinthians. Last week, we gained some perspective on the cultural attributes of Corinth. We discovered while the city was overrun with sinful desires, there was a thriving church which Paul had planted. However, this church was allowing the habits of the people of Corinth to seep into the church. Paul writes this letter as a reminder, warning and encouragement to the church at Corinth. 

1 Cor. 1:18-2:16

1. The wisdom of foolishness

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.

• Paul continues writing in chapter 1 on the significance of the cross of Christ
• For the hope of the Messiah to come through a carpenter from Nazareth who is was crucified made no sense to many

Vs 22-24 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.

• 3 types of people addressed – Jews, Gentiles, Believers
• Paul underscores the importance of gaining our wisdom from God, not man

Vss 27-29 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

• Clearly, God’s desire is for all glory to go to Him
• God uses circumstances which many may dismiss as the hope for mankind

Vs 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

1. The foolishness of wisdom

1 Cor. 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

• While many in that day felt knowledge and philosophy was the answer, Paul shares the answer is always found in Jesus
• And, the only way to discover the hope found in Christ was through the work of the Holy Spirit

1. The hope of God’s wisdom

Vss 6-9 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him

• Paul quotes Isaiah as he reminds the reader of the goodness of God

1. Finding God’s wisdom

Vss 10-16 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightlyjudged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”But we have the mind of Christ.

• Again Paul speaks of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives
• Listening to the Holy Spirit is vital in discovering God’s perfect plan

Action points:

1. Never lose sight of what is truly important—the Cross!

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

1. Determine daily to seek the wisdom gained from the Holy Spirit

2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God

1. Seek the mind of Christ