Find Your Boast In The Lord | Messy Church, Part 2

Find Your Boast In The Lord | Messy Church, Part 2

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

For the word of the cross is folly 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 the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The same event can mean very different things depending on your perspective.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Foolish to some

Powerful to others

1. The Foolishness of the Cross

Physical pain

Social shame

Unless you first understand how awful the Cross was, you’ll never see how beautiful the Cross has become.

What was once viewed as a symbol of defeat has now been transformed into a symbol of triumph.

1 Corinthians 1:22-23

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

“Stumbling block” – “skandalon” (scandalous)

“Folly” – “mória” (moron)

2. The Power of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:23-25

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

“Christ crucified”

Dry water

A cold fire

“The reign of God has indeed come upon us but it’s golden sign is not a royal throne but a wooden cross” – Leslie Nubagen

“Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (Verse 24)

Worldly Power | Godly Power 

Weakness – power controlled by love

Loss – sacrifice on behalf of others

Defeat – service for those not worthy

It’s not enough to understand the truth of the Cross;

you also need to understand the power of the Cross.

The power to overcome sin and shame

The power to break the chains of addiction

The power to give you hope for the future

The power to bring you from death to life

Worldly Wisdom | Godly Wisdom: [this line on both slides, top-centered, followed by paragraph break]

Gain the world vs. Give of yourself

Focus on the new vs. Focus on what endures

Build an identity vs. Receive an identity

Be true to yourself vs. Die to yourself

Hate your enemy vs. Love your enemy

Create your purpose vs. Discover your purpose

1 Corinthians 1:19-20

19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

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

God exposes the wisdom of this world for what it is—folly. 

Freedom—Bondage

Endless options—Paralyzing decisions

Autonomy—Loneliness

Love of money—Emptiness

1 Corinthians 1:21

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

True power and wisdom are often hidden as folly.

3. The People of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:24 

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

1 Corinthians 1:26-27

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

God didn’t choose them because they were great.

He chose them because he is gracious.

1 Corinthians 1:28-29

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

God does NOT find good people and reward them;

God pursues lost sinners and redeems them.

1 Corinthians 1:30

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

righteousness – we are declared right

sanctification – we are made holy

redemption – we are set free

1 Corinthians 1:31

so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24a

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me,

The same event can mean very different things depending on your perspective.

One thief saw a criminal

The other saw a king

What do you see when you look at Jesus?