19 It is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and
bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent’.
20-25 For consider, what have the philosopher, the writer and the
critic of this world to show for all their wisdom? Has not God made the wisdom
of this world look foolish? for it was after the world in its wisdom failed to
know God, that he in his wisdom chose to save all who would believe by the
“simple-mindedness” of the Gospel message. For the Jews ask for miraculous
proofs and the Greeks an intellectual panacea, but all we preach is Christ
crucified—a stumbling block to the Jews and sheer nonsense to the Gentiles, but
for those who are called, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ the power of God and
the wisdom of God. And this is really only natural, for God’s foolishness” is
wiser than men, and his “weakness” is stronger than men.
Nor
are God’s values the same as man’s
26-31 For look at your own calling as Christians, my brothers. You
don’t see among you many of the wise (according to this world’s judgment) nor
many of the ruling class, nor many from the noblest families. But God has
chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise; he has chosen what the
world calls weak to shame the strong. He has chosen things of little strength
and small repute, yes and even things which have no real existence to explode
the pretensions of the things that are—that no man may boast in the presence of
God. 1
Corinthians 1:19-30 J.B. Phillips
Preaching is a high calling and many weeks a
difficult task. What is there to say to the folks who gather that will in
effect transform their very lives. Not just impart knowledge although that is
done, but to make a difference Monday morning. How could I put it or say it in
a new way? It is not easy and many days overwhelming. As I prepare this week
for Sunday the topic is baptism from the Great Commission. I have been
preaching a series from the Great Commission called Mission Impossible. Each
week we focus on the four commands, Go, Make disciples, Teach and this week
Baptize. Teach and baptize are out of verse order because I have the
opportunity to baptize two adult men this week (WOW).
Yesterday I prepared my outline as to why we do
it and its meaning. This morning I was considering that it was too simple. I
want to say smart, deep and important words and thoughts to smart people. My
outline seemed too easy and simple. God has a way of jumping in there to say
“this is what I want to say, it is not simple.” The greatest things in
scripture a child can grab hold of and then never understand even over a
lifetime of study. They are always simple and yet so complex, thoughts and
concepts clear and yet deeper than the deepest sea overflowing with the mystery
of God.
This past week I asked “do you believe what you
believe.” That to say do you live what you believe. Do you act based on your
beliefs. DO you act like you love God and love other people all day every day?
Do you believe what you believe?
It really is simple
In HIS
Service and Yours,
The Rev
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