Becoming A Fool

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“Aliens developed enough to develop the technology to seed life on earth through evolution…and they came here and seeded life on earth!!!”

Which takes more faith to believe? Aliens (where we have no explanation of where they came from) or a loving Creator, designed and made life out of nothing?

The difference, as I explained to my buddy Nick, is that with God there’s a reason for our creation and it’s about relationship. Intelligence isn’t the issue…accountability is!

But we also learn that Biblical knowledge without love leads to arrogance and judgment of others.

This entire chapter is about people who claim to be Christians but live worldly lives…It’s about arguing and dividing themselves up over who had the best teacher.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-9 (p. 794)

So you understand let me give you a quick paraphrase… “I’m better than you because Paul taught me…I’m part of his group…you’re stupid, Apollos is much wiser and a better teacher…I follow him…both of you are idiots…Peter preached on Pentecost…I’m part of his group, the originals.”

It’s some of these same folks who knew the law of Moses, taught it and said, “If you eat food sacrificed to idols you’re not really one of us!!!”…Paul writes:

1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-7 (p. 797)

Basically…“There’s no such thing as an idol god…just one God…Jesus…don’t hurt other people by eating it…or not eating it…food doesn’t bring us closer to God…It doesn’t matter…People matter.”

Food sacrificed to idols, the color of carpet, the style of music, the translation of the Bible, when we take communion in the service…and a billion other opinion issues are not salvation issues…and “your knowledge about it isn’t more important than the unity of the body of Christ.”

If you become a bully and use your opinion as a hammer to divide, like these Corinthians, knowledge has puffed you up…instead of love building up. You are operating like the world, not like a spiritually discerning child of God.

Our purpose as God’s people is not to become arrogant people demanding our opinions be honored, but to become:

II. SERVANTS WHO BUILD THE HOUSE OF GOD…TOGETHER

While the Corinthians were arguing about which group was the best because of which teacher they followed…The Apostle Paul was much more concerned about the “Big Picture,” the Kingdom of God growing.

“The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Cor. 3:8-9)

The world says “You’re a fool” if you don’t put yourself first…and protect your own turf!”

And Jesus says, “If anyone would follow me they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

He also said, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

Losing your life for Jesus and the gospel makes no sense to the world…it’s the exact opposite of how you achieve personal success. Its stupid…it’s foolish.