Another Testimony Text: I Corinthians 1:18-25
We don’t need to hear about another miracle, nor do we need to hear someone else’s testimony. We need our own testimony; we need our own miracle! There has to be two things present before we become His candidate: 1. Hunger. 2. Humility.
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. 19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 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. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her, “Little girl, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing.” To which the girl replied, “Yes, I know. But they told me in Sunday school that whatever Jesus touches, He changes.”
The message of the cross say’s, “Come!” Come, leave yesterday, come receive newness of life, come, enter into the joy of salvation, come, there’s hope for tomorrow! Come, there’s help for today! Come, believe in something bigger, better and greater!
Many believers find their selves covered in the smut of today. They’re stressed out and just find church to be another function they need to attend. (But they would never admit this.)
Paul say’s something very important in verse 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.
Notice the word ‘being saved’, its present tense; therefore, our salvation is being worked out daily. Just as there is physical growth; there’s room for Spiritual growth also!
However, many people have been cheated because they believed a lie. (There’s nothing more)
I Cor. 1:19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
God the creator of all creation is everywhere; He’s all- powerful and all knowing!
Why would God look for our wit or wisdom?
God is looking for hunger and humility! James 4: 5-6 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
I Cor. 1:20-21 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
How foolish is this, He came into this earth through a virgin named ‘Mary’ as a baby!
I Cor. 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
(About the Jews) The strange thing is Jesus performed signs and wonders, but it wasn’t the signs the Jews wanted. They desired a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman Government.
(About the Greeks) The 17th chapter of Acts describes the scene when Paul came to Athens. The Athenian philosophers met on Mar’s Hill, they sat all day, thinking profound thoughts. And Luke says that they “spent their time doing nothing but talking about & listening to the latest ideas.
Reason tells you that babies aren’t born to virgin girls. Reason tells you that God doesn’t become flesh.
Reason tells you that almighty God will not allow puny men to nail Him to a cross.
Reason tells you that when a man dies he cannot be resurrected back to life again.
None of that makes any sense. So the Greeks looked at the cross as foolishness.
I Cor. 1:23-25 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. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Those who are called Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God!
So, whatever you once believed let it go, and receive the power and wisdom of God!
Another testimony about someone else receiving a miracle or one of God’s Spiritual gifts won’t do.
1.You have to turn around and repent of your unbelief! 2.You have to hunger and humble yourself, and allow God to do what He wants to do in and through you!
3.You are the body of Christ, and He desires to change your life and destiny! (You need a testimony!)
