The LIMITATIONS/Irony Of WORLDLY WISDOM-III—1Corinthians 1:18-25
Attention:
Song:
'Same Love' by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis topped out as one of Billboard’s #1 song in the summer of 2013. Portions of it were Written by Mary Lambert(a known lesbian) as 'She Keeps Me Warm.'
A sampling of 'She Keeps Me Warm' lyrics:
‘She says I smell like safety & home
I named both of her eyes ‘Forever’ & ‘Please don’t go’
I could be morning sunrise all the time(2X)
This could be good’(2X)
‘I can’t change, even if I wanted to
My love(4X)
She keeps me warm’(2X)
‘I’m not crying on Sundays
Love is patient, Love is kind
My love(4X)
She keeps me warm.’(2X)
These are songs touting the supposed ‘glories’ of homosexuality.
Mary’s is a forlorn heart-wrenching song about having been sidelined because of her homosexuality, particularly by the Church.
It is compelling, stirs the heart, evoking an immediate emotional connection to the pain of the singer & calling the listener to revisit their belief.
Relates the failings of ‘religion’ to meet her felt needs.
Relegates such failings to the entirety of Christianity as ignorant hate speech, not mockingly or hate-filled itself, but as decidedly inconsiderate of others on the basis of right-wing traditionally entrenched religion.
But she never considers her choice is offensive to the Almighty God!
She has completely avoided her primary relationship as needing to be that with God in Christ.
Totally opposed to God’s desire.
This is the Limitation & Irony of Worldly 'Wisdom'!
Paul related the irony of worldly wisdom to the Corinthians believers.
True wisdom resides in God’s seeming ‘foolishness’ regarding the cross-work of Christ.
The irony of (prevailing/popular)worldly wisdom is in its being relegated to foolishness.
What is the irony in (prevailing/popular)worldly wisdom?
OR Rather...
How is (prevailing/popular)worldly wisdom limited?
7 ironies of (prevailing/popular)worldly wisdom.
Last time we found that Worldly wisdom is limited by...
1. The CROSS(:18)
2. The SCRIPTURE(:19)
3—Worldly wisdom is limited by...
The LEARN-ed/Accomplished(:20-21)
Explanation:(:20-21)
: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?
With the above in mind, Paul now asks 3 persuasive questions comparing worldly “wisdom” to the Gospel of Christ. Such wisdom is quickly relegated to the realm of nonsense. These examples(“the wise”, “scribes” & “disputers”) have all come to nothing because their so-called ‘wisdom’ is derived solely from the reasonings of men.
“Where” now does such a secular “wise man”(Greek philosopher?) stand?
Isa. 19:12— “Well then, where are your wise men? Please let them tell you, And let them understand what the LORD of hosts Has purposed against Egypt.”
Isa. 33:18—“Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is the scribe? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?””—These questions are stated in a mocking tone for those of Israel who are presently under the thumb of the Assyrians. There will come a day when their subjugation will be only a memory.
Likewise, “where” does the “scribe”(Jewish expert in the law, i.e., writers of the Talmud, Mishnah...) stand?
And likewise, “where” does “this age’s” great “disputer/debater”(philosophical defender) stand?
Where are all these? They are all bound together in their own self-subscribed “foolishness” of unbelief. Some beholden to religious unbelief & others beholden to philosophical unbelief.
“This age,” though bogged down under the weight of secular & religious sophists, is also the age of the cross, where both spiritual & physical salvation has been accomplished thru Jesus’ cross-work.
“God” has dealt a decisive death blow to such secularly accepted & regarded “wisdom,” by placing it securely in the realm of “foolishness”—its exact opposite! Worldly “wisdom” is no more than silliness, ridiculousness, & absurdity. “God” Himself has both made & proven it so!
“Wise”(See :19, 25)—sofov—Adj.—1) Wise—1a) Skilled, expert: of artificers, 1b) Wise, skilled in letters, cultivated, learned, 1c) Forming the best plans & using the best means for their execution. Strong—Akin to safhv(clear); Wise(in a most general application).
“Scribe”—grammateuv—1) A clerk, scribe, esp. a public servant, secretary, recorder, whose office & influence differed in different states: 2) in the Bible, A man learned in the Mosaic law & in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult & subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning & scope, & did this to the detriment of religion. Since the advice of men skilled in the law was needed in the examination in the causes & the solution of the difficult questions, they were enrolled in the Sanhedrin; & are mentioned in connection with the priests & elders of the people; 3) A religious teacher: so instructed that from his learning & ability to teach advantage may redound to the kingdom of heaven. Strong—A writer, i.e. (professionally)Scribe or secretary.
“Disputer/Debater”—suzhththv—1) A disputer, i.e. A learned disputant, sophist. Used 1X.
Carries with it the idea of bringing many things together. From—sun—Together—&—zhtew—To seek. “sunzhththv suits both the Greek & the Jewish disputant & doubter”—RWP
“Age”—aiwn—1) For ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity; 2) The worlds, universe; 3) Period of time, age. Aiwn is usually better expressed by age, it is the world at a given time, a particular period in the world's history. Strong—properly--An age; by extension--Perpetuity(also past); by implication--The world; specially(Jewish)--A Messianic period(present or future).
“Foolish”—mwrainw—1) To be foolish, to act foolishly—2a) To make foolish—2a1) To prove a person or a thing foolish, 2b) To make flat & tasteless—2b1) of salt that has lost its strength & flavor. Strong—To become insipid; figuratively--To make(or passively, to act) as a simpleton. Used 4X.
“Wisdom/Cleverness” (See :17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 30)—sofia—1) Wisdom, broad & full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters. Sofia denotes wisdom as exhibited in action, gnwsiv applies chiefly to the apprehension of truths, sofia adds the power of reasoning about them & tracing their relationships. Sofia is properly wisdom. It denotes mental excellence in the highest & fullest sense, expressing an attitude as well as an act of the mind. It comprehends knowledge & implies goodness, including the striving after the highest ends, as well as the using of the best means for their attainment. It is never ascribed to any one but God & good men, except in a plainly ironical sense. Strong—Wisdom(higher or lower, worldly or spiritual).
“World”—kosmov—1) An apt & harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government; 2) Ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1Pe 3:3; 3) The world, the universe; 4) The circle of the earth, the earth; 5) The inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family; 6) The ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, & therefore hostile to the cause of Christ; 7) World affairs, the aggregate of things earthly; 8) Any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort. Kosmov has very frequently an unfavorable meaning, denoting the inhabitants of the world, mankind in general, as opposed to God. Strong—Orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication--The world(in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]).
: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.”
God has indeed rendered/made all these attempts at “wisdom” into utter foolishness. These human attempts are nothing but the severely narrowed reasonings which characterize worldly “wisdom.”
According to God’s perfect “wisdom,” the world has not come to “know Him.”
Implied here is that worldly “wisdom” does indeed seek to find its desired ‘god’—thus making god in man’s image rather than the reality of our being made in God’s image(Gen. 1:26-27).
Since this searching is a fact, the true “God” has seen fit to proclaim(“preach”) “the message.” This “message” appears as absolute “foolishness” to those seeking elsewhere.
However, “those who” “believe” God’s “foolish” “message” are actually those in whom “salvation” is accomplished. The existence of such a state of affairs is something which “pleased” God.
Again(See :20), there are those who exist together simultaneously, one “believing” & the other doubting or disbelieving.
“For since”—epeidh—Conj.—1) When now, since now—1a) of time: When now, after that, 1b) of cause: Since, seeing that, forasmuch as. Strong—Since now, i.e. (of time)When, or (of cause)Whereas.
“Wisdom/Cleverness”2X (See :17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 30)—1) Wisdom, broad & full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters. Sofia denotes wisdom as exhibited in action, gnwsiv applies chiefly to the apprehension of truths, sofia adds the power of reasoning about them & tracing their relationships. Sofia is properly wisdom. It denotes mental excellence in the highest & fullest sense, expressing an attitude as well as an act of the mind. It comprehends knowledge & implies goodness, including the striving after the highest ends, as well as the using of the best means for their attainment. It is never ascribed to any one but God & good men, except in a plainly ironical sense. Strong—Wisdom(higher or lower, worldly or spiritual).
“Know”—ginwskw—1) To learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel; 2) To know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of; 3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man & a woman; 4) To become acquainted with, to know. A knowledge grounded on personal experience. Strong—To "know"(absolutely) in a great variety of applications & with many implications.
“Pleased/Well-pleased”—eudokew—1) It seems good to one, is one's good pleasure—1a) Think it good, choose, determine, decide, 1b) To do willingly, 1c) To be ready to, to prefer, choose rather; 2) To be well pleased with, take pleasure in, to be favorably inclined towards one. Strong—To think well of, i.e. Approve(an act); specially--To approbate(a person or thing).
“Message preached/Preaching/Proclamation”—khrugma—1) That which is proclaimed by a herald or public crier, a proclamation by herald; 2) in the NT The message or proclamation of the heralds of God or Christ. Strong—A proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication--The gospel itself). Used 8X. Argumentation:
Jn. 8:31-59—“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, & the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, & have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, & you do what you have seen with your father.” They answered & said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth & came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, & the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, & does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar & the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” Then the Jews answered & said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan & have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, & you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks & judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, & the prophets; & You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ “Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him & keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, & he saw it & was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, & have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself & went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, & so passed by.”
Rom. 1:16-25—“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first & also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness & unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power & Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, & their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, & changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--& birds & four-footed animals & creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, & worshiped & served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Acts 26:22-25—[Paul speaking to King Agrippa]““Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small & great, saying no other things than those which the prophets & Moses said would come--that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, & would proclaim light to the Jewish people & to the Gentiles.” Now as he thus made his defense, Festus[Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius] said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth & reason.”
Isa. 44:24-28—“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ And I will raise up her waste places; Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers’; Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” And to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”’”
Eph 3:8-12—“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, & to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities & powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness & access with confidence through faith in Him.”
Lk. 10:19-21—““Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents & scorpions, & over all the power of the enemy, & nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit & said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven & earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise & prudent & revealed them to babes[in regard to the world]. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”
Illustration:
Book Learning vs. Hands-on Experience & Relationship/The LEARN-ed
College professors—indeed intelligent—many with doctorates from Harvard, Yale, Princeton & Oxford, etc./Many are Intelligent & Open-minded while others are Intelligent & Arrogant/These operate freely in our colleges hating Christianity & Christians—Passing them off as stupid & gullible/Such profs have learned to defend their own reality while denying truth/The student will come away with a narrow knowledge of how to live without God/Life-lessons to be learned, but without God/ The LEARN-ed
[Ravi] “Zacharias states that a coherent worldview must be able to satisfactorily answer four questions: that of origin, meaning of life, morality & destiny. He says that while every major religion makes exclusive claims about truth, the Christian faith is unique in its ability to answer all four of these questions.”.....“He routinely speaks on the coherency of the Christian worldview, saying that Christianity is capable of withstanding the toughest philosophical attacks.” [There is]“inadequate empirical evidence in the fossil record for an honest endorsement of the theory of evolution.”/The LEARN-ed
Defenders of Atheism/Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, etc./“So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence”—Bertrand Russell/The LEARN-ed
If the above is an accurate quote....1)—The quote approaches the subject from memory;2)—The quote employs only the Gospels; 3) The quote throws out a biblically correct interpretation & understanding & ; 4) The quote magnifies human intelligence above all.
Eph. 5:15—“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,”—Such action demands intelligence!
Application:
?For you, Is worldly wisdom Limited by The LEARN-ed/Accomplished?
?Your Wisdom Limited...Is your Wisdom worldly?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
‘Same Love’ & ‘She Keeps Me Warm’—Proof of the foolishness of Worldly ‘Wisdom.’
Action:
Worldly wisdom is limited by...
3. The LEARN-ed(:20-21)
1. The CROSS(:18)
2. The SCRIPTURE(:19)
Presented 09/22/2013am to:
FBC’belle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
