FOOLISH WISDOM-III—1Corinthians 1:20-21(1:18--2:5)
Attention:
The spanish conquistador, Hernán(do) Cortés, took on a mission to explore & secure the interior of Mexico for spanish colonization. In or around 1519 AD, Cortés landed on what is now known as Yucatan, Mexico. He had 500 men dispersed on 11 ships. Once they landed, it is said that Cortez made a wise decision. He had all the ships scuttled & burned!
Thru his destroying the ships, he left the group, including himself, no means of turning to flee from the mission at hand. Because there was now no means of escape, his men quickly committed themselves to the task at hand, even though it was an unknown land. And so they succeeded in their mission!
No doubt, many of Hernán Cortez’ men INITIALLY mis-interpreted Cortéz’ decision to destroy their only means of escape. No doubt, they initially saw Cortéz’ move as detrimental to the whole crew.
In a similar way, God’s wisdom can also be mis-interpreted! But to do so, is to bring actual ETERNAL detriment to a person’s standing with God!
Need:
The apostle Paul related that the actual wisdom in the Cross-work of Christ, was seen as foolishness by those who were perishing.
The wisdom of the Cross can be misinterpreted.
How can wisdom be properly interpreted?
9 means of interpreting foolish wisdom.
The title ‘Foolish Wisdom’ is intentionally indefinite. If something is foolish, can it be described as wisdom? And if something is wisdom, can it be described as foolish?
Previously, we have found that Foolish Wisdom is interpreted thru...
1. The MESSAGE Of The CROSS(:18)
2. PROMISED FUTILITY Present In The World(:19)
Today we’ll find that...
3—Foolish Wisdom is also interpreted thru...
The VACUUM Present In The World(:20-21)
Explanation:(:20-21)Absence/Dearth of wisdom
: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?
In response to verses :18-19, Paul now asks 3 persuasive questions(technically 4). In those questions he highlights the limitations of ‘worldly’ “wisdom.” And in so doing, Paul makes it apparent, that ‘worldly’ “wisdom” is quickly relegated to the realm of nonsense. There is a VACUUM of ACTUAL “wisdom.”
“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age?...”
These examples(“the wise”, “the scribes”, & “the disputers”) have all come to nothing, because their so-called “wisdom” is derived solely from the restricted/limited reasonings of men.
•There is an entire body of knowledge, that ‘the unsaved’ of mankind MISS completely, by rejecting the message of the Cross(:18)!
In the light of God’s wisdom, “Where” then does such a ‘secular’/non-religious “wise man” stand?(Greek philosopher in Paul’s day)
Isa. 19:12—The same is asked of Egypt in their arrogance—“Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, And let them know what the LORD of hosts Has purposed against Egypt.”
•Those questions are stated in a mocking tone for those of Egypt, who considered themselves a superior nation. And they, as do we, had their pundits/experts, their persuasive promoters of ideals born of flesh!
Likewise, In the light of God’s wisdom, “Where” then does the “scribe” stand?
•“Scribe”—Particularly, a Jewish expert in the Jewish biblical & civil law, i.e., writers of the commentaries of the Old Testament known as the Talmud, & the Mishnah. A “scribe” would be someone who records, compiles, tabulates, & organizes the particular ‘philosophical’ practical &/or civil “wisdom” at hand. The particular ‘philosophical, practical, &/or civil “wisdom”’ in this instance, would be built upon God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. However any “scribe” could easily do his job by the compulsion & direction of man, & thus WITHOUT the Holy Spirit’s leading!
•Isa. 33:18—concerning the far future freedom of Israel in Christ—“Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is the scribe? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?””
The past is over & done! The “terror” is no more. The “scribes” are not needed, & the one’s who “weighs” & “counts”(for tribute, or consider options) are no more.
And likewise, In the light of God’s wisdom, “Where” then does “this age’s” great “disputer/debater” stand?(philosophical defender)
•“Disputer”—Someone who is a debater & defender of specific philosophical leanings/principles/tenets, based on understandings, adherences, beliefs, & trends that are limited to men’s imaginations & abilities.
•Even though these may stand at podiums & have large audiences, & impress & wow the minds of many, the fact is: They are speaking & sharing as someone who has been ‘living-under-a-rock, with no acknowledgment of the true God!
•“Where” then do ‘uninformed’, ‘opinionated’, & most internet-sourced ‘worldly’ conclusions & solutions stand....? They elevate popular opinion only!
Thru God’s “wisdom”, He will destroy the “wisdom” of the earthly “wise.” And Almighty God, Who created man, CANNOT & WILL NOT bow down to man’s(who is a created being) attempts at “wisdom”!
•If earthly philosophy even acknowledges a god at all, it will never be the true Creator/Sustainer God. Because it will not acknowledge humanity’s sin nature. And it will never acknowledge the singular—God designed—solution for that sin nature, which is in Christ Jesus alone!
“Where” are all these secular & religious “wise”, “scribes”, & “disputers”? They have no place, & hold no place of power in God’s economy of “wisdom”! It is the same as if they do not exist at all!
All those are bound together in their own self-subscribed “foolishness” of unbelief!
•Some are given specifically to religious avenues of unbelief.
•And others are given to philosophical avenues of unbelief.
•While others are given to political avenues of unbelief.
And all these cross over into & effect all the others.
BUT all those, no matter how their ideas are disseminated to the world, are still steeped in & proclaim unbelief!
“This age,” even though it is bogged down under the weight of secular & religious sophists(wise men), “this age” is also the “age” or time of the Cross, where both spiritual & physical salvation has been accomplished thru the Cross-work of Jesus’!
“...Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
“God” has dealt a decisive death blow to such worldly accepted & regarded “wisdom.” God has placed worldly “wisdom” securely in the realm of “foolishness”—“wisdom’s” polar opposite! The reality of worldly “wisdom” is no more than silliness, ridiculousness, & absurdity. And so, mankind builds & supports entire educational systems—graded, graduate, post-graduate, local & international—that the world bows down to. “God” Himself has proven the “foolishness” of it all thru the message of the Cross of Christ!
: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.”
“For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God,...”
God has indeed rendered/made all these attempts at “wisdom” into utter foolishness. These human attempts are nothing but the severely narrowed reasonings that characterize worldly “wisdom.”
According to God’s perfect “wisdom,” the world has “not” come to “know Him”, even though it has ‘invented’, ‘reinvented’, & ignorantly ‘searched for’ Him.
•Implied here is that worldly “wisdom” does indeed seek the ‘god’ of it’s own invention!....Sounds good....Makes a person ‘feel good’....Like they’re part of something bigger than themselves....BUT the search is limited to HUMAN invention!
•And “the world” by it’s nature, chooses to make it’s multitude of gods in ‘mankind’s image’, RATHER than choosing the REALITY of mankind being made in the perfections of God’s image(Gen. 1:26-27)!
Since the limitations of the world’s spiritual inventions is an ongoing fact among the generations of men, the true “God” has seen fit to proclaim(“preach”) “the” true “message.” Even in the midst of lost mankind’s declarations of their false gods!
And that TRUE “message” from God, appears as absolute “foolishness” to those who seek everywhere but where they should & can!
“...it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”
However, for “those” people “who” “believe” God’s “foolish” “message”, they are the ones in whom “God’s” “salvation” is actually accomplished!
And such a state of affairs, is something that “pleases” God. That is, “God’s” “salvation” operates, even in the midst of the lost of mankind. And “God’s” “salvation” is positively successful, despite the continual pressure from the lost, that all should trust the world’s gods.
Again(See :20), the “foolish”—the doubting, the disbelieving—as well as the “believing”, all exist together simultaneously, with two very different results!
•Remember the weeds among the wheat!(Mat. 13:24-30). Both are intended to grow together, until the harvest—when they will be eternally separated—one group eternally lost, but the other eternally saved.
Argumentation:
Jn. 8:44-59—Jesus to those who had believed Him,—“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.”
Acts 26:22-25, 28-29—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.”..... “Then [King]Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost & altogether such as I am, except for these chains.””
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:
Many College & University professors are indeed ‘intelligent.’ They are rewarded with doctorates hard-earned from prestigious schools. Many are Intelligent & Open-minded, while many others are Close-minded & Arrogant. These arrogant ones operate freely on our colleges & university campuses, hating Christianity & Christians—They openly & brazenly pass off Christians & Christianity as simple-minded & gullible. Such professors have learned to defend their own reality, while denying God’s truth. The students of such prestigious schools will come away with a narrowed & limited knowledge of how to live. Those student’s ‘life-lessons’ will be taught & learned, but without the aid of God! Such students propagate the VACUUM Present In The World(Absence of wisdom)
Likewise, there are Defenders of Atheism--Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, etc.
Bertrand Russell snidely writes,—“So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.”
God’s people must vehemently disagree, knowing that Mr. Russell’s ‘rememberer’ must be very poor indeed!
BECAUSE:
Mat. 16:15-19—Jesus states,—“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter[a former fisherman] answered & said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered & said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, & on this rock I will build My church, & the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, & whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, & whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.””
To make that statement DEMANDS INTELLIGENCE & WISDOM! Leaving: The VACUUM Present In The World!
& BECAUSE:
Eph. 5:15—“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,”
To “walk circumspectly” DEMANDS INTELLIGENCE & WISDOM!
& BECAUSE:
Gen. 1:26-28—“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, & over the cattle, over all the earth & over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male & female He created them. Then God blessed them, & God said to them, “Be fruitful & multiply; fill the earth & subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, & over every living thing that moves on the earth.””
To be made in God’s image, & to fulfill God’s mission for mankind, surely DEMANDS INTELLIGENCE & WISDOM on their part!
*Atheism & agnosticism leave a horrific VACUUM Present In The World(Absence/Dearth of wisdom), where Intelligence & wisdom are misused & misapplied.
Application:
?Do YOU properly interpret The VACUUM of wisdom for yourself & others?
?Are you a competent interpreter of Foolish Wisdom?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Recall how Hernán(do) Cortéz’ decision was initially mis-interpreted to his crew’s potential detriment!
In a similar way, God’s wisdom can be mis-interpreted, but to the eternal detriment of the person’s standing with God!
Action:
Worldly wisdom is limited by...
3. The VACUUM Present In The World(:20-21)
(Absence/Dearth of wisdom)
1. The MESSAGE Of The CROSS(:18)
2. PROMISED FUTILITY Present In The World(:19)
Pt#3 only! Presented 12/01/2024am to:
Salem BC
1618 Salem Rd.
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Pt#3 only! Presented 09/22/2013am to:
FBC’belle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
