Introduction

Good morning, dear friends! We gather here today, not as individuals, but as a family, bound together by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we find ourselves standing on the threshold of a profound truth, a truth that is as old as the universe itself, yet as fresh and as life-giving as the morning dew.

Today, we're going to turn to the timeless wisdom of the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. But, before we do, I want to share with you a quote from one of the great pillars of Christian thought, Watchman Nee. He once said, "The Blood deals with what we have done, whereas the Cross deals with what we are. The Blood disposes of our sins, while the Cross strikes at the root of our capacity for sin." This quote, my friends, is a beacon that will guide us through the powerful words of Paul.

Now, let us read from 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5: "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. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.' When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word. As we reflect on these passages, open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of the cross. May we comprehend the depth of Your love for us, a love so great that You sent Your Son to die for us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior. Amen.

Crucifixion's Consequence

In the heart of the scripture we've just read, we find a profound truth. The message of the cross, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is perceived as foolishness by those who are perishing. But for those of us who are being saved, it is the power of God. This is a paradox that confounds the wisdom of the world. The world seeks wisdom in signs and wonders, in eloquence and persuasive words, but the wisdom of God is found in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The crucifixion was a deliberate act of love, a sacrifice made by God Himself to save us from our sins. The cross is a symbol of God's love, a love so great that He was willing to die for us. It is a love that transcends human understanding, a love that is stronger than death, a love that is the power of God.

Yet, the world sees the cross as foolishness. It cannot comprehend the wisdom of God's love. It cannot understand why God would choose to die for us. It cannot grasp the power of the cross. The world seeks wisdom in human achievements, in worldly success, in power and prestige. But the wisdom of God is not found in these things. It is found in the cross, in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The world may see the cross as a symbol of defeat, but we know it is a symbol of victory. It is through the cross that we are saved, through the cross that we are redeemed, through the cross that we are made righteous. The cross is not a symbol of death, but of life. It is not a symbol of weakness, but of strength. It is not a symbol of foolishness, but of wisdom.

The world may scoff at the message of the cross, but we know it is the power of God. It is the power to save, the power to heal, the power to transform. It is the power that brings us from death to life, from darkness to light, from sin to righteousness. It is the power that gives us hope, that gives us peace, that gives us joy.

Christ's Capacity

We now find ourselves drawn to the capacity of Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO