God Chose “The Foolishness of Preaching” 1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. KJV

1 Cor 1: 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.

1 Cor 1: 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.

1 Cor 1: 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.

1 Cor 1: 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.

Why Is Preaching Called “Foolishness”? Not the proclamation of it (KJV, ASV) Not the proclamation of it (KJV, ASV) The message that is preached (NKJV) The message that is preached (NKJV) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (KJV) 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. (NKJV) Viewed as foolish / ridiculous to some

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. I. Introduction (vv. 1-9) II. Divisions (vv ) III. Wisdom of God -vs- Wisdom of men (vv ) 1 Cor. 1 A. Gospel is foolishness to man, but to God it is the power to save (vv ). B. The nature of those who accept the gospel (vv ).

Who Views The Gospel As “Foolish”? Those who are “perishing” (v. 18) Those who are “perishing” (v. 18) “The significance of the present tense in this verse is that it denotes continuous action or linear action. Thus the usage describes the wicked as in a way of life which is destroying them, here and now and, ultimately and finally, will lead to everlasting destruction. It is like contracting a fatal disease that is in the process of ultimately destroying the body” (Willis, 34) “The significance of the present tense in this verse is that it denotes continuous action or linear action. Thus the usage describes the wicked as in a way of life which is destroying them, here and now and, ultimately and finally, will lead to everlasting destruction. It is like contracting a fatal disease that is in the process of ultimately destroying the body” (Willis, 34)

1 Cor 1:18 “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.” Those Are Perishing “Foolishness” Those Being Saved “Power of God” More than “wisdom” More than Conviction Power – To Save!

God Will Destroy The Wisdom of Men 1 Cor 1:19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Quote from Isa. 29:14 Quote from Isa. 29:14 Context: “Wise” men told Judah that deliverance would come through political alliances. Context: “Wise” men told Judah that deliverance would come through political alliances. Alliances caused nothing but trouble. Alliances caused nothing but trouble. Sennacherib invaded the land – siege on Jer. Sennacherib invaded the land – siege on Jer. God caused the siege to be lifted. God caused the siege to be lifted. Fled the presence of God (1 Cor. 1:20) Fled the presence of God (1 Cor. 1:20)

I. Why The Message is Thought Foolish

A. Does not fit what thinks 1. Thought Messiah would not die (John 12:33-34) 2. Thought couldn’t be saved by crucified man (1 Cor. 1:18-25) 3. Prov. 16:25 – way seems right – lead to death 4. Often run truth through human reasoning to determine if they will accept it or not

I. Why The Message is Thought Foolish A. Does not fit what thinks B. Does not fit what been taught 1. Base acceptance with what always heard 2. 2 Thess. 2:10-12 – possible to be deceived 3. Could be taught wrong (1 John 4:1-6)

I. Why The Message is Thought Foolish A. Does not fit what thinks B. Does not fit what been taught C. Unpopular (Matt. 7:13-14) D. Too Simple (2 Kings 5:10-ff) E. Don’t Like the Consequences (Matt. 19:9-12)

I. Why The Message is Thought Foolish II. The Message That is Thought Foolish

Examples Of Messages That Seemed “Foolish” Dip 7 times in Jordan to cure leprosy (2 Kings 5:10-14) Dip 7 times in Jordan to cure leprosy (2 Kings 5:10-14) March around a city 7 days and walls fall down (Josh. 6) March around a city 7 days and walls fall down (Josh. 6) Look at a brass serpent and be healed (Num. 21) Look at a brass serpent and be healed (Num. 21) Dip in pool and be cured of blindness (John 9) Dip in pool and be cured of blindness (John 9)

II. The Message That is Thought Foolish A. Salvation by crucified savior (1 Cor. 15:1-4) B. Baptism – “Water salvation (Mark 16:16) C. Divorce & Remarriage (Matt. 19:4-9) 1. Divorce for only one cause (Matt. 19:9) 2. Can’t remarry unless put away mate for fornication (Matt. 19:9)

II. The Message That is Thought Foolish A. Salvation by crucified savior (1 Cor. 15:1-4) B. Baptism – “Water salvation (Mark 16:16) C. Divorce & Remarriage (Matt. 19:4-9) D. Six Day Creation – Young Earth (Gen. 1; Exo. 31) E. One Church (Eph. 4:5) F. Need Authority (Col. 3:17) G. Obey Civil Law (Rom. 13:1-ff) H. Attendance Important (Heb. 10:25) I. Modesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10)

I. Why The Message is Thought Foolish II. The Message That is Thought Foolish III. Our Reaction

A. Lean that God’s message does not fit human reasoning 1. Prov. 14:12; 16:25 2. Isa. 55: Jer. 10:23 B. Preach it anyway (2 Tim. 4:1-5)

I. Why The Message is Thought Foolish II. The Message That is Thought Foolish III. Our Reaction