1. “God-Honoring Stewardship”
Part 8
(Wisdom vs. Folly)
1 Corinthians 1:18-25

2. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

3. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18

5. Titus 3:3-7

6. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

7. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8. but we preach Christ crucified, ……
but we preach Christ crucified, …… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

9. The opposite of wisdom is folly.
Wisdom and folly always stand in direct opposition of one another.
When choosing between the two, the individual always concludes that he is being wise.

10. What gives your life meaning? You can only share what you have.
What is your good news?
What gives your life meaning?
You can only share what you have.

11. Man’s wisdom and power have no answer for fear and uncertainty.1.
Man’s wisdom and power have no answer for fear and uncertainty.
Genesis 12:1-3

12. Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

13. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

14. Genesis 12:10-13

15. Now there was a famine in the land.
So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
What was the need?
What was Abram’s good news?

16. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live.
Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”

17. 2.
Man’s wisdom and power have no answer for suffering and discontentment.
Genesis 15:1-6

18. After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
“Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

19. But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
And Abram said, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”

20. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.”
And He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.”

21. Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

22. Genesis 16:1-2

23. Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar.
And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.”

24. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
What was the need?
What was Abraham’s good news?

25. 3.
Man’s wisdom and power serve him best when he completely turns them over to Christ.
Genesis 22:1-19

26. Hebrews 11:17-19

27. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

28. He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.