2. Strength in Christian Education 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

3. What do we normally think of when we hear the word STRENGTH?

4. Athletes with bulging muscles

5. Immovable

6. Self Reliant

7. What about Strength in Christian schools? Christian schools are not “normal” – Staff: More hours, less money – Parents: Pay high tuition – Students: “Turn the other check”; “JOY”

8. 1 Corinthians 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. (vs 18) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. (vs 25) 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. (vs 27)

9. 1 Corinthians 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. (vs 18) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. (vs 25) 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. (vs 27)

10. 1 Corinthians 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. (vs 18) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. (vs 25) 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. (vs 27)

11. The Power of the Cross First century  The cross was the ultimate symbol of weakness Why would God use a symbol of weakness to save the world?

12. The Power of the Cross Who else but God could take a cross that represented defeat and turn it into a symbol of victory? Guilt  Grace Condemnation  Freedom Pain & Suffering  Healing & Hope Death  Life

13. The Power of the Cross Ultimate moment of God’s weakness  Ultimate moment of God’s strength 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. (vs 27) NOT IN SPITE of it’s weakness, BECAUSE of its weakness.

14. God Chooses Weak Over Strong Abraham was old Jacob was insecure Leah was unattractive Joseph was humiliated Moses stuttered Gideon was poor Samson was proud Rahab was immoral David had an affair Elijah was suicidal

15. God Chooses Weak Over Strong Jeremiah was depressed Jonah was disobedient Naomi was a widow John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least Peter was impulsive & hot-tempered Martha worried a lot The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages Zacchaeus was unpopular Thomas had doubts Paul had poor health

16. God Chooses Weak Over Strong Imperfect misfits discovered weakness is strength. When we think we’re strong, we’re really weak. When we acknowledge our weakness and humble ourselves before the Lord, we put ourselves in a position to receive His strength.

17. Strength in Christian Schools We need to admit our weaknesses Ask God to show His strength in our schools To do for our schools what He did for the cross!!