Links in the Chain from Cross to Corinth: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25, Part 5

>> This is part five >> This is part five on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. I think it's our last session here. I think it's our last session here. I think it's our last session here. And what I want to do And what I want to do And what I want to do is to go back to is to go back to is to go back to the beginning of Paul's concern about the beginning of Paul's concern about the beginning of Paul's concern about disunity in the church disunity in the church disunity in the church and trace the argument all the way and trace the argument all the way and trace the argument all the way to the end here and illustrate to the end here and illustrate to the end here and illustrate thereby thereby thereby how Paul thinks and argues. This was one how Paul thinks and argues. This was one how Paul thinks and argues. This was one of the great discoveries for me of the great discoveries for me of the great discoveries for me as a young Christian as a young Christian as a young Christian when I was 22 years old when I was 22 years old when I was 22 years old that that that verses in the Bible are not pearls on a verses in the Bible are not pearls on a verses in the Bible are not pearls on a string so much as links in a chain. string so much as links in a chain. string so much as links in a chain. And you'll see the chain And you'll see the chain And you'll see the chain developing as we do this. developing as we do this. developing as we do this. Father, I pray that you'd give us Father, I pray that you'd give us Father, I pray that you'd give us the ability to comprehend the ability to comprehend the ability to comprehend the scope of Paul's argument here and the scope of Paul's argument here and the scope of Paul's argument here and that you would cause our minds that you would cause our minds that you would cause our minds to be able to trace the argument of your to be able to trace the argument of your to be able to trace the argument of your own mind by following Paul's reasoning.

own mind by following Paul's reasoning. own mind by following Paul's reasoning. For I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. For I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. For I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. I'm aware that there are many people who I'm aware that there are many people who I'm aware that there are many people who when they when they when they hear argumentation like I'm about to hear argumentation like I'm about to hear argumentation like I'm about to show you show you show you it doesn't uh it doesn't uh it doesn't uh feel to them like the way they think. feel to them like the way they think. feel to them like the way they think. They would rather take the book of They would rather take the book of They would rather take the book of Proverbs which comes nugget by nugget Proverbs which comes nugget by nugget Proverbs which comes nugget by nugget and savor each one. And I understand and savor each one. And I understand and savor each one. And I understand that and I'm not saying that everybody that and I'm not saying that everybody that and I'm not saying that everybody uh should think the way Paul thinks. uh should think the way Paul thinks. uh should think the way Paul thinks. What I am saying is that the Bible has What I am saying is that the Bible has What I am saying is that the Bible has many different kinds of reasoning, many many different kinds of reasoning, many many different kinds of reasoning, many kinds of kinds of kinds of literature in it, and we should literature in it, and we should literature in it, and we should appreciate all of them. We shouldn't be appreciate all of them. We shouldn't be appreciate all of them. We shouldn't be be picky and say, "Well, I don't like be picky and say, "Well, I don't like be picky and say, "Well, I don't like the way Paul writes. I like the way John the way Paul writes. I like the way John the way Paul writes. I like the way John writes. I don't like I don't like the writes. I don't like I don't like the writes. I don't like I don't like the way way way the apostles argue. I want to just hear the apostles argue. I want to just hear the apostles argue. I want to just hear stories." stories." stories." That's not wise. This is God's word, and That's not wise. This is God's word, and That's not wise. This is God's word, and we should appreciate all of it. So, just we should appreciate all of it. So, just we should appreciate all of it. So, just open yourself to the way Paul thinks, open yourself to the way Paul thinks, open yourself to the way Paul thinks, even if it's not the way you ordinarily even if it's not the way you ordinarily even if it's not the way you ordinarily go about life. So, here we are at the go about life. So, here we are at the go about life. So, here we are at the beginning, chapter 1, verses 10 to 17.

beginning, chapter 1, verses 10 to 17. beginning, chapter 1, verses 10 to 17. There's this situation where Paul gets There's this situation where Paul gets There's this situation where Paul gets word that Chloe's people tell him there word that Chloe's people tell him there word that Chloe's people tell him there is strife among the church, and people is strife among the church, and people is strife among the church, and people are saying, "I'm of Paul. I'm of are saying, "I'm of Paul. I'm of are saying, "I'm of Paul. I'm of Apollos. I'm of Cephas. Apollos. I'm of Cephas. Apollos. I'm of Cephas. I'm of Christ." And Paul's desire, his I'm of Christ." And Paul's desire, his I'm of Christ." And Paul's desire, his response to that is, "I want you rather response to that is, "I want you rather response to that is, "I want you rather to say the same thing. I don't want you to say the same thing. I don't want you to say the same thing. I don't want you to say these different things. I want to say these different things. I want to say these different things. I want you all to say, 'I am of Christ.' I want you all to say, 'I am of Christ.' I want you all to say, 'I am of Christ.' I want you all to say, 'Jesus is Lord.' I don't you all to say, 'Jesus is Lord.' I don't you all to say, 'Jesus is Lord.' I don't want there to be divisions among you. I want there to be divisions among you. I want there to be divisions among you. I want there to be a restoration or a want there to be a restoration or a want there to be a restoration or a repair repair repair of having the same mind and the same of having the same mind and the same of having the same mind and the same judgment." And I think everything that judgment." And I think everything that judgment." And I think everything that follows follows follows in chapters 1 through 4 is this repair. in chapters 1 through 4 is this repair. in chapters 1 through 4 is this repair. He's doing a repair job, a restoration He's doing a repair job, a restoration He's doing a repair job, a restoration job on the minds of the Corinthians. job on the minds of the Corinthians. job on the minds of the Corinthians. And he starts by saying, And he starts by saying, And he starts by saying, "Is Christ divided? No. Was Paul "Is Christ divided? No. Was Paul "Is Christ divided? No. Was Paul crucified for you? No.

crucified for you? No. crucified for you? No. Were you baptized in the name of Paul? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? No, you weren't." And then he he No, you weren't." And then he he No, you weren't." And then he he launches into these next few verses launches into these next few verses launches into these next few verses about his own calling not to be the one about his own calling not to be the one about his own calling not to be the one who makes a name for himself by who makes a name for himself by who makes a name for himself by baptizing. baptizing. baptizing. And he comes to this fateful And he comes to this fateful And he comes to this fateful pivotal verse 17. Christ didn't send me pivotal verse 17. Christ didn't send me pivotal verse 17. Christ didn't send me to baptize. to baptize. to baptize. In other words, my purpose was not to be In other words, my purpose was not to be In other words, my purpose was not to be the one who actually puts you in the the one who actually puts you in the the one who actually puts you in the water. My purpose was to preach the water. My purpose was to preach the water. My purpose was to preach the gospel, and right there he makes a gospel, and right there he makes a gospel, and right there he makes a shift. shift. shift. And he says, "And the way I came And he says, "And the way I came And he says, "And the way I came preaching the gospel was not with words preaching the gospel was not with words preaching the gospel was not with words of eloquent wisdom." And we tried to of eloquent wisdom." And we tried to of eloquent wisdom." And we tried to show that this involves um show that this involves um show that this involves um a resistance to a resistance to a resistance to leaning on oratory leaning on oratory leaning on oratory or rhetorical gifts which the Greeks or rhetorical gifts which the Greeks or rhetorical gifts which the Greeks were very good at, or wisdom meaning uh were very good at, or wisdom meaning uh were very good at, or wisdom meaning uh worldly The wisdom of the world, Paul's going to The wisdom of the world, Paul's going to call it. So, verbal skills, call it. So, verbal skills, call it. So, verbal skills, philosophical skills, I did not adorn philosophical skills, I did not adorn philosophical skills, I did not adorn the gospel with this.

the gospel with this. the gospel with this. And then he starts And then he starts And then he starts an argument which I think goes for four an argument which I think goes for four an argument which I think goes for four chapters, chapters 1 1 through 4, and chapters, chapters 1 1 through 4, and chapters, chapters 1 1 through 4, and this argument is the restoration or the this argument is the restoration or the this argument is the restoration or the repair of the mind that is so prone to repair of the mind that is so prone to repair of the mind that is so prone to divisions. divisions. divisions. And it's a mind of pride, basically. And it's a mind of pride, basically. And it's a mind of pride, basically. So, here's There's seven arguments. So, here's There's seven arguments. So, here's There's seven arguments. Number one, Number one, Number one, lest so that the cross of Christ would lest so that the cross of Christ would lest so that the cross of Christ would not be emptied of its power. So, don't not be emptied of its power. So, don't not be emptied of its power. So, don't mix up the gospel or try to uh enhance mix up the gospel or try to uh enhance mix up the gospel or try to uh enhance or make the gospel more palatable toward or make the gospel more palatable toward or make the gospel more palatable toward proud people by adorning it with human proud people by adorning it with human proud people by adorning it with human eloquence and human philosophy. eloquence and human philosophy. eloquence and human philosophy. Argument number two. Argument number two. Argument number two. Because Because Because the word of the cross is folly to those the word of the cross is folly to those the word of the cross is folly to those who are being destroyed. If you try to who are being destroyed. If you try to who are being destroyed. If you try to make the word of the cross eloquent and make the word of the cross eloquent and make the word of the cross eloquent and philosophically philosophically philosophically a powerful, then you are commending it a powerful, then you are commending it a powerful, then you are commending it to the very people who are being to the very people who are being to the very people who are being destroyed. They will say, "Oh, I get it destroyed. They will say, "Oh, I get it destroyed. They will say, "Oh, I get it finally." And they don't get it. You've finally." And they don't get it. You've finally." And they don't get it. You've just made it fit their categories of just made it fit their categories of just made it fit their categories of pride.

pride. pride. But to those who are being saved, it is But to those who are being saved, it is But to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. Argument number the power of God. Argument number the power of God. Argument number three. Because Because it is written, it is written, it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning I and the discernment of the discerning I and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." In other words, these will thwart." In other words, these will thwart." In other words, these people people people who regard the word of the cross as who regard the word of the cross as who regard the word of the cross as folly, folly, folly, I have decreed to destroy their wisdom. I have decreed to destroy their wisdom. I have decreed to destroy their wisdom. That's why this is translated destroyed, That's why this is translated destroyed, That's why this is translated destroyed, destroyed. destroyed. destroyed. "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning I and the discernment of the discerning I and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." God has decided will thwart." God has decided will thwart." God has decided that the wisdom of the world, that's that the wisdom of the world, that's that the wisdom of the world, that's what he calls it right here, that the what he calls it right here, that the what he calls it right here, that the wisdom of the world is not going to be wisdom of the world is not going to be wisdom of the world is not going to be the way the gospel finds a home in the way the gospel finds a home in the way the gospel finds a home in people's hearts. They're going to people's hearts. They're going to people's hearts. They're going to They're not going to think their way They're not going to think their way They're not going to think their way into salvation by the wisdom of the into salvation by the wisdom of the into salvation by the wisdom of the world. I think this should probably have a I think this should probably have a therefore therefore therefore implicit. Therefore, where's the where's implicit. Therefore, where's the where's implicit. Therefore, where's the where's the wise? Where's the scribe? Where's the wise? Where's the scribe? Where's the wise? Where's the scribe? Where's the debater of this age? In other words, the debater of this age? In other words, the debater of this age? In other words, they're not among those who are being they're not among those who are being they're not among those who are being saved. Why not? Argument number four.

saved. Why not? Argument number four. saved. Why not? Argument number four. Right here. Right here. Right here. You could put four here. You could put four here. You could put four here. Because Because Because you take this rhetorical question and you take this rhetorical question and you take this rhetorical question and turn it into a statement. God has most turn it into a statement. God has most turn it into a statement. God has most definitely made foolish the wisdom of definitely made foolish the wisdom of definitely made foolish the wisdom of the world. That's why the wise and the the world. That's why the wise and the the world. That's why the wise and the discerning discerning discerning and the scribe and the debater are not and the scribe and the debater are not and the scribe and the debater are not among the saved. God has made foolish among the saved. God has made foolish among the saved. God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. It's not going the wisdom of the world. It's not going the wisdom of the world. It's not going to come through wisdom, this salvation. to come through wisdom, this salvation. to come through wisdom, this salvation. Argument number Argument number Argument number five. five. five. Because, and here's the bottom line Because, and here's the bottom line Because, and here's the bottom line argument so far, argument so far, argument so far, in the wisdom of God, the eternal mind in the wisdom of God, the eternal mind in the wisdom of God, the eternal mind of God decreed that the world would not of God decreed that the world would not of God decreed that the world would not know God through wisdom. It's not going know God through wisdom. It's not going know God through wisdom. It's not going to happen that way. God decided ages ago to happen that way. God decided ages ago to happen that way. God decided ages ago in his wisdom that a saving knowledge of in his wisdom that a saving knowledge of in his wisdom that a saving knowledge of God would not come through intelligence, God would not come through intelligence, God would not come through intelligence, human thinking. You won't think your way human thinking. You won't think your way human thinking. You won't think your way into salvation. Rather, into salvation. Rather, into salvation. Rather, this wisdom caused this wisdom caused this wisdom caused another decision to be made, namely that another decision to be made, namely that another decision to be made, namely that God would be pleased through the folly God would be pleased through the folly God would be pleased through the folly of what we preach to save those who of what we preach to save those who of what we preach to save those who believe. So, believing believe. So, believing believe. So, believing folly, namely the word of the cross, folly, namely the word of the cross, folly, namely the word of the cross, replaces replaces replaces the wisdom of the world or the wisdom

the wisdom of the world or the wisdom the wisdom of the world or the wisdom that tries to know God savingly. It's that tries to know God savingly. It's that tries to know God savingly. It's not going to happen. Argument number not going to happen. Argument number not going to happen. Argument number six. six. six. Because, Because, Because, and he traces this and he traces this and he traces this capacity to believe unto salvation capacity to believe unto salvation capacity to believe unto salvation through the folly of preaching, he through the folly of preaching, he through the folly of preaching, he traces it back to traces it back to traces it back to those who are called. Christ is seen by them as the power of Christ is seen by them as the power of God and the wisdom of God. God and the wisdom of God. God and the wisdom of God. And then he comes to argument number And then he comes to argument number And then he comes to argument number seven. seven. seven. You see all these You see all these You see all these four [snorts] four [snorts] four [snorts] four four four four four four four four four four four four four. [snorts] four. [snorts] four. [snorts] This is the way Paul thinks under the This is the way Paul thinks under the This is the way Paul thinks under the inspiration of God. And oh, what riches inspiration of God. And oh, what riches inspiration of God. And oh, what riches flow flow flow from trying to trace the way the from trying to trace the way the from trying to trace the way the arguments work in the Apostle Paul. So, arguments work in the Apostle Paul. So, arguments work in the Apostle Paul. So, the last argument is the last argument is the last argument is for the foolishness of God is wiser than for the foolishness of God is wiser than for the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger men and the weakness of God is stronger men and the weakness of God is stronger than men. And the reason it is we argued than men. And the reason it is we argued than men. And the reason it is we argued last time was that this last time was that this last time was that this wisdom of men wisdom of men wisdom of men and this and this and this strength of men doesn't even comprehend

strength of men doesn't even comprehend strength of men doesn't even comprehend the problem to be solved. Namely, the the problem to be solved. Namely, the the problem to be solved. Namely, the problem to be solved is that God in his problem to be solved is that God in his problem to be solved is that God in his holiness has condemned sinners. And if holiness has condemned sinners. And if holiness has condemned sinners. And if we don't have a way we don't have a way we don't have a way for our sin to be forgiven for our sin to be forgiven for our sin to be forgiven and the condemnation of God to be turned and the condemnation of God to be turned and the condemnation of God to be turned into the justification of God no amount into the justification of God no amount into the justification of God no amount of wisdom, no amount of strength could of wisdom, no amount of strength could of wisdom, no amount of strength could ever solve our problem. It requires a ever solve our problem. It requires a ever solve our problem. It requires a cross a word of the cross. It requires cross a word of the cross. It requires cross a word of the cross. It requires Christ crucified because when he was Christ crucified because when he was Christ crucified because when he was crucified he bore our sins. crucified he bore our sins. crucified he bore our sins. And therein lies the power of this And therein lies the power of this And therein lies the power of this foolish foolish foolish salvation. Therein lies the strength of salvation. Therein lies the strength of salvation. Therein lies the strength of this weak man hanging on the cross and this weak man hanging on the cross and this weak man hanging on the cross and refusing to come down and give a sign refusing to come down and give a sign refusing to come down and give a sign because he was bearing our sin and thus because he was bearing our sin and thus because he was bearing our sin and thus mightily solving the greatest problem in mightily solving the greatest problem in mightily solving the greatest problem in the world. Now, all of this the world. Now, all of this the world. Now, all of this is serving I want you to to think the same thing.

I want you to to think the same thing. I don't want there to be divisions among I don't want there to be divisions among I don't want there to be divisions among you. you. you. But that you would be restored or But that you would be restored or But that you would be restored or repaired to the same mind and the same repaired to the same mind and the same repaired to the same mind and the same judgment. And that repair is what's judgment. And that repair is what's judgment. And that repair is what's going on now for chapters 1 through 4. going on now for chapters 1 through 4. going on now for chapters 1 through 4. Paul is digging down into the human Paul is digging down into the human Paul is digging down into the human heart through the error of heart through the error of heart through the error of the wisdom of this world and through the the wisdom of this world and through the the wisdom of this world and through the error of rhetorical skills and oratory error of rhetorical skills and oratory error of rhetorical skills and oratory to show to show to show all of this all of this all of this Jewish and Greek Jewish and Greek Jewish and Greek stumbling block and folly is not going stumbling block and folly is not going stumbling block and folly is not going to solve the problem either of salvation to solve the problem either of salvation to solve the problem either of salvation or of unity in the church. It is Christ or of unity in the church. It is Christ or of unity in the church. It is Christ crucified crucified crucified seen as power and wisdom seen as power and wisdom seen as power and wisdom which is the solution.