The Wisdom of God – 1 Corinthians 1

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:’ — 1 Corinthians 2:7  

Pride hurt the Corinthian church’s unity. In order to show them their need for humility, God through Paul explained the fact that:

  1. The cross of Christ and the preaching of the gospel which saves comes across as complete foolishness to mankind (1 Cor 1:18-25)
  2. The type of person that God saves is usually the humble person of this world because others are too proud to admit that they need Christ (1 Cor 1:26-31).
  3. The way that Paul presented the gospel was with simple reliance on the Holy Spirit of God not with excellent speech or human wisdom (1 Cor 2).

This third point is what we want to develop today.

If we had heard Paul preach when he came to Corinth, we might not have been very impressed. He came and simply gave the gospel of Christ and relied on the Spirit to apply the message (v.1-5).

This was especially shocking at that time because Greek culture valued eloquence or oratory skill. Paul’s didn’t use ‘excellent speech’ or ‘enticing words of man’s wisdom.’

He relied on a higher form of wisdom.

  • Wisdom of the cross (v.2).
  • Wisdom of the Holy Spirit (v.4).
  • Wisdom of God’s power (v.5).
  • Wisdom of the spiritually mature (‘perfect’) (v.6).
  • Wisdom of God (v.7).
  • Wisdom about a crucified Lord (v.8).
  • Eternal wisdom (v.9).
  • Deep wisdom (v.10).
  • Wisdom that is freely given to the believer (v.12).
  • Wisdom that we must be spiritual (have the Holy Spirit) to understand (v.13-15).
  • Wisdom of Christ (v.16).

What are we relying on for effective ministry? Are we trusting in our own abilities? Or are we looking to the power of the Spirit of God?

A real work of God comes through the preaching of the cross and the power of the Spirit. Our job is to humbly declare God’s truth, trust in God’s power, and watch God’s change lives.

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