1 MIKE MAZZALONGO The Foolishness of God Athena

1 MIKE MAZZALONGO The Foolishness of God

Athena

I Corinthians • Jews - Well Trained in Moral / Religious Life • Greeks - Trained in Greek Philosophy / Immoral Lifestyle

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. - I Corinthians 1: 10

Trained Orators and Debaters were a social phenomena of the times.

By relying on the power of persuasion and debate to convince men to believe they took away the power of the cross of Christ to draw men to faith.

3 Reasons Why God’s Way Seems Foolish 1. The Message Itself is Foolish – I Corinthians 1: 18 -25

18 For the word 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 the cleverness of the clever I will set aside. ” - I Corinthians 1: 18 -19

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? - I Corinthians 1: 20

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. - I Corinthians 1: 21

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 22 - I Corinthians 1: 22 -24

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. - I Corinthians 1: 25

I Corinthians • Faith Before Insight • Belief Precedes Understanding • Obedience First Rewards Second

3 Reasons Why God’s Way Seems Foolish 1. The Message Itself is Foolish 2. The Messengers were Foolish – I Corinthians 1: 26 -29

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame things which are strong, 26 - I Corinthians 1: 26 -27

and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 28 - I Corinthians 1: 28 -29

World Changers Use: • Power • Intelligence • “Religion”

Messengers → Foolish Results → Powerful

3 Reasons Why God’s Way Seems Foolish 1. The Message Itself is Foolish 2. The Messengers were Foolish 3. The Method was Foolish – I Corinthians 1: 30 -31

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. ” 30 - I Corinthians 1: 30 -31

Dr. Spock Playboy

The “Method” doesn’t appeal to man’s reason or feelings.

What we need to be saved is given “freely” to us because of our association with Christ through faith.

We are “Foolish” Because: • Our message requires belief in what is unseen.

We are “Foolish” Because: • Our Messengers are without influence, power or prestige.

We are “Foolish” Because: • Our method requires total dependence on another.

For Those who Believe… • The unseen becomes real • The method removes fear • The hearers become messengers

Are You Foolish?