God Turns the Tables 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16

God Turns the Tables 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16

What Today’s ‘Wise’ Say… “Mark's Jesus is a lonely and restless, mysterious stranger. His mission is dark and obscure. Everything he tries fails. By the end there is no God, no loyal followers, just torture by crucifixion, climaxing in a colossal death-scream. The story closes without a resurrection from the dead. There is just an empty tomb, and three women fleeing in terror.” John Carroll Nothing in this book can be dismissed as fanciful speculation, for Carroll, professor of sociology at Melbourne’s Latrobe University, is a scholar of the highest integrity, and everything he says is text-based. Alison Cotes (Courier Mail)

‘Foolish’ Christ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God 1 Cor. 1:18

‘Foolish’ Christ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 1 Cor. 1:21

‘Foolish’ Christ Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles 1 Cor. 1:22-23

‘Foolish’ Christ But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor. 1:24

‘Foolish’ Followers Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1 Cor. 1:26

‘Foolish’ Followers But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… so that no one may boast before him. 1 Cor. 1:27,29

‘Foolish’ Followers It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Cor. 1:30

‘Foolish’ Preacher I resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear… not with wise and persuasive words… 1 Cor. 2:2-4

‘Foolish’ Preacher … so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Cor. 2:5

Wisdom from God not men We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that God destined for our glory before time began… but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. 1 Cor. 2:7,9

Foolish Church? “Everyone who desires to succeed in life seeks to get close to people who exude the X factor. It is hard to put your finger on exactly what the X factor is, but you know when a person or organization has it. "

Foolish Church? "We use multimedia at X Church, it's phenomenal, we've got screens bigger than you've ever seen and they'll change again because we're building two more screens . . . so we'll have five media screens all linked up together across the whole place," Pastor X said. "You would see the message in a way that I think appeals." "today's churches are all about youth… young people expect the latest equipment." "Pastor X said an impressive church was vital“

Foolish Church? "If you came you would switch on and say, 'Man'."

Foolish Church? What about you? What about me?

God Turns the Tables 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16