Slices
Prepare
How easy would you find it to buy a cheaper coffee or less stylish clothes? How much does the image of something matter to you?
Bible passage
Christ crucified is God’s power and wisdom
18 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. 19 For it is written:
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 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. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 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. 31 Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Explore
Greek culture had rules by which it evaluated arguments (called rhetoric). These rules governed how an argument was put together and also what it should sound like. An elegant, well- constructed argument was considered wise and, therefore, convincing.
But Paul has no interest in making the gospel ‘wise’ in those terms. Neither, he thinks, does God. Why otherwise would God have chosen those without education, influence or nobility to further the gospel (vs 26–29)? God has chosen those the culture despises to be his advocates, intending that none can boast before him. God is saying ‘no’ to human cultures and their claim to wisdom.
Given this, Paul set out to make God’s argument for Jesus on God’s terms. He refused the wisdom of rhetoric, resisting the use of eloquence (2:1). While with them, Paul determined only to know ‘Jesus Christ and him crucified’ (2:2). Depending on the Spirit to authenticate his words (2:4,5), he set out to found their faith on God’s power being demonstrated, rather than rhetoric. That is divine wisdom: Christ crucified (2:2) and the power and wisdom of God (1:24).
Respond
Read John 16:8–11. Ask the Holy Spirit to convince you of any areas where you’re not hearing God’s ‘no’ to the culture around you. Thank God for the gift of Christ, ‘the power … and the wisdom of God’ (1:24).
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 17–19; Matthew 19
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for the Holidays and Missions team as they support our amazing volunteers and help them to get everything ready for the programme of Easter events.
Stay connected with Connecting You
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