Divine Wisdom: Trusting God Over Human Expertise

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of God's wisdom versus human expertise, drawing from the Apostle Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians. We began by acknowledging the sovereignty of God, a reminder that God is not a distant entity but intimately involved in our lives. This understanding sets the stage for our worship and reflection, as we delve into the complexities of faith and wisdom.

Paul's message to the Corinthians challenges the notion of human expertise, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from God. In a world where expertise is often equated with authority, Paul reminds us that God's wisdom transcends human understanding. This is a call to humility, recognizing that our knowledge is limited and that God's wisdom is revealed through what the world may consider foolish or weak.

The sermon also touched on the skepticism surrounding experts, especially in light of recent global events. This skepticism is not new; it echoes the biblical narrative where prophets and Jesus himself critiqued the so-called experts of their time. The challenge is to discern true wisdom, which often requires us to look beyond human credentials and seek divine insight.

As we partake in communion, we are invited to approach with humility and awe, acknowledging that we may not fully grasp God's work in our lives. Communion is a reminder of our unity with Christians worldwide and a call to live out our faith with sincerity and compassion. It is a moment to reflect on the mystery of God's wisdom and our role in embodying Christ's love in the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Sovereignty and Proximity: We are reminded of God's sovereignty and closeness, emphasizing that God is not a distant figure but actively involved in our lives. This understanding invites us to trust in God's plan and presence, even when we cannot fully comprehend it. [11:27]

2. True Wisdom vs. Human Expertise: Paul's message challenges the reliance on human expertise, highlighting that true wisdom comes from God. This calls us to humility, recognizing that our understanding is limited and that God's wisdom often defies human logic. [37:14]

3. Skepticism of Experts: The sermon addresses the skepticism towards experts, especially in light of recent events. This skepticism is not new and is reflected in biblical narratives where prophets and Jesus critiqued the so-called experts of their time. [33:04]

4. Communion as a Humble Act: Communion is a sacred act that invites us to approach with humility and awe. It is a reminder of our unity with Christians worldwide and a call to live out our faith with sincerity and compassion. [45:01]

5. Embracing God's Wisdom: We are encouraged to embrace God's wisdom, which often appears foolish to the world. This requires us to let go of our need for control and to trust in God's greater plan, recognizing that true wisdom is found in humility and faith. [43:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:30] - Opening Remarks
- [05:30] - Sovereignty of God
- [08:27] - Call to Worship
- [11:27] - God's Proximity
- [14:10] - Song of Faith
- [21:32] - Responsive Prayer
- [27:18] - Scripture Reading
- [29:47] - Paul's Message
- [33:04] - Skepticism of Experts
- [35:44] - Human Wisdom vs. God's Wisdom
- [37:14] - Paul's Transformation
- [42:09] - The Cross as Foolishness
- [43:31] - Embracing God's Wisdom
- [45:01] - Communion Invitation
- [46:26] - Communion Elements
- [51:47] - Prayers and Reflection
- [55:30] - Communion Participation
- [01:00:19] - Post-Communion Prayer
- [01:05:32] - Offering and Closing Hymn

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he refers to the "foolishness of the cross" in 1 Corinthians 1:18? How does this concept challenge conventional wisdom? [42:09]

2. How does Paul describe the difference between God's wisdom and human wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1:25? What examples from the sermon illustrate this difference? [43:31]

3. In the sermon, how is skepticism towards experts related to the biblical narrative? What examples were given to highlight this skepticism? [33:04]

4. How does the act of communion serve as a reminder of our unity with Christians worldwide, according to the sermon? [45:01]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul's transformation from Saul to Paul illustrate the theme of true wisdom versus human expertise? What does this transformation teach about humility and understanding? [37:14]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that skepticism towards experts can be both beneficial and detrimental to our faith journey? [33:04]

3. How does the sermon interpret the role of communion in helping believers embrace God's wisdom and humility? [45:01]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's sovereignty and our daily lives? How does this understanding impact our faith and trust in God? [11:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own expertise rather than seeking God's wisdom. How might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [43:31]

2. How can you cultivate a sense of humility in your daily life, recognizing the limits of your own understanding and the vastness of God's wisdom? [37:14]

3. In what ways can you discern true wisdom in a world filled with conflicting expert opinions? How can you apply this discernment in your personal and professional life? [33:04]

4. How does participating in communion remind you of your connection to the global Christian community? What steps can you take to strengthen this sense of unity? [45:01]

5. Consider a recent decision or challenge you faced. How might acknowledging God's sovereignty have changed your approach or perspective? [11:27]

6. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to let go of control. How can you practice trusting in God's greater plan this week? [43:31]

7. How can you embody Christ's love and compassion in your interactions with others, especially those who may hold different views or expertise? [45:01]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty and Intimate Involvement
In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, the sovereignty of God offers a profound sense of peace and assurance. God's sovereignty means that He is in control of all things, and nothing happens outside of His will. Yet, this sovereignty is not distant or detached; it is deeply personal and intimate. God is actively involved in the details of our lives, guiding us with love and wisdom. This understanding invites us to trust in God's plan, even when we cannot fully comprehend it. It challenges us to let go of our need for control and to rest in the knowledge that God is near, working all things for our good. [11:27]

Psalm 139:1-3 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you invite Him into that space today, acknowledging His intimate involvement in your life?


Day 2: True Wisdom Comes from God
The Apostle Paul's message to the Corinthians serves as a powerful reminder that true wisdom is not found in human expertise but in God. In a society that often equates knowledge with authority, it is easy to become reliant on our understanding and abilities. However, God's wisdom transcends human logic and understanding. It calls us to humility, recognizing that our knowledge is limited and that God's ways are higher than our ways. This divine wisdom is often revealed through what the world may consider foolish or weak, challenging us to seek God's insight above all else. [37:14]

1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV): "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you relied on your own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom. How can you begin to seek His guidance in that area today?


Day 3: Skepticism of Experts
In light of recent global events, skepticism towards experts has become increasingly prevalent. This skepticism is not new; it echoes the biblical narrative where prophets and Jesus critiqued the so-called experts of their time. The challenge for us is to discern true wisdom, which often requires looking beyond human credentials and seeking divine insight. This discernment calls for a deep reliance on God, trusting that His wisdom will guide us through the complexities of life. It invites us to question the sources of our knowledge and to seek truth in God's Word. [33:04]

Jeremiah 8:9 (ESV): "The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?"

Reflection: Consider a piece of advice or information you have received recently. How can you discern whether it aligns with God's wisdom and truth?


Day 4: Communion as a Humble Act
Communion is a sacred act that invites us to approach with humility and awe. It is a reminder of our unity with Christians worldwide and a call to live out our faith with sincerity and compassion. As we partake in communion, we acknowledge that we may not fully grasp God's work in our lives, yet we trust in His presence and guidance. This act of communion is a moment to reflect on the mystery of God's wisdom and our role in embodying Christ's love in the world. It challenges us to live with integrity, allowing our faith to be evident in our actions and relationships. [45:01]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How can you embody the unity and humility of communion in your daily interactions with others?


Day 5: Embracing God's Wisdom
Embracing God's wisdom requires us to let go of our need for control and to trust in His greater plan. This wisdom often appears foolish to the world, yet it is through humility and faith that we find true understanding. God's wisdom calls us to live counter-culturally, prioritizing His values and principles over societal norms. It invites us to surrender our desires and ambitions, trusting that God's plan is far greater than anything we could imagine. As we embrace His wisdom, we are empowered to live with purpose and conviction, reflecting His love and truth in all that we do. [43:31]

James 3:17 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God's wisdom? What would embracing His wisdom look like in practical terms today?

Quotes


A paraphrase from the book of Acts to remind us of an important principle this morning as we begin our worship. So welcome here in Dominion Chalmers Sanctuary and watching on our live stream at home or wherever you are and maybe even we're up into cottage time now because the weather's starting to to make that very possible. So welcome indeed to all. We are reminded as we start this morning of this notion of the sovereignty of God and I want us to hold on to that idea today as we move through our worship because we're going to speak to that both in terms of our of our reading and a short reflection and a time of of communion and of worship. As well, but to get us started with our music, I'm turning it over to our faithful team to lead us in that way. [00:14:10]

Holy God, many words of Scripture call us to do this. Defend our faith with humility and gentleness. Sometimes it's easier to yell and insult. Seems to be popular these days. Holy God, many words of Scripture call on us to not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse. But sometimes it's really tempting. Thank you. [00:27:18]

And it's about his own kind of understanding and movement on this question of being an expert, and what's the relationship between expertise and wisdom. So Isabel is going to share for us that reading. [00:29:47]

I'm wondering what you think of when anybody these days stands up in media or at a lecture or something and says, trust me on this one, I'm an expert. I'm an expert in this subject. How does that make you feel? I've got to tell you, I'm a... lot more suspicious now of folks, skeptical even, of folks who stand up and call themselves experts. [00:33:04]

Lately, I got to tell you, this question of expertise is a bit problematic for me when I listen to the, well, just the garbage, the absolute garbage, the lies that are being spewed out in our media these days by experts, particularly our preachers. And I think that's very important. We have professors in our universities who are claiming to be experts spreading absolute lies about Israel. [00:35:44]

So it was a place of learning and kind of urban, sort of urban sentimentality. If you like. And again, so Jews, Greeks, you know, sort of pagans, all intermingling, sorting things well, sometimes sorting things through other times, not so much. And here's Paul in the middle of all this, preaching a very dramatic idea that that all of you folks out there who call yourself experts really don't understand what true wisdom actually is indeed Paul comes forward to to invoke the idea that all of us who who are really not particularly experts on anything actually in terms of God's wisdom may indeed be closer to that that kernel of truth than than the said experts but it's interesting in invoking this Paul reads from the prophet Isaiah and he draws extensively so this theme this undercurrent of challenging the experts of the time is absolutely important it's a we that runs right through our entire Bible both the Hebrew Bible and into the Christian Testament as well Jesus of course had some very harsh things to say about the experts of his time he said in fact to the Pharisees and the high priests he said you're no expert you're frauds you're hypocrites you've abandoned true Judaism and you have become your own systems of power so Jesus made a direct reference to it Paul took that reference understood it in his transformation and draws from Isaiah who also spoke to this and I want to read just a little bit more from Isaiah 29 because in terms of what our text says Paul says he's quoting and saying I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart it so Paul's drawing from his expertise if you like as in terms of understanding the Hebrew Bible and he he he paraphrases and he paraphrases these verses from Isaiah 29 because those people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips while their hearts are far from me so this is prophet Isaiah speaking words of God through God speaking through Isaiah to those who claim to be so righteous and to be so righteous and to be so righteous and to be so righteous and to be so righteous and pious but in their hearts they are far from God and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote I love that this is from the prophet Isaiah their worship for me is human commandment learned by rote do you kind of isn't that really such a challenge for all of us knowing to just discerning when it when scripture and our prayer life and in our own faith formation the difference between when we're when we're drawing on our own sense of commandment that we just sort of have as a kind of reflexive action versus what God's wisdom truly is trying to say to us so prophet Isaiah says God says through the prophet Isaiah so I will again do a [00:37:14]

So the point Paul's making is we have to step into this with the humility of knowing that God's wisdom is not for us to control and manipulate and take advantage of. And that God's wisdom is beyond the experts. We can spend... We can spend our lifetime studying and exploring and wondering and faith formation and dialogue with others and reading and reading and reading and reading. [00:43:31]

And step that into your communion this morning. Because we should always step into communion from a place of humility and a place of awe and a place of just standing in this incredible experience that is life itself. And perhaps accepting that we don't fully understand God's hand through all of this. [00:45:01]

On this Sabbath day, we share in the blessed sacrament of Holy Communion. And with communion, we are united with Christians around the world. We welcome all to Christ's table, just as he welcomed all. For if there is a place for Christ in your heart, there is a place for you. There is a place at our communion. [00:46:26]

Help us here again, Christ's call, to be faithful disciples, showing concern for the hungry and mistreated at home and in distant lands. God of abundance, with two small coins, the widow of Jerusalem offered to you her love, her worship, and all she had. Teach us, the joy of giving freely which counts nothing as ours but right by right but willingly shares and so finds you sharing with us god of compassion it is your will that we love and work and pray for those who are in need of bread and of shelter of healing and of wholeness hear the prayers we make for those of our world those of our community and those of our family who are in need and so i invite everyone to lift up before you in the silence of your own prayers those now [00:51:47]

in praying these words from reinhold niebuhr we claim in our communion the call to find peace and serenity god give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed courage to change the things which should be changed and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other living one day at a time enjoying one moment at a time accepting hardship as a pathway to peace taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is not as I would have it trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with you forever in the next and we offer this prayer in this sure and certain bond that unites us in the name of Jesus Christ we sing together when we gather in his name the Lord's Prayer you [00:55:30]

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Transcript
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