Embracing Divine Wisdom Over Human Understanding

 

Summary

In reflecting on the words of the Apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 1:21, we are reminded of the profound truth that God's wisdom often appears as foolishness to the world. Paul warns the Corinthians against reverting to human wisdom and philosophy, which can undermine the foundation of Christian faith. This message is as relevant today as it was then, as we continue to grapple with the tension between human reason and divine revelation.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the world, through its wisdom, failed to know God. Despite the intellectual achievements of ancient civilizations and philosophers, they could not attain a true knowledge of God. This failure highlights the necessity of divine intervention. God, in His wisdom, chose to reveal Himself through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, a revelation that defies human logic and understanding. The incarnation is not merely a philosophical concept but a historical fact that changed the course of history.

The coming of Christ into the world was not prompted by human merit or understanding but was entirely due to God's good pleasure. It was an act of divine grace, motivated by God's love and desire to reconcile humanity to Himself. This revelation of God's wisdom through what appears as foolishness to the world is a testament to the depth of God's love and the mystery of His ways.

As we approach the celebration of Christ's birth, we are challenged to examine our understanding of the incarnation. Are we trying to comprehend it through human logic, or are we accepting it with childlike faith? The incarnation, the virgin birth, and the atonement are mysteries that transcend human understanding. They are to be received with adoration and gratitude, not dissected by human reason.

In conclusion, the message of the cross and the incarnation calls us to abandon our reliance on human wisdom and to embrace the divine wisdom revealed in Christ. It is a call to humility, to recognize our limitations, and to rejoice in the salvation that God has provided through His Son.

Key Takeaways:

- The Apostle Paul warns against reverting to human wisdom, which can undermine the foundation of Christian faith. This is a reminder that our understanding of God must be rooted in divine revelation rather than human philosophy. [01:26]

- Despite the intellectual achievements of ancient civilizations, they failed to attain a true knowledge of God. This highlights the necessity of divine intervention through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. [15:13]

- The coming of Christ was entirely due to God's good pleasure, an act of divine grace motivated by His love. This challenges us to recognize the depth of God's love and the mystery of His ways. [29:19]

- The mysteries of the incarnation, virgin birth, and atonement transcend human understanding. They are to be received with adoration and gratitude, not dissected by human reason. [39:10]

- The message of the cross calls us to abandon reliance on human wisdom and embrace the divine wisdom revealed in Christ. It is a call to humility and recognition of our limitations. [41:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 1:21
- [00:53] - Warning Against Human Wisdom
- [02:36] - The Folly of Returning to Old Ways
- [03:40] - The Battle of Faith and Philosophy
- [04:53] - Childlike Faith vs. Human Reason
- [06:22] - The Essence of Christianity
- [07:38] - The Purpose of Christ's Coming
- [08:25] - The Knowledge of God
- [10:23] - The Failure of Human Wisdom
- [13:10] - The Revelation of God in Christ
- [17:26] - The Tragedy of Modern Philosophy
- [21:34] - The Wisdom of God
- [28:25] - The Reason for Christ's Coming
- [33:19] - The Foolishness of the Gospel
- [36:37] - Salvation Through Belief

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 1:21

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "the world by wisdom knew not God"? How does this relate to the intellectual achievements of ancient civilizations? [08:25]
2. How does the sermon describe the incarnation of Jesus Christ as a revelation that defies human logic and understanding? [03:10]
3. What is the significance of the phrase "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe"? [29:19]
4. How does the sermon contrast human wisdom with divine wisdom, particularly in the context of the incarnation and the cross? [33:19]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul warn the Corinthians against reverting to human wisdom and philosophy? How might this apply to modern-day believers? [01:26]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the incarnation and the cross are mysteries that transcend human understanding? How should believers respond to these mysteries? [39:10]
3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of divine intervention through the incarnation of Jesus Christ? What does this reveal about God's character? [15:13]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between humility and embracing divine wisdom? How can this be practically applied in a believer's life? [41:24]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on human wisdom rather than seeking divine guidance. How did that impact your faith journey? What steps can you take to prioritize divine wisdom in the future? [01:26]
2. The sermon challenges us to receive the mysteries of the incarnation and the cross with adoration and gratitude. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and wonder during this Christmas season? [39:10]
3. Consider the ways in which God's wisdom might appear as foolishness to the world. How can you stand firm in your faith when faced with skepticism or criticism from others? [33:19]
4. How can you practice humility in your daily life, recognizing your limitations and embracing the wisdom revealed in Christ? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate humility? [41:24]
5. The sermon emphasizes the depth of God's love and the mystery of His ways. How can you deepen your understanding and appreciation of God's love in your personal devotions or prayer life? [29:19]
6. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to comprehend God's actions through human logic? How can you shift your perspective to one of childlike faith and trust? [39:10]
7. How can you share the message of the cross and the incarnation with others in a way that highlights the divine wisdom and love of God? Identify one person you can talk to about this message this week. [41:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Wisdom vs. Human Wisdom
God's wisdom often appears as foolishness to the world, challenging us to root our understanding in divine revelation rather than human philosophy. The Apostle Paul warns against reverting to human wisdom, which can undermine the foundation of Christian faith. This is a reminder that our understanding of God must be rooted in divine revelation rather than human philosophy. In a world that often values intellectual achievements and philosophical reasoning, it is crucial to remember that true knowledge of God comes through His revelation, not through human efforts. [01:26]

1 Corinthians 3:18-19 (ESV): "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on human wisdom rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you begin to shift your focus to divine wisdom today?


Day 2: The Necessity of Divine Intervention
Despite the intellectual achievements of ancient civilizations, they failed to attain a true knowledge of God. This highlights the necessity of divine intervention through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The world, through its wisdom, failed to know God, and this failure underscores the need for God to reveal Himself to humanity. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a revelation that defies human logic and understanding, yet it is a historical fact that changed the course of history. It is through this divine intervention that we can truly know God and experience His love and grace. [15:13]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: How does recognizing the limitations of human wisdom change your perspective on seeking God's intervention in your life? What steps can you take to invite His presence more fully?


Day 3: The Depth of God's Love
The coming of Christ was entirely due to God's good pleasure, an act of divine grace motivated by His love. This challenges us to recognize the depth of God's love and the mystery of His ways. The incarnation was not prompted by human merit or understanding but was an act of divine grace, motivated by God's love and desire to reconcile humanity to Himself. This revelation of God's wisdom through what appears as foolishness to the world is a testament to the depth of God's love and the mystery of His ways. [29:19]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's love in a profound way. How can you share that love with others in your daily interactions?


Day 4: Embracing the Mysteries of Faith
The mysteries of the incarnation, virgin birth, and atonement transcend human understanding. They are to be received with adoration and gratitude, not dissected by human reason. As we approach the celebration of Christ's birth, we are challenged to examine our understanding of the incarnation. Are we trying to comprehend it through human logic, or are we accepting it with childlike faith? These mysteries are to be received with adoration and gratitude, not dissected by human reason. [39:10]

Colossians 2:2-3 (ESV): "That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Reflection: What is one mystery of your faith that you struggle to understand? How can you practice embracing it with childlike faith and gratitude today?


Day 5: Humility in Embracing Divine Wisdom
The message of the cross calls us to abandon reliance on human wisdom and embrace the divine wisdom revealed in Christ. It is a call to humility and recognition of our limitations. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the world, through its wisdom, failed to know God. Despite the intellectual achievements of ancient civilizations and philosophers, they could not attain a true knowledge of God. This failure highlights the necessity of divine intervention. [41:24]

James 3:13-17 (ESV): "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your pursuit of wisdom? How can you actively seek the wisdom that comes from above in your daily life?

Quotes


The Apostle says Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel not with wisdom of words lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect now he has a good deal to say in this entire section about that and you remember that in the epistle to the Colossians he has a similar kind of warning. [00:01:35]

The Apostle is urging these people and to beware of their terrible snare though they were Christians of going back to an old way of thinking and of looking even upon Christian truth now here he makes it plain to them that Not only was this wrong and false but he goes further and says that it is something which is entirely destructive of the Christian faith. [00:02:11]

The Apostle wants to try to show them that apart from the wrongness and the danger of it all it is incredible Folly on their part to go back to that kind of thing for all that is has already been proved to be a failure and it is because all that has failed so completely and disastrously that God has done this thing which he has done in sending his son into the world. [00:02:48]

The Apostle says that having heard the gospel and having believed it you should even show the slightest tendency to go back into that old philosophical method can't you see he seems to argue with them that you are really cutting there at the very foundation of the whole Christian position now I say that that is as important today as it was at the time when the Great Apostle wrote these words. [00:03:49]

There are only two positions we either come as little children as our Lord told us we must come he said except he be converted and become as little children he shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven we either do what the Apostle says to these Corinthians when he put it in these words if any man willth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be made wise. [00:04:45]

The Apostle says the world with its philosophy was speculating and it's still speculating it reasons and it argues and it may arrive at talking about the absolute or some UNCA cause or something like that now that's that's what the world does that speculation that is philosophy that's not a knowledge of God and this as I say is one of the great tragedies of the world and indeed of the church at the present time. [00:11:17]

The Apostle says that the world at its best and highest was defective even in its general knowledge of God of God as the creator of God as the governor of the universe and such matters the Apostle says there without excuse for their ignorance they ought have been able to deduce it but they hadn't done so and you get the same argument in the 14th chapter of the book of The Acts of the Apostles. [00:08:56]

The Apostle says that the world is left without an excuse it was given a full opportunity a great chance and it completely failed in the wisdom of God the World by wisdom knew not God oh the Apostle will be emphasizing this later on in this chapter he ends the chapter you remember with this verse that according as it is written he that glorious let him glory in the Lord. [00:22:04]

The Apostle says the trouble the final trouble is always men's pride of intellect man's confidence in his capacity to comprehend the incomprehensible man's refusal to admit his creatureliness man's desire to be as God and to stand up and regard God as an equal and to be able to measure God and assess God and criticize God isn't he doing it at this present time isn't the world still doing it. [00:27:22]

The Apostle says the answer is as I've been showing you because men could not not find God because men lacks this knowledge of the Eternal because men could not enter into fellowship with God could not know him couldn't answer job's question all that I knew where I might find him but he couldn't find him the World by wisdom knew not God that is why he came that's the first reason because man doesn't know God. [00:28:16]

The Apostle says the second reason why he came is this because it pleased God that he should come did you notice this word far after that in the wisdom of God the World by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching this is a wonderful phrase this translation really doesn't bring it out it would have been better to translate it like this when the World by wisdom knew not God it was God's good pleasure. [00:29:39]

The Apostle says the World by wisdom having failed to know God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching which should be better translated like this by the foolishness of the K preached the Apostle is not so much talking about the act of preaching as upon the message which is preached the foolishness of the thing preached and you notice his terms he calls it foolishness because he knew that it was regarded as foolishness by the Greeks by the philosophers. [00:33:11]

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Transcript
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