The Cross: Humanity's Great Divide and God's Wisdom
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the concept of the "Great Divide" as presented by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18 through 2:5. This divide is not about politics, race, or personal preferences but centers on the cross of Christ. Paul emphasizes that humanity is split into two groups: those who are perishing and those who are being saved. The cross is the pivotal point that determines which side of the divide one stands on. For those who are perishing, the message of the cross is foolishness, but for those being saved, it is the power of God.
Paul challenges the wisdom of the world, stating that God's wisdom, as demonstrated through the cross, makes the world's wisdom look foolish. He points out that the Jews demand signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but the true power and wisdom of God are found in Christ crucified. This message is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, but to those who are called, it is the power and wisdom of God.
The sermon also delves into the implications of this divide for the church. While the church should be united internally, it must recognize the divide between itself and the culture. The power of the cross should be the unifying factor within the church, not human wisdom or eloquence. Paul himself chose to preach not with lofty words but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that faith would rest not on human wisdom but on God's power.
We are reminded that our calling and salvation are not based on our status, intellect, or achievements but on God's grace. This should humble us and lead us to boast only in the Lord. The cross transforms us, giving us a new identity and empowering us to live in victory over sin. It also calls us to share this message with others, relying not on our own eloquence but on the Spirit's power.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Cross as the Great Divide: The cross of Christ is the ultimate dividing line in humanity. It separates those who are perishing from those who are being saved. This divide is not based on external factors like race or politics but on one's response to the message of the cross. For those who are perishing, the cross is foolishness, but for those being saved, it is the power of God. [03:18]
2. God's Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom: Paul emphasizes that God's wisdom, as demonstrated through the cross, makes the world's wisdom look foolish. The Jews demand signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but the true power and wisdom of God are found in Christ crucified. This challenges us to not seek validation in cultural values but in the cross. [14:50]
3. Unity in the Church: While the church should be united internally, it must recognize the divide between itself and the culture. The power of the cross should be the unifying factor within the church, not human wisdom or eloquence. Paul himself chose to preach not with lofty words but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that faith would rest not on human wisdom but on God's power. [09:44]
4. Our Calling and Salvation: Our calling and salvation are not based on our status, intellect, or achievements but on God's grace. This should humble us and lead us to boast only in the Lord. God chose the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and strong, leveling the playing field so that no one can boast before Him. [28:06]
5. Empowered to Share the Gospel: We are called to share the message of the cross with others, relying not on our own eloquence but on the Spirit's power. Paul himself preached in weakness and fear, yet the Spirit worked through him. This should encourage us to open our mouths and share the gospel, trusting that it is God's power, not our skill, that brings people to faith. [37:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:55] - Introduction to the Great Divide
[02:15] - The Cross as the Great Divide
[03:18] - Two Kinds of People
[04:03] - The Message of the Cross
[06:15] - Prayer for Wisdom
[06:59] - The Cross and Culture
[09:44] - Unity in the Church
[10:52] - The Power of God in the Cross
[12:07] - Rejecting Worldly Wisdom
[14:50] - God's Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom
[18:23] - The Jews Seek Signs
[19:59] - The Greeks Seek Wisdom
[22:34] - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God
[25:53] - The Transformative Power of the Cross
[28:06] - Our Calling and Salvation
[33:00] - Preaching Christ Crucified
[37:29] - Empowered to Share the Gospel
[40:56] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 (ESV)
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 1:18, how do those who are perishing view the message of the cross, and how do those who are being saved view it? [04:03]
2. What does Paul say about the wisdom of the world compared to God's wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1:20-21? [04:51]
3. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, what kind of people does Paul say God has chosen, and why? [05:31]
4. How did Paul describe his approach to preaching in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, and what was his reason for this approach? [06:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but the power of God to those who are being saved? How does this distinction affect our understanding of the gospel? [03:18]
2. How does Paul’s critique of worldly wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 challenge the way we seek knowledge and validation in our culture today? [04:51]
3. What does Paul mean when he says that God chose the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and strong? How does this reflect on our own sense of worth and achievement? [05:31]
4. How does Paul's decision to preach "not with lofty speech or wisdom" but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) influence our approach to sharing the gospel? [06:15]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own response to the message of the cross. Do you see it as foolishness or as the power of God? How has this perspective shaped your life and faith? [03:18]
2. In what ways do you find yourself seeking validation in cultural values rather than in the wisdom of the cross? How can you shift your focus to align more with God's wisdom? [14:50]
3. Considering Paul's emphasis on unity within the church, how can you contribute to fostering unity in your own church community? What steps can you take to ensure that the cross remains the central unifying factor? [09:44]
4. How does understanding that our calling and salvation are based on God's grace, not our status or achievements, impact your sense of identity and self-worth? How can this understanding help you to boast only in the Lord? [28:06]
5. Think of a specific person with whom you can share the message of the cross this week. How can you rely on the Spirit's power rather than your own eloquence in this conversation? [37:29]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate in sharing your faith. How can Paul's example of preaching in weakness and fear encourage you to step out in faith despite your insecurities? [33:23]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper love and affection for the power of the cross in your daily life? What specific practices or prayers can help you keep the significance of the cross at the forefront of your mind? [40:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cross as the Great Divide
The cross of Christ stands as the ultimate dividing line in humanity. It separates those who are perishing from those who are being saved. This divide is not based on external factors like race or politics but on one's response to the message of the cross. For those who are perishing, the cross is foolishness, but for those being saved, it is the power of God. This distinction is crucial for understanding our place in God's plan and the transformative power of the cross in our lives. The cross is not just a symbol; it is the very power of God that brings salvation and new life.
Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 emphasizes that the cross is the central point of division. It challenges us to examine our own response to the cross and to understand that our salvation is not based on our own merits but on God's grace. This should lead us to a place of humility and gratitude, recognizing that it is only through the cross that we are saved. [03:18]
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Reflection: Think about your own response to the message of the cross. Do you see it as the power of God in your life, or do you struggle with its implications? How can you embrace the transformative power of the cross more fully today?
Day 2: God's Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom
Paul emphasizes that God's wisdom, as demonstrated through the cross, makes the world's wisdom look foolish. The Jews demand signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but the true power and wisdom of God are found in Christ crucified. This challenges us to not seek validation in cultural values but in the cross. The world's wisdom often leads us away from God, focusing on human achievements and intellect. In contrast, God's wisdom, revealed through the cross, calls us to a life of faith and dependence on Him.
This distinction between God's wisdom and worldly wisdom is crucial for our spiritual growth. It reminds us that our understanding and knowledge are limited, and we must rely on God's revelation through the cross. This reliance on God's wisdom should shape our decisions, values, and how we view success and failure. [14:50]
1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV): "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on worldly wisdom instead of God's wisdom? How can you shift your focus to seek God's wisdom through the message of the cross?
Day 3: Unity in the Church
While the church should be united internally, it must recognize the divide between itself and the culture. The power of the cross should be the unifying factor within the church, not human wisdom or eloquence. Paul himself chose to preach not with lofty words but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that faith would rest not on human wisdom but on God's power. This unity in the church is essential for its witness to the world and its internal health.
The church's unity should be based on the shared experience of the cross and the transformative power of Christ. This unity transcends cultural, social, and personal differences, creating a community that reflects God's love and grace. It challenges us to prioritize our shared faith over individual preferences and to work together for the common good. [09:44]
1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community? Are there areas where you need to let go of personal preferences to prioritize the unity that comes from the cross?
Day 4: Our Calling and Salvation
Our calling and salvation are not based on our status, intellect, or achievements but on God's grace. This should humble us and lead us to boast only in the Lord. God chose the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and strong, leveling the playing field so that no one can boast before Him. This understanding of our calling and salvation should shape our identity and how we view ourselves and others.
Recognizing that our salvation is a gift of grace should lead us to a place of humility and gratitude. It reminds us that we are all equal before God, regardless of our achievements or status. This perspective should influence how we treat others, seeing them as equally valuable in God's eyes. [28:06]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: How does understanding that your salvation is based on God's grace, not your achievements, change the way you view yourself and others? How can you live out this humility in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Empowered to Share the Gospel
We are called to share the message of the cross with others, relying not on our own eloquence but on the Spirit's power. Paul himself preached in weakness and fear, yet the Spirit worked through him. This should encourage us to open our mouths and share the gospel, trusting that it is God's power, not our skill, that brings people to faith. Sharing the gospel is not about having all the right answers but about being faithful to the message of the cross.
This calling to share the gospel is a responsibility and a privilege. It reminds us that we are part of God's mission to bring salvation to the world. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses, trusting that God will work through our efforts. This should give us confidence and boldness to share our faith, knowing that it is God's power that transforms lives. [37:29]
1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (ESV): "And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the cross? How can you rely on the Spirit's power to share the gospel with them today?
Quotes
1. "And this morning, in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul is going to talk us through humanity's Great Divide. Last week, if you were here with us, in verses 10 through 17, and we were talking about how it's very important for us as a church to be united and to not be divided. And so it might seem a little bit strange how we can go from a major emphasis in verses 10 through 17 on being united to starting in verse 18, Paul starts talking about how there is this Great Divide, the Great Divide of humanity, and how can these two things reconcile with each other. And what he is going to get into is that there's, in essence, a difference between life inside the church, that in the church, we are to be united. We're to be one. We're to be of the same mind. We're to agree with one another. But when it comes to the church and culture, there is a Great Divide, and that Great Divide doesn't have anything to do with politics." [02:15] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Great Divide of humanity has to deal with the cross. And that's what Paul is going to draw our attention and our focus into this morning. Because in verse 18, if you've got your Bibles, you can look at it. And he says, So, what Paul does in this passage is he just kind of lets boil everything down to its most base form. If we boil humanity down, there's essentially, and I understand this may be an oversimplification of some things, but there's essentially two kinds of people. He says there are those who are perishing and those who are being saved. And whichever side you find yourself on, the Great Divide of the cross, is going to change how you view the cross. That same thing can be folly to one, those who are perishing, and to the other, those who are being saved. It's power. And the cross is that Great Divide. It's the thing that stands in the very middle. That great ridge that separates humanity. Two different kinds. Those who are perishing and those who are being saved." [03:18] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing. But to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart. Where's the one who's wise? Where's the scribe? Where's the debater of this age? Has not he? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs, and Greeks seek wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles. But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." [04:03] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that as it's written, let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. And I, when I came to you, brothers, I didn't come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and much, trembling in my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." [05:31] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The divide happens, as we've said, over the cross. And that is the dividing line. What will we do with the cross? What will you do with the cross? What will culture do with the cross? Where are people at? At the end of the day, that's the question that we will all give an answer for. Not how much did we save up in our 401ks. Not what kind of jobs did we work. What was our attendance? What was our achievements in life? The question we will all give an account for is what do we do with the cross? And so for those who are perishing, Paul says that the message or the word of the cross is folly to them." [06:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Meanwhile, on the other side, he says that for those of us who are being saved, it's the power of God where we get our word dynamite. Okay, so this is not just like, hey, he's a strong dude. It's like you drive through those Rockies and you see where they carved out. You see where they carved out the roads and where they stuck the dynamite down and they blasted out those roads. That's the power of God that's on display. And so these are strong. There's a huge distinction between the two. You're either looking at it and it's moronic to you or it's dynamite power to you. And those are the two examples that Paul used to say, that's the cross. This great divide of church and culture, when it centers around the cross, it's either moronic or it's dynamite. It's one of the other two. And the question is, which side of that divide are you standing on?" [09:06] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The power of God is in the cross, not in culture's values or the capabilities of man. Now, verse 18, Paul lumps in the Corinthians in understanding it or viewing the cross as the power of God. He says, but to us, okay, this is us right now, to us who are being saved, again, this really messed up struggling church that's drifting back into the world's way of thinking, the world's way of doing things. Paul's saying, for us, let's not forget that the power of God is, or that the cross is the power of God for us because we are being saved. That's why in verse five of chapter two, he kind of bookends this whole thought by saying, so that your faith, he said, I came in the preaching, the demonstration of the spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God, right? So for those of us who have received the message of the cross in faith, we have not bought into just the next eloquent philosophy." [10:52] (75 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You cannot find the power of God in the capabilities of man. You cannot find the power of God merely in the culture's value system. The power of God is found in the cross. So God is, God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. And he didn't do this to frustrate man. God did this to save man. That's verse 22 as we work down into this where Paul recognizes he sheds light on the fact that humanity has a tendency to look for God in all the wrong places. He says the Jews demand signs and the Greeks seek wisdom. In other words, for the Jews, he's saying you're a bunch of Thomases, right? We're familiar with doubting Thomas, right? The guy who says I'll believe it when I see it. And he's like the Jews, they're basically in the same camp. They need to see these signs to affirm and attest and give concrete stability to their faith that if we don't see some supernatural display of God's power, we're not gonna buy into it. They demand these signs." [15:25] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "But we preach Christ crucified. He says, a stumbling block to the Jews in folly to the Gentiles. A stumbling block to the Jews because how could it be that the Messiah, the anointed one of God, would be cursed to hang on a tree? It could never be. And so it became a stumbling block. Foolishness to the Gentiles because everybody knows when you die, you're dead. And so to preach this resurrection from the Gentiles, the dead, that's foolishness. We just know that life doesn't work that way. None of this is making sense, but we preach Christ crucified. Verse 24, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. In other words, Paul's saying, what the Jews were seeking is Christ and the cross. What the Greeks are longing for is Christ and the cross. The cross of Christ and Jesus crucified, that is the power of God. It is the wisdom of God." [21:39] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "It's where the power of God disarmed the enemy. It's where the sin lost its grip on us. Where the power of shame and guilt and condemnation were broken. Where every wrong that we've ever done, every failure, every mistake, forgiven, washed clean, cast as far as the east is from the west. It's where there's no condemnation for those of us now who are in Christ Jesus because at the cross, he took it upon himself. That's power. Because at the cross, it's not just about what we were saved from, but also what we were saved into, right? That at the cross, we were given a new life. That the old is gone. The new has come. That we're no longer defined by our past and by our failures or defined by the world's standards. Now we are new creations in Christ. And the cross has transformed us from the inside out, making us something entirely new than we were before. We are now children of God, adopted into his family, sealed with the spirit. The cross has changed us." [23:03] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
11. "The cross continues to shape our present and our future as well. Right? That even today, the cross empowers us to live in victory. It gives us the strength, the victory over sin, the courage to face trials, the hope to endure, even in the darkest of days. The cross, no longer are we slaves to sin, but we're free. Free now to live the life that God has called us to live. Free to walk in the power of his spirit. No longer enslaved to the ways of the world, but now to righteousness in Christ. We're free to know that no matter what comes our way, the victory's already been won. The war has been defeated and we face battles from a place of victory, not defeat. The cross is where we find peace, peace with God, that we are accepted by him, not because of our works or our merits, but because of the righteousness of Christ, his perfect life laid down for us. The cross, we find our purpose as we're called to carry the message of reconciliation to a world desperately in need of hope. People who are separated from God, that through Christ, God is reconciling the world to himself. It's at the cross we find our confidence, knowing that nothing, not sin, not death, not the powers of this world, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. The cross. There's nothing, guys, more powerful than the cross. Paul's saying, that's it. The power of God in the cross." [24:24] (96 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
12. "Consider your calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise. And he goes into this list that, in our small group this week, we're like, man, Paul is, he's kind of ripping on these people. The foolish, God shows you the foolish ones to shame the wise and the weak and the despised. And it's like, on one hand, you can take it, like, wow, what a dig that Paul is taking at the Corinthians. But I don't think that's the heart of it. The heart of it is to recognize and say, it wasn't your status. It wasn't your intellect that got you in. It did not save you. You did not figure this all out because you went to the best school. You have the highest degree. He says, no, we have been brought into this in spite of ourselves. God took the weak and the lowly and he's made them something to shame the wise as a message to the world. Say, it's not about your savings accounts. It's not about your title. It's not about how intelligent you are. It's not about all these things that the wisdom of man looks at. Instead, what God is saying is, no, I'm going to level that playing field so that no man has reason to boast before the Lord, but that all would boast in the Lord. That he would be our brag. That he'd be the one that we would go, dude, it's all him." [28:06] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
13. "I want to encourage you this week to take the two points that we've talked about today and to take them and make them a central part of your prayer before God. The Lord, would you just stir in me a love and affection for the power of the cross. Maybe that He would reawaken some of those senses of awe and wonder that maybe you had early in your faith. That He would stir those up. That you would glorify God because of it. And then pray that God would just give you the courage and the boldness to depend on His Spirit, not on your own skill, and go share the message with somebody. Be intentional about it. Have a conversation that maybe has been waiting a little bit too long to be had. And tell someone else about the glory of the cross. Paul says, listen, there's this great divide. Number one, where are you at on it? And number two, we need to recognize that every single other person that we interact with is on one side or the other of that great divide. And it's not a means to bring shame or judgment towards others, but that it would stir our hearts with compassion, knowing that for some, they are on the side of that great divide that leads to perishing. Can't we plead with them and with the Lord for their salvation that maybe they would switch sides by the power of God through His Spirit to be those who are being saved?" [40:00] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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