Why god chooses people who are not important 1 corinthians 1. But in the christian race all may run so as to obtain. The focal theme and central thrust of all pauls epistles is the message of the cross the good news of the gospel of christ. Not only is the message of the cross foolishness to the world, but those of us who serve christ are also viewed as fools for the sake of christ. Paul uses two metaphors here, one of running the race and the other of boxing. The corinthians can learn from scripture that they have been called by a jealous god, who demands and enables faithfulness in return 10. Youre familiar with some of the parts that god has formed in his church, which is his body. Jun 22, 2002 verses 2631 take a hard look at the corinthians themselves. Find top church sermons, illustrations, and powerpoints for preaching on 1 corinthians 1. It silences the brilliance of the philosopher and dismantles the strength of brutish men who are mighty in their own inflated eyes.
However paul in his letter to the corinthians gives two opinions of the cross of christ. Adherence to individual leaders has something to do with differences in. Only as you accept your part of that body does your part mean anything. He wanted blank paper on which to write the message of salvation. We werent promised carefree lives when we accepted jesus christ as our savior, but we have a faithful god who will always help us through our difficulties. Verses 2631 take a hard look at the corinthians themselves. He did not choose us for any skill, ability, or social quality we had. The message of the cross cuts to the quick of human boasting, selfishness and pride.
The purpose of the church is to manifest to the world the character of god. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. But god hath chosen the foolish things or, supplying the word. I dont see many of the brightest and the best among you, not many influential, not many from highsociety families. Faith how do you respond when your plans are frustrated, you feel abandoned by friends, and your prayers seem to go unanswered. The gospel message of christs death on the cross is weak and foolish to the. Isnt it obvious that god deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses. Paul has been describing his life of selfsacrifice to win others to faith in christ using the metaphor of competition.
Verse 26 shows three things the corinthians were not. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means i might save some. The practices of the middleage flagellants and similar selftorturers have been justified by this text. Twice in verse 27 and once in verse 28 paul says, god has chosen. But god hath chosen the foolish things of the world so the jews, in distinction from their wise rabbins and doctors, call others, amled nyvpj, the fools of the world f16. Whats especially helpful is that with every ecclesial idea expressed, dever offers. This passage, a new testament parallel of deuteronomy 7. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. Paul has just warned the corinthians about their lack of selfdiscipline 1 corinthians 9. Such persons as are of little esteem in the world, for want of learning, parts, eloquence, and such other endowments as some have attained, and who are judged altogether unfit to teach others, especially the greeks and romans.
In chapter 10 of the book of 1 corinthians, paul uses the story of the israelites wandering in the wilderness to illustrate to the corinthian believers the folly of the misuse of freedom and the danger of overconfidence. Oct 26, 2014 an animated presentation of 1 corinthians 12. Watch our overview video on the book of 1 corinthians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Instead, i discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, i myself will not be disqualified. Weak fools 1 corinthians 4 a service plan built around 1 corinthians 4.
No, i beat my body and make it my slave so that after i have preached to others, i myself will not be disqualified for the prize. An animated 1 corinthians 12 we are the body of christ. The same ought to apply to how christians treat each other as we use and encourage spiritual gifts 1 corinthians 12. Jesus is precious because his biblical portrait is true, part 1. We are the body of christ, each serving as one part of. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it. Thompson was a radio personality in kalamazoo, michigan back in the early to mid 70s. Paul describes the people who had become christians in corinth.
There is the greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course. Useful bible studies 1 corinthians commentary chapter 1. I include in my greeting all who call out to jesus, wherever they live. Home read the bible the message 1 corinthians chapter 9. But he would eat meat offered to idols to reach gentiles 1 cor. Bible 1 corinthians chapter 1 verse 27 1 corinthians 1.
There is no greater honour than to be one of gods people. Instead, god chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. Neither those who listened nor those who presented the gospel did so by selfconfidence. In this sermon, mark dever offers a birds eye view of one of pauls longer letters, helping the audience hang their hats on a few critical ideas concerning the church. But god chose what is foolish in the world to shame the. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are. Either you have to give a different meaning to the weak than it had in chapter 8, where it referred to weak believers. He urges a similar commitment to that of the athlete. I send this letter to you in gods church at corinth, believers cleaned up by jesus and set apart for a godfilled life.