Post by Les on Mar 5, 2024 14:30:36 GMT -5
Power of the Powerless By: Amy Boucher Pye
Click here for the Audio Message
God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:21
Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Corinthians 1:18–31
“We are in the centre of power and yet we are powerless,” reflected a church leader in Moscow. But although they couldn’t stop the so-called “special military operations”, they could, in fact, act. “We are gospel people . . . the ‘nobodies’ of 1 Corinthians 1,” observed the leader. “It is our very powerlessness and insignificance and foolishness that can also be our strength, if it is handed to God.” During the conflict, he and others sought to worship, pray, serve and speak truth to their neighbours.
This leader referred to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Christians, in which the apostle defended the wisdom of God over the foolishness of the powerful: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Paul addressed the divisions of this church, which was located in a city of debauchery and excess, not unlike some of our cities today. He called believers in Jesus not to be swayed by the trappings of power, but to trust the God who chooses the weak and the foolish to shame the strong and the wise (v. 27).
We too might feel hopeless about wars between nations and the rancour that exists between people closer to home. But we can trust our ever-wise God, who is more powerful than any earthly ruler. Through Christ, He redeems us and makes things right.
Reflect & Pray
How do you put your trust in God when things feel hopeless? How have you seen God turn the wisdom of the world on its head?
Loving God, You are pained by all of the fighting that goes on between nations, communities and families. Please help me to be Your agent of peace and love.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Writers of the New Testament were themselves students of Scripture, and their writings reflect knowledge of the Old Testament. Occasionally they preface their use of the Old Testament with words like “to fulfil” (Matthew 1:22) or “it is written” (1 Corinthians 1:19, 31). Paul bookends his teaching in 1 Corinthians 1:19–31 about the wisdom and power of God that are inherent in the preaching of the gospel with quotes from Isaiah and Jeremiah. The section begins with a citation from Isaiah 29:14 and ends with words based on Jeremiah 9:24, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Arthur Jackson
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
King James Version
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Click here for the Audio Message
God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:21
Today's Scripture & Insight :
1 Corinthians 1:18–31
“We are in the centre of power and yet we are powerless,” reflected a church leader in Moscow. But although they couldn’t stop the so-called “special military operations”, they could, in fact, act. “We are gospel people . . . the ‘nobodies’ of 1 Corinthians 1,” observed the leader. “It is our very powerlessness and insignificance and foolishness that can also be our strength, if it is handed to God.” During the conflict, he and others sought to worship, pray, serve and speak truth to their neighbours.
This leader referred to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Christians, in which the apostle defended the wisdom of God over the foolishness of the powerful: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Paul addressed the divisions of this church, which was located in a city of debauchery and excess, not unlike some of our cities today. He called believers in Jesus not to be swayed by the trappings of power, but to trust the God who chooses the weak and the foolish to shame the strong and the wise (v. 27).
We too might feel hopeless about wars between nations and the rancour that exists between people closer to home. But we can trust our ever-wise God, who is more powerful than any earthly ruler. Through Christ, He redeems us and makes things right.
Reflect & Pray
How do you put your trust in God when things feel hopeless? How have you seen God turn the wisdom of the world on its head?
Loving God, You are pained by all of the fighting that goes on between nations, communities and families. Please help me to be Your agent of peace and love.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Writers of the New Testament were themselves students of Scripture, and their writings reflect knowledge of the Old Testament. Occasionally they preface their use of the Old Testament with words like “to fulfil” (Matthew 1:22) or “it is written” (1 Corinthians 1:19, 31). Paul bookends his teaching in 1 Corinthians 1:19–31 about the wisdom and power of God that are inherent in the preaching of the gospel with quotes from Isaiah and Jeremiah. The section begins with a citation from Isaiah 29:14 and ends with words based on Jeremiah 9:24, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Arthur Jackson
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
King James Version
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.