Tag: wisdom of God
Christ Crucified!
Scripture reading for August 25th: Isaiah 17-19, Psalm 62, 1st Corinthians 1
1st Corinthians 1:20-25 “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? 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 wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
Paul reasoned with the Corinthians concerning his message of salvation. Paul preached Christ Jesus as crucified for the sins of mankind. His cosmopolitan audience in Corinth consisted of Greeks and Jews and other Gentiles from various parts of the world. The Greeks put a premium on wisdom and human intellect. Jews were open to God, but constantly wanted signs. Jesus gave them the ultimate ‘sign’, comparing his death and time in the grave to Jonah’s three days and nights in the big fish. But God’s ‘wisdom’ is actually the power of God for salvation. “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 is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1st Corinthians 1:30)
Psalm 62:5-7 “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty Rock, My Refuge is God.”
Prayer: Father God, Your amazing wisdom to bring salvation to all through Your Son is my only hope and my Refuge. Thank You for Your salvation and for giving all men opportunity to hear and know You and experience Your gift of righteousness and being set apart for Your forever family. Use me to preach Christ crucified, resurrected and coming again in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is my only boast!
Isaiah 19:19-21 “In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border. It will be a sign and a witness to the Lord of Hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the Lord because of oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender and deliver them. And the Lord will make Himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the Lord and perform them.”
God’s deep riches and wisdom in Christ!
Scripture reading for June 7th: Proverbs 6-7, Psalm 7, Romans 11
Romans 11:28 “As regards the Gospel, they (the Israelites) are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!”
Paul explained to the Roman believers about God’s great desire to show mercy to all people, Jew and Gentile. For now, the Jews rejected the Gospel. Their rejection opened the door so that God sent His church into the Gentile world so that they could receive mercy. But God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable for the Jews as well. God has promised them salvation and an inheritance. Through the Gospel, God will also save the Jews who believe in Jesus Christ. All are disobedient and all need God’s mercy for salvation. His deep wisdom and knowledge is beyond natural man to figure out. Worship is the response of those receiving mercy!
Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” Psalm 7:17 “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His righteousness, and I will sing praise to the Name of the Lord, the Most High.”
Prayer: Father God, my response is worship and thanksgiving for Your great mercy, wisdom and righteousness! Thank You for forgiving all my sins and giving mercy to all who are disobedient and repent. Speak to me daily through Your Word and Spirit and lead me in Your everlasting ways. To You be all glory and honor now and forever! Amen!
Proverbs 6:20-23 “My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”
Preaching the Cross!
Scripture reading for August 5th: 1st Corinthians 1:18-2:5
The cross of Jesus Christ has long been foolishness to the world and its followers. The message of the cross has been mocked and those who preached it have been ridiculed, tortured and killed by those who refused to hear the message. But for us who are being saved, it is the power of God that saved us! It is the wisdom of God that made grace available to whoever will listen and believe! (1st Corinthians 1:18,24)
The Greeks were known for their search for wisdom. They had great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Their wisdom and scholarship was well know, but they did not bring the world a knowledge of God and His plan of salvation. (1st Corinthians 1:21) The Jews were always seeking miraculous signs and the cross was a stumbling block. In the Gospel message, Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth as a man. He lived a sinless life and offered His body and blood as a sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He was crucified, died and was buried in a tomb. The greatest miracle occurred on the third day when the tomb was opened and the Son of God rose from the dead! This message proved to be a stumbling block for the Jews in spite of the greatest miracle ever witnessed. It proved to be foolishness to the Greeks who reject the message of the cross as without merit.
Yet, in this message is the greatest power ever released on earth! Through this message, all mankind has the opportunity to be forgiven of sin and receive eternal life. The key to receiving is a humble heart that will be open to believe in the One who went to the cross for all! “But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1st Corinthians 1:27-30) Have you embraced God’s wisdom through the One who died on the Cross?
The message of the cross
Scripture reading for November 22nd: 1st Corinthians 1-6
To educated people, Christ and his cross is often considered foolishness. It is not logical or believable to many who have embraced science and modern secular humanism. But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong! (1st Corinthians 1:27)
The message of the cross is a message of God’s wrath against sin. God has decreed that every soul that sins must die. (Romans 6:23) Jesus Christ took the wages of man’s sin upon Himself and was beaten, mocked, spit upon, ridiculed, and crucified as a common criminal. Isaiah says that we considered Him “stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4) The punishment that we deserved fell upon Him and by His stripes we are healed! (Isaiah 53:5) God’s wrath was directed against His own Son, that we might be free from that wrath! (2nd Corinthians 5:21)
The message of the cross tells of God’s love for us. That God Himself sent His only Son to earth just to die in our place tells the greatest love story ever told! “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) He demonstrated His love for us in that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners! (Romans 5:8) God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe on Him would not perish, but have eternal life! (John 3:16)
The message of the cross demands repentance and faith. We must turn from our self-centered ways and look to Jesus Christ for salvation and forgiveness of sin. This message is the power of God for salvation to those who will believe! (Romans 1:16-17) “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1st Corinthians 1:30)
This message of the cross is foolishness to those who claim worldly wisdom. It is weakness to those who think themselves strong. It is an offense to our intellect and strength, but it is God’s wisdom for the humble! Oh how I love the cross and the One who gave His life for me! May this message of God’s wrath against sin and God’s amazing love flow from us who believe each and every day!
Preaching the Cross!
Scripture reading for August 5th: 1st Corinthians 1:18-2:5
The cross of Jesus Christ has long been foolishness to the world and its followers. The message of the cross has been made fun of and those who preached it have been mocked, beaten, tortured and killed by those who refused to hear that message. But for us who are being saved, it is the power of God that saved us! It is the wisdom of God that made grace available to whoever will listen and believe! (1st Corinthians 1:18,24)
The Greeks were known for their search for wisdom. They had great philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Their wisdom and scholarship was well know, but they did not bring the world a knowledge of God and His plan of salvation. (1st Corinthians 1:21) The Jews were always seeking miraculous signs and the cross was a stumbling block. In the Gospel message, Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth as a man. He lived a sinless life and offered His body and blood as a sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He was crucified, died and was buried in a tomb. The greatest miracle occurred on the third day when the tomb was opened and the Son of God rose from the dead! This message proved to be a stumbling block for the Jews in spite of the greatest miracle ever witnessed. It proved to be foolishness to the Greeks who reject the message of the cross as without merit.
Yet, in this message is the greatest power ever released on earth! Through this message, all mankind has the opportunity to be forgiven of sin and receive eternal life. The key to receiving is a humble heart that will be open to believe in the One who went to the cross for all! “But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1st Corinthians 1:27-30) Have you embraced God’s wisdom through the One who died on the Cross?
The Message of the Cross
Scripture reading for November 23rd: 1st Corinthians 1-6
To educated people, Christ and the cross seems to be a foolish idea. It doesn’t make sense to the natural mind trained to trust senses, self, and science. It is not logical or even believable to many who have college degrees and have embraced modern secular humanism. To these people, religion is fine, but the cross is offensive! They are strong enough to handle life by themselves and want to live it up while they can. But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong! (1st Corinthians 1:27)
The message of the cross is a message of God’s wrath against sin. God has decreed that the soul that sins must die. (Romans 6:23) Jesus Christ took the wages of man’s sin upon Himself and was beaten, mocked, spit upon, ridiculed, and crucified as a common criminal. Isaiah says that we considered Him “stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4) The punishment that we deserved fell upon Him and by His stripes we are healed! (Isaiah 53:5) God’s wrath was directed against His own Son, that we might be free from that wrath! (2nd Corinthians 5:21)
The message of the cross tells of God’s love for us who are made in His image. God Himself being willing to send His only Son to earth just to die in our place tells the greatest love story ever told! “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) He demonstrated His love for us in that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners! (Romans 5:8) God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe on Him would not perish, but have eternal life! (John 3:16)
The message of the cross demands repentance and faith. We must turn from our self-centered ways and look to Jesus Christ for salvation and forgiveness of sin. This message is the power of God for salvation to those who will believe! (Romans 1:16-17) “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1st Corinthians 1:30)
We must be humble to receive this message of the cross. It is foolishness to those who claim worldly wisdom. It is weakness to those who think themselves strong. It is an offense to our intellect and strength, but it is God’s wisdom for the humble! Oh how I love the cross and the One who gave His life for me! May this message of God’s wrath against sin and God’s amazing love flow from us who believe each and every day!