How Do We Study the Bible?
For this lesson, we will continue our study of the Bible with the book of I Corinthians.
Or is it II Corinthians?
We refer to the two letters to the church at Corinth as 1st and 2nd Corinthians. I think we probably really have 2nd and 3rd Corinthians with 1st Corinthians being lost.
We are a bit ahead of our study, but consider this: “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.” (1 Cor 5:9 NKJV)
Last week, we concluded with this verse:
(1 Cor 1:17 NKJV) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
So we will notice this theme:
1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
So as we continue the study of Corinthians, we note:
Jesus Christ
and Him crucified.
(1 Cor 1:18 NKJV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
the cross Where is the power, or the value?
(John 12:32 KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
O One Solitary Life
Life
He was
born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty
He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never traveled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth
When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend
Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the
human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life
(John 12:32 KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Did it happen? Yes it did!
What is the symbol for Christianity? The cross!
(1 Cor 1:18 NKJV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(1 Cor 1:19 NKJV) For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
(1 Cor 1:19 NASB) For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE."
(1 Cor 1:20 NKJV) Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Where are they? What are their accomplishments?
Who’s listening to them?
Even today, the Dan Rather’s are losing the power they once had, even though don’t seem to know it.
Ultimately, the truth of God will triuph!
(1 Cor 1:21-24 NKJV) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. {22} For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
(Mat 12:38-42 KJV) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
(Mat 12:39-42 NKJV) But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. {40} "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. {41} "The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
(1 Cor 1:23) but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, {24} but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
but we preach Christ crucified,
to the Jews a stumbling block – But it didn’t change his preaching!
But be careful! It was Christ crucified that was a stumbling block: not Paul’s words, or attitudes!
(1 Cor 1:25 NKJV) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
In no way can we compare to God!
(Isa 55:8-9 NKJV) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. {9} "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
(1 Cor 1:26-27 NKJV) For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. {27} But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
(John 12:42-43) Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; {43} for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
(1 Cor 1:28-29 NKJV) and the base1 (things) of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, {29} that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1Thayer: 1) ignoble, coward, mean, base, of no family, that is: low born
In other words, He chose the “no bodies” of the world. Examples:
Mary and Joseph – No bodies!
Peter the fisherman – a no body!
Matthew the tax collector – a no body!
“to bring to nothing the things that are,”
How did He do it?
(1 Cor 1:20 NKJV) Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Let’s be more specific: What happened to the Jewish leaders? Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70, and the “leadership” of the Jewish nation was pretty well done away with.
(1 Cor 1:30-31 NKJV) But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; {31} that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
righteousness 1) in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
sanctification 1) consecration, purification
2) the effect of consecration
2a) sanctification of heart and life
This word comes from the root word for “holy.”
redemption; 1) a releasing effected by payment of ransom 1a) redemption, deliverance
1b) liberation procured by the payment of a ransom
No wonder the conclusion:
"He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
(Luke 1:48-49 NKJV) For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. {49} For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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