Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 | Preacher: Pastor Stephen Hess |  

The Foolishness of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

I.        The cross will always seem foolish to the non-believing world

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing…” (1:18)
Our job is not to make the cross seem less foolish, but to give our lives to it. 

II.       The cross is the ONLY Message that can save people

No other human system of knowledge can bring salvation.  The world cannot know God through its own “wisdom.”
God saves people through something that the world finds foolish
“It pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1:21) 

III.      Two idolatries that prevent people from receiving the gospel
1)  Jews demand signs
2)  Greeks seek wisdom
Paul preaches “Christ crucified” – a message that is offensive to both groups, and yet effective in saving people! 

IV.     Two illustrations of Paul’s message
1)  The Corinthians themselves: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise” (1:27).
2)  Paul’s Ministry: “I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom” (2:1).
Paul wanted the Corinthians to put their faith not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (2:5).