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).