1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (New International Version)
18 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. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

I. Kinds of wisdom (vv. 18-19)
• There is

and

Reveal Answer

wisdom.
• Quarreling is never charismatic but is always

Reveal Answer

. (Rom. 13:13)
• The message of the cross of Christ

Reveal Answer

has the power to save.
• God’s wisdom

Reveal Answer

carnal wisdom.
• It is irrational to think the finite would

Reveal Answer

the infinite.
II. The wisdom of the Gospel (vv. 20-22)
• God

Reveal Answer

all human wisdom that contradicts his word.
•

Reveal Answer

that saves is received through preaching the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit.
•

Reveal Answer

is evident in nature but cannot save us from sin.
• Spiritual wisdom is

Reveal Answer

obtained by intellect or emotion.
• There are two kinds of people who receive revelation differently:

Reveal Answer

_ and

Reveal Answer

.
III. Wisdom and Power is a Person (vv. 23-25)
• God values the

Reveal Answer

and

Reveal Answer

person equally.
• Neither sign seekers nor truth seekers are more

Reveal Answer

or

Reveal Answer

to God.
• There are no percentages to

Reveal Answer

in people. (Rom. 3:22-23)
• Jesus Christ is the

Reveal Answer

and

Reveal Answer

of God.
• A God who never

Reveal Answer

with you is not real.

TAKE OFF
If you attended the Holy Spirit Encounter, what did God speak to your heart or do in your life through worship, the speaker’s messages, time at the altar, and/or prayer?

TEXT
1. What thoughts or feelings did you have during this week’s sermon?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. What two types of wisdom are being compared in this passage? How do beliefs affect how one views each of the types of wisdom?
3. Does a desire for wisdom draw us closer to God, lead us away from God, or both? Explain your answer.
4. God’s wisdom looks foolish to the world. What are some examples of God’s wisdom found from commands in the Bible that don’t make sense in American culture?

TAKE AWAY
What is one area or situation in your life where you have been listening to the world’s wisdom? How can you pursue God’s wisdom in that area?