Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 23, 2020

Christ Crucified: The Wisdom of God

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

1. Background

• pastoral letter to a troubled and triumphant church
• Paul spent 18 months in Corinth prior to writing this letter
• objective: unity rooted in the wisdom of Christ crucified
• confirmation of calling (1:1-9) and contention in the church (1:10-17)
• Because Christ crucified demonstrates the complete superiority of God’s wisdom and power to a dying world, depend on it and declare it confidently.

2. Christ crucified exposes human wisdom’s futility (18-21)

• synonym for the gospel: word of the cross
• disregard results in division and distraction
• failure to address ultimate issues
• contrast: perishing/folly and being saved/power
• supporting OT reference: Isa. 29:13-14
• God’s pleasure in what appears “foolish”

3. Christ crucified exceeds human wisdom’s effort (22-25)

• demand for signs: the spectacular
• demand for wisdom: the intellectual
• a rescue rooted in divine determination
• stumbling block and folly (Deut. 21:22-23)
• foolish wisdom and weak strength
• pulverizes pride (1:31 and Jer. 9:23-24)

4. So What?

• “How soon faith would freeze without a cross.” (S. Ford)
• Dynamic divine determination calls for delighted dependence.
• “Alas, and did my Savior bleed…” and “Forbid it Lord that I should boast…” (Watts)
• “When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow. For I will be with you, your troubles to bless and sanctify to you your deepest distress.” (Rippon)