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Cross City Church - North
September 20, 2020 | Jesus.Church.Culture. - WISE GOSPEL
"Jesus.Church.Culture." is a message series about the effect of Jesus on the church and the church on culture. The design was for the Holy Spirit to be IN the church (you) and the church to be IN the culture flavoring, salting, and lighting it with the presence and truth of Jesus. It's easy for the direction to become switched, allowing the culture to "redefine" the truth. Together, we'll explore how the Corinthian church struggled with this many years ago, and how we can allow Jesus to impact the culture around us today.
Locations & Times
Cross City North
2902 Sam School Rd, Westlake, TX 76262, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Jesus.Church.Culture.
To sum up the last 5 weeks...
- The CHURCH is JESUS’ plan to CREATE CULTURE that honors CHRIST.
- Our culture has a problem...some churches have a problem.
- You & the GOSPEL are the answer to that problem.
To sum up the last 5 weeks...
- The CHURCH is JESUS’ plan to CREATE CULTURE that honors CHRIST.
- Our culture has a problem...some churches have a problem.
- You & the GOSPEL are the answer to that problem.
"The Book of 1 Corinthians very well could have been written to the church today and we would do well to heed Paul’s warnings and apply them to ourselves.”
1 Corinthians 1:21-25...
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Last week:
The GOSPEL’s power is incredible in the right hands…YOURS.
The GOSPEL’s power is foolishness to fools.
The GOSPEL’s power is the only way to God.
THE G-O-S-P-E-L:
GOD’s Character…full of mercy & full of justice.
OFFENSE of sin…His mercy forgives & His justice won’t brush it under the rug
SUFFICIENCY of Christ…saved us, raised, seated us.
PERSONAL response…by grace through faith/gift of God.
ETERNAL urgency…matters now.
LIFE transformation…we are His workmanship for good works.
The GOSPEL’s power is incredible in the right hands…YOURS.
The GOSPEL’s power is foolishness to fools.
The GOSPEL’s power is the only way to God.
THE G-O-S-P-E-L:
GOD’s Character…full of mercy & full of justice.
OFFENSE of sin…His mercy forgives & His justice won’t brush it under the rug
SUFFICIENCY of Christ…saved us, raised, seated us.
PERSONAL response…by grace through faith/gift of God.
ETERNAL urgency…matters now.
LIFE transformation…we are His workmanship for good works.
1. The GOSPEL’s wisdom WINS over worldly wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:21...
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom… it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:21...
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom… it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
"Wisdom the world's way always leaves out the most important piece - GOD."
Proverbs 4:7...
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
- If you just read this, the relentless pursue of wisdom…
- But, if you understand who holds wisdom…you pursuit it a different way.
Proverbs 4:7...
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
- If you just read this, the relentless pursue of wisdom…
- But, if you understand who holds wisdom…you pursuit it a different way.
John Piper said...
“The greatest HUMAN WISDOM is the FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE and the SITUATIONAL INSIGHT and the NECESSARY RESOLVE that together have the greatest likelihood of success in achieving the intended, RIGHTEOUS GOAL.”
“The greatest HUMAN WISDOM is the FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE and the SITUATIONAL INSIGHT and the NECESSARY RESOLVE that together have the greatest likelihood of success in achieving the intended, RIGHTEOUS GOAL.”
QUESTION:
Is your level of wisdom on God's level?
If not…SEEK His, GAIN His, DIVE into His Word, and ASK for it more and more and more.
Is your level of wisdom on God's level?
If not…SEEK His, GAIN His, DIVE into His Word, and ASK for it more and more and more.
2. The GOSPEL’s wisdom IRRITATES the intelligent.
1 Corinthians 1:21-22...
21…it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
1 Corinthians 1:21-22...
21…it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
Folly is foolishness, nonsense, madness, stupidity, or idiocy
- Hates....Prov. 1:22
- Immoral....Prov. 6:32, 7:7-12
- Wicked....Prov. 10:23
- Deceitful....Prov. 14:8
- Perverse....Prov. 19:1
- Says “There is no God.”....Prov. 14:1; 53:1
- Hates....Prov. 1:22
- Immoral....Prov. 6:32, 7:7-12
- Wicked....Prov. 10:23
- Deceitful....Prov. 14:8
- Perverse....Prov. 19:1
- Says “There is no God.”....Prov. 14:1; 53:1
Check this out...
Folly for the Jews…wanting more signs!
- Jews…always wanted Jesus to perform…give us a sign
- “The word “signs” refers to events that were fingermarks of God or miracles that attested to the fact that God was working.”
Bible Timeline:
From Creation to Flood = miracle-less account of history
After Flood = miraculous birth of Isaac/Mom=90, Dad=99
From there God grew & led Israel miraculously:
- Joseph in Egypt to rescue them from the famine
- Delivered them from Egypt through Moses
- Parted the Red Sea so Israel could cross
- Led them for 40 years through the wilderness
- Conquered Canaan one walled city @ a time
- Raised David to kill Goliath
- Raised Prophets to foretell the future & point to Messiah
- Allowed Jesus to be born God-in-Flesh
- Promised a Kingdom of miracles with Christ returns
- Create a new heaven & new earth
Folly for the Greeks…wanting more wisdom!
Corinthian Church…
- those who left Greek mythology to follow Jesus!
In Acts, in Athens, he debated and shared:
Mars Hill @ the Aeropagus
- City full of idols
Acts 17:21-23...
21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.
Acts 17:30-34...
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Folly for the Jews…wanting more signs!
- Jews…always wanted Jesus to perform…give us a sign
- “The word “signs” refers to events that were fingermarks of God or miracles that attested to the fact that God was working.”
Bible Timeline:
From Creation to Flood = miracle-less account of history
After Flood = miraculous birth of Isaac/Mom=90, Dad=99
From there God grew & led Israel miraculously:
- Joseph in Egypt to rescue them from the famine
- Delivered them from Egypt through Moses
- Parted the Red Sea so Israel could cross
- Led them for 40 years through the wilderness
- Conquered Canaan one walled city @ a time
- Raised David to kill Goliath
- Raised Prophets to foretell the future & point to Messiah
- Allowed Jesus to be born God-in-Flesh
- Promised a Kingdom of miracles with Christ returns
- Create a new heaven & new earth
Folly for the Greeks…wanting more wisdom!
Corinthian Church…
- those who left Greek mythology to follow Jesus!
In Acts, in Athens, he debated and shared:
Mars Hill @ the Aeropagus
- City full of idols
Acts 17:21-23...
21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.
Acts 17:30-34...
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Epicurean Philosophers…they believed:
- God existed but was not interested in humanity
Stoic Philosophers…they believed:
- God was the world’s soul
- our goal was to rise above all things to show no emotional response to pain/pleasure
- God existed but was not interested in humanity
Stoic Philosophers…they believed:
- God was the world’s soul
- our goal was to rise above all things to show no emotional response to pain/pleasure
Last Week:
Fools are those who laugh at the very things there to help them – even save them.
2 Peter 1:3...you have all you need
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence…”
Fools are those who laugh at the very things there to help them – even save them.
2 Peter 1:3...you have all you need
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence…”
3. The GOSPEL’s wisdom SOLIDIFIES our salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24...
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Stumbling block…Jews
Greek | Scandolon | They thought Jesus was scandalous.
- The cross was a sign of weakness
Jesus wasn’t…
- political enough
- religious enough
- royal enough
- military enough
- He was condemned to die…why follow Him?
- They wanted a conquering Hero…
Foolishness…
- Too Silly…God as a man?
- Too Simple…By grace?
- Too weak…Jesus to die? For me? I don’t need that.
Just remember...
Some stumble…as long as you fall into His salvation.
Some think it scandalous…as long as it lands you in a relationship with Jesus.
Some think it simple & childish...as long you have childlike faith.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24...
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Stumbling block…Jews
Greek | Scandolon | They thought Jesus was scandalous.
- The cross was a sign of weakness
Jesus wasn’t…
- political enough
- religious enough
- royal enough
- military enough
- He was condemned to die…why follow Him?
- They wanted a conquering Hero…
Foolishness…
- Too Silly…God as a man?
- Too Simple…By grace?
- Too weak…Jesus to die? For me? I don’t need that.
Just remember...
Some stumble…as long as you fall into His salvation.
Some think it scandalous…as long as it lands you in a relationship with Jesus.
Some think it simple & childish...as long you have childlike faith.
4. The GOSPEL’s wisdom always ELEVATES God's eminence.(importance...fame...renown)
1 Corinthians 1:25...
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:25...
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
John Piper also said...
“God’s wisdom/divine wisdom is the PERFECT FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE and the PERFECT SITUATIONAL INSIGHT and the OMNIPOTENT RESOLVE that together will succeed in achieving HIS INTENDED, RIGHTEOUS GOALS.”
“God’s wisdom/divine wisdom is the PERFECT FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE and the PERFECT SITUATIONAL INSIGHT and the OMNIPOTENT RESOLVE that together will succeed in achieving HIS INTENDED, RIGHTEOUS GOALS.”
Check this out...
The Gospel only elevates God, that’s it’s sole purpose…
It will never elevate the messenger…
- Paul lived to serve/share Jesus
- Jesus lived to serve/share God’s purpose of salvation
What do you live for?
It will never elevate the listener...
- Not a “feel” Gospel but a “truth” Gospel
- It convicts…it’s painful @ times…our sin stands in contrast to who God is.
- It will show you how far away from God our sin takes us.
- It will never elevate this world…
This world is not our home – not even close – why would He elevate it?
The Gospel only elevates God, that’s it’s sole purpose…
It will never elevate the messenger…
- Paul lived to serve/share Jesus
- Jesus lived to serve/share God’s purpose of salvation
What do you live for?
It will never elevate the listener...
- Not a “feel” Gospel but a “truth” Gospel
- It convicts…it’s painful @ times…our sin stands in contrast to who God is.
- It will show you how far away from God our sin takes us.
- It will never elevate this world…
This world is not our home – not even close – why would He elevate it?
“If you and I will look for Christ & what He did on the Cross – you can’t miss God.”
QUESTION:
To those who are so wise, so smart…
- What if the Bible is right?
- What if Jesus saying He’s the Only Way is right?
To those who are so wise, so smart…
- What if the Bible is right?
- What if Jesus saying He’s the Only Way is right?
Cross City Challenge:
Why does the Gospel matter?
- 2 Corinthians 5:20….Part 1…it’s our duty
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21….Part 2…everybody needs this
For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Why does the Gospel matter?
- 2 Corinthians 5:20….Part 1…it’s our duty
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21….Part 2…everybody needs this
For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
