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Elements City Church
The Better Way: True Wisdom (1 Cor. 1:10-2:5)
As the Apostle Paul continues in 1 Corinthians - he’s already reminded the church that they are called ones rescued and anchored in Christ. Now he’s turning toward coaching them to keep holding onto the true wisdom from God that is hidden in the message of the cross of Jesus. The cross is what keeps us united and focused on Christ alone. We’re to fight for relational harmony and avoid foolish divisive rivalries. Our appreciation of others should never eclipse our allegiance to our Savior. Divisiveness between Christians undermines the effectiveness of the message that believers are to proclaim in a fractured world. A unified Jesus people must speak a contrasting message amidst a divided world.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 4:00 PM
Welcome to Elements City Church
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The Better Way of Jesus Starts With God’s Call, Not Your Résumé
(vv. 1–3)
Adoption Theology - the motif and understanding of adoption is such a big deal to our new reality as followers of Jesus!! (see Ephesians 1:5)
Week 1 was all about:
Remember WHO you are.
1 Corinthians 1:10–2:5 begins asking:
If this is who you are in Christ, How and What does that change about the way you live? And the rest of the book begins to chip away at some insights to how it should impact/influence you living into the better way of Jesus.
The Better Way of Jesus Starts With God’s Call, Not Your Résumé
(vv. 1–3)
Adoption Theology - the motif and understanding of adoption is such a big deal to our new reality as followers of Jesus!! (see Ephesians 1:5)
Week 1 was all about:
Remember WHO you are.
1 Corinthians 1:10–2:5 begins asking:
If this is who you are in Christ, How and What does that change about the way you live? And the rest of the book begins to chip away at some insights to how it should impact/influence you living into the better way of Jesus.
Paul's first dive into how the gospel and our new identity should impact us: is fascinating: it changes what you think is true wisdom.
The Corinthians have imported the culture's definition of wisdom and influence into the church. The filter the WORLD used to proclaim / declare wisdom — was being used within the church as well and Paul is going to show them that God's (true) wisdom is radically different—and it is ultimately finds it’s greatest revelation in the CROSS.
Factions were taking up residence within the church… people were playing favorites and saying their allegiance to them was best….
The Corinthians have imported the culture's definition of wisdom and influence into the church. The filter the WORLD used to proclaim / declare wisdom — was being used within the church as well and Paul is going to show them that God's (true) wisdom is radically different—and it is ultimately finds it’s greatest revelation in the CROSS.
Factions were taking up residence within the church… people were playing favorites and saying their allegiance to them was best….
Paul admonished the believers to remember the singular message that had brought them to faith, and to stop comparing messengers.
The problem is that their preferences had become identities. And when that happens - unity in the church fractures…our witness is diminished.
A really important Greek observation
The word Paul uses for "divisions" in verse 10 is schismata, from which we get "schism."
It carries the idea of a tear, split, or rupture.
The problem is that their preferences had become identities. And when that happens - unity in the church fractures…our witness is diminished.
A really important Greek observation
The word Paul uses for "divisions" in verse 10 is schismata, from which we get "schism."
It carries the idea of a tear, split, or rupture.
Paul identified 4 factious loyalties in the church at Corinth.
Paul’s point:
Admiration of others should never sway your main allegiance to Jesus.
Our appreciation of others should never eclipse our allegiance to our Savior.
Stay focused on the truth of the message, not the style of the messenger.
You can have differences of opinions, and preferences - but it can’t begin to divided your allegiance to Jesus.
Harmony - Unity is such a crucial part of a Church’s witness in the world!
Paul’s point:
Admiration of others should never sway your main allegiance to Jesus.
Our appreciation of others should never eclipse our allegiance to our Savior.
Stay focused on the truth of the message, not the style of the messenger.
You can have differences of opinions, and preferences - but it can’t begin to divided your allegiance to Jesus.
Harmony - Unity is such a crucial part of a Church’s witness in the world!
Don’t let your appreciation for OTHERS, ever come before your ALLEGIANCE TO Christ!
TRUE WISDOM DOESN'T CREATE FAN CLUBS—IT CREATES UNITY AROUND ONE SAVIOR…
TRUE WISDOM DOESN'T CREATE FAN CLUBS—IT CREATES UNITY AROUND ONE SAVIOR…
Paul’s preaching was the message of the cross—Jesus Christ crucified on behalf of sinners. Of which - WE ARE ALL ONE.
Such a message always has 2 results, all of humanity will end up in one of these two classes.
(1) The gospel message sounds foolish … to those who are on the road to destruction. For those who desire worldly wisdom, the message of the cross seems stupid. “Who wants a crucified king?” …they might ask.
(2) But for those who are being saved … [the gospel message is] the very power of God.
=Paul wrote to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (1:16).
The gospel message is more than a true story and a good way to live; it is “the very power of God.”
Colossians 1:13-14
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Such a message always has 2 results, all of humanity will end up in one of these two classes.
(1) The gospel message sounds foolish … to those who are on the road to destruction. For those who desire worldly wisdom, the message of the cross seems stupid. “Who wants a crucified king?” …they might ask.
(2) But for those who are being saved … [the gospel message is] the very power of God.
=Paul wrote to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (1:16).
The gospel message is more than a true story and a good way to live; it is “the very power of God.”
Colossians 1:13-14
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
"God's wisdom vs. human wisdom":
Christianity is NOT anti-reason or anti-learning. Paul is not opposed to wisdom itself— just a few verses later he says, "we do impart a wisdom" (2:6).
His target is wisdom detached from God's revelation and centered on human boasting and achievement…
The issue isn't whether we think deeply; it's who gets to define what is ultimately true, good, powerful, and wise.
Paul says those categories must finally be interpreted through Christ.
Christianity is NOT anti-reason or anti-learning. Paul is not opposed to wisdom itself— just a few verses later he says, "we do impart a wisdom" (2:6).
His target is wisdom detached from God's revelation and centered on human boasting and achievement…
The issue isn't whether we think deeply; it's who gets to define what is ultimately true, good, powerful, and wise.
Paul says those categories must finally be interpreted through Christ.
Paul is exposing how personality-driven tribalism ("I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos") fractures churches today just as it did in Corinth — and how the CROSS, not a leader or policy or platform, must be the center of our faith/life.
Whenever we break “into camps” and call everyone else outside my camp to be “less than” — we’re slipping toward a troubling place…
As ONE scholar said: “The ground is level at the Cross” - all are welcome here and all must come to their own surrender here - surrendering their way, their wisdom, here…to trust in Christ alone.
The wisdom of God calls people toward faith - a faith so radical and uncomplicated, that a child can understand it… yet some of the most LEARNED in the world, might just miss it…
Whenever we break “into camps” and call everyone else outside my camp to be “less than” — we’re slipping toward a troubling place…
As ONE scholar said: “The ground is level at the Cross” - all are welcome here and all must come to their own surrender here - surrendering their way, their wisdom, here…to trust in Christ alone.
The wisdom of God calls people toward faith - a faith so radical and uncomplicated, that a child can understand it… yet some of the most LEARNED in the world, might just miss it…
Famous preacher Charles Spurgeon noted that the true gospel often challenges human wisdom.
The cross of Christ goes against worldly pride. It offers salvation through a crucified Savior. This message looks foolish to those who rely only on human logic. Yet, it saves those who believe.
THE CROSS IS GOD'S REDEFINITION OF WISDOM
In the ancient world, crucifixion represented humiliation, shame, weakness, and defeat.
Paul isn't simply saying: "Jesus died."
He's saying:
The instrument the world considered the ultimate symbol of defeat is the very place God revealed His ultimate victory. —That’s the scandal.
The cross says:
God's victory doesn't always look like victory.
God's wisdom doesn't always look wise.
God's power doesn't always look powerful.
God's kingdom doesn't operate according to the world's scorecard.
Dr. Timothy Keller taught that the gospel is counterintuitive.
He famously stated that “The cross shows we are far more sinful than we ever dared think, yet far more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
=The cross humbles us because it tells us how serious our sin is—and it lifts us because it tells us how great God's love is.
The cross of Christ goes against worldly pride. It offers salvation through a crucified Savior. This message looks foolish to those who rely only on human logic. Yet, it saves those who believe.
THE CROSS IS GOD'S REDEFINITION OF WISDOM
In the ancient world, crucifixion represented humiliation, shame, weakness, and defeat.
Paul isn't simply saying: "Jesus died."
He's saying:
The instrument the world considered the ultimate symbol of defeat is the very place God revealed His ultimate victory. —That’s the scandal.
The cross says:
God's victory doesn't always look like victory.
God's wisdom doesn't always look wise.
God's power doesn't always look powerful.
God's kingdom doesn't operate according to the world's scorecard.
Dr. Timothy Keller taught that the gospel is counterintuitive.
He famously stated that “The cross shows we are far more sinful than we ever dared think, yet far more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
=The cross humbles us because it tells us how serious our sin is—and it lifts us because it tells us how great God's love is.
The Corinthians' obsession with different teachers is a symptom of a deeper problem: they're using the world's categories of status, rhetoric, power and wisdom to evaluate God's servants and God's gospel.
==Paul's argument in these chapters is confronting the Corinthian assumptions about social status, power, wisdom, leadership and patronage, he’s redirecting their attention...
Their problem isn't simply that they're arguing about Paul versus Apollos.
Their deeper problem is: They have allowed the culture of Corinth to teach them what greatness looks like.
And Paul's answer is always:
"Look at the cross."
The cross completely redefines greatness.
==Paul's argument in these chapters is confronting the Corinthian assumptions about social status, power, wisdom, leadership and patronage, he’s redirecting their attention...
Their problem isn't simply that they're arguing about Paul versus Apollos.
Their deeper problem is: They have allowed the culture of Corinth to teach them what greatness looks like.
And Paul's answer is always:
"Look at the cross."
The cross completely redefines greatness.
The world's wisdom asks, 'How can I become greater?
God's wisdom asks, 'How can Christ become greater in me?
That's the better way.
God's wisdom asks, 'How can Christ become greater in me?
That's the better way.
Ending reflection / prayer moment:
What is this text saying about God?
What is this text saying about me, mankind?
What is here for me to apply to my life?
Who do I know that I can share this with?
What is this text saying about God?
What is this text saying about me, mankind?
What is here for me to apply to my life?
Who do I know that I can share this with?
Thanks for partnering with the mission of Elements!
Thank you for giving your tithes and offerings to Elements City Church. They enable us to be the church, and they help us to fuel the mission and vision. Our capacity to function on a daily basis is a direct result of your support, and we are incredibly grateful for it!
http://elementscitychurch.org/giveAren't you glad you came to church tonight?!!
We pray your week ahead is a blessed one.
Stay up to date with all the things happening in our app/online. Send in prayer requests if you have 'em. And we'll plan to see you again NEXT SUNDAY! Don't miss us as we continue our Fall series in 1 Corinthians together. Invite a friend!
We pray your week ahead is a blessed one.
Stay up to date with all the things happening in our app/online. Send in prayer requests if you have 'em. And we'll plan to see you again NEXT SUNDAY! Don't miss us as we continue our Fall series in 1 Corinthians together. Invite a friend!