Wise Fools Win    1 Cor 3:18-23

 

Main Idea:  We are called in christ to agGressively pursue the foolishness of the cross which is the wisdom of God.  The result is true wisdom and infinite riches.

 

 

1.        wisdom

 

 

1.1.  The wise avoid self-deception.

 

 

 

Hebrews 3:13

 

 

“It [the heart] abounds in contradictions, so that is defies logic and consistency.  There are some people whose lives appear contradictory.  They are both wise and yet foolish, open and yet reserved, facile and yet obstinate, non vindictive and yet revengeful.  So is the deceitfulness of the heart of every man, whether it be flaming hot or stone cold, weak or stubborn.”

John Owen, Sin and Temptation, p. 11

 

 

 

 

1.2.  The Wise Make Fools of Themselves in order to become Wise

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 1:30

 

 

1.3.  The Wise Know God Opposes the Proud, Gives Grace to the Humble

 

 

Isaiah 66:2 (ESV)

 

 

2.        The Inheritance of the Wise

 

 

 

2.1.  The Wise don’t glory in men but in Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2.  Everything Belongs to the Wise

 

Romans 8:28-39 (ESV)

 

 

 

 

 

2.3.  The Wise Belong to Christ, and Christ to the Father

 

 

 

Ephesians 1:4-6

 

1 Corinthians 15:24-25

 

 

My Main Application:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions:

1.      What is Paul talking about in this passage?  What are his main points?

2.      Why is he talking about this?  What sort of problems or needs did the Corinthians have that prompted him to write this?

3.      Are any of these problems or needs similar to ours?  Give three examples.

4.      What does Paul mean by “let him become a fool that  he may become wise”?  How does one do this?  How do you do it?

5.      What does a gospel centered day look like?  A gospel centered marriage?  Child-raising?  Career?  Church?

6.      How does the truth that “all things are yours.. and you are Christ’s” affect our outlook?  How does it affect our behavior?

7.      In what ways do you need to conform to God’s truth in this passage?  Be specific and practical.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources:

 

NIV Study Bible

New Geneva Study Bible

NAS Study Bible

ESV Bible

 

1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems, John MacArthur

 

The Cross and Christian Ministry, DA Carson

Showing the Spirit, DA Carson

 

1 Corinthians, David Prior, Bible Speaks Today Series

 

daily Devotional

Day

Verse

Thoughts

Mon, Jan 17, 2005

1 Cor 3:18

Why does Paul write "let no one deceive himself"?  What does he mean?  How were the Corinthians deceiving themselves?  Have you ever deceived yourself?  How so?  Can this still happen for a believer?  How do we avoid it?  What is the truth we must be sure to know? 

Tues, Jan 18, 2005

1 Cor 3:18

What does it mean to be wise "in this age"?  How is this in opposition to God's wisdom?  Is there some area of your life in which you think you are "wise in this age"?  Marriage, family, job, church?  What does it look like in that instance to become a fool for Christ?  Ask God to help you in this and thank Him for His commitment to make His people truly wise.

Wed, Jan 19, 2005

1 Cor 3:19

How might God "catch" the wise in their "craftiness"?  Have you ever been caught by God in your craftiness?  Is there any craftiness in your life that needs to be caught?  Bring that to the Lord, ask Him to help you grow in humility, confess it to a trusted friend in Christ.  Thank God that He catches the wise in their craftiness.

Thurs, Jan 20, 2005

1 Cor 3:21

What are some things that you boast in?  What were the Corinthians boasting in?  How did this show their failure to grasp the gospel?  What about the gospel is worthy of your boasting?  What does boasting in the cross really look like?  On Sundays?, in private? on the job? with family?  Spend some time boasting in Christ in prayer.

Fri., Jan 21, 2005

1 Cor 3:21-23

What does it mean "for all things are yours"?  Can you think of any other scriptures that agree with this statement?  How does this truth radically alter our mindset and our lives?

Sat, Jan 22, 2005

1 Cor 3:18-23

Spend some time thanking God for all the things that He uses for our good in Christ.  Thank Him for the blessings and the trials.

Sun, Jan 23, 2005

1 Cor 3:18-23

What does it mean that you are Christ's?  What does it mean today?  How can you live according to this truth today?  Thank God for making you Christ's that you might fully enjoy Him!