5/3/26 “Foolish Wisdom”

“Foolish Wisdom” 

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 

Old Wives’ Tales. 

We’ve all heard’em....right? 

...and quite honestly, I still don’t know what is being described as being “old” in that phrase....Is it the tales that are old...or the wives telling the tales that are old....?.... Or both?.....I’ve never figured that one out... 

Well, in any case, Old Wives’ Tales are those supposedly “wise” warnings that many of us were brought up hearing....and believing...as youngsters 

In a few instances, they were an accurate assessment of reality. 

But many of them – dare I say the vast majority of Old Wives’ Tales – are simply....inaccurate....they are based upon flawed information....they lack true wisdom.... 

...See if you remember some of these: 

Swimming after eating will give you debilitating cramps and cause you to drown! 

....No, Doctors have proven that while the body does send extra blood to aid in digestion, its not enough to keep your arms & legs from functioning. 

Chewing gum stays in your stomach for 7 years! 

Well...folks at the Mayo clinic have reassured us that while chewing gum is very difficult for the body to digest, it will reappear in a few days....and pretty much fully intact. 

Plucking Grey Hairs will make 2 more Grow In! 

Each hair follicle only contains one hair, so plucking them will not cause more to grow. 

Cats will take babies’ breath away! 

So - as we discussed last week – given the opportunity....cats would most definitely eat us if they could....that being said – however - there is no evidence that house cats intentionally try to suffocate babies 

Shaving makes hair grow back thicker! 

Again, the folks at Mayo Clinic say...No, it does not....it can feel thicker and look more noticeable as it grows back in....but shaving has no impact on the actual thickness of one’s hair. 

Eating Carrots will improve your eyesight! 

While beta carotine helps maintain normal vision, eating more carrots will not improve eyesight that is already poor....In other words, don’t throw away your readers, even if you do start eating like Bugs Bunny. 

The Five Second Rule! 

Unfortunately, bacteria transfers to food pretty much immediately....so - unless your floors are super clean – best to give up on that french fry that hit the floor 

And...finally...We Eat 8 Spiders a year in our sleep! 

Research indicates that spiders are not inclined to crawl into the mouth of humans....and, since we tend to move around in our sleep....any spiders in the vicinity are typically scared away... 

(I was really happy to hear this one was an Old Wives’ Tale!!) 

Just A few others: 

“Crossing your eyes will cause them to stay that way!” 

“Bulls hate the color Red!” 

“Coffee Stunts your Growth!” 

.....And....“Humans only use 10% of their brain” 

I don’t know about that last one....A few years back...I remember seeing a LOT of people wearing covid masks while driving alone in their cars...ALONE!.. 

....It makes me think....Are human beings really using more than 10% of our brains?......eh....I don’t know. 

Anyway...many of these Old Wives’ Tales are directives that may sound like convincing nuggets of wisdom – but are – in fact – unwise. 

....They are based in faulty assumptions about reality. 

In today’s passage of scripture from 1 Corinthians chapter one, Paul writes about how the wisdom of the world....like an old wives' tale....is based in a faulty understanding of reality....a faulty understanding of truth. 

If you recall from last week, Corinth was known for being a sin-infested city where all kinds of hedonistic activities were commonplace.... 

(Show map of Corinth) 

The vast majority of people in this large city that had a population about the size of Madison believed in a variety of Greek Gods...but they didn’t really hold to any real moral convictions 

....At least, moral convictions that would involve any self-denial, or self-sacrifice, or humility. 

Their made-up gods didn’t express any of these moral attributes...so why should they? 

In Corinth, the old wives’ tale of the day was that....if it felt good...just do it. 

If engaging in something made you happy....regardless of the repercussions....just do it. 

Kinda sound like a Nike ad, doesn’t it. 

Well...there’s a reason for that. 

‘Nike’ was actually the Greek goddess of victory....a mythological, winged woman who was thought to deliver success in everything from athletics to war 

...And the famous Nike swoosh – designed in 1971 – was meant to look like the wings of the goddess Nike. 

So the next time you lace up those Nike shoes....or put on that Nike shirt... 

...remember how driven the people of Corinth were to simply please themselves....without thinking about the plight of others. 

This was the overwhelming atmosphere in Corinth. 

That’s why the message of the cross – one of self-sacrifice and humility – was so offensive to these people. 

Paul writes in verse 18 (1 Corinthians 1:18) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing....” 

The Greeks – lovers of pleasurable indulgences & self-satisfaction – laughed and scoffed at the idea of self-restraint.... 

They saw as foolish the notion that a god would care enough about his creation to sacrifice his own life for them... 

This was simply outrageous! 

The fictitious Greek gods were all about pleasing themselves....therefore the Corinthian culture cultivated that attitude as well. 

As many of you know, the Greeks loved to engage in intellectual debate... 

They believed that it was this exchange of man’s ideologies and philosophies that would usher in a better world for all of humanity... 

....That man would someday achieve a harmonious utopia through the constant refining of intellectual ideas and convictions. 

Well, the Greeks have had about 3,000 years to develop the perfect society...but that sure hasn’t happened. 

In fact, Greece today is in economic ruin...the government is steeped in scandals...27% of the population lives in poverty....they’re dealing with serious migration issues...there’s high inflation....there’s significant crime... 

This is the result of 3,000 years of implementing man’s self-serving ideas....it's the fruition of human wisdom when it leaves the wisdom of God out of the equation. 

Chasing this worldly wisdom has been a huge experiment in foolishness! 

Yet where we see the wisdom of the one true God implemented....where people are serious about living in obedience to Christ... 

...That is where we see real, authentic love....joy...peace...patience....kindness....goodness....faithfulness...gentleness....self-control 

It is in Spirit-led churches that are rooted in God’s Word where we are allowed the opportunity to experience a glimpse of heaven here on earth.... 

That true satisfaction and contentment only come through self-denial, humility, and submission to Jesus. 

Or to put it another way... being a slave to Christ is the only way to experience true freedom...this is the paradoxical wisdom of the gospel 

It is – according to verse 18 (1 Corinthians 1:18) “....the power of God” to those who are being saved. 

If you have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ...you know that it is ONLY by the power of the Holy Spirit that you are able to experience joy in this life. 

Look at how the world tries to manufacture joy and contentment through human wisdom & effort... 

“Just buy this car and you’ll be happy” 

“Just drink this beverage and you’ll be satisfied” 

“Just buy these shoes and you’ll have victory...Just Do It!” 

“Just follow the Dahli-Llama's teachings about love and you’ll have peace in your heart” 

“Just take this vacation and you’ll be fulfilled” 

“Just achieve this educational milestone or this socio-economic status, and you’ll be content.” 

Those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ run after these things...they are lost....they are – as scripture says – on a path to destruction. 

Because it is built on a faulty premise....man’s wisdom will never lead to spiritual restoration 

Man is broken from the effects of sin...therefore his thinking is also broken. 

We’re reminded of this in Isaiah 55:8-9 where God says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” 

This is also why Paul writes in verse 19 (1 Corinthians 1:19) ...which is also a quotation from the book of Isaiah....”I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 

Some of the most emotionally tortured people I’ve known, have also been some of the most intelligent people I’ve known.... 

There seems to be a correlation between possessing worldly knowledge and also possessing a lack of joy....a lack of contentment....a lack of hope. 

This was very true my dad. 

Worldly-speaking, he was a highly intelligent individual. A college professor... He would read dozens of books each year.  

.....Like the early Greek philosophers, he loved to engage in the art of debate... 

But for all of this intellectual knowledge that he had acquired....it only resulted in frustration.... 

For 54 years, I had a front row seat to how his worldly knowledge – and lack of spiritual wisdom – resulted in depression.... 

...In anxiety. In dissatisfaction. In bitterness. In hopelessness. And – ultimately – in his life – it resulted in what’s called Existential nihilism.... 

....that’s the idea that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. 

It’s a hopeless view of existence where man sees himself as an insignificant accident....in a cold, vast, indifferent universe....with the finality of death rendering all human ambition as pointless. 

If one follows this toxic “wisdom” of man to its fullest extent, you will become convinced that life is meaningless....and thus, there is nothing worth living for.... 

....this is exactly what happened to my father. 

Throughout my dad’s life, our family witnessed firsthand what the foolishness of man’s atheistic & nihilistic wisdom can – and will - do to an individual. 

In fact, the irony of all of this is that worldly “wisdom” actually comes from an other-wordly source.... 

...It originates from a metaphysical realm...the very same realm that many of these people deny exists..... 

It originates with someone whom the Bible refers to as “The father of Lies” 

Listen to the words of Jesus as he addresses a group of prideful, false teachers in Chapter 8 of the gospel of John:  

“Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:43-47) 

Ladies & Gentlemen, all of us ultimately serve someone.... 

We either serve God – or we serve Satan. 

We either incorporate the wisdom of God in our lives and serve Him.....or we incorporate the Satanic wisdom of man in our lives....and wind up serving ourselves... 

Regarding man’s wisdom, James writes, “Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.” (James 3:15) 

Brothers & Sisters...it is imperative that you read – and APPLY - the words of this book to your life! ...for they are the very words of God....the words of Life! 

It is only by His Word...His wisdom....that we find purpose, that we find hope....that we find - salvation. 

Back to 1st Corinthians, Paul continues in verse 22 (1 Corinthians 1:22) of our passage for today: 

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” 

The central theme of every 1st century sermon was that of Jesus Christ crucified....and - frankly - it ought to be that way today as well. 

Because all of scripture ultimately points to Jesus, every sermon should mention him in some capacity.... 

...Even if one is preaching from the Old Testament, there is always a way to connect the text to the life, death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah. 

During Jesus’ three-year ministry, his fellow Jews became enamored with his miracles – but many of them didn’t consider those miracles to be a valid proof of his identity as their Messiah. 

This frustrated Jesus..... 

That’s why he says in Matthew 12, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 12:38) 

Just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for 3 days before coming out.... Jesus would soon be in the belly of the earth for 3-days before coming out of the grave.... 

This would be the last – and most important – sign given to a group of people who were more interested in marveling over his miracles....than they were about heeding his spiritual teachings.... 

To the Jews, the miraculous signs of Jesus were considered to be a potential vehicle for political revolution against the Romans....not a spiritual revival in their own hearts 

This still happens today. 

Some professed Christians are so concerned about seeing miraculous signs and wonders happen in their lives...they tend to miss everyday opportunities for spiritual growth.... 

Remember, faith is a gift from God....true faith doesn’t need to rely upon alarming, sensational, supernatural events.... 

We can be encouraged by seeing God’s handiwork in nature....His glory in a sunset....His design in the complexity of the single cell....His order in the laws of the universe....His compassion in the warmth of the sun...His creativity in a single snowflake. 

As Paul reminds us in Romans 1:20...the fingerprint of God is all around us if we simply choose to see it. 

Even unbelievers – if they’re honest - recognize design... 

In his book “God and the Astronomers”, agnostic Robert Jastrow wrote this timeless quote, “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.” 

In other words, the scientific evidence for a definite beginning to the universe mirrored the theological concept of creation.... challenging a purely materialistic worldview. 

Last Thursday, a few of us went to see the movie “The Story of Everything” .... a documentary about the scientific evidence for there being a creative mind behind everything that we see around us.... 

And this book – the Bible – introduces us to who that creator.... 

...and in whom we must place our faith and trust. 

So....the Jews of the 1st Century were looking for signs & wonders.... 

The Gentiles (the Greeks) were looking for wisdom through man’s ideas and philosophies... 

....both were missing the boat..... 

Like believing in Old Wives’ Tales, both were relying upon inaccurate assessments of reality.... 

....both were choosing to ignore the saving message of Jesus Christ crucified. 

Lastly, verse 26 begins the final section in chapter one....dealing with how God has traditionally used those of humble position and character to advance His kingdom here on earth.... 

Verse 26 (1 Corinthians 1:26) reads, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” 

Paul goes on to write in the proceeding verses how God so often chooses to use those the world sees as weak, or foolish, or insignificant, or just “average”.... 

....He uses these people to carry forth the most important message the world has ever known. 

....the message of salvation found in Jesus Christ. 

I don’t know about you.....but that makes me feel really good. 

It tells me that God uses people just like you and me to accomplish His Will and to advance His kingdom here on earth.... 

That should really excite us this morning....amen? 

God doesn’t look at our educational level...or our socio-economic status...or our bank account...or our career..... 

God looks at the heart. 

....and if you make your heart available to Him...He will use you in a mighty way. 

....and to be used mightily by God in this life is the Best Legacy you could ever leave behind in this world. 

Make it your mission....that when you pass through the doorway of eternity....that people remember you – first and foremost - for how you loved Jesus.... 

.....and how you demonstrated that love by serving Him....and by serving others. 

Let’s Pray.