READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
It is often said that we have an upside-down God whose kingdom values stand in stark contrast to the values and priorities of the world.
The Foolish Wisdom of the Cross (1 Cor 1:18-25)
The cross reveals an upside-down God whose ways are so opposite from that of the world. Those who reject its message view it as foolish. God exposes this worldly wisdom as foolishness instead (v20).
In the first-century world,
- Wise men held philosophies that explained life: Epicureanism or stoicism–life to be enjoyed or life to be endured. Modern equivalents might include pluralism, materialism and capitalism.
- Jewish leaders believed they held the moral and ethical authority for godly living.
- Philosophers were oratorical masters, influencing society with persuasive speech. A parallel can be made to today’s social media shaping societal beliefs and actions.
Paul warns that we should not think ourselves smarter than God (v19). On the cross, God has already passed judgement on the best of human wisdom. None of these philosophies or lifestyles can save us or explain a God who dies for His people.
Instead, God saves man through the offensive foolishness the cross.
- To the Romans – a true leader would never allow himself to be humiliated like Jesus.
- To the Greeks – Jesus is the antithesis of a Greek god, mortal and weak (v22-23)
- To the Jews – the cross is a stumbling block, a scandal (v23). Cursed in the man who hangs on a tree (Deut 21:23). Their Messiah was supposed to overthrow the Roman empire, not die under it.
God turns the concept of salvation upside-down: Christ crucified. A Messiah meant to display strength and victory, is instead shamed and humiliated on a cross. The world is saved not through power but by a suffering God.
Surprising Choices (1 Cor 1:26-31)
God also overturns expectations in the people He chooses. He deliberately selects the foolish, the powerless and the worthless to shame those the world deemed wise, powerful and worthy.
The things that qualify us and give us worth in this world – pedigree, wealth and connections, do not qualify us before God. Instead, He looks for hearts that are humble and hungry for Him. They are poor in possessions but rich in God.
1. Turn away from idolatrous expectations of God
- The Jews demanded signs (v22) because God had in their history displayed His power in very visible ways – parting the Red Sea, providing daily manna and quail for their ancestors. In the same way, they had seen Jesus heal the sick and feed the five thousand. The crucified Messiah did not fit into their mold of God.
- The Greeks sought knowledge that could explain the Messiah (v22). Likewise, many today want an intellectually satisfying explanation for everything.
We need to repent from expecting God to act in a certain way – “If we do this, God should do that”. We should submit to God’s sovereign ways and trust Him.
2. Embrace the Way of the Cross–A cruciform life, shaped after the cross
Life comes from death
‘Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’ (John 12:24)
- We must be continually killing sin – “always be killing sin or sin will be killing you”.
- We are called to take up our cross daily, deny ourselves and follow Christ (Luke 9:23)
- Colossians 3 calls us to put to death our earthly nature (v5), before we can put on compassion, kindness and humility (v12). Sacrificial love flows from a crucified self.
Accept the Suffering God
- God is present in our suffering and His divine power gives us hope
- Giving up the need to be always right – surrendering injustice to God’s divine purpose and timing
3. Rest in His Grace, boast in the Lord
- Grace cannot be earned, it is always a gift.
- God’s economy is not about qualification but grace.
- God calls us to rest in His grace – He gives us a daily grace.
At some point, we all experience spiritual, emotional, or physical poverty. In those moments, we are tempted to cling to earthly securities — wealth, intelligence, connections. Scripture reminds us:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches” (Jer 9:23). Let our boast, our confidence be in God instead.
By grace, through Christ, we can boast of our:
- Righteousness – right standing and relationship with God (Rom 3:21-22)
- Holiness – Sanctified and set apart (1 Cor 1:2)
- Redemption – Redeemed and freed from sin (Rom 3:24, 8:23)
God’s ways may appear upside-down, but they are true wisdom for living godly and victorious lives that please God. Let us submit ourselves fully to God and remove any idolatrous expectations of how He should act in our lives. We can trust our God who loves us so much that He died for us.
(Sermon notes by Stella Chiam)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. Read the text of 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. What stands out to you? - Recall Sermon
a. What are the two ways God demonstrates His upside-down ways?
b. Why is the cross the foolish wisdom of God?
c. Why is God’s choice of the Corinthians so surprising?
d. What are the ways our worship of God may be idolatrous?
e. What is the cruciform way of life?
f. What does it mean to boast in the Lord? - Relate Personally
a. What about the message that really spoke to you?
b. What is one discipleship lesson gleaned from the sermon? - Commit to Action
a. In what ways is God calling you to act in response to the message?
b. What steps will you take this week to apply the lessons learned from the sermon?
