1 Corinthians 1:26-31& 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Q.1. Does God operate according to the wisdom of the world? What explanations must we forego in order to believe? Why? Who is the beginning and end of saving faith? – (1 Cor.1:26-31)
We observe that God makes decisions on an entirely different basis from those made by humans, for – 27 God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are (1 Cor.1:27-28). Though faith is reasonable, it is still faith. And faith is the assurance of things hope for and the proof of things we cannot see. (Heb.11:1). The reason? – so that no man may boast before God (1 Cor.1:29). God declared – I am the Lord; That is My name; I will not give My glory to another … (Isa.42:8). Paul explained that from before the beginning of saving faith … all the way to the glorification of those chosen and purchased, all is of God – But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God – revealing His plan of salvation and right standing before a holy God making us acceptable to God, and sanctification – making us holy and setting us apart for God, and redemption – providing our ransom from the penalty for sin (1 Cor.1:30 AMP). Since it is all of God, there is no place for boasting (1 Cor.1:31).
Q.2. How impressive was Paul as a leader? Where was the focus of his ministry? What made his ministry so compelling? How would this be an advantage to the Corinthian believers? – (1 Cor.2:1-5)
God has given some people an attractive and charismatic personality. Paul was not one of them. In his own words – when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God (1 Cor.2:1). He explained further – 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom … (1 Cor.2:3-4). How, then, did Paul became one of the greatest leaders the church has known? Paul gave us two clues about his effectiveness in ministry: (i) He was totally dependent on God, so his ministry came in – demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Cor.2:4). (ii) The other explanation was the unwavering focus of his message. He testified – for I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Cor.2:2). His ministry was Christ-centred and Gospel-focused. It may be supposed that this would mar his effectiveness. However, the opposite was true. Paul pointed out the advantage for his hearers – so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God (1 Cor.2:5).