Is your spiritual pride keeping you from needing a Savior?

Dr. Lewis walks listeners through 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 and 6:9–11, exposing our pride and self-sufficiency. He highlights how God intentionally chooses “the foolish, weak, and despised” to shame the world’s strong and proud. Using vivid biblical examples (Corinthian slaves, thieves, adulterers, homosexuals) and contemporary illustrations (a homecoming queen realizing a humble girl has what money can’t buy), he challenges us to consider: What blocks us from embracing God on His terms? Pride or self-righteousness?

Then, through 1 Corinthians 1:30, Dr. Lewis shows how Christ becomes wisdom from God—giving us:

Righteousness – our legal standing before God

Sanctification – spiritual transformation

Redemption – ultimate hope beyond death

He contrasts the inadequacy of philosophy (“wishology”) and psychology with the life-changing wisdom of Christ.

Finally, quoting Jeremiah 9:23–24, he ties it all together: true boasting is not in our wealth, wisdom, or power—but in knowing and understanding God.

The Paradox of God’s Choice (1 Cor. 1:26–31)

God chooses the weak and foolish to shame the strong

Illustrations from Corinth and modern life

Breaking Spiritual Pride

Matthew’s Beatitudes: “poor in spirit”

William Barclay: “can do nothing” -> real Christianity begins

God’s Methods to Reach Us

Crisis

Emptiness

Holy Spirit’s quiet tug

Christ: God’s Wisdom in Us (1 Cor. 1:30)

Righteousness

Sanctification

Redemption (eternal perspective)

Why We Should Boast in God

The emptiness of philosophy and psychology

Jeremiah’s command: boast only in knowing God

Invitation & Response

Personal challenge: Is pride keeping you from Christ?

Prayer invitation for forgiveness and new life

Pride blocks access to God; spiritual poverty opens the door.

God’s “foolish” servants highlight His power, not ours.

True wisdom comes from embracing Christ’s righteousness, transformation, and hope.

Philosophy and psychology may analyze life—they cannot redeem.

Real boasting is in knowing God’s character and pursuing relationship, not achievements.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 – God chooses the weak and foolish

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 – “And such were some of you…”

Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit

1 Corinthians 1:30 – Christ as our wisdom

Jeremiah 9:23–24 – Boast only in knowing the Lord

Recorded 5/17/81