1 & 2 Corinthians: The Gospel of Boasting
Introduction: When I was a young preacher I asked an older preacher a question about a passage in 1 Corinthians. The first words out of his mouth were, “You know that’s the milk of the word.” Being a little bashful I said, “Yes sir, I know, but I still don’t understand this particular text.”
Now, many years later, I still recognize that Paul taught the Corinthians “milk” and not “solid food” because they were not ready for it (3:1-2). However, a careful study of 1 & 2 Corinthians also reveals that questions are not quickly answered by a cursory reading. In fact, it is evident that when we study these letters, our deep focus on the answers of various problems in the church causes us to miss the broader message. This is a letter! And when we divide this letter up over a 3-6 month study, we usually “see the trees” but not the “forest.”
In fact, we quickly come to the uncomfortable realization that in many ways we too are babes, “people of the flesh,” in need of Paul’s spiritual milk!
Therefore, we will look at three questions as we discover the broader message of the Corinthian letters:
“We impart (didn’t originate with them) this is words not taught by human wisdom (we didn’t devise or manipulate the message), but in [words] taught by the Spirit (these were not our thoughts, nor even our words. They were the Spirit’s words that came from the mind of God.
2 Corinthians 10:2-5, 10. This offers a clear contrast.Let’s break this down for our culture today.The challenge of the preacher: Are you counting on your personal persuasiveness to change your audience, or will you accept that only Jesus, and knowing Jesus can change people? It is one thing to persuade and urge people to do the right thing, it is another to use a lofty, eloquently presented personal “wisdom” to manipulate people’s emotions like a salesman sells his product. Floyd Goff, one of the first elders I ever worked with, said, “If your cup runs over, that’s great! But don’t slosh it out!” Further, in the end, who will get the glory? Will people go away talking about the preacher or talking about the beauty of the Lord and what he has done? The apostle Philip said, “Show us the Father and it will be enough.” Indeed! Show us the Father.Into what “image” will people be transformed? If the preaching seeks human glory, the listeners will seek the same. That is exactly what Paul is attempting to change in the Corinthian thinking. As 2:14 states, anything but the teaching of the Spirit of God will produce a natural man. Finally, 1:17 is Paul’s greatest concern. This kind of preaching empties the cross of Christ of its power. Paul defines this in verses 27-31. The Lord decided to save people apart from the idolatry of worldly wisdom (vs. 21). It is reminiscent of the servants of Naaman redirecting their master to obey Elisha and dip in the River Jordan to be cleansed: “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” (2 Kgs. 5:13, NIV). That’s the wisdom of the world—and its purpose is man’s glory. Therefore, salvation is in the foolishness of the cross, in that which is low and despised in the world, in that which makes no sense to natural humans. Vs. 30, “because of him…you became the wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” Could you have attained those things without him?! The set up for both letters: verse 31“Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” That is a quotation of Jeremiah 9:23-24, 23 “Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Israel didn’t listen!Wisdom, might, and wealth is all that man has. None of it is permanent and none of it will save. It will only give temporary glory and a false feeling of security. When we preach and teach the cross, when we bring people to the Lord, what should be impressive is that God gave up everything to save you. So, will you trust your own way, or will you trust him? His way is the “way of the cross!”Conclusion: Jesus proclaimed…
Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:27 “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:33 “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Conclusion: Now, what are we preaching? What are we living? What is the real problem?
It is the failure of preaching and living the Gospel of Christ crucified!
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