“After that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21, KJV).
The majestic creations of God surround us. They clearly testify of God the Creator. But through the wisdom of His handiwork, the world failed to come to know God. Consequently, He chose the foolishness of preaching to save the lost.
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul mentions two groups who found it hard coping with God’s approach to saving the lost. One was the Jews. The other was the Greeks. Why? “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (verse 22). I believe we have religious people today who fall into these two categories as well? That is, those who seek signs, and those who seek after wisdom.
For those falling into these categories, what Paul calls the foolishness of preaching presents a serious challenge. Here’s what he says about that: “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (v. 23).
Why do they find preaching to be a stumbling block or foolishness? Because when the gospel is preached, those who look for signs won’t find them because the preaching of the cross is not based upon signs but faith. And for those who seek wisdom, the preaching of the cross does not scratch one’s itchy ears to hear impressive words but it underscores human failure and our need for a Savior.
When Preaching Was Foolishness to Me
After I graduated from college, I moved to Central Florida to work as a young engineer at Kennedy Space Center. While there, I and my wife attended a local church. She grew up going to church, but during my youth, I had no interest in the church or Christ.
I enjoyed the choir singing at the local church we attended in Florida. But when it was time for the preacher to preach, I was so ready to leave. I remember how excited the preacher was as he preached the gospel. The people were responding to his preaching with amens and joy.
But to me, it was nothing to get so excited about. All I saw was a man old enough to be my dad getting excited talking about some words on a page in the Bible.
But three years later, I gave my life to Christ. My eyes became open. I fell in love with the power of the preaching of the gospel.
I believe countless churchgoers today sit in the very seat I used to. They hear the preaching of the cross. But it’s not enough. They are looking for a sign to believe. Or they want to be intrigued by wisdom. But God has chosen the “foolishness of preaching” to save the lost.
God sent His Son to die a barbaric death on the cross. Only those who trust in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.