Corinthians Corinthians Gone WildGone Wild

Power Windows

Occasional LettersOccasional Letters

- - Response to a report from Choe's Response to a report from Choe's household (1:11) and from a letter (7:1)household (1:11) and from a letter (7:1)

- Founding Pastor- Apostle Paul- Founding Pastor- Apostle Paul

- City of 600,000 (400,000 slaves) - City of 600,000 (400,000 slaves)

- Crossroads of commerce- north to south - Crossroads of commerce- north to south and east to westand east to west

CorinthCorinth

- Temple prostitution, false gods, every kind - Temple prostitution, false gods, every kind of sexual immoralityof sexual immorality

- Instead of influencing their world for Jesus, - Instead of influencing their world for Jesus, they became influenced by that world and they became influenced by that world and lost their power and authority to proclaim lost their power and authority to proclaim truthtruth

CorinthCorinth

CorinthCorinth

The church should be in the worldThe church should be in the world- - Go and make disciplesGo and make disciples- I am sending you out as sheep- I am sending you out as sheep- Salt and light- Salt and light

CorinthCorinth

The church should be in the worldThe church should be in the world- - Go and make disciplesGo and make disciples- I am sending you out as sheep- I am sending you out as sheep- Salt and light- Salt and light

With a purpose!With a purpose!

CorinthCorinth

The church should be in the worldThe church should be in the world- - Go and make disciplesGo and make disciples- I am sending you out as sheep- I am sending you out as sheep- Salt and light- Salt and light

The church should not become the worldThe church should not become the world

C h u r c h a t t h eC h u r c h a t t h e

Man-made ReligionMan-made ReligionPhilosophyPhilosophy

DebateDebateJewish Religion and TraditionsJewish Religion and Traditions

Man-made ReligionMan-made ReligionPhilosophyPhilosophy

DebateDebateJewish Religion and TraditionsJewish Religion and Traditions

Intersect withIntersect with The Faith The Faith

1 Corinthians 1:17-301 Corinthians 1:17-30

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of preach the gospel, and not with words of

eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.emptied of its power.

For the word of the crossFor the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but is folly to those who are perishing, but

to us who are being saved it is the to us who are being saved it is the power of God.power of God.

For it is written,For it is written,

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the and the discernment of the

discerning I will thwart."discerning I will thwart."

Where is the one who is wise? Where Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of is the scribe? Where is the debater of

this age?this age?

Has not God made foolish the wisdom Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? of the world?

For since, in the wisdom of God, the For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through world did not know God through

wisdom, it pleased God through the wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach folly of what we preach to save those to save those

who believe.who believe.

For Jews demand signs and Greeks For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ seek wisdom, but we preach Christ

crucified, a stumbling block to Jews crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, and folly to Gentiles,

but to those who are called, both Jews but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and Greeks, Christ the power of God

and the wisdom of God.and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is men, and the weakness of God is

stronger than men.stronger than men.

For consider your calling, brothers: For consider your calling, brothers:

not many of you were wise according not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were to worldly standards, not many were

powerful, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.of noble birth.

But God chose what is foolish in the But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose world to shame the wise; God chose

what is weak in the world what is weak in the world to shame the strong;to shame the strong;

God chose what is low and despised God chose what is low and despised in in the world,the world, even things that are not, to even things that are not, to

bring to nothing things that are, bring to nothing things that are,

so that no human being so that no human being might boast might boast

in the presence in the presence of God.of God.

And because of him you are in Christ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification God, righteousness and sanctification

and redemption, so that, as it is and redemption, so that, as it is written, written,

"Let the one who boasts, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."boast in the Lord."

In a world without:In a world without:

Widespread literacyWidespread literacyMass-produced booksMass-produced books

Learned populationLearned population

Geeks: The RockstarsGeeks: The RockstarsOf Ancient GreeceOf Ancient Greece

Those who (claim) to knowThose who (claim) to knowHold sway over those who don'tHold sway over those who don't

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the and the discernment of the

discerning I will thwart."discerning I will thwart."

Where is the one who is wise? Where Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of is the scribe? Where is the debater of

this age? Has not God made foolish this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?the wisdom of the world?

Why?Why?

Why?Why?

For although they knew God, they did For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to not honor him as God or give thanks to

him, but they became futile in their him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were thinking, and their foolish hearts were

darkened. Claiming to be wise, darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became foolsthey became fools

- Romans 1- Romans 1

"The "The power of our intellect, our power of our intellect, our learning, our religion…learning, our religion…will save us, make our lives better, will save us, make our lives better, make us gods…"make us gods…"

Rome= Great reason to be proudRome= Great reason to be proud

"The power of our intellect, our "The power of our intellect, our learning, our religion…learning, our religion…will save us, make our lives better, will save us, make our lives better, make us gods…"make us gods…"

Rome= Rome= Will fallWill fall

The Enlightenment:The Enlightenment:"The power of our intellect, our "The power of our intellect, our learning, our religion…learning, our religion…will save us, make our lives better, will save us, make our lives better, make us gods…"make us gods…"

Every cure causes another maladyEvery cure causes another malady

Every pill needs another pill for the Every pill needs another pill for the side-effects side-effects

Every technology has an unintended Every technology has an unintended consequenceconsequence

Where is the one who is wise? Where Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of is the scribe? Where is the debater of

this age? Has not God made foolish this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?the wisdom of the world?

WiseWise= philosopher= philosopherScribeScribe= teacher of religious law= teacher of religious lawDebaterDebater= Sits around and ponders the = Sits around and ponders the

nature of life, gods, the worldnature of life, gods, the world

Where is the one who is wise? Where Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of is the scribe? Where is the debater of

this age? Has not God made this age? Has not God made foolishfoolish the wisdom of the world?the wisdom of the world?

POWERPOWER"Show me just one of these guys "Show me just one of these guys

Who can do Who can do What the message of Christ What the message of Christ

Is doing right now…"Is doing right now…"

- Unified Jews and Greeks- Unified Jews and Greeks

- Samaritans and Jews - Samaritans and Jews together in worshiptogether in worship

- Law-abiding citizens who serve well- Law-abiding citizens who serve well

- Slaves who aren't bitter- Slaves who aren't bitter

- Changed lives- Changed lives

- He used to get blindingly drunk and- He used to get blindingly drunk andbeat her senselessbeat her senseless

- She believed she was worth nothing - She believed she was worth nothing and gave her body away to every and gave her body away to every guy guy she met just to try to feel lovedshe met just to try to feel loved

- He was a doctor with a heroin habit- He was a doctor with a heroin habit

- He was a moralistic jerk headed to hell- He was a moralistic jerk headed to hell

- I grew up racist and self-destructive- I grew up racist and self-destructive

- Their marriage was breaking-up - Their marriage was breaking-up because she couldn't stop cheatingbecause she couldn't stop cheating

- He wanted to kill his ex, then himself- He wanted to kill his ex, then himself

- They couldn't have any children and - They couldn't have any children and thought it meant life would never thought it meant life would never be be fulfillingfulfilling

"Show me just one of these guys "Show me just one of these guys

Who can do Who can do What the message of Christ What the message of Christ

Is doing right now…"Is doing right now…"

They debate it back and forthThey debate it back and forth

They wax eloquent about They wax eloquent about the nature of lifethe nature of life

The make religious rulesThe make religious rulesto bring about external moralityto bring about external morality

They transform…They transform…

no hearts,no hearts,no lives,no lives,no oneno one

All of it was/is attractiveAll of it was/is attractive

None of it actuallyNone of it actuallyHas Has powerpower

Magic ShowMagic Show

……to preach the gospel, and not with to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the words of eloquent wisdom, lest the

cross of Christ be cross of Christ be emptied of its emptied of its power.power.

"If I talk you into a religion"If I talk you into a religionOr a philosophyOr a philosophy

There will be There will be no powerno power To change your life"To change your life"

My Dad cried…My Dad cried…

I said "Yes" I said "Yes" And was baptized…And was baptized…

……it pleased God through the folly of it pleased God through the folly of what we preach what we preach to saveto save those who those who

believe. believe.

FollyFolly= foolishness, stupidity= foolishness, stupidity

"Outdated fairy tales from a "Outdated fairy tales from a work of fiction"work of fiction"

FollyFolly= foolishness, stupidity= foolishness, stupidity

"Outdated fairy tales from a "Outdated fairy tales from a work of fiction"work of fiction"

It powerfully changes lives, It powerfully changes lives, Transforms hearts,Transforms hearts,

Gives Hope and PeaceGives Hope and Peace

……the word of the cross is folly to those the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing,who are perishing, but to us who are but to us who are

being savedbeing saved it is the it is the power of God. power of God.

The gospel is not something I believed The gospel is not something I believed and now I can move onand now I can move on

It is something I need today-It is something I need today-God's powerGod's power

Righteousness when I feel Righteousness when I feel condemnedcondemned

How I treat those who hurt meHow I treat those who hurt me

Where I get my sense of selfWhere I get my sense of self

My purposeMy purpose

For Jews demand signsFor Jews demand signsand Greeks seek wisdom…and Greeks seek wisdom…

but we preach Christ crucified, a but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block stumbling block to Jews to Jews

and and folly folly to Gentilesto Gentiles

Jews- the liberator was killed by the Jews- the liberator was killed by the enemyenemy

Gentiles- Gods don't become flesh Gentiles- Gods don't become flesh and dieand die

……but to those who are called, but to those who are called, both both Jews and Greeks, Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God (signs) and Christ the power of God (signs) and the wisdom of God. the wisdom of God.

When we open our eyes,When we open our eyes,he becomes everything we say we he becomes everything we say we

seek instead of himseek instead of him

For the foolishness of God is wiser For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God than men, and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.is stronger than men.

The smallest act of GodThe smallest act of Godis greater than the greatest actis greater than the greatest act

of manof man

For For consider your calling,consider your calling, brothers: brothers: not many of you were wise according not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were to worldly standards, not many were

powerful, not many were of noble powerful, not many were of noble birth. birth.

We all just wanna be big rockstars

Living in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars…

But But God chose God chose what is foolish in the what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame what is weak in the world to shame

the strong; God chose what is low the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, and despised in the world,

When I seek approvalWhen I seek approvalAccording to the standardsAccording to the standardsof my worldof my world

I say God doesn't knowI say God doesn't knowWhat he's doingWhat he's doing

When I sayWhen I sayGod saved me to give meGod saved me to give meWhat this world valuesWhat this world values

I say God is shallowI say God is shallowAnd no different than any otherAnd no different than any otherPhilosophy or religionPhilosophy or religion

When I sayWhen I sayGod saved me to give meGod saved me to give meWhat this world valuesWhat this world values

I say that I've missed the gospelI say that I've missed the gospelAnd acceptedAnd acceptedA false religionA false religion

God choseGod chose what is low and despised what is low and despised in the world, even things that are in the world, even things that are

not, not, to bring to nothing to bring to nothing things that arethings that are

so that no human being might boast so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.in the presence of God.

"He's a nothing little wimp…""He's a nothing little wimp…"

"Yeah, but he has peace and purpose"Yeah, but he has peace and purposein his life"in his life"

"She could do so much with her "She could do so much with her looks…"looks…"

"Yeah, but the guys she gets"Yeah, but the guys she getstreat her so well"treat her so well"

"He could move up in the company"He could move up in the companyif he'd just apply himself"if he'd just apply himself"

"Sure, but he hasn't been through"Sure, but he hasn't been throughthree divorces and his sonthree divorces and his son

isn't in rehab…"isn't in rehab…"

And because of him you are in Christ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us Jesus, who became to us wisdom wisdom

from God, from God, righteousnessrighteousness and and sanctification and redemptionsanctification and redemption, so , so that, as it is written, "Let the one that, as it is written, "Let the one

who boasts, boast in the Lord."who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Whose approvalWhose approvalAre we seeking?Are we seeking?

Philosophers who don't follow JesusPhilosophers who don't follow JesusHave no great wisdom to shareHave no great wisdom to share

Religion without JesusReligion without JesusProduces no righteousnessProduces no righteousness

RedemptionRedemptionIs found in the Gospel exclusivelyIs found in the Gospel exclusively

Why am I seekingWhy am I seekingto make The Faithto make The Faith

Acceptable?Acceptable?

To make JesusTo make Jesus

Cool?Cool?

not with words of eloquent wisdom, not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of lest the cross of Christ be emptied of

its its powerpower

To the degree thatTo the degree thatI seek after the RockstarsI seek after the Rockstars

of this age and their valuesof this age and their values

I miss the power of Jesus'I miss the power of Jesus'Transforming love and graceTransforming love and grace