Hillview Baptist Church
Advent 1 December 2, 2018
Micah 5:2ESV
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Joy to the World
Psalm 87:1–7ESV
- O Come All Ye Faithful (Oh Come All Ye Faithful)
- It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (Carol)
- The First Noel
1 Corinthians 1:10–25ESV
- Scripture ReadingOpening PrayerIntroductionAdventComingAnticipationWhy do we need a messiah?Why do we need the cross?Why do we need the Gospel?Exposition 1 (10-17)
1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV 10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.Notice, Paul beings the passage with three exhortations:Three Exhortations:All must agreeHave no divisionsBe united in the same mind and judgmentLiterally,The New American Commentary: 1 Corinthians 1. An Appeal for Unity in Light of Corinthian Factions (1:10–17)“that you speak the same thing and that you be joined together in the same mind and same outlook.”
Sometimes in this book, “Divisions” is social rather than doctrinalHere it probably has to do with divided opinions about the nature of Jesus.Pauls call for broad unity echo’s his consistent call for reconciliation. (Restoration of relationships)Paul’s call of unity ultimately, as he is about to argue, revolves around agreement in the Gospel.1 Corinthians 1:11 ESV 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.So, we don’t know much about who Chloe is but apparently she was well know amongst the Christians in CorinthHer “people”Do you have people?...They told Paul that the church was dividing into partiesNot fun parties, think political partiesPaul lists 4Paul himself,ApollosCephas (Peter)and ChristVs. 13 is key1 Corinthians 1:13 ESV 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?The answer of these Rhetorical questions is clearly “NO”...vs.14-16, Paul is thankful that he did not personally baptize many in the church.Why?There is an implied answer and a stated answer which both ultimately teach the same thingThe implied answer: So nobody of the “party of Paul” could claim something special because they were baptized by the Apostle.The stated answer?1 Corinthians 1:17 ESV 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.I. Human wisdom empties the Gospel of its power (10-17)Illustration 1Coffee and caffineArgumentation 1Realize what Paul is arguing here. Paul was a Pharisee. He was educated. He had “worldly wisdom.” But using those things to try to argue people into believing the gospel would never work. Why?Total depravityApplication 1This should give you confidence to testify of the Gospel to your friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances.It also eliminates the excuse that you don’t know enoughIf you doubt or just don’t believe but are willing to think on the Gospel, realizeThat if you insist on absolute proof, nothing will satisfy your search for answersBut if you willingly consider the prospect of believing based on faith rather than absolute proof, you may realize that what once looked foolish makes more and more sense.Transition: Paul expands on this in the next portion of ScriptureExposition 2 (18-25)1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.1 Corinthians 1:19 ESV 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”1 Corinthians 1:20 ESV 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?1 Corinthians 1:21 ESV 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.1 Corinthians 1:22 ESV 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.II. The cross is the power that saves the lost (18-25)Illustration 2Sometimes things are utter non-sense until they are notForeign languageArgumentation 2Application 2Exposition 3III. The cross is the power that saves the found (18-25)Illustration 3Going to Disney LandArgumentation 3Application 3ConclusionTie into AdventPrayer of Thanksgiving 1 Corinthians 1:10NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:11NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:13NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:17NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:18NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:19NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:20NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:21NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:22NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:23NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:24NIV2011
1 Corinthians 1:25NIV2011
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen