Hillview Baptist Church
Morning Worship, June 14, 2020
Exodus 19:2–8ESV
- Blessed Be Your Name
- Every Praise
- Behold Our God
1 Corinthians 3:18–23ESV
- IntroductionIn verse 5 of this chapter and continuing through verse 17 of chapter 4, Paul truns his focus back on attacking the factions that have arisen in the church.If you have not been with us from the beginning, let me give you a few summary points to catch you up.Paul, the author of this book is writting to a church in the city of Corinth of which he was the founding pastor.This church has many problems both related to theology and practice.One of the main underlying problems is that they are falling into the trap of pursuing wisdom like that of the world and latching onto leaders as if they are philosophers trying to gain disciples.“I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, etc.This passage serves as somewhat of a summary and connection of the various themes that have permeated the book thus far.In Chapter 4, Paul will make one more final appeal to the corinthians to stop following human leaders.Exposition
1 Corinthians 3:18 ESV 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.Let no one deceive himself or “Don’t be delusional”These are strong wordsThese words can be offensivePaul is not speaking kindlyIf anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this ageThis language is written in a way that assumes truth“Thinks” is used 3 other times in this book 8:2, 10:12, and 14:37each time it is clear that the person believes something is true but it is notlet him become a fool that he may become wise.In otherwords, lose all your supposed wisdom to become truly wisePursuing worldly wisdom is a foolish act, pursue Jesus instead and you will be wise.1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”The word For indicates reason. This is a reminderthe wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”,Job 5:13 ESV 13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.If you have been with us on Wednesday nights, you know we have been studying the book of JobA major theme in the book of Job is that God’s justice does not look exactly like worldly justiceJob’s friends accuse Job of sin...But Job’s sin did not bring the hardship the Job facesIn the context of chapter 5, this is in the middle of Eliphaz’s speech.Remember, this “friend of job is wrong about God but as we see in this speech, he is not entirely wrong and is used by Paul to illustrate his pointIn the text, God is portrayed correctly as saving the “poor” from the “wise”This show’s that God sovereignly overrides the wisdom of the World as he sees fit which is one reason why we cannot be wise on our own because God doesn’t follow the “rules” the man imposes on Him.1 Corinthians 3:20 ESV 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”Paul now quotes Psalm 94:11In the Psalm, rather than “wise” it simply says “man” and instead of man’s thoughts being fultile, it says that man’s thoughts are but a breathOne commentator puts it this wayThe Pillar New Testament Commentary: The First Letter to the Corinthians d. Reprise and Summary: All Things Belong to God (3:18–23)“Psalm 94 stresses that in spite of manipulative and corrupt leadership by those in authority (Ps 94:5–7, 16), the ‘schemes’ of these human persons fail because their best ‘thinkers’ are fallible (Ps 94:11).”
What Paul is emphasizing here is that The best layed plans bring no gaurantee of success and while, yes, we should plan the best we can, it is only through relying on the and trusting the promises of God that we can be assured of a possitive outcome (note: not a predictable outcome.)1 Corinthians 3:21 ESV 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,1 Corinthians 3:22 ESV 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,1 Corinthians 3:23 ESV 23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.Do not fear the ridicule of the World for all things are already yours. 1 Corinthians 3:18ESV
1 Corinthians 3:19ESV
Job 5:13ESV
1 Corinthians 3:20ESV
1 Corinthians 3:21ESV
1 Corinthians 3:22ESV
1 Corinthians 3:23ESV
Psalm 90:16–17ESV
