1 Corinthians 1:17-31 (HCSB) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied [of its effect]. 18 For to those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts. 20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. 26 Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen the world’s foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world’s weak things to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen the world’s insignificant and despised things—the things viewed as nothing—so He might bring to nothing the things that are viewed as something, 29 so that no one can boast in His presence. 30 But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord. Paul points out that men are not saved by “clever words.”  It is not the delivery of the message that moves the listener to repent and accept Christ; it is the Holy Spirit convicting men’s hearts and drawing them to their Only Hope, Jesus Christ. 18 For to those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power. Have you witnessed someone making fun of God’s messenger or the sermon that was preached in worship service?  How about someone who is active in sharing their faith?  Have you heard them ridiculed either to their face or behind their back?  Of course you have.  It is a common thing.  The sad thing is that it isn’t always the pre-Christian, but the church member who is doing the ridiculing. Jonathan Edwards, whose sermons were responsible for the Great Awakening that started in England, held his hand-written sermon inches before his thick glasses as he read God’s message to a world that was dying and going to a Christless eternity.  Sounds boring, doesn’t it?  Probably some made fun of the man with the thick glasses and the sermon that he read from a paper.  But – that sermon shook the world!  The Holy Spirit fell and convicted men of their sins and left them begging God for mercy and forgiveness. Be careful what you criticize or ridicule.  Actually, as Christians, our time could be much better spent spreading the Gospel and serving others. 20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, Where will the scientist and the philosopher and the debater stand when they realize that there wasn’t a “Big Boom?”  Man didn’t evolve from an ape?  Jesus was NOT a philosopher, but the Son of Almighty God?  The Only One on the throne is Jesus. Buddha, Mohammad, and Moon are not going to decide whether men will go to Heaven or Hell?  It won’t matter how many degrees a man had behind his name.  It won’t matter how many prayers you prayed while you turned your beads.  It won’t matter how much money you put in the offering plate.  It won’t matter if you sang hymns or praise music.  It won’t matter if you prayed to receive Jesus in a house or in a “church.” All that will matter on judgment day will be:  What did you do with the “foolishness” of the preaching of the Gospel? We still have the group that wants a sign and the group who think that they are too intellectual to need the Gospel for a “crutch.”  You don’t need a crutch; you need a body cast!  You need Jesus and the Holy Spirit to have as much of you as possible. 27 Instead, God has chosen the world’s foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world’s weak things to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen the world’s insignificant and despised things—the things viewed as nothing—so He might bring to nothing the things that are viewed as something, 29 so that no one can boast in His presence. 30 But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord. Jesus warned those who would listen.  Noah warned those who would listen.  Joseph, Ezekiel, David, Daniel, Job, the Apostles, the Early Church…. All agreed: John 14:6 (HCSB) 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. There is no other name by which men might be saved.  There is no other way by which men might be saved. In Jesus we are made righteous (able to have a relationship with Almighty God), we are sanctified (set apart to become more and more like Christ and less and less like the world), we are redeemed (saved from a Christless eternity in Hell, a real place where we will be tormented forever if we do not accept Christ). Paul said he couldn’t make up his mind which was better:  to die? Or to live?  He said, “To live is Christ; to die is gain.” It’s all about Jesus!  Who cares if men ridicule you?  Who cares if they call you foolish?  Who cares if they pass over you for a promotion?  Who cares if that guy or gal won’t date you because of your relationship with Christ?  Who cares if you are sawed in half, boiled in oil, dragged behind a chariot, burned alive, imprisoned?  There is only One Who cares.  Jesus. He suffered everything you will ever suffer for His Name.  He rewards every suffering for His Name.  He came that the “foolishness of preaching” might be mighty and powerful.  It is THE Power of God unto Salvation.  There is only One Way:  Jesus. Do you have Jesus in your heart?  Have you admitted that you are a sinner?  Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins on a cruel cross that you might have eternal life?  Have you confessed with your mouth that He alone is Lord? If you have done these things, then you need to become one of the ones who is preaching the “foolishness.”  Jesus died for you; won’t you live for Him? If you have not asked Jesus to forgive you and be your Lord (and I don’t mean church membership, good works, or infant baptism), then you need to pray something similar to this prayer (You can pray this one if you need to): **Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner.  I have done things that displease You like lying and having an ugly attitude.  I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day.  I ask for Your forgiveness.  Please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.  Amen. If you are a Christian: **Lord, forgive me.  Forgive me for not being bolder and more open about my faith.  Forgive me for making fun of anyone who ever shared the Gospel or preached a sermon.  I commit to share the Gospel no matter what the cost.  Amen.