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1 Corinthians 1:18-31 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. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 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? 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. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

I.THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS (18-25)
A.The message of Christ crucified makes no sense according to worldly wisdom.
B.Those who perish are those trip over the cross trying to make their own way to God.
C.The cross is the power and wisdom of God on display to those who are being saved by it.

II.THE WAY GOD WORKS (26-29, 31)
A.God, through the Christ crucified, turns nobodies into somebodies.
B.God works through what looks foolish and weak so that all boasting would be done to His name and credit.

III.THE WAY THE GOSPEL WORKS (30)
A.Our value is not found in the glory of our own accomplishments but in the glory of what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf.
B.Jesus has become to us wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

NEXT STEPS
1.Be a nobody, who boasts in the only Somebody that matters.