2 Spiritual Keys for Bold Living (Full Sermon)

Many people approach life’s challenges, whether in career, relationships, or health, by seeking either human wisdom or miraculous intervention. However, the sources reveal a superior approach found in Christ crucified, who encompasses both the power of God and the wisdom of God. Understanding this divine framework is essential for achieving true fulfillment and navigating life’s complexities with spiritual boldness.

The Transcendence of God’s Wisdom

The world constantly pursues wisdom, knowledge, and advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI). While worldly wisdom (such as common sense, practical knowledge, and science) can lead to prosperity and resolve issues to a certain extent, it remains limited and inferior compared to the wisdom God provides.

God’s wisdom transcends the wisdom of the world. For example, when God granted wisdom to Solomon, it caused him to become the richest man of his time and in history.

The world often relies on what can be proven, seen, touched, or felt. However, the sources emphasize that the matter world, including the human body, is temporal and has an expiry date. In contrast, the things which are not seen are eternal.

The blessings of God are invisible and cannot be physically seen, yet they empower individuals and magnetize them to attract good things in life. Visible successes, such as peace of mind, good relationships, and a successful career, are merely the temporal effects of the invisible blessing of the Lord. True satisfaction and fulfillment cannot be attained without understanding this distinction and focusing on the invisible Lord, rather than the visible effects.

The Divine Paradox: The Foolishness of the Message

It pleased God to use the “foolishness of the message preached” to save those who believe. This highlights a key concept: God does not operate according to man’s pride or limited understanding. He chooses the weak, small, and inglorious things of the world.

Historically, people have approached the divine through two main paths, reflecting their differing priorities:

1. Jews (Religious People): Tend to request a sign (miracles, omens).
2. Gentiles (The World): Seek after wisdom (intelligence, knowledge, AI).

When Paul preached Christ crucified, this message was a “stumbling block” to the Jews and “foolishness” to the Gentiles. For Jews, the idea of a Messiah dying on a cross—a symbol of a curse—was offensive. For Gentiles, the idea that a man dying on a cross could save them sounded like utter foolishness.

However, the cross is the ultimate demonstration of divine wisdom and power:

• Justice and Love Meet: The cross glorifies all of God’s attributes. It satisfied God’s justice by punishing sin, yet magnified His love for sinners.
• Source of All Power and Wisdom: To those who are called, Christ crucified is revealed to be both the Power of God (answering the need for miracles and signs) and the Wisdom of God (answering the need for transcendent knowledge). Believers possess both miracles and wisdom from the true source.

The Importance of Spiritual Understanding: Tripartite Man

For personal fulfillment, believers must understand how they are made, as God made humanity in His image. Just as God is Triune (three divine persons, one God), man is tripartite:

1. Spirit: The intuitive part of a person. This is the part that is dead in sinners but is born again when an individual comes to Christ. The spirit functions through intuition and conscience. Intuition, which is faster than the brain, allows a person to sense truth.
2. Soul: Consists of the mind, will, and emotions (feelings).
3. Body: The physical realm.

A believer’s spirit is alive and led by the Holy Spirit.

Embracing Weakness: The Candidate for God’s Grace

God often operates through apparent weakness, choosing “the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise,” and the “weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty”.

God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. When believers face difficulty or weaknesses, it becomes an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power. If a person relies on their natural strength, wisdom, or self-confidence (like charm or looks), they limit the favor and radiance of God.

The key to receiving God’s abundant grace is humility:

• God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
• If a believer boasts of being strong or wise, God may say, “I cannot use you”.
• If a believer admits, “Lord, I’m weak, I’m foolish,” God considers them the perfect candidate to be used.

The Simple Delivery System of Divine Power

God often uses “base things” or “things which are despised” to confound what the world considers mighty or necessary.

A clear example of this is the Communion:

• The elements—a small piece of bread and a small cup—appear weak and insignificant.
• Man’s nature often despises things that are free. A gift requires humility to receive.
• God uses these simple, base elements to deliver profound effects, such as healing and life.
• God uses things that are not seen or not physical (like the blessing) to bring to nothing the things that are seen and physically exist (like a severe illness or cancer).

The full experience of what Christ accomplished (salvation, healing, deliverance, protection, prosperity) comes through listening to the message preached. The word ‘saved’ (soozo) in the Bible is an all-encompassing term, referring not only to being saved from eternal destruction but also to healing, deliverance, and protection from anything resulting from Adam’s fall.