Yesterday morning I read this post that just pointed to the foolishness of man. First in the post itself and then in the responses.  My first thought was to respond in anger, then, with scripture and when I had all my scriptures collected I could not find the post.  It was then that I realized Jesus was kind of just telling me to slow my roll, so I left the collection of scriptures prayed a prayer of repentance and thanks and moved on.

This morning a dear friend and brother in Christ shared a video with me of a 3 1/2-minute video of Paul Washer titled “I Must Have More Jesus” Sermon Jam”.  This 3 1/2-minute sermon kind of took my breath away, like being struck with a 2×4 across the back, (do not ask why I used that analogy).   My initial thoughts were YES…  YES.  Then I was drawn to the teachings of Paul.  His message was the same.  We need “More Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

I began searching the scriptures.  The first stop was in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, “Proclaiming Christ Crucified”.   I read that passage and all I could think is YES.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV) ¹ And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. ² For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, ⁴ and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

In this letter, Paul proclaims that he is weak and there is no strength in him.  He does not want the people of Corinth depending on him for faith; he wants them depending on the power of God.  I read this and I look around the world and even the “Church” is trying to spin what Jesus said and how the Holy Spirit inspired apostles like Paul. I continued in Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20

I went from there to 1 Corinthians 3:18-20.  I read the message from Paul more than once.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (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. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰ and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

It is so easy to be deceived in this world.  There are seemingly wise people in a position of leadership that can be very persuasive.  But Jesus chose us and called us.  I went back a bit in 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

I read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 where Paul reminds us to consider our calling and who we are.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV) 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.”

What a gift we have in Jesus Christ.  What a wonder we have access to through His Holy Word.  With His Word comes all wisdom, IF we approach it prayerfully seeking His guidance and humbling ourselves before Him.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV) ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

From here I went to Philippians.

Philippians 3:1-11

This passage always humbles my heart.  I cannot read it and think of all the things that I used to believe made me who I was, only to realize the lie of it all.  I am left broken and repaired in the same breath by Jesus Christ and filled with thanksgiving for the gift of His grace and forgiveness.

Philippians 3:1-11 (ESV) Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. ² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

What joy this gives my heart to know these things and the gift of this promise.

Closing Thoughts

Now I started this blog post with a small but annoying whine about a post I did not like and a praise about a video I watched this morning.  I spoke of how the Holy Spirit lead me away from my gut reaction to react inappropriately yesterday.  All that deterrent came from Gods Word as I prepared my response; much of it from Proverbs 26.

The thing that I have found Is that if I go to God’s Word for any reason, even if it might be the wrong reason, He will direct me to the correct path if I will humble myself and listen.

This morning the sermon my friend shared was the final tweak of the rudder that the Holy Spirit knew I needed.  If I am to speak I am to speak of the love of Jesus.  If I am to want anything it is more of Jesus.  My prayer is that His light might shine in my actions.

Prayer

Father God, I pray today for more of you, that I might shine your light and share your love.  I pray that my hunger for Your Word never be satisfied and that my thirst never be quenched.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

Referenced Video

https://youtu.be/AvBdYVGI5Dc