The “Backward” Wisdom of God

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

God’s wisdom seems “backward” to us because our

thinking is so backward!

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8,9

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SALVATION

The only thing that keeps us from

the power of salvation is our self-confidence.

Power and Weakness

The Holy Roman Empire

Power and Weakness

What is the Church?

Why are we here?

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:28,29

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

Commitment to Christ & Serving Others

Nourishment via God’s Word,

Prayer & Fellowship

Difficulties

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 2 Corinthians 12:7,8

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9,10

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

Common “thorns”

○DISTURBANCE

○DARKNESS

○DISAPPOINTMENT

○INEQUALITY

The Story of Agnes

The Story of Agnes

Power and Weakness

CHRIST’S POWER FOR SERVICE

How are you responding to God’s

current “thorns?”

Power and Weakness

Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Power and Weakness

Jars of Clay 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18