january 22 2023
2023 Epiphany 3, January 22nd
Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm: Psalm 27:1-14
Epistle: 1st Corinthians 1:10-18
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-25
Sermon Text: 1st Corinthians 1:10-18
Sermon Title: “The Word of the Cross”
Grace to you and peace, from God the Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
“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”. (1st Corinthians 1:18) This is the theme for todays and next Sunday’s sermons. In fact, one could argue that it is the theme verse of the entire first letter to the Corinthians. For everything Paul was addressing and everything we are to do and say in the church comes back to the message of the cross.
For the rest of the Epiphany season, the Epistle readings will be from the first 3 chapters of St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian churches. As with all the churches he wrote to, the Corinthians had their share of issues that needed to be dealt with, as do all churches, for all churches are made up entirely of sinners, including the pastor. In these opening chapters, he deals primarily with divisions in the church and the people’s idolatry of trusting in their own wisdom and power, rather than in the cross of Christ.
As we heard last Sunday, Paul began by reminding them of the “grace of God that was given to them in Christ Jesus … that they are not lacking in any spiritual gift … (and that) He will sustain (them) you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ … (for) God is faithful”. (1st Corinthians 1:4-9a)
Because these things have already been given to them through baptism and faith in Jesus Christ, Paul writes; “I appeal to you brothers (and sisters) by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment”. (1st Corinthians 1:10) Evidently, there was so much division that they could not even keep their outward confession of faith in Christ alone straight.
Before we go on, let me be clear, Paul is not talking about false unity, such as trying to find common ground at any cost; in order to keep the peace. He is saying that true Christian unity depends on faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ and the message of His cross, not on each person following their own agendas or ideas of what is right. So, our Lutheran Confessions are called the Book of Concord, and were designed to promote a unity of doctrine in the Lutheran churches. Therefore, they clearly articulated what was the true doctrine of the church and pointed out false teachings that, by definition, always disrupted unity of doctrine.
(The preface to the Book of Concord declared) “Some frightful errors arose … the Holy Apostles were compelled (by God) to denounce all of these … knowing that these titanic errors would involve serious offense for both unbelievers and weak believers … these disagreements will ultimately lead to the ruin of pure doctrine”. (Book of Concord, Preface, par. 7-8)
Therefore, it was part of Paul’s responsibility as a pastor, to point out and correct errors in doctrine and life and his letters/epistles reflect that. He told the Galatian churches, “if anyone preaches a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8) and, “watch out for those who cause divisions … contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; Avoid them”. (Romans 16:17b) So, it is also the job of all pastors to do the same today; to use the Word of God to “reprove, rebuke and exhort” (2nd Timothy 4:2b) the body of Christ. It is not showing love to someone to let them remain in sin and error without (at least) attempting to correct them.
This is what Paul does in the next verses, “It has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you”. (1st Corinthians 1:11) Evidently these various factions were out in the open and they were causing no end of trouble in the congregations in Corinth. He describes it this way, “One of you says, I follow Paul, or I follow Apollos, or I follow Cephas (Peter), or I follow Christ”. (1st Corinthians 1:12)
Each of these pastors and leaders in the church was called by God Himself, and each had their strengths and weaknesses, as Paul wrote elsewhere, “individually … (we) have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (Romans 12:6) and, “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit”. (1st Corinthians 12:4) But instead of appreciating each of these pastors for the gifts God has given them, some people used their differences to bring about division.
This is foolish, as Paul would say later in this letter; “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each … God gave the growth”. (1st Corinthians 3:5-6) Therefore, to cause such division in the church is the sin of idolatry. Putting your trust in other men or in your own wisdom, is breaking the 1st Commandment; “You shall have no other gods”. (Exodus 20:3) So, “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”. (Proverbs 3:5)
As Luther famously said, “that to which your heart clings and trusts is really your god”. (1st Commandment, Large Catechism, par. 3b) He goes on to list many of the idols mentioned in Scripture, but then says, “the greatest idolatry that has been practiced up to now is … the conscience that seeks help, comfort, and salvation in its own works … setting up ourselves as God”. (L. C., 1st Commandment, par. 22) (We invite you to come, as we will be studying this commandment in depth in Bible class today.)
Paul is not happy about the example the Corinthians are setting, their dividing into various factions; but he continues to teach and correct them on this issue by asking a series of rhetorical questions; all of which should be answered with a loud and obvious NO. “Is Christ divided? (NO) Was Paul crucified for you? (NO) Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (NO)”. (1st Corinthians 1:13) Again, all ministers of the Gospel are simply “servants through whom you believed”. (1st Corinthians 3:5a) It is the Holy Spirit who produces faith “when and where He wills” through the faithful preaching of the Word of God.
Paul continues, “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that none of you may say that you were baptized in my name. I did baptize also the house of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else”. (1st Corinthians 1:14-16) What Paul says here and in the next verse, is not to diminish the importance of baptism in the least, but to make clear that it is not important who baptized you, but rather that you were baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. It is God working in the Sacrament; not the pastor.
(Interestingly, according to the Gospel of John, “Jesus Himself did not baptize, but only His disciples”. (John 4:2) “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power”. (1st Corinthians 1:17) We will hear more from Paul on this godly wisdom in the readings the next two weeks, but for now it is enough to keep in mind the distinction between human and godly wisdom.
The cross is godly wisdom, even when it leads to our being rejected or suffering persecution for our faith in Jesus. This is contrary to the world’s wisdom and so we are tempted to and frequently trust in, even worship, the so-called wisdom and philosophies of this world, even when it contradicts the perfect Word of God and the message of the cross. So, the Scriptures warn us, “Be not wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7a) and “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. (Proverbs 9:10)
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing (eternally), but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God”. (1st Corinthians 1:18) Worldly wisdom sees the cross, an emblem of suffering and pain, as weak and foolish at best, but Holy Scripture declares its power; power to save from sin, death, devil, and eternal destruction in hell. Therefore, “keep yourselves from idols”. (1st John 5:21)
Jesus “endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2b) and is coming again in glory to take us home; to be with Him forever. So, the “knowledge” this world has to offer us is not a glorious treasure as many believe it to be. In fact, following worldly wisdom to its end, and foolishly dismissing the cross of Christ, would lead us straight to hell.
But that is not God’s desire for any of us. For on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins of all people; who ever have lived or ever will live. “In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself”. (2nd Corinthians 5:19a) He has reconciled us to God, “making peace by the blood of His cross”. (Colossians 1:20b) “He died for all, that those who live, might no longer live for themselves, but for Him, who for their sake died and was raised”. (2nd Corinthians 5:15)
Funny, isn’t it? How powerful the worlds influence seems to be and yet the so-called foolishness of the message of the cross (the true Gospel) is the only thing that will bring unity to the church. The Gospel, the message of the cross, the forgiveness of our sins for Jesus’ sake, is the one and only thing that will resolve any issue in the church. So, let the world go on thinking that the Gospel is dangerous or foolish, for we know better; “to us who are being saved, it is the power of God”. (1st Corinthians 1:18b) Amen.
The peace of God ….