Sketches of Sermon 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God… I. THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IS A SUPERNATURAL SCIENCE. "The world by wisdom knew not God." Genuine religion is a subject of pure revelation, and cannot be discovered by human reason, in its most perfect state. It "s a spiritual science, and can only be comprehended by faith, and realised through the operations of the Holy Ghost (2 Corinthians 2:14). II. THE GOSPEL IS A FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE METHOD OF SALVATION. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." Thus, the gospel is not only a revelation of the scheme of salvation, but also an instrument of its accomplishment in the believer (Romans 1:16). III. THE GOSPEL IS A GLORIOUS DISPLAY OF INFINITE WISDOM. "In the wisdom of God," &c. The Divine Being always acts according to infinite wisdom and eternal truth. In the dispensation of grace, the Lord has proposed the best possible ends, and accomplishes them by the best possible means. It is not only a display of the wisdom of God, but is the medium of all Christian knowledge. IV. THE GOSPEL IS A CLEAR MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE BENEVOLENCE AND LOVE. "It pleased God," &c. V. THE GOSPEL ENJOINS FAITH AS AN ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE OF SALVATION. "It pleased God to save them that believe." (Sketches of Sermon.) Parallel Verses KJV: For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. |
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