Choosing God's Power Over Being Impressive

1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5

April 26, 2026

Summary

This sermon is from 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5. It is about choosing God's power over worldly impressiveness. JMT explained that Paul intentionally preached the gospel in an unimpressive way to ensure people's faith would rest on God's power rather than human wisdom. The message emphasized that the cross of Christ, while offensive to
the world, is the power of God for those being saved. Paul chose to minister in weakness and simplicity rather than with eloquent speech, demonstrating that God chooses the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise and strong. The sermon challenged the congregation to choose between being impressive to their
peers or being empowered by the gospel. It is a warning against a Christianity that becomes too comfortable with social acceptance, noting that following Jesus sometimes means looking like losers to the world. He emphasized that church culture should be shaped by the gospel rather than by what we bring from the world, and that God's family includes people we might not naturally choose but are called to love as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather together in this small group, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to set aside our own agendas and preconceptions, and make us receptive to Your truth. We pray that You would speak to each of us individually and collectively, showing us how to
apply Your Word to our lives. Give us the courage to be honest with one another and with ourselves as we discuss Your gospel. May Your Spirit guide our conversation and draw us closer to You and to each other. In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Ice Breaker

What's one piece of clothing or item you've held onto way too long because it had sentimental value, even though it was probably time to let it go?

Key Verses

  • 1 Corinthians 1:18
  • 1 Corinthians 1:25
  • 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
  • 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Questions

  1. Why do you think Paul deliberately chose not to use his impressive speaking abilities when ministering in Corinth? What can we learn from this?
  2. How does Paul's approach to ministry in Corinth challenge our modern desire to make Christianity 'attractive' or 'impressive' to the world?
  3. JMT mentioned that we have to choose between being impressive to our peers or being empowered by the gospel. What are some specific areas where you've felt this tension?
  4. How can we tell the difference between being faithful to Jesus and just being weird for the sake of being different?
  5. How should the gospel change the way we view and treat people in our churchmfamily who are different from us?
  6. 'How are my neighbors impacted by my faith?' How would you honestly answer that question about your own life?

Life Application

This week, identify one area where you've been more concerned with being impressive or accepted by the world than with following Jesus faithfully. Take a specific step to prioritize God's power over worldly approval in that situation, whether it's in a conversation, a decision, or a relationship.

Key Takeaways

  1. We must choose between being impressive to the world and walking in God's power - we cannot have both
  2. The gospel is intentionally offensive and humbling, designed to change us rather than make us feel good about ourselves God deliberately chooses the foolish and weak things of the world to demonstrate His power and wisdom
  3. Church culture should be shaped by the gospel, not by what we bring from the world
  4. Following Jesus sometimes means looking like losers to the world, and we must be okay with that
  5. The credibility of our faith comes from the Holy Spirit's power working through us, not from our own abilities or status

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Help us to release our need to be impressive in the eyes of the world and instead find our identity and worth in You alone. Give us the courage to embrace the offensive nature of the gospel and to live in a way that demonstrates Your power rather than our own abilities. Help us to love and accept our brothers and sisters in Your family, even when they're different from us. May our lives be a testimony to Your resurrection power, and may our neighbors see You at work in us. Transform us more into Your likeness, and use us to draw others into Your family. In Your powerful name we pray,
Amen.